Thread: International Ballinger Belt Kings match

Nationals at Trentham this week. Unless I am mistaken I believe Mike Collings has won this prestigious competition for the fifth time. The competion is shot over ranges from 300 yds thru to 1000yards. The cartidge is restricted to .308WIN and bullet weight limit of 156grains. Attached is a pic of Mike's 900yard target. Note the precise elevations of shots. No scopes, just heavy barrel, apeture sights, shooting jacket and sling. No other support allowed.

Woow i wouldnt want to be running away from him,good shooting.

Yes, and proves the capabilities of the good old 308.

I know it's target shooting but how many of us could do that with a scoped rifle, bipod, rear bag or all the other stuff at our disposal?

I was right behind helping with the scoring as he shot. Yes, Mike is a legend, calm beyond belief and his wind-reading ability is exceptional.

That picture is a scorer's best interpretation as they look through a spotting scope but it gives a good idea. The inner (V bull) circle on the real target is 250 diam on "longs" targets. The patches on that facsimile plot are for the benefit of spectators and not to scale. The plot patches are about 12mm diam

V is near 1 moa and X is half moa.

Well if I've ever seen a damn near perfect waterline. Hats off to Mike for excellent prep, load development and marksmanship

Here is Mike after winning the Belt two years ago. He was about to be chaired off the range with a piper leading as is the custom

Greetings,
I skimmed through the list of past winners and Mike was not the only Collings family member to win the belt.
NDM.

Yes. His wife Di has won it once and Brian Carter more than once I think. All three are dtalwarts of the Te Puke Rifle Club.

His father Dinny was a really prominent Wgtn Gunsmith and general stalwart of NRA shooting. I think Mike's brother Ross won the Belt one year.
Mike's wife Diane has won the Belt three times, the first as a 21yr old (before she married Mike) if I recall correctly.

Overall, a shooting dynasty

Originally Posted by 6x47

His father Dinny was a really prominent Wgtn Gunsmith and general stalwart of NRA shooting. I think Mike's brother Ross won the Belt one year.
Mike's wife Diane has won the Belt three times, the first as a 21yr old (before she married Mike) if I recall correctly.

Overall, a shooting dynasty

Greetings,
I remember Diane winning the Belt the first time. That must have put a few noses out of joint. Mike seems to have recovered quicker than most.
GPM.

Yes. I must correct my memorised winners.
This is Mikes 4TH win. Dianne Collings has won it 3 times, as has Brian Carter, 3 times.
That is a remarkable record for the Te Puke club. All are long time members of Te Puke Club.

Was she Dianne Blaymire before she married?

Yes.