Jon Underwood Perfect Score (Sept 2008)

For the first time in known records a full-bore target rifle shooter has shot a perfect individual score in a ‘Queens II’ course of fire. Jon Underwood shot 150ex-150, with all 30 of his shots hitting the central V-Bull, during the Peek match of the Surrey Open on 20th September at Bisley. That is 50.10 at 300 yards, 500 yards and 600 yards with no wind coach, no hand rest and no telescopic sights. Surrey Rifle Association member Underwood used JHC 155g ammunition in his RPA Quadlock Rifle to post his amazing score. He is well known around Bisley, with notable successes as Grand Aggregate winner in 2005 Imperial; winner of all three stages of the Queen’s Prize in 2006 and numerous international honours (including a recent England Team tour to the USA).

“By 600 yards I was getting a little excited by the prospect of scoring a complete HPS (highest possible score),” he said. “But it wasn’t like winning the Grand or the Queens though – there was far more pressure at both those shoots – and I hadn’t got to the stage where the front sight of the rifle was dancing around uncontrollably! That’s partly because I have shot a number of 50.10s before, partly because I was quite busy helping to organise the competition and running stats and partly because of some things I learned in America, just watching how calm and methodical shooters are there.”

As expected, Underwood went on to win the event and also the Surrey County Championship. He is now focused on trying to get selected for the England Commonwealth Games team for Delhi in 2010, for which he is on the shortlist. The highest ever score posted in the actual Imperial Meeting Queens II event is 150.28, shot by Scotland’s Iain Robertson in 2002.