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Denis Tobler

Where do you live and what is your home range?

We live in the picturesque Southern Highlands of NSW after relocating from the Wollongong area in 1984. My current home range is Southern Highlands.

Do you still actively compete?

Still shoot in local matches but have not competed in major State or National titles since 2002 due to hearing and inner ear problems that interfere with the levels of concentration necessary to compete in matches of such intensity.

When did you join SSAA and when did you first shoot benchrest?

Joined SSAA in 1970. The original discipline I competed in was Lever Action and won numerous events including 3rd in 1975 NSW Titles. Travelled to Brisbane the same year to shoot Field Rifle Nationals and as Benchrest was being held concurrently also competed in the inaugural National Rimfire Benchrest titles. At 1976 Nationals added Hunter Class to the list and continued shooting Lever Action and Benchrest for a few years before concentrating on Benchrest only.

Who assisted you in the early days?

Main influence and mentor in the beginning was the late Marco Seider who was the mainstay of shooting in the Illawarra.
The late Ron Marsden especially when Tobler Barrels went from idea to reality and on to a commercial enterprise.

What was your first Benchrest rifle?

Late 1976 purchased a second hand rifle from John Burke. It was a Sako L461 in .222 Rem Mag, Douglas barrel, Mersch laminated wooden stock and smithed by Bill Marden.

When did you get your first HOF point?

In Adelaide at 1977 Nationals by winning LV 100 yard agg. – at that time a national record of .2612. Rifle used had a Remington action in .222Rem, Hart barrel, RTM alloy stock and smithed by RTM (Ron Marsden) and used Hirtenberg cases.

When did you qualify?

1997 Nationals at Silverdale which was a bit unexpected as came into the events on 7 points. Only shot Experimental as was carrying broken ribs, broken collarbone and a punctured lung all the result of a motor bike spill a few days before and needed assistance to move my gear. Everything went my way and picked up 100 yard agg., 200 yard agg. and grand agg for maximum 4 points and HOF entry.

As you only shoot in smaller events nowadays and are retired what hobbies fill the void?

Have an obsession with motor bikes, mostly vintage, veteran and classic ones. Enjoy all aspects from restoration to riding for both pleasure and rally outings. My pride and joy is a 1906 Triumph that I restored virtually from the ground up scrounging, acquiring and where necessary making the parts – this bike is much in demand at shows and exhibitions, similarly the 1915 Motosacoche with wicker side chair that I restored to original glory. However the family favourites are the ones that accommodate a sidecar as this sees Jean come along to the various rides and we have done many inter and intra state runs in these machines. The bike we are most seen around on is the blue and white 1967 Harley Davidson outfit.

Tobler barrels – a bit of background of how and why?

Late 1981 the cyclic building trade downturn was imminent and affected manufacturing businesses including ours so I started looking for a bit of diversification as a stop gap. Had heard others had a similar idea so broached the subject with Ron Marsden at the 1982 Australia Day matches and he encouraged me to have a go and offered support. Over the next two years gathered info, machinery and the like. Then in 1984 along with the Brummells travelled to the USA, went to Super Shoot and with the help of Johanna and Skip Gordon and Ron Marsden smoothing the way met many of the contacts Ron had made over the previous six years. Had the privilege to meet and tour Shilen and Hart barrel establishments, sought advice and sourced many components. Late 1984 we were ready to roll and with Ron acting in an advisory capacity and keeping the contact and source line open 1985 saw Tobler barrels emerge, on the line and in demand.
I continued producing barrels of all configurations in Australia for the local market and export until July 2000 when Jean and I went into retirement and my son Robert took over the business – this coincided with the demise of Sales Tax and the introduction of GST. Robert still runs the business to-day.

Where did or do you shoot most?

Illawarra then Silverdale and now Southern Highlands.

What ranges did you like or dislike and why?

Like – Para, why mostly because always did well there.
Dislike – Canberra no real reason except that I never did real well there.
OK my valuations are based entirely on my results.

What matches did you like?

Won’t pick out any particular match at any particular location except to say enjoyed all Experimental matches. The reason being that this particular class where I shot off the stands is the one where my physical disability is not as big a disadvantage as the bag classes. Am virtually blind in the right eye and have been since a young age. Also like the four target hunter matches and still hold NSW records for the now defunct course of fire.

Have you shot overseas and how did you go?

Yes – twice.
Super Shoot #12 at Kelbly’s Range, Ohio USA in 1984.
Must admit the shooting was secondary, my main purpose was viewing what the trade had to offer with my new business Tobler Barrels only months away. But had a good time and learnt a lot.
WBC2 at Kokkola Finland, in 1993 there were 97 in LV, 99 in HV representing 22 countries.
As only 7 shooters were in a position to go to Finland Australia ran the risk of only qualifying one team of four so I agreed to compete to ensure two teams. Our second team of which I was a member finished 15th overall.

What’s your current equipment?

My Experimental rig which apart from the two scopes atop is fully Denis Tobler – the action, barrel, stands, trigger and smithing.
Also have a Stolle Panda, McMillan stock, 36X Leupold with my Tobler barrel and gunsmithing. Almost pristine only fired one match.

What is your philosophy for shooting benchrest?

My shooting technique is peculiar to me because of my eye deficiency but in really switchy conditions tend to line up the scope on the aiming mark and shoot watching above the scope.

What advice would you give to new shooters?

First and foremost enjoy yourself. If you are not getting pleasure from the sport leave it.
Second – watch the best but having said that should you have any physical limitations develop and work on your own technique.
Third – Ask questions but most importantly listen to the answers.
Lastly – Feel that in this day and with the equipment on offer compared to 70’s and early 80’s the new shooter has far more opportunities to work on technique and reading conditions and should really concentrate on these two factors.

Details: 
DisciplineAward No.YearPointsStatus
Centerfire
18
1997
13
Deceased