news, local-news, lee enfield 303, .303, ssaa, wagga, anzac day, anzac, rifle, shooting

Some play two-up and others will simply observe a moment of silence, but for members of the Wagga branch of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, Anzac Day is a chance to relive a small part of history. The annual .303 shoot, held at the Big Springs rifle range, was a chance to fire the legendary Lee Enfield rifle in simulated battle conditions. Shooters had one minute to ‘rapid fire’ the bolt-action rifle, before leaning against a post and kneeling down, all the while striving for accuracy. For Greg Hannon, the sound of rifles firing and the urgency of shooting quickly taught him a lot about what the Anzacs must have gone through. “I tend to panic a bit and fire too quickly,” he said. “But it’s about discipline and the Anzacs certainly would have had that. Some play two-up, I don’t, but this is our way of recognising their sacrifice and marking our respect.” Legend has it that in the hands of well-trained soldiers, the .303 gave the impression of machine gun fire. A large, sturdy weapon, the .303 was used by Australian soldiers from the Boer War through to the Korean War. Rob Baird won the day, ahead of Mr Hannon in second and Hamish Tait in third. Funds raised by the club on the day were donated to Legacy.

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