DAVID Dharry and Ray Beharry were the best shooters last weekend when Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) hosted its Orinduik Development Inc. Shoot.

Local practical shooters gathered at the Timehri Shooting Ranges to take part in an exciting Practical Pistol match which comprised five challenging but fun stages.

And when the dust settled, Dharry and Beharry were the best.

Beharry with 375.0000 points won ahead of Michael Blake (95.9057 points) and Lancelot Khan (189.4942 points).

In the Limited division Dharry with 325.5765 points won ahead of Johan DaSilva and Pravesh Harry (296.3801 points)

The five-stage shoot had stages named Bookout’s Boogie, Lots of Sand, Stage 95 Max, Fluffy’s Revenge 2 and Alternate.

“Bookout’s Boogie”, a USPSA classifier, required competitors to choose between either an array of metal targets or an array of paper targets, to be engaged from one of two shooting boxes, then proceeding to a second shooting box and engaging the remaining targets.

“Alternate” proved to be perhaps the most challenging stage for the day and consisted of seven paper targets. The shooter’s start position was standing next to the most downrange of two barrels, holding his or her first magazine in the strong hand and a cloth in the weak hand.

The firearm was placed on the same barrel with the slide locked open. All remaining magazines were placed on the second barrel uprange. Upon the start signal, competitors had to engage the three targets most downrange with the strong hand only, then proceed to the second barrel, make a mandatory reload and engage with his/her weak hand the remaining targets, some of which forced the shooters to be very wary of the 180 degree safety rule.

“Stage 95 Max” consisted of nine paper targets and one metal target. The targets were placed at challenging distances and angles with some being placed in close proximity to the sometimes dreaded no shoot targets which, if shot, incurs a penalty of minus ten points. The shooter’s start position was seated on a chair with their backs touching the back of the chair and hands on their knees. On the start signal all targets were to be engaged from within set fault lines.

“Fluffy’s Revenge 2” was the second USPSA Classifier for the day and consisted of two metal poppers and three paper targets. There were also a few of the challenging no shoot targets alternating with the paper targets. Shooters started this stage while facing uprange with wrists above the shoulder. Despite the challenge of having to turn, draw and engage all targets without hitting any of the no shoot targets, most if not all competitors emerged triumphant in their scores.

“Lots of Sand” comprised nine paper targets and four metal falling plates. Targets were placed at varying angles and distances as well as being behind barriers, which were meant to force competitors into movement to be able to engage them.

Even though some of the targets were at challenging distances and required the most movement for the day, competitors could be heard remarking that this was their favourite for the day.

Scores were computed on the go thanks to the use of electronic scoring methods by way of a special application called Practiscore under the efficient eye of designated Stats Officer for the day, Dr Pravesh Harry.