Les Fraser HoF 36

Les Fraser – Hall of Fame Inductee #36

Les Fraser is a name well known in the Benchrest community—not just for his skills behind the rifle but also for his dedication behind the camera. As a passionate promoter of the sport, Les has worked tirelessly to capture and share moments that help grow Benchrest shooting. Despite often being the one taking the photos, his achievements on the range speak for themselves.

In 2022, at Springsure, Les earned his place among the sport’s elite, securing his spot as the 36th inductee into the Benchrest Hall of Fame. A valued competitor and advocate, Les continues to be a driving force in the community.

We asked Les a few questions to help everyone get to know him a little better.

1. Personal Background

• Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from, and what do you do outside of shooting?

Currently reside in Wimbledon NSW have many interests including music multi-instrumentalist played in Bands, folk clubs and many other venues.

I commenced shooting when I was 16 years of age with a keen interest in fox shooting. Then began my career in target shooting with Pistols at first then moved on to Full bore target rifle then on to precision shooting sports.

• How did you first get into shooting?

I was introduced to fly shooting in 2000 and began shooting the fly and currently still active in that sport. In about 2010 I was introduced to short range bench rest by Stuart Elliot my first match was the Harry Madden where won my first event LV.

• How long have you been involved in the sport?

2010 currently still active in the sport.

2. Shooting Focus and Specialties

• Which shooting disciplines do you focus on, and what drew you to them?

Having been active in Pistol, shotgun, rimfire, small bore, large bore, bench rest, air rifle I can say I have had a varied experience shooting disciplines that require dedication and attention to detail.

I currently shoot shotgun, Rimfire benchrest, Short Range, 500m Fly and large bore rifle NRAA.

What has drawn me to these disciplines is the accuracy and precision of projectiles in flight. There are no boundaries of the possibility with precision shooting there is always a new edge to cut in pursuit of accuracy.

• Do you participate in any specific types of matches or events?

Short range matches Nationals, Kings prize meetings, rounds of the 500m Fly events, club shooting Bathurst Rifle Club for Large Bore Rifle shooting.

3. Competitive Journey

• What was your first competition experience like? Do you remember when you knew this was the sport for you?

My first real experience with Top level shooting was in 1992 where I represented Australia at the Law Enforcement Olympics held in Washington USA. I was fortunate to win gold medals at 800yds & 1000yds and Silver at 900yds. The feeling of winning and competing at the highest level was infectious.

• What are some of your proudest achievements or milestones in shooting?

Hall of Fame in Short range is up there with

Gold and Silver Medals at Law Enforcement Olympics

Wining the lead up and grand aggregate NSW Queens

Representing Australia in Rimfire and Air Rifle Slovenia 2017

Representing Australia France 2023

Winning back-to-Back Shooter of the year 500m Fly

First shooter ever to win Light Gun and Heavy Gun 500m fly in the same year

Wining the 4 gun in Springsure short range benchrest

• Is there a particular competition or event that stands out to you? What made it special?

Washington USA without a doubt first real big competition with such a great result.

Springsure Nationals wining and shooting my way into the Bench Rest HOF

Les accepting trophy in Springsure from Max Coady

4. Equipment and Techniques

• Describe your current shooting setup (rifle, cartridge, optics, etc.).

Focusing only on short range my rifles are all BAT DS, SV Krieger barrels, Maddco barrels.

Optics are March 40x 50, 50×50, 36x weaver for sporter.

Cartridges are Lapua, triggers are jewels, Flavio

Rest is Lenzi

Rear bag Lenzi

• What’s your preparation routine before a competition? Any specific habits or routines?

I don’t have anywhere to practice or prepare for matches due to where I live but I do dry drills at home.

As an example, I will set up and take down multiple times the set up on the bench to become second nature then I will run a stringline down in the shed and ‘track’ the rifle scope along the vertical stringline and dry fire 5 shots as quick as I can without scope leaving the vertical string line. This technique shows you if your gun handling is smooth. Smooth is fast, fast is smooth.

In addition, I always prep my cases at home weight batch and grade projectiles for the upcoming match.

• How do you handle conditions like wind and mirage during a shoot?

There are two main types of shooting short range one is running a condition where you shoot as accurately as you can until your string is done the other is to pick conditions.

My style has to run a condition how I do this is to watch and time a condition with a stopwatch then when the condition presents itself, I know there is time factor to it. EG 8 to 10 seconds a condition will be stable I know through practice at home I can fire 5 shots off in 6 seconds. So, if a condition is good for about 7 or eight minutes then I will hold into that timeframe until the condition is stable.

Once I start the group, I manage the group from shot formation there is never one point of aim as your barrel heats up as an example the group changes formation. You have to know how to manage this.

I love wind the harder it blows the better my chance is for a win, fish tail winds are best not many shooters know how to shoot this condition.

Mirage is an experience thing you just have to learn it and understand what the effect is on the projectile.

Mirage is about sighting if you can’t see it, you can’t hit it. So, if there was one tip I would give is use all your scope to sight. In really mirage condition where you cannot see your centre cross hear on the target at all use the vertical cross hair on one side of the target and the horizontal on the bottom of the target, so you have two aiming marks. Takes a bit of training but easy once you try.

Les competing at WBC16 in France in 2023

5. Loading and Ammunition Choices

• Can you walk us through your approach to loading and selecting ammunition?

First of all, bullet selection I only use Boat tail bullets at 200 yds as they have produced the most consistent results, and their BC is important at 200yds.

At 100 yards I like Flat base bullets only due to consistency in pressure and ES.

I have used Lapua, Norma, Sako cases and prefer Lapua.

Lapua cases are consistent and have the best-case capacity determination.

My trim length is 1.495 and make sure every case remains at this length.

Anneal all my cases prior to a match with AMP annealing machines

Case Necks are .270 – .265 bushing inline Wilson dies.

Batch and weigh bullