Please e-mail address changes, unsubscribe requests, or submissions to me. In this issue: Getting started? Re: Opinions on Weihrauch HW660 rifle Re: Need kneeling help Sydney WC results Sydney WC pics Shooting boots World Shooting Federation site Slovak Rapid Fire Match ******************************************************************** I'm interested in getting started in 10 meter air rifle competition. Although I'm not new to competitive shooting I am new to this particular discipline.Could anyone recommend a good "how to get started" manual and does anyone know of a club hopefully in Western N.Y. that holds matches? Any information would be a great help. Thank You. Chuck DiSalvo [Editor - in the Events section of my page, I have a link to another page on some ideas on how to get started in ISSF style rifle.] ******************************************************************** When I became interested in starting position smallbore rifle shooting I didn't have a lot of money to spend for a sutiable rifle. I saw an ad for a HW660 and made some inquiries, found an FFL and ordered one. I have owned it for about five years now and have been very impressed with the accuracy and functionality of the rifle. It costs around $700 US and comes with Anschutz sights ($180 by themselves), an adjutable buttplate and cheepiece, adjustable trigger and a full accessory rail. The rifle appears to be a clone of the Anschutz 54 for the most part and will accept all Anschutz accessories. I have added an Anschutz butthook, handstop, bipod and plastic front sight disks. The barrel, I understand is made by Walther and has held up very well. I have fired thousands of round through mine with no problems except for a broken firing pin. The firing pin in this rifle is an exceptionally weak design and, as you pointed out, must be handled with care during dry firing. Everyone I know who has had a HW660 for a while has experienced this problem. However, replacement firing pins are easy to get from EEA. I also experienced a problem with the rear action screw sinking into the wood resulting in the screw threads protruding into the bolt area and impinging on the bolt. The best solution to this is to pillar bed the action which I have not done yet. I solved my problem by using washers on the action screw. I have, however, glass bedded the action which seems to have improved the consistency a lot in outdoor shooting. I have fired the rifle in many indoor and outdoor matches and I still can't outshoot it (this may be due to my lack of skill, too). Until I get a lot better or wear out the rifle I can't justify replacing it yet. I know one young man who used a HW660 for two years in college competition with great success until his firing pin broke (he hadn't been using an empty shell casing, or anything during dry firing), whereupon he was issued a new Anschutz as a replacement. Whether the Anschutz is a lot better rifle or he is now used to it and doesn't want to switch back in the middle of the season, I don't know. He's still shooting the Anschutz. Maybe if I had the opportunity to fire an Anschutz myself I would feel the same way. But, until that opportunity arises, I'll keep shooting the good old Weihrauch! Larry Richardson ******************************************************************** I would like to thank German Salazar for his valuable help on this list. Nextly, thank you Michael for your suggestions about kneeling position, I think it is getting more stable each time.Not changing this topic, Is there any method for positioning, in kneeling, the height of the butt plate? I am using it somewhere between what I use in prone and standing, but I do not know if this is correct, and I guess it also affects the whole position. Please help me with this matter, and again congratulations for your page. Guido Lastra Bogota, Colombia [Editor - most people have the buttplate somewhere near the "neutral" position when kneeling, but it really depends upon your body configuration. It's a good starting point though.] ******************************************************************** Results of the World Cup/Test Event in Sydney, Australia March 24-31, 2000 by Don Williams, Oregon: Women's Air Rifle: Gold-Zhao, China, 398 + 103.7 = 501.7 Silver-Pfielshifter, Germany, 397 + 104.0 = 501.0 Bronze-Pahrebniak, Belarus, 398 + 102.4 = 500.4 Men's Air Pistol: Gold-Tan, China, 585 + 100.8 = 685.8 Silver-Kokorev, Russia, 583 + 102.2 = 685.2 Bronze-Gontcharov, Russia, 583 + 101.9 = 684.9 Women's Air Pistol: Gold-Snyder, USA, 386 + 101.1 = 487.1 Silver-Cao, China, 383 + 102.9 = 485.9 Bronze-Chaika, Belarus, 385 + 99.8 = 484.8 Men's Trap: Gold-Peel, Gt. Britain, 118 + 24 = 142 Silver-Leary, Canada, 118 + 23 = 141 Bronze-Alipov, Russia, 119 + 22 = 141 Men's Air Rifle: Gold-Aleinikov, Russia, 594 + 104.2 = 698.2 Silver-Rolland, Norway, 595 + 102.6 = 697.6 Bronze-Boschman, Netherlands, 595 + 101.6 = 696.6 Women's Trap: Gold-Racinet, France, 71 + 24 = 95 - Finals World Record Silver-Nattrass, Canada, 71 + 19 = 90 Bronze-Wakefield, Australia, 67 + 22 = 89 Men's 50-M Pistol: Gold-Tan, China, 573 + 95.8 = 668.8 Silver-Nestrouev, Russia, 565 + 99.5 = 664.5 Bronze-Pietrzak, Poland, 571 + 92.9 = 663.9 Women's Double Trap: Gold-Nakayama, Japan, 106 + 38 = 144 Silver-Hansen, Sweden, 104 + 38 = 142 Bronze-Zhang, China, 107 + 35 = 142 Women's 3-Pos: Gold-Goldobina, Russia, 587 Silver-Peilschifter, Germany, 586 Bronze-Shan, China, 586 (Sorry, but I did not get their final scores. These were their placings, though) Men's Double Trap: Gold-Mark, Austria, 144 + 46 = 190 Silver-Gerebics, Hungary, 143 + 43 = 186 Bronze-Pinero, Spain, 142 + 41 = 183 Women's Skeet: Gold-Smotek, USA, 72 + 24 = 96 Silver-Zhang, China, 71 + 24 = 95 Bronze-Stranovska, Slovakia, 72 + 22 = 94 Men's Prone: Gold-Goenci, Slovakia, 599 + 102.9 = 701.9 (9.8) Silver-Kovalenko, Russia, 598 + 103.9 = 701.9 (9.6) Bronze-Martineau, Belarus, 598 + 102.9 = 700.9 (When it came to the sudden death tie breaker, and Goenci shot a 9.8, everyone groaned because they knew he had blown the Gold. But, Kovalenko then shot a 9.6 to snatch defeat from the hands of victory. Another large groan from the audience. Exciting final!!) Men's Rapid Fire: Gold-Schumann, Germany, 591 + 101.5 = 692.5 Silver-Alifirenko, Russia, 590 + 101.0 = 691.0 Bronze-Leonhard, Germany, 589 + 101.1 = 690.1 Men's 3-Pos.Rifle: Gold-Farnik, Austria, 1174 + 97.3 = 1271.3 Silver-Pletikosic, Yugoslavia, 1171 + 95.8 = 1266.8 Bronze-Bauer, Germany, 1170 + 96.0 = 1266.0 Men's 10-M.R.T.: Gold-Kurzer, Germany, 585 + 95.6 = 680.6 Silver-Lykin, Russia, 583 + 97.0 = 680.0 Bronze-Zinenko, Ukraine, 581 + 97.5 = 678.5 Women's 25M Pistol: Gold-Tao, China, 587 + 103.4 = 690.4 Silver-Macur, Poland, 588 + 97.7 = 685.7 Bronze-Salukvadze, Georgia, 585+100.0 = 685.0 Men's Skeet: Gold-Durbesson, France, 125 + 25 = 150 Equal World Final Record. Silver-Zhang, China, 124 + 24 = 148 Bronze, Harvey, Great Britain, 123 + 24 = 147 Overall, this was a good competition, but if SOCOG does not get the transportation problems solved, it will be a king sized mess. Sydney is one of the most confusing cities that I have ever been in to get around. The ranges are fine and with some minor changes, should be easily ready for the Games in September and the Parylympics in October. Don Williams, Oregon ******************************************************************** I wish to invite you to see some pictures i took at Sydney's World Cup. The page is in portuguese but you you will easely find the link to the photos on the initial page. The Word cup was great! The Men's prone was decided in a shot-off by two tenths (9.8 / 9.6) On the very first final competition shot, there was a malfunction on Gonci's Sius Target, so the referee did him shot alone before the finalists shot the second shot all toghether. Gonci shot a 10.2 and during the final other malfunction happened on same target! Besides this problems, there was two ties for the first and fifth places. Gonci won the match. The Old Legend Harald Stenvaag figured in all tree finals!!! The Air rifle winner Eugeni Aleinikov RUS, started fourth in the final with the score of 595 who he made with 96 on last serie. Sorry for the poor english and go see the photos!!!