GOOD SHOOTING

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1930, Page 2

GOOD SHOOTING

OLD RECORD RECALLED

PALMERSTON NORTH, April 9. Apropos of three consecutive “possibles,” cabled as having been made by Major Babiy, of the Indian Army team, at Bisley at ranges lrom 200. yds, sCoyds and 600yds, a correspondent of the “Manawatu Times” is reminded of a remarkable “shoot” made ae Feilding many years ago.

Members of the old Manchester Rifles Volunteers Corps were practising on the local range at 500yds, , 600yds and /700yds, and amongst those present 1 was Captain J.‘ E. Barltrop, at that time O.C. Company. -'ll if first shot at 500yds was a bull’s-eye, and he followed that u#> by six more consecutive bulls scoring a possible of 35. At tiie 600yds range, the same thing occurred. Pro ceiling to the 7(,oyds range, Captain Barltrop amazed Iris shooting companions by piling on hull after hull until he had filed his seventh shot at that range, scoring a total of 105 points with twenty-one consecutive bullseyes. This shoot was more meritorious as it in.luded the 700yds range, which has always been recognised by riflemen as u> very difficult one by reason of the apparent smallness of the bull’s eye, at that distance from the target, and the other conditions, of which all rifle shots are well aware.

Whilst not under-estimating the shot put up by Major Babty the correspondent contends that Captain Barltrop’s was a better performance, as the former was over three “easy range's” ■(omitting , the 300vds, which is recognised as a - difficult range,' whilst '-Captain- J Barltrop’s ’shoot was over two easy ranges and one extremely hard biicj Incidentally, the, “bull’s eye,” which was in use at the time was only eighteen inches in diameter, the smallest which riflemen have been ■ailed upon toffire over rifle sights at 700yds. ; This looked like the head of a pin. and took some “holding on” to. Captain. Barltrop also holds the distinction. of being the only competitor a. the annual big shot at Trentham to score two consecutive “possibles” on that, tricky range. This feat he accomplished on March 2,“ 1905, at 209yds arid 500yds, when lie scored eight consecutive bull’s eyes at each, range. ~ .