Individual Matches
Individual matches took place over 3 days, each match comprising 4 ranges, typically 10 shots over 300, 500 and 600 yds, plus 15 shots over either 900 or 1000 yds. All individual matches were shot under the NRA of America Fullbore Rifle Rules.

Shooter classification is decided on the American system, and presented as:
High Master (HM); Master (MA); Expert (EX).
Classifications for Australian shooters were entered by the Team Manager.

Each day began at 7.30am with "Colours", when the American National Anthem was played while the "Stars and Stripes" was raised. The same protocol was applied to the Australian and England flags during team shooting.
Each competitor was issued with an electronic swipe card, which was presented to the Statistical Officer one hour prior to the commencement of each match (8.00 am). A score card and competitor squadding form was printed and issued to the shooter.
There were no paid pullers (markers) available during the Individual Matches, and so shooters were paired. Relays 1 & 2 shot in pairs, shooting Bisley style, while Relays 3 & 4 went to the butts for Puller duties. Once the time limit for that range was finished, there was a changeover, to allow the second pair to complete their course of fire.

Whilst these conditions were the same for all competitors, the pace during the day was hectic, allowing little time for rest between duties, nor indeed, between ranges. Having only two vehicles at our disposal - a 9 seater van, and a pickup, which carried most of the team's rifles and gear between ranges, the changeover described above became even more onerous and hurried, depending where on the range one's target was in relation to where the vehicles were parked. This was in contrast to those competitors who had their own vehicles, and could park directly behind their firing point.

Suffice to say I had several serious discussions with Al Coots from the organising committee on the merits and details of electronic targets! On his request, I have since sent him information relating to technical information and agents.

All team members shot well during the individual matches, but the standout individual was David Rich, who had a remarkable showing, placing second overall in The Spirit of America Grand Aggregate, and MA Winner (1780.88). Dave was also Outright Winner in the Long Range Aggregate (586.23) and MA Winner in the Precision Shooting Match (446.24).

Ammunition
Probably the single most significant factor in the team's success was the inclusion in the team of Brian Patsky and Michael Hobbs, who undertook to research and develop policy and practice for ammunition choice and reloading.

An indication of the dedication these members brought to the team was the fact that some time prior to leaving and because of the withdrawal of an existing member, Brian Patsky, who was (then) the highest ranked emergency, declined to take up the offer of inclusion in the main team squad, due to his commitment and concern that the ammunition management be handled with the utmost care and precision.

An early decision was made that we would not undertake a massive loading program prior to travelling overseas, but would seek assistance from the Spirit of America organizing body in the provision of an area (on site) reserved exclusively to the NRAA team and fitted out as our reloading base. We also planned to access all reloading components in America. Eddie Newman and Al Coots in particular, were very helpful in this regard, and not only did we receive word that a full facility would be set up for us as requested, but also we would have access to whatever reloading equipment we may require.

A list was duly sent to the USA, and acknowledged by no less than Mr Bill Gravatt of Sinclair International, that all our equipment requests would be met. I trust our gratitude to the Bald Eagles, especially through Eddie Newman, Al Coots and Sinclair International was sufficiently expressed.

Our Boffins, as Brian and Michael became affectionately known, proceeded to trial various brass, projectile and load combinations, spending the entire Easter period in early 2008 on Belmont range to come up with the best combination possible. In the final analysis, Lapua brass, loaded with 45.5gn 2208 powder, driving 155gn Lapua projectiles was recommended and accepted.

Additionally, it was decided that while no specific directive would be given to shooters regarding the brand of barrel to be used on tour, clear instructions were given that all shooters were to take a barrel with a 1:12 twist, with not more than 500 rounds fired before leaving. All team members were required to supply the Boffins with chamber dimensions, from which dummy rounds and individual measurements were collected for use in the reloading room.

On site a system quickly evolved where each morning, shooters would present themselves to the Australian reloading room (situated off the main hall of the Bald Eagles building), and draw their box of 60 loaded rounds for the day's competition. At the conclusion of the day?s shooting, team members would return to the Australian reloading room, where they would neck size, clean the primer pocket and neck of their fired rounds, and leave the box of fired brass in the box, ready for the Boffins to work their magic. Once all resized, cleaned boxes of shells were handed in, Brian and Michael would then work, hopefully uninterrupted, and prime, dispense powder and seat projectiles to the predetermined OAL for each shooter.

It is worth noting, that England used the ammunition formula that was successful in the 2007 Palma, with pre-loaded Bergers, while the Americans used the newly developed 155.5 grain Sierra projectile.

The America Match
15 shots at 300, 600, 900 and 1000 yds.

We did not begin as planned, and a tally at the end of the 300yd showed that we were down 8 points, while the USA team had come through clean, and England had dropped one point. We re-grouped after the 600 yd stage, and a pep talk was delivered. In essence, the message was to refocus on one shot at a time, to not let anything but a perfect shot away, and to support each other. It was a clich‚d Captain's address, but nevertheless, one which needed to be given, and one which was received positively at the time and which coincided with an improvement in overall performances.

Australia dropped back slightly at the 600 yd, with a team deficit of 6, compared to the US's 5 and England's 4. However, a standout performance from the Rowland's squad was recorded, with a clear round achieved.

Outstanding coaching at the 900 yds resulted in a dramatic change of fortunes. By this stage the wind had strengthened and was running down the range, necessitating some deft "over the shoulder" flag reading, both at the 900 and 1000yds. US continued their domination by completing this range 16 points down. Australia moved forward significantly to record 27 off the pace, while England lost 35. 1000 yds had the honours taken again by the US, down 21, Australia down 47 and England down 48.
We were placed second, 3 X's ahead of England in third place.

In our debrief, we agreed that our "Range Policy" was a good one. The team had only one left handed shooter, who shot under the coach on the right, and on his right. All shooters following this shooter shot on the left of this coach. The coach on the left "coached over" his shooters, with shooters lying alternatively on his right and then left. Neither coach moved his position. This allowed the coaches to work closely together, which enhanced communication, which was important, especially at the longer ranges. The Captain acted as Captain/Master Coach, and positioned himself between and slightly back from the coaches, but close enough for good communication.

In addition to those team members already mentioned, Rod Bickell deserves nothing but praise for his diligence, capacity and patience in dealing with travel and other related team matters. Rod handled all of these issues and I have no doubt, many others that did not come to the Captain's attention, with good grace and a high degree of professionalism.
Contact with the Bald Eagles, accessing target centres for our practice sessions at Belmont, coordinating and ordering the components required for reloading, booking on-range and in-town accommodation, vehicle hire and its associated problems with insurance and initial access, flight coordination and bookings, coach hire, team dinners are all components of what is probably an incomplete list of issues he had to deal with both before and during the tour.
In addition, Rod arranged post competition trips to Los Vegas, and Mexico. Because he also doubled as Manager for the Veterans? team, his duties were two-fold.

Vice Captain, Mark Buchanan, has my sincere thanks for his willing acceptance of the position, but mainly for his quiet words of wisdom and support during the trip, particularly on the range. If I appeared to make good decisions and offer leadership, it was to a large extent due to Mark's assistance and his timely and quiet advice when needed.

Our American hosts were extremely hospitable and generous with their assistance. In particular, I acknowledge the outstanding support provided by Bill Gravatt of Sinclair International for the supply of reloading equipment for our exclusive use while at Raton and a special thank you to the Bald Eagles, through Al Coots and Eddie Newman for the wonderful hospitality and friendship offered during the course of the meeting.

Thanks to my team's avid supporters, who volunteered their services in relieving team members of scoring and check scoring during the America Match. Many thanks to Leonie, Joylene and Jo for their assistance with scoring and check scoring.

My acknowledgement to Lapua, RM Williams and Akubra for their generous sponsorship, which helped to set us up, and to set us off as a team.

Finally, I wish to thank all of my team for their professional approach to their preparation, and to the way in which they conducted themselves on and off the range. Especially, I wish to thank each member for their positive approach to the task at hand, for their acceptance of my leadership, and particularly for the friendships I have been lucky enough to forge with each of them.

George Wittorff
Captain.

Note: Detailed results for all matches can be accessed at: http://www.baldeaglesrc.org/2008_soa.htm

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