Michael Huebner (26)

Where do you live and what is your home range:

I live in Melbourne, home range is Little River

When did you first start benchrest:

I started in mid 1999 at the Victorian State Titles held at the Dean Range in Portland. It was steep learning experience to say the least, but you have to start somewhere.

Who helped you in the early days:

There have been many: - Darren White, Charly Beck, Bill Hallam, Roy Hopwood, Brendan Atkinson, Phil Jones, Barry Warwick & The Elliott’s.

What was your first BR rifle:

First rifle was a PSECO built Sleeved Rem700 purchased from Roy Hopwood QLD sight unseen. I just told him to send it down. It came with a Shilen barrel which was more than competitive.

When did you get your first HOF point:

2000 Nationals held at the Silverdale Range in NSW. It was my first Nationals and I managed with a bit of luck to win the Heavy Varmint 100 and Grand Aggregate. I still have the Shilen barrel I used and it is still a very good shooting barrel to this day.

What year did you qualify:

2008 Nationals Jarrahdale, Western Australia – Gained the last point, 1^st 100yds Heavy Varmint

Where do you shoot most:

I suppose Little River, which is practice only, as no registered matches are currently held there. I normally shoot the following registered matches; Crayfish Classic - Portland, Australia Day - Canberra, NSW State Titles – Silverdale NSW, Harry Madden - QLD and occasionally the Vic State Titles and I have also gone over to WA for the odd match and from time to time the SA State Titles, although I haven’t been over there for a few years now.

Which ranges do you like and dislike and why:

Portland’s Dean Range is my pick! It was the location of my first registered match, it is always a challenge, the matches are run extremely well and normally I do OK there.

I don’t dislike any range really, they all have there own idiosyncrasies, which you have to learn to be successful. Maybe as my home range would be on a fair few peoples dislike list, this may have something to do with that!!

Which match do you like most each year:

Apart from the Nationals, I would have to say the Crayfish Classic – Portland is always on my calendar, closely followed by Australia Day in Canberra.

Have you shot overseas, when, where, how did you go:

WBC  Sweden 2003 – Bronze Medal LV 200yds, 15^th 2Gun. 13^th Teams

WBC  Kelbly’s Ohio USA 2005 – 37^th 2 Gun, 5^th Teams

NBRSA Nationals, St.Louis Missouri 2005

What is your current equipment:

1 – BAT DS RBRP 6PPC, Scoville Stock, Jewell trigger and a 45x 1/16^th dot Leupold Comp Series Scope, which is unmodified. Shilen or Krieger 6gve barrels are what I use.

2 – BAT DS RBRP 6PPC, Speedy Stock, Jewell trigger and a 45x 1/16^th dot Leupold Comp Series Scope, which is unmodified. Shilen or Krieger 6gve barrels are what I use

3 – I have a BAT model ‘B’ on order for the Jay Young rail gun, which will also be used as a Light Fly rifle action.

4 – Jay Young Rail with the 6PPC /HART 1½”, scope 45X 1/16^th dot Leupold Comp Series

All chambers are cut with my own PPG reamer 263 neck and are currently gun smithed by Procal.

I use a Farley rest with the standard Farley front bag with an Edgewood rear bag.

What is your philosophy for benchrest:

Each yardage or new day brings with it a new opportunity for success.

I believe anyone is beatable. Absolutely anyone!

And above all never give up.

What advice would you give to new shooters: