Tunnel Sight Query

Does anybody know when the DCRA started to use a round bull for target rifle competitions, as opposed to the "tin hat" target?

I'm aware they started to use this type of targetry before the NRA did at Bisley; but can any of the Commonwealth target shooters on this site give me a date?

It would help to establish when the tunnel foresight started to be developed, my own thoughts on this are mid to late 1960's.....

Edited to add that I have emailed the DCRA direct, but your input would be appriecated!

S_B, "Mr Brindles" has just published some background to this as part of the blurb on one of his eBay sales - for a prototype No4 foresight hood that later developed into a tunnel foresight. Seems like he might have first-hand knowledge of what happened at the UK end.

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Originally Posted by Thunderbox

S_B, "Mr Brindles" has just published some background to this as part of the blurb on one of his eBay sales - for a prototype No4 foresight hood that later developed into a tunnel foresight. Seems like he might have first-hand knowledge of what happened at the UK end.

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Psst!
Just between you and me; I have bids on both of them....

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Originally Posted by Strangely Brown

Does anybody know when the DCRA started to use a round bull for target rifle competitions, as opposed to the "tin hat" target?

I'm aware they started to use this type of targetry before the NRA did at Bisley; but can any of the Commonwealth target shooters on this site give me a date?

It would help to establish when the tunnel foresight started to be developed, my own thoughts on this are mid to late 1960's.....

Edited to add that I have emailed the DCRA direct, but your input would be appriecated!

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I started fullbore shooting in Australia (NSW) in 1959. At that time the only 'tin hat' target was the 300 yard one...sort of a dull sky blue on top and brownish underneath the 'water line'...black tin hat. 7/ 1/2 inch bullseye.

At other ranges, I think 500 and 600 (used the same target for both ranges) 15 inch bullseye and round aiming mark...target was coloured as above. 700 yards had its own target, black and white with round black aiming mark and I think 21 inch bullseye and VERY NARROW inner ring... :-)

I think 800 and 900 were the same targets, black and white with round aiming mark, 30inch bullseye and had 'side panels' making them wider than they were tall...1000 yards was I think a special one..but by then ( 1959) 1000 yards had been discontinued at most ranges...certainly had been at Anzac Liverpool.

I have an idea that the 'tin hat' 300 yard target disappeared with the introduction of the Omark in around 1967- 68. This came out with the option of an 'open' type foresight block or a small Parker Hale tunnel and inserts.

The black and orange left with the military control replaced with the black tin hat which was replaced with the all black after the Omark with tunnel sights appeared. The 1000yd ranges are still shot in W.A. Tunnel sights killed the No 4 with blades.

I think when the Omarks came out (with the option of the tunnel foresight) the tin hat target just disappeared without any fanfare....and it was a rare sight to see anyone using their brand new Omark with a blade...

I guess that would make that original foresight/blade/protector piece from the first Omarks a really rare item.

Then followed a 'rash' of amendments to the SSRs (standard shooting rules) things like single point slings, gloves, handstops relaxing of shooting jacket and mat rules etc.

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Originally Posted by Bindi2

The black and orange left with the military control replaced with the black tin hat which was replaced with the all black after the Omark with tunnel sights appeared. The 1000yd ranges are still shot in W.A. Tunnel sights killed the No 4 with blades.

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The 'orange and black' targets were'nt used by the fullbore rifle club regime....the colours were blue/grey on top and yellowish brown underneath with black aiming mark.

and c'mon......the Omark killed the No.4 in any shape or form.... :-)

The black tin hat with an orange bottom was the military target aim mark ( machine gunner and mate). The full black aiming mark, tunnel sighted Omarks killed the No4 conversions (7.62) with blade sights for consistence of accuracy hence the V bull.

Gentleman; thanks for your input, I had an email today from Alain Marion http://www.dcra.ca/fame.htm#ALAIN%20MARION who confirmed the date as 1968. (He remembers shooting the match!)

I think this mirrors the date at Bisley which tells me to within a year or so the date of some of the prototype tunnel foresights I'm researching.