G.S.S.F. ‘RINGS’ IN 2015 STEEL CHALLENGE SHOOTING WITH SUCCESSFUL MATCH

On Saturday 28th February, 2015, the air at the GDF Yarrowkabra Range was filled with the sound of gunfire as local handgun sport shooters engaged steel plates in the hope of making melodic ‘ringing’ tones. Competitors came out shooting for top honours in the latest Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match, sponsored by Boodram’s Bakery and Why Pay More Trading.

GSSF is affiliated to the Steel Challenge Shooting Association which promotes the sport as one of
the fastest shooting competitions in the world.
 The competition consisted of two SCSA stages and saw competitors racing for prizes in the Wildcat and Limited Divisions under clear skies and a cool tropical breeze.

Each stage required the shooter to engage five different steel targets set out at various angles and distances, one of which is designated as a “stop plate” which is shot last and when hit stops the time. The total time taken is used for the score (Your time is your score.) There are penalties for misses, which add 3 seconds for each. Competitors are scored using an electronic timing device that records the time at every gunshot. Ultimately the shooter with lowest time wins. Hence speed and precision is required.

Match Director, Capt. Roul Bhudu, in declaring the match open, welcomed spectators and members to the event and encouraged shooters to have fun while keeping safety paramount throughout the Match. Range Master, Mr. Michael Blake, in his remarks to all reviewed the Rules of Steel Challenge and reminded everyone of the safety and range rules.

The first stage shot was "Pendulum" which saw the four furthest targets set at 18 yards and the stop plate enticingly located at a close 10 yards from the shooting box. This caused some excitement as some seasoned shooters in their rush to get fast scores shot, missed this plate and had to fire make up shots to stop the running clock during their strings.

The second stage "Showdown" saw two rectangle targets located some 25 yards away and the smaller plates at a closer 10 yards while the stop plate was set at 12 yards. However this stage was seen as tricky to tackle since there was a requirement to shoot at least 2 strings from an alternate shooting box. Two stings had to be shot from one shooting box and two from the other box situated 6 feet from the other which ultimately changed that angles of target presentation. The competitors had to choose from either box to shoot their fifth and final string and many competitors deliberated over their ‘better side’ to avoid accidently hitting the tricky stop plate located in the centre. This however still caused confusion and was still hit by a seasoned shooter thus adding valuable penalty time onto his score.

Local Steel Challenge Ace, Mr. Ryan McKinnon was urged by all to be the first shooter for both stages, as other competitors took notes and honed their strategies to try to better the benchmark score that he set.

Needless to say, a lot of extra rounds were fired as several seasoned competitors relentlessly attempted to rise to the said challenge: some at times firing several shots in rapid succession dubbed ‘spray and pray’, others who were quite determined took their time to hit every plate on every shot, while others queried if the wind was shifting the solid steel plates as they were anchored to the ground by each target stands. String after string, competitor after competitor, in the cool breeze and setting sun, the silence of the afternoon was punctuated by the melodic ‘pings’ of lead impacting steel, images of smoking guns and periodic laughter.

As it all settled, the final timing data was entered by stats officer, Dr. Pravesh Harry into the official scoring software. The results generated were as follows.

President of the GSSF, Ms. Vidushi Persaud, conveyed thanks to the
More Trading located at 7 Houston Public Road, and to Mr. Raymond Islam of Boodram’s Bakery located at 18A Foulis, Enmore.

Ms. Persaud also thanked member, Mr. Mohamed Qualander of Queensway for the invaluable support rendered to make this particular match a success. The GSSF is also grateful for the kind gesture of future support offered to the Foundation by Mr. T. Jagmohan, who was on hand to witness what he dubbed an exciting sport. Copies of “Front Sight” Magazine - The official journal of the United States Practical Shooting Association were presented to members who were participating in their first SCSA Competition.

The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation wishes to thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Commissioner of Police Mr. Selall Persaud and his ranks of T.S.U. and ‘A’ Division.

In Photo below, Front Row seated, Prize Winners surrounded by competitors.