(please report your visit on my "Formulario On-line" at the top of my home page. Fabio Coelho www.geocities.com/colosseum/arena/7456 ******************************************************************** Well, on to another question, shooting Boots. Is there a difference in some boots that make them better than others? right now all I can see is the price, which for some boots is astounding. Many Thanks Ross Miller [Editor - here's a response Ross already got] Ross, I'm sure there are subtle differences which shooters on the very top of the performance curve could easily point out, but for most intermediate to advanced shooters, fit and proper wear/storage are the most important factors in obtaining best support from a pair of shooting shoes. I purchased used shoes (that fit), but needed repair (which I did with shoe goo). Then I purchased a set of storage clamps (these cost more than the shoes at about $30. My kneeling improved dramatically. They are also very useful in offhand (helping the foot to engage/stay in full contact with the ground) and somewhat useful in prone if you have a 'floppy foot disorder' (e.g. with its flat toe it can keep a vertical foot still). I'd have to vote that price is not always the prime consideration. Floyd Houston [Editor - and here is a another response already given.] Ross- In response to your question to the group, Floyd's answer is right on track. Also, some boots are made of stiffer material than others (Sauer/Kustermann/Kurt Thune are good), but most of them are functionally equivalent. The most important factor is that you do not order boots that are extremely tight fitting- especially in the toes. You need to be able to feel your toes move; this provides a way to continually check your balance, especially in standing. If you wear a size 10, you might ask the dealer to send you two sizes- a 10 and a 10-1/2, with the understanding that you be returning one pair. Better still, visit the dealer personally and try 'em on. I did this in 1996 with Mr. Sauer in Atlanta and must have tried on three pairs before finding a pair that felt acceptable. Realistically, this is a trial and error process- reputable dealers should be able to help you out. I recommend CenterShot sports (www.centershot.com), Marcus Raab- who sells Kustermann stuff. Tell him I recommended you..he's a dealer with fair prices who is concerned about meeting the shooter's needs (not just making a buck). Good shooting to all! Bill Terry ******************************************************************** The World Shooting Federation Web Site is up and running! Check it out, give us your feedback, and make sure to read the comments from other shooters around the world. http://worldshootingfederation.org Help us promote the World Shooting Games and the safe, responsible, recreational use of firearms. In addition to helping us take sport shooting to the mainstream media, we'll send you a year's subscription to GunGames Magazine, a gold WSF lapel pin, and a membership card which will entitle you to other benefits and specials. You can sign up on-line! Get involved! And get your friends involved too. Forward this email to at least 5 friends or to you mail list. Talk to your club executive and club members. "Together we will show the world." Let us know what we can do for you! Keep the faith.. and good shooting, Nick Alexakos World Shooting Federation http://www.worldshootingfederation.org World Shooting Games are Coming! ******************************************************************** Dear sport friends I would like to inform you that Slovak shooting federation organizes an intenational rapid fire pistol competition. This will held in east Slovakia, town Spisska Nova Ves, on July 7th-10th, 2000. More info about this competion you can get on http://www.strelnica.sk or by mail on mlynarcik@pobox.sk Best regard Peter Mlynarcik ******************************************************************** End of UIT Mailing List #18 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm