SCOTT Mitchell from Childers has come a long way in his first year of competition rifle shooting, winning his first open F Standard scope class trophy at the final prize meeting of the season in Warwick on Sunday.
He trounced a top field to win the aggregate over three ranges at the Darling Downs Rifle Club event. The Bundaberg Rifle Club member finished with a score of 175 from 180 in the 30 shot competition over 300, 500 and 600 yards. Goondiwindi's Gary Haeusler was second a shot adrift, with Beth Caskey from Pittsworth two shots back in third place.
More than 80 shooters from across southern Queensland and NSW took part in the event, almost half of them shooting in scope events. Conditions were fine, but with a challenging mirage.
One of the State's top open sight shooters Ashley Bidgood held his splendid 2014 form to secure another Target Rifle A Grade trophy, pipping Brisbane's Geoff Grosskreutz on the final range.
Ashley dropped a single shot at 500 yards to finish on 149 with 15 centre bulls, ahead of Geoff Grosskreutz on 148.17 and Albert District's Shane Abood on 148.13.
Brisbane shooter Craig McGowan took out the F Open scope competition by a shot from Beaudesert's Michelle Knudsen.
Southern Downs member Graham Eagle won the F Standard B grade aggregate with young Crows Nest shooter Brendan Parkins securing the Target Rifle B grade trophy and Shane Kao from Darling Downs the C grade.
