Jeff,
Put your manners back in this is an open forum and an open discussion ... Alan is as entitled to his opinions and to make comments, you dont have to agree with them but he is entitled to make them regardless.
Sean,
I was once informed that Fly shooting was initially developed for hunting rifles and that over time it was eventually hijacked by the Custom bench rest brigade. I don't know if there is any truth to that statement, however, if there is, I would merely pass that off as the discipline evolving.
Well you were misinformed, Fly shooting has nothing to do with hunting rifles, never did, I will give you a clue though all three copyright holders shoot Heavy Gun ... only Heavy Gun ... What do you think the Fly shoot was intended for based on that bit of info????????
There has been much said about the Rules but not much actual reading of the rules so here they are ...
500 Metres Fly Rules
1.Any calibre less than .50Cal. (some ranges may have a lower limit)
2.Any stock configuration.
3.Any scope power including spotting scopes. Competitors may spot for each other.
4.No Weight restrictions for Heavy Gun class. Light Gun class weight is 17lbs (7.711kgs) including bipods.
5.No rails ie. rifles must be shot from separate sand bag systems where the rear sandbag shall contact both the bench and the rifle. The front sandbag can be attached to a pedestal which can have adjustments for windage and elevation.
6.7 minute details. 1 target per shooter per detail.
7.Only 5 shots on the target for record. 3 sighters at another medium (eg paper or steel) for each relay. Payment of nominations shall be deemed as total acceptance of these rules.
8.No muzzle brakes.
9.Compliance with range safety rules at all times.
10.Any competitor found not enjoying themselves will be disqualified
Now unless I am stupid Rule 3 is pretty clear about scopes and scope powers, despite previous statements that infer otherwise ... so that means if you can get a 200 x 200 scope and manage to mount it you can use it .. simple really.
As for comments about technophobia ... you are joking arent you the Fly has seen massive inovation in rifle design alone ...
However the fact remains that whilst you Sean continue to pick what you will answer and avoid answering questions on statements you make but cant support then this goes nowhere. You want to throw rocks .. throw rocks I dont care, but I will correct you when you make erroneus statements.
You say that 60x scopes are an unfair advantage, you say that quality spotting scopes are an unfair advantage. Well Rule 3 says they are legal and always have been from day 1 .. you shoot a Stolle actioned rifle so apparently custom actions are not an unfair advantage, you use a jewell trigger so apparently 3 lever triggers are not an unfair advantage. You initaily stated that you were attracted to Fly shooting because of the lack of rules but now you want more rules ......
Decide what you want and put a supportable argument up. Decide what constitues an unfair advantage and put a supportable argument up. But for gods sake stop changing tack and disregarding comments that you either cant understand or agrue effectively against.
And dont throw up crap about weather stations and wind probes either, my wind flags cost next to nothing and worked well enough for me to win Shooter of the Year, you dont need any specialized equipment to make them nor a degree in anything. So you dont need a weather station to win you need and I seem to recall saying this several times .... good technique at the bench, good wind and mirage reading skills, the ability to make and tailor ammunition that is extremely accurate and the commitment to back your judgement during the match ... thats what gets you a win.
!!!