Scandinavian Bolt-Rifle Speed Shooting — Stangskyting
Our story on Gary Eliseo’s “Mad Minute” drill drew comments from readers worldwide, including C. Lemmermann from Denmark, who wrote: “In Scandinavia we have this competition called ‘Stangskyting’. It’s similar to the ‘Mad Minute’ but we only have 25 seconds to hit the target [at] 200-300m distance with a 6.5×55 [target rifle].” In the Stangskyting video below a shooter named Børklop puts 16 rounds on target in just 25 seconds. (He starts with a round in the chamber and cycles through three, 5-round magazines). Børklop’s performance, with just a sling and iron sights, is impressive. He’s shooting a Sauer 200 STR target rifle with 5-round magazine. Note that Børklop manipulates the Sauer’s bolt with his thumb and index finger, while pulling the trigger with his middle finger.
This Guy Could Break the “Mad Minute” Record
Børklop’s rate of fire, 16 rounds in 25 seconds, is the equivalent of 38.4 rounds in 60 seconds. That’s a notable number because the record for the “Mad Minute”, a British Army marksmanship drill, is 38 rounds in one minute. That record was set in 1914 by Sergeant Instructor Alfred Snoxall, and still stands. So as you watch Børklop, keep in mind that Snoxall shot that fast for a full minute with a Lee-Enfield nearly 100 years ago!
Børklop has an average cycling time of 1.56 seconds per shot, starting with a round in the chamber. To beat the record of 38 rounds, he would need to make seven mag changes in sixty seconds. All those mag swaps could reduce his average time per shot, making it difficult to achieve 38 hits in a minute. But, if Børklop could use 10-round mags with his Sauer STR, this guy has the skills to break the record.
To emphasize the capabilities of the WWI-era British shooter who set the record, Snoxall shot as fast as Børklop does, but Snoxall reloaded with stripper clips. Snoxall’s SMLE (Lee-Enfield) rifle also had relatively crude open sights and the stock was far less ergonomic than Børklop’s Sauer STR stock.
Here’s another Stanskyting video showing John O. Ågotnes shooting rapidfire with his Sauer 200 STR (Scandinavian Target Rifle) chambered in 6.5×55. By our count, Ågotnes manages 17 shots within the 25-second time period. That rate of fire (17 in 25 seconds) equates to 40.8 rounds in one minute!
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Tags: Gary Eliseo, Mad Minute, Sauer 200, SMLE, Snoxall, Stangskyting, STR, Tubegun
WOW!! I’m lost for words on how fast those guys are with a bolt!
Thanks for bringing this to us, I’d never seen this type of match shooting before.
Did a little ‘net research and found they shoot twice for 25 seconds. The actual distance is unknown to the shooter. 1st targets are between 125 and 175 meters and 2nd is between 200 and 250 meters. Only hits in the scoring ring count (I was not able to find the ring size)
The buttstock at the shoulder rests on the ground.
I’m impressed at the focus they show.
Very impressive bolt work.
Is there something special about the Sauer STR that facilitates this very fast bolt cycling, or is it just the practice and skill of the shooter that results in the excellent performance?
I’m thinking specifically about something that lowers the bolt lift effort required (weaker firing pin spring?) or maybe something in the design of the Sauer action that allows for very rapid cycling.
Can this type of performance be equalled with actions available here, such as a Rem 700 action?
No the thing about the 200 STR is that it is a total cylindric bolt with a polished gliding face (Ø20mm) with the lug locking directly into the barrel there is also the discipline called sekund skyting here the distance is unknown to the shooter and he has to star with a standing position then drop to the ground and fire at three different targets with different distances in the order (left-right-middle). My personal record is 9.64 seconds for the three shots. Here’s a video of this (not me but very good shooter): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gUcOOAp9o .
Børklop is good, but still wastes time. Why doesn’t he change mags with the bolt drawn back?
Very impressive – I think a Tubb 2000 with 10 round mags should beat that time.
JCS- Actually, I think it is more efficient to load the magazine first and then rack the bolt. Otherwise you open the bolt, change mag, and close the bolt. I think the way they do it is fastest. If you watch some of the other shooters, they all use the same method.
Well, shooting a blaser rifle would probably be the fastest rifle you could shoot to beat those 38 secondes….
JCS to open the bolt, then change mags, then close the bolt is three actions.
Change mags, cyle bolt is two actions.
>Is there something special about the Sauer STR that facilitates this very fast bolt cycling, or is it just the practice and skill of the shooter that results in the excellent performance?
Besides the 60 degree bolt throw it’s just a high quality rifle. I don’t get why Americans are so in love with the Remington 700 action, that thing is sub-par in construction and quality as made by Remington.
Like the 1911 and Ford Crown Vic, Remington 700’s primary benefit is that all the gunsmiths know how to work with it, and that there’s a large selection of aftermarket accessories. The American gun community is also very conservative. I agree that there are far more modern and better designs out there.
D-mon.. and how fast can u fill a blaser with ammo ?? it dosent have a magazin
U can only use sauer 200 str, mauser m67
and krag jørgensen in this program (dfs)
cal 6,5×55 or 76,2×51 (308)
Video from Landsskytterstevnet 2010, the main shooting event in Norway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20TVp87E-II&feature=related
Changing mag when bolt is back gives you 100% security that new mag is in place. Changing mag when bolt is locked can in worse case lead to that mag dropps out because you need to use a lot more of force to lock it.
Changing the magazine with the bolt closed works every time on that rifle if the shooter is skilled.
In 25 second and 16-17 x two shootings required to win in a competition against norways best stangshooters there is no time to “be safe” pulling back the bolt, switch magazine and then close + fire. To win you have to make perfect mag-changes, bolt-operations and also hit the target in every shot. I can also mention that in this competition in Norway the Sauer 200 STR shooters compete against H&k ag3 users firing semi-automatic (also only loading with 5 shots in each magazine). In the past years ag3 and sauer had won about 50 % each. This is because of fast firing rate on semi automatic but cruel sights on the ag3 versus slower cyclic rate on the bolt but great precision and sights. (no optics allowed)
To clarify i ment 16-17 hits on target in two shootings, each 25sec. Also range to target is unknown but as another mentioned there is usualy one long range favoriting the Sauer 200 STR, and one shorter range where the sights on the ag3 works bether and they manage arround 20 hits.
I wish I could source the same model of rifle here in UK. I have found a similar model Sauer, adjustable synthetic stock with a picatinny rail. Does the rifle cock on opening or closing of the bolt. Well impressive shooting,