August 15th, 2021
Sunday GunDay: Winning.300 WSMs at the 152nd Imperial Meeting
Today’s Sunday GunDay story takes us across the Atlantic to the famous Bisley range in the United Kingdom (UK). The historic Imperial Meeting was held there last month. This historic shooting competition was first held in 1860, 161 years ago. Today, we will highlight the.300 WSM rifles that Gary Costello, a Forum member and winner of F-Open, shot. Gary returned home with a large collection of trophies. He won the F-Open Grand Agg with a V-count score of 665-76V. This is 19Vs higher than Lance Vinall’s 665-57V. The “V” in the UK is equivalent to the “X”, and the target has five number rings with five being the highest numerical shot values.
Gary wrote: “Finally cooled off after the Bisley Imperial meeting. Wow, what a week! 8 trophies, 14 medals of gold, two silver, two bronze, and the grand prize — the Grand. It was a great experience shooting in unusual conditions and heat of 86+ F degrees. All medal and comp winners are to be congratulated, especially Lance Vinall, second place, who shot a fantastic match.
About the Imperial Meeting at Bisley, UK
The Imperial Meeting is an annual rifle shooting match that takes place in the United Kingdom. It is large and multi-discipline. This article features Gary Costello, winner of the 2021 Imperial F-Open Division with his pair.300 WSM rifles.
In 1860, Queen Victoria shot the first shot on Wimbledon Common in southwest London and awarded a prize of GBP250 for the best individual marksman. The Meeting was originally only open to volunteers (regular and reserve military personnel) who used the issued service rifle.
The Imperial Meeting is an open competition that the UK National Rifle Association hosts today. Its purpose is to encourage marksmanship in the Queen’s (or King’s) dominions. The event now includes many disciplines. Target Rifle is the most popular entry. It dominates the last week of the Meeting, culminating with the Queen’s Prize. The Queen’s Prize, which is the Meeting’s highest award for top shots, remains the most important. The winner will still receive the GBP250 prize.
The competition will be hosted by the National Shooting Center at Bisley. This world-famous range complex can host almost all types of shooting, from air rifle to full-bore matches to 1200-yard long-bore matches. Bisley is unique because it is situated in 3000 acres heathland and offers a wide range of ranges.
Report from the Imperial Meeting at Bisley by Gary Costello
The 2021 Imperial Meeting was the 152nd such event. Last year was my first Meeting. It was a condensed version because the COVID lockdown had just begun to be relaxed (but later revived). This 2021 Imperial was the complete version. F-class had 15 scheduled matches. They were held at 300, 500 and 600 yards, 900, 900, 1000 and 900 yards. These matches include two sighters as well as 15 shots for record. This was my second Imperial Meeting. Many shooters wanted to be able to shoot freely now that the UK’s national lockdowns had ended. The NRA continued to practice COVID safety protocols.
Qualifying matches for the final match are held in three very prestigious competitions. These are the St. Georges and the Donaldson. The Farquharson is named after George Farquharson who was the father of F Class. If you are able to qualify, the finals will add three more matches. There are three range aggregates that can be qualified for medals/trophies.
Twin Winning.300 WSM F/Open Rifles
Gary brought two.300 WSM F/Open match rifles to Imperial Meeting. Gary says that he had two.300 WSM rifles available for competition. I was able to tune both rifles to the same ammo and seat depth, allowing me to use the same amount of ammo. Due to the high round count and multiple matches, my philosophy was to alternate both rifles to minimize attrition/wear. One.300 WSM rifle is equipped with a Borden BRMXX action, some Thomas Gonzales mods, and Speedy bolt shroud fluting. This rifle has a Benchmark 5-groove 1:9.5?-twist Benchmark 5-groove bar, which was actually chambered at GS Precision Engineering Services by Stuart Anselm.
Gary’s second.300 F-Open rifle has a BAT RBLP dual port and a 1:10?-twist Bartlein bartlein barrel. The action was tuned and modified by Speedy. Both rifles are chambered almost identically. Both rifles feature Cerus stocks, blueprinted Jewell triggers and Ezell PDT tuners.
The rifles are supported by a Lenzi front coaxial rest as well as a Lenzi rear pack, which are spec’d to Cerus stocks.
Match .300 WSM Load — Berger Bullets, Norma Brass, H4350, Fed 210M
I use the.30 Cal Berger 215gr Hybrid bullet only. I have never found a better long-range bullet for F–Class. I use neck-turned Norma.300WSM brass, H4350 powder and Federal 210gm match primes. Unfortunately, H4350 powder is no longer available in the UK. However, I was able to purchase a good amount of it before it was banned. Every firing, I anneal the Norma Brass with an AMP2 annealer. But I don’t trim and chamfer after every firing. Only when the brass is requiring it.
Here’s the.300 WSM in comparison to a.284 Shehane (7mm), another popular F-Open cart
Cartridge comparison image by Kris Wilson aka “Willow”, on our AccurateShooter forum.
The.300 WSM is described as a “super-sized Dasher”.
OPTICS — March 10-60x56mm high Master Scopes
Both.300 WSM rifles come with March 10-60x56mm High Master riflescopes (HM). Gary comments: “This scope is the best F-Class long-range scope money could buy, in my slightly biased opinion.” I used a MTR-3 reticle with one scope, and a MTR-1 reticle with the other. The HM temp lens system is brilliant and clear. It’s easy on the eyes, which reduces strain and fatigue during long shooting sessions.
March optics offer a clever system that allows shooters to use their scopes as a FFP scope with a specific zoom power. The MTR1 & MTR3 reticles have hash marks at 1 MOA for 40X and 2 MOA for 20X. This allows the shooter calibrate the required hold from a sighting shot, without ever looking at a plotting sheets. It also makes precise hold over and follow-up shots (which proved invaluable during week with changing conditions). You also have the option to reduce the power if necessary.
March 10-60×56 HM scopes have a Temp anti drift lens system. This lens system has proven its worth in extreme temperatures. I was able to achieve three personal bests and wins thanks to the clarity and image quality. TIP: If you have an MD disk, make sure to use it. My rifle stayed with me all week. I stopped using my spotting scope for some shoots because I could see mirage through the March better than any other.
Mental Preparation — Be Confident, Consistent and Confident
After a very successful season, I decided to enter the Imperial. I was unbeaten in three National 2-day matches. My confidence was high, and I felt good about the competition. This confidence was a huge advantage. You have to believe in yourself.
My main goal was to be consistent. It’s almost impossible at the Imperial to win every competition. There are 18. But one must not make too many mistakes and remain consistent. Brian Litz said that a “train wreck”, will end your comp. If you are consistent and don’t lose too many points, you’ll be fine. Most competitors will also drop a few. It is important not to make huge mistakes.
Here’s a way to avoid the “train wreck” catastrophe in difficult conditions:
Final Final — Farquharson. It was extremely hot, the wind was strong, and conditions were very difficult. I knew this was going be a survival match, and it was. Although I saw many 3s coming in, I was able to hold the conditions and lost a few 4s, but nothing major until a big fat 3, which came out of nowhere, I didn’t let this stop me from persevering as I could see many points being lost around. After the dust settled, I won the match by 2 points and the Aggregate by 4 points.
Training is important for physical fitness
After a very serious condition, I have been working hard to improve my physical fitness over the past two years. Fitness is important in a long competition, especially when there is heat and all the stress that it can cause. Vehicles are not allowed in the Imperial match so you must be able to carry your shooting gear around the entire range. I have lost 25 pounds over the past few months. This helped me to be physically fit and able to handle the exertions.
Gary Costello offers reloading advice
Double-check everything! I have made many mistakes and found errors that were not good for accuracy.
Label everything! This is especially important when you are preparing for a long competition or shooting different rifles.
Select a powder that is stable at all temperatures. Choose a powder that is resistant to temperature variations. I would choose Hodgdon and Alliant, as well as some Vihtavuori Powders.
Load to your Accuracy Node’s MIDDLE. This allows you to adjust for different temperatures and conditions. Many guys choose the fastest speed and/or the smallest group. This can lead to hot days and trouble.
Use quality tools and dies. Purchase the best reloading equipment within your budget. High quality equipment will last a lifetime and be of great use to you.
Speedy, Cerus and March Scopes are grateful
My friend and master gunsmith Thomas Gonzales deserves a special mention. This man is a legend. He has taught me more about dark arts than anyone. He makes some of the most beautiful rifles I have ever seen. Cerus Rifleworks deserves credit. Cerus stocks are a great addition to all my rifles. Last but not least, March Optics. Since 2010, I have had the privilege of working with this company. They make the best optics in the entire world, I believe.
Gary shot with Stuart Anselm’s winning White Horse Lodge F-TR Team.
Photos courtesy NRA UK’s Facebook Page.
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Tags: 300 WSM, Bisley Ranges, Borden Action, Gary Costello, Imperial, Imperial Meeting, National Rifle Association, UK NRA, United Kingdom
