Tod Hendricks
Gold $$ Contributor
I just returned from the GBFCA European F-Class Championships at Bisley Ranges. I’m writing this to publicly thank all the folks who helped us put this adventure together plus the event staff and encourage anyone else considering making the trip in the future.
The idea to make the trip hatched back in March with a post of the match program on Accurate Shooter. We quickly had 5 teammates from Lapua Brux Borden committed. Next came some emails with pics of an old English manor VRBO with many bedrooms, indoor pool, large garden area etc., it was literally moments later and our wives were adding their names to the itinerary.
We next contacted Addison Mohler at Reloading International for advice and assistance with ammunition shipping. You can carry approximately 170 rounds of 284 on the airplane in checked baggage, we needed 370 for this match. Addison is U.S. F-class teammate of ours and gave us great advice on shipping early and handling all the shipping logistics. We shipped in late June and our ammo arrived late August.
Gary Costello absolutely went over the top to help us. We either wouldn’t have made the trip or would have had some major screw up without Gary. From receiving our ammunition, assisting with permits, buying carts, zoom calls and being available for another round of questions, we can’t thank Gary enough.
The match was ran great, thank you Big Richie! Squadding was pre assigned for the week, every day except the last day, when of course the leaders are put together. One very cool feature for us was each stage of the day for each shooter was shot on a different target with a different pair fire partner. This gave you the opportunity to shoot with and meet 3 new people each day, I’m sure it’s a lot more work for the match staff, we sure appreciated it.
It is hard to write about the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. It presented a difficult, sensitive and of course sorrowful situation for the match directors and all involved. I think they handled the situation perfectly.
Ewen Campbell put together a team match on Sunday post individuals for us, it was great, after we agreed we realized we were going against a “local” FTR team, with Ewen coaching. Damn we were nervous, we fully expected we could get our ass kicked.
The Italians know how to attend a shooting match, they graciously invited us to their parking lot tailgate party at the 1,000-yard firing line for Pasta, cheese n meats and of course wine. Thank you.
The simple things like a soft serve ice cream truck shows up at the end of firing, perfect. I could go on and on.
The ladies went on different sightseeing adventures every day, the men went to the range to shoot and every evening was a different pub for dinner, lots of wine and conversation. As a group we stayed an extra day so we all went to London and acted like tourists for a day. This was my first time in London, there is so much to see, I think we will plan 2 or 3 off days next time.
We received so many welcoming’s and thankyous for making the trip, the hospitality and graciousness from everyone was so genuine. It is an absolute high point of my shooting experiences. We are already planning for next year.
Cheers, Tod
The idea to make the trip hatched back in March with a post of the match program on Accurate Shooter. We quickly had 5 teammates from Lapua Brux Borden committed. Next came some emails with pics of an old English manor VRBO with many bedrooms, indoor pool, large garden area etc., it was literally moments later and our wives were adding their names to the itinerary.
We next contacted Addison Mohler at Reloading International for advice and assistance with ammunition shipping. You can carry approximately 170 rounds of 284 on the airplane in checked baggage, we needed 370 for this match. Addison is U.S. F-class teammate of ours and gave us great advice on shipping early and handling all the shipping logistics. We shipped in late June and our ammo arrived late August.
Gary Costello absolutely went over the top to help us. We either wouldn’t have made the trip or would have had some major screw up without Gary. From receiving our ammunition, assisting with permits, buying carts, zoom calls and being available for another round of questions, we can’t thank Gary enough.
The match was ran great, thank you Big Richie! Squadding was pre assigned for the week, every day except the last day, when of course the leaders are put together. One very cool feature for us was each stage of the day for each shooter was shot on a different target with a different pair fire partner. This gave you the opportunity to shoot with and meet 3 new people each day, I’m sure it’s a lot more work for the match staff, we sure appreciated it.
It is hard to write about the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. It presented a difficult, sensitive and of course sorrowful situation for the match directors and all involved. I think they handled the situation perfectly.
Ewen Campbell put together a team match on Sunday post individuals for us, it was great, after we agreed we realized we were going against a “local” FTR team, with Ewen coaching. Damn we were nervous, we fully expected we could get our ass kicked.
The Italians know how to attend a shooting match, they graciously invited us to their parking lot tailgate party at the 1,000-yard firing line for Pasta, cheese n meats and of course wine. Thank you.
The simple things like a soft serve ice cream truck shows up at the end of firing, perfect. I could go on and on.
The ladies went on different sightseeing adventures every day, the men went to the range to shoot and every evening was a different pub for dinner, lots of wine and conversation. As a group we stayed an extra day so we all went to London and acted like tourists for a day. This was my first time in London, there is so much to see, I think we will plan 2 or 3 off days next time.
We received so many welcoming’s and thankyous for making the trip, the hospitality and graciousness from everyone was so genuine. It is an absolute high point of my shooting experiences. We are already planning for next year.
Cheers, Tod
Next time though watch out... we are gunning for you 
