Shots will fly at Delungra on Friday and over the weekend as the Inverell RSM Pistol Club hosts the national titles competition for big bore shooting. 

The 31st Metallic Silhouette 200m Big Bore National Championships will see around 45 competitors vie for top placings across four event categories with the overall winner set to claim the Australian championship title.

One of the match directors, Glen Anderson, who will also compete, said participants were coming from as far away as north Queensland and down the east coast to Victoria. 

“They include one junior competitor and five lady shooters,” he said. 

Big bore shooting uses firearms that centre-fire cartridges like Thompson’s bolt guns, and Freedom and ranger revolvers. 

“About five of the competitors are in the running to qualify for the Big Bore National team competing for the world cup in Finland next year,” Mr Anderson said. 

The local club will join with Pistol Australia in providing the awards while the heat of competition will pause for a social dinner at the Inverell RSM Club on Saturday night. 

Although it is not the first time the local club has hosted the national event, Mr Anderson said next year will be a first when they also hold the Small Bore National Championships in March. 

The Big Bore National Championships will be held at the Inverell RSM Pistol Club grounds, Cemetery Road, Delungra. Canteen facilities will be open across the three-day event.  

Critter friendly: metallic silhouette competitions are named for the metal animal silhouettes that are used as targets. Photo: Glen Anderson