Steve Sori

Where do you live and where is your home range

Reside in Sydney and home range is Silverdale

Where did you first start Benchrest

At Illawarra range - Dapto 1978/79

Who helped you in the early days

Ron Marsden and Tom & Ann Brummell

What was your first Benchrest rifle

22PPC, Remington XP100 action, Hart barrel, Leupold 24X

smithed by Ron Marsden (RTM)

When did you get your first HOF point

1982 Nationals - Newcastle in HV

What year did you qualify

2003 at Silverdale. Qualifying point came in Experimental class along with the National record.  The rig used was in 22PPC and built by Ron Marsden and previously used by his son Michael.  The rig was retired from competition after this for sentimental reasons but ownership is retained.

Where do you shoot most

Silverdale and Canberra

Which ranges do you like and dislike and why

Favourite ranges – Silverdale, Canberra and Coffs Harbour.  All have well run matches and a convivial atmosphere during and post matches.

Least favoured – Brisbane and Jarrahdale.  Not a fan of venues where the wind blows from any less than a dozen ways at once.  Am ambivalent about Little River (Eagle Park) but at least the gale only screams from right to left or vice a versa as opposed to Brisbane and Jarrahdale.

What match do you like most each year

NSW State titles, Australia Day matches and Banana Coast.

Have you shot overseas – where, when and how do you go

Have not had the opportunity to date

What is your current equipment

Actions – Stolle Panda and Stolle Teddy, Barrels – Kriegers and Harts,

Stocks - Kelbly and Treloar and finished by Alex Chryss, Scopes – Sightron and Leupolds, have my own reamers and do all my own fitting and chambering.

What is your philosophy for Benchrest

Don’t be discouraged by a bad target or match.  Never give up after a few disasters or disappointments.  The next match is another day.

What advice would you give new shooters

Listen and learn, open your eyes and ears especially when the most experienced compete and if the opportunity arises engage them in conversation or better still ask their advice, most are very approachable.  Make an effort to find a mentor.