Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i On Target Africa

March has arrived, bringing with it a packed issue of On Target Africa filled with expert reviews, event highlights, and industry insights. Whether you are a precision rifle enthusiast, a hunter, or someone passionate about responsible firearm ownership, this edition has something for you. One of the most prestigious events on the Western Province Bisley Association calendar, the WPBA League and Individual Championship, has once again showcased the finest marksmen in the region. With roots tracing back to the post-World War II era, this competition remains a true test of skill, discipline, and endurance. Meanwhile, the Send IT Extreme Long Range (ELR) matches have set the stage for thrilling challenges, pushing shooters and their equipment to the limits over distances up to 4 km. We are again delighted to report…

In July 2023, at a Send IT 2-Mile Challenge, a severe cold front hit Matroosbergstasie Shooting Range with rain, snow and icy single digit temperatures – it was a miserable day for shooting. Driving back, shivering and soaking wet, we decided to never again attempt to host a match during the peak Western Cape winter months. The result of the above decision was a very busy start to the year, with seven planned matches, including the Send IT ULTRA flagship event during the first five months of 2025. First quarter activities included two Send IT 2-Mile Challenges hosted at Matroosbergstasie Shooting Range near De Doorns, where targets are set as far as 4 km; a Send IT ELR match at Darling Steel Valley, targets from 1 200 m to 1…

The course was made up of three ranges with targets set from 155 m to 423 m – fitted with electronic hit indicators to confirm successful impacts. All targets were 30 cm x 30 cm in size. Each match participant took five shots at each target, with three targets per range, for a total round count of forty-five for the match. To accommodate our young shooters, we set up a separate junior range with targets from 88 m to 268 m. The juniors have their own set of targets, smaller in size to make it more challenging to hit at closer distances. A dedicated Range Officer supervises, with licenced firearm owners present. There is always an acute focus on safety and the safe handling and storage of firearms. Lastly, a…

Part 2 The Three Fights: Left, Centre, and Right of Ban First Fight or Left of Bang are the prefight indicators, a precursor to what is coming. Even the most trained person around, if unaware of their surroundings, will be caught on the back foot. A criminal trades on the element of surprise. Colonel Cooper’s famous colour codes (1) are often misconstrued to refer to awareness rather than preparedness. However, there is a difference. Second Fight (Bang) is what we train for: close entanglement, and this is where we put in the most time. Third Fight (Right of Bang) is the aftermath, once the last casing hits the floor. Here most shooters are well out of their comfort zone. They simply do not train or research, with an attitude of…

Savage Arms exhibited for the first time at the 2025 IWA OutdoorClassics. A variant of the Axis 2, which has received a very positive response, is available especially for Europe. The Axis 2 SR International is supplied as standard with a 20”/51 cm barrel length, 19 mm muzzle diameter, black stock, one-piece Picatinny rail and muzzle thread. The calibre range includes the 222 Rem. (yes, as a premiere), 223 Rem., 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win., 270 Win. and 30-06 Springfield. Typical Savage features such as an adjustable AccuTrigger, button-rifled barrel, floating bolt head and a barrel with a barrel nut set to minimum headspace are also standard. With the new lever-action rifle REVEL, a play on the words ‘Rebel’ and ‘underlever’, Savage is fulfilling a long-awaited wish of many fans. These…

Sixteen eager shooters arrived at the range, including four welcome visitors from the north. It was a good morning for shooting ELR, with a mild 3 mph to 6 mph fishtail wind doing just enough to keep the competitors doubting their windage calculations. The group made a strong start, with several shooters recording three or four out of five impacts at the 1 996 m/2 183 yd target for an overall 35% hit rate. The second (2 246 m/2 456 yd and a 31% overall hit rate) and third target (2 465 m/2 696 yd and a 36% overall hit rate) also delivered an exceptionally good hit percentage, with a number of shooters in the running as we tipped over the halfway mark of the competition. The course was set…

SAGA Press Release – March 2025 OPINION PIECE The simplistic and short-sighted rationale behind firearm-free zones is that, if the possession of firearms is prohibited, violent crime will be prevented, as there will be no firearms! The factual truth, to even the simpleminded, is that then only lawabiding citizens will be disarmed as criminals would certainly not abide by the firearm-free zone requirements, or any other law for that matter. All that firearm-free zones do is make it so much easier for the commission of crime since there is no potential armed resistance. A case in point is the USA, where most public universities, schools, and churches are firearm-free zones. With few exceptions, MOST mass shooting massacres have taken place in firearm-free zones. Our Firearms Control Act (FCA) does not contain…

Good shooting conditions welcomed a squad of 28 eager ELR shooters. However, that was short lived as the usual testing conditions at Darling Steel Valley emerged with aggressive fish tail winds pushing bullets off the side of the targets. The range was set from 1 258 m to 1 857 m, with about 2 MOA targets at each distance, covering four courses with three targets each. What makes the Send IT match at Darling Steel Valley unique is the two-two-three format. At each course shooters fired two shots at Targets 1 and 2 and three on Target 3 for a total of seven shots. Each match participant shot 28 shots on a match day. There is thus limited margin for error, and match participants do not have the luxury of…