2024 International Big Game Rifle competition

The 2024 International Big Game Rifle competition was a much anticipated and entertaining event – and one that was originally scheduled to be held in Darwin in 2020. While COVID restrictions caused quite the delay, we can fast-forward to a successful outcome finally hosted by the Northern Territory Big Game Rifle Club at the SSAA Mickett Creek Shooting Complex in Darwin on 24-25 August 2024. This event followed on from the previous international competition held in South Africa in 2018.

Andy Armstrong (SSAA Darwin President), Graeme Wright receiving the overall winner’s trophy and Mick Connor (SSAA Darwin BGR Captain). Graeme is Queensland’s newest World Champion.

It seems the pause in time allowed Australian shooters to up their game. Ten events were held, seven of which were core events and three supplementary. The weekend ended with Queensland’s own Graeme Wright named World Champion, followed by Bob Christopher from NSW in second place and Tim Cooper from the UK in third place. The overall women’s champion was Australian Bianca Conner, who, despite her smaller stature, impressed the crowd by shooting a .505 Gibs with gusto and ease in the Nitro Stopper event.

Mick Connor, Bianca Conner (receiving the Ladies’ first prise), Lightforce representative Mathew Butterfield, and Andy Armstrong in the background.

Junior shooter, and lucky winner of a new hunting rifle for his efforts, was Declan Day from New-Zealand. The Australian winning team included Ben Doherty (NSW), Bob Christopher (VIC) and Graeme Wright (QLD).

The Australian winning team Ben Doherty (NSW), Bob Christopher (VIC) and Graeme Wright (QLD).

A total of 40 competitors took part, including several junior and female shooters. Queenslanders Rod Williams and Charles Curley also put on impressive performances.

The event was extremely well run by the club and the organisers managed to get very generous sponsorships, meaning leading competitors received some of the best prizes seen in a long time.

The Big Game National Championships will be held at the Eagle Park Shooting Complex in Victoria on October 5 and the Queensland championships will be held at Hervey Bay on October 12-13.