2016 Phoenix Competition

[Keef]

I have been going to the Phoenix for eight years now, to shoot.

The Arms Fare has always been an integral part of the shoot, somewhere to mooch around between competitions.

There were some stalls missing this year, notably the Dutchman selling his good value gun bags. The main Pavilion area was crowded with stalls but a friend who had a stall there said that the trade he had done was good.

What was noticeable was the lack of ROs on the ranges, with competitors scoring each others targets on Advancing Target and the Granet (comps I shot).

My sons friend went down for three days to RO, having been told he would have his fuel costs refunded. Once there he was told that he might not get this. It remains to be seen if he will get the money but if he doesn't that will be one less volunteer RO for next year.

Getting something to eat was a problem at lunch time, Jenny's taking money from me each day for a bacon bap. The Army was excellent at £5.00 for a full English breakfast albeit I had to get up damned early to get there from the hotel in Frimley!

Did I enjoy it? Yes but it's getting very expensive to go there to shoot:

Entry fees: £160.00
Hotel : £160.00
Fuel : £57.00
Food : £55.00
Ammo : £70.00

So a total of about £500.00 for the three days.

Next year I may have to reduce what I do but hey, I said that last year and the one before.

How did others find it?

[Shootist]

How did others find it?

M1, M25, M3, turn right, drive for a bit and there it is.

[Keef]

As Bisley is South of the M3 if you went down the M3 and then turned right I'm surprised I saw you there at all unless you went all the way around the world to get there.

See what happens when you try to give witty answers?

[Shootist]

[mr smith]

So glad we turned left.Typical Bisley trip some good some bad and a fair bit in between.I actually found resetting and scoring on advancing target speeded things up a little.Yeah the fair in the pavilion was smaller and quieter which aided in having a look round.

[gun nut]

I had a similar experience to you Keef. It certainly isn't getting any cheaper to shoot at Bisley!
I had a few good comps and a few bad (partially due to gun problems)!
Staying down an extra day for the international adds to the cost too.
The trade stands were lacking a little and bargains were hard to find, but I have come to expect this in recent years.

[mr smith]

This year was the first time I'd stayed for the international match on the Monday ,my mate was shooting for the GB team.The extra nights stay and the extra costs were slightly off set by the free lunch in the army,couldn't be bothered getting up early enough for the free breakfast though.

[gun nut]

Sadly I left before the free lunch and prize giving! The Sunday night dinner was nice though!

[mr smith]

Sadly I left before the free lunch and prize giving! The Sunday night dinner was nice though!

Ah yes I forgot about that,pity that wasn't free as well..

[gun nut]

Just the wait for the results now to see how bad I shot!

[mr smith]

Well the results are in and as bad as expected.
T&P1 LBR 4 th in B class
ph A LBP 2 and B in class
Ad T CF 5 th in A class
Imp sill SB 6 th
Imp sill CF 5 th
Ph A SB 4 th in X class.Was holding onto third close of play Saturday,but some guy called Gwyn Roberts went and won it on the sunday.

Only real highlight was the winning with the Scottish centre-fire team.

[gun nut]

Yeah Gwyn is a ******* for doing that! I've lost count of the times he has pushed me out of the medals!
I managed a lot of 4th and 5th places! Also managed a 1st, 2 seconds and 2 thirds so it could have been worse.

[mr smith]

Yeah Gwyn is a ******* for doing that! I've lost count of the times he has pushed me out of the medals!
I managed a lot of 4th and 5th places! Also managed a 1st, 2 seconds and 2 thirds so it could have been worse.