This is one of the reasons we have a number of events at the BGRC shoots that require reloading under pressure, the pressure in this case being time and the other competitors who are all hoping that you shoot worse than them. Obviously its not the same as a real life situation however it still does help you when it comes to actual hunting. When Mick and I were up in the NT we shot our six buffs in 15-20 seconds. While the first two were killed with off hand shots, the other four where shot while running and reloading which worked perfectly without any flaws and it happened totally naturally without having to look. This doesn't happen without practice.

At our Vic BGRC range we now have a second range divided by a massive concrete wall which has been called the dangerous Game range on account of the types of events held on it. It is in a natural setting with slightly sloping ground, plenty of trees and a creek bed half way along. We shoot targets in a similar vein to the BASA shoot in South Africa where the targets are actual pictures of animals in either full size or somewhat smaller depending on the the animal depicted. These include warthogs, buffalo, elephant, hippo and crocks etc. A scoring ring or two are placed over the brain or heart and lung and they are about 2 1/2" inches in diameter and drawn with a texta. A score within is five points and we have a second 1" ring around that ring which is 2 points. Maximum scope power is 3x and at the distances we shoot the ring cannot be seen so you have to know where to shoot. We start gun empty with hands on the stock, the timer is started and one has to load two rounds, fire and then reload another two and fire, then the timer is stopped. We first shoot one round over a chronograph (Before the event is started) and then combine the time shot with the score and the power factor of the cartridge (Power factor being bullet weight x bullet diameter x velocity). This is done to promote the use of bigger cartridges and guns, it is after all a dangerous game shoot. This is by far the most popular event and is great fun, very exciting.

We are in the process of adding additional targets such as rotating and springing targets as well as a charge box. Some of these events will include running from one station to another before shooting but the main crux of all the events is a fast time and reloading to try and simulate pressure.

Is it the same as a real life situation, no. But apart from being great fun it definitely 100% helps getting your brain to work without having to think and muscle memory.

I use my 505 for all these events, I love it and I love that gun. And when it comes to hunting big game it cannot be beaten in my opinion. Well its the same as the 500 Jeffery and the 500 Nitro. No real difference. Although Mick and I didn't have 500 Nitro with us there was absolutely no difference between the 505 Gibbs and the 500 Jeffery.

Matt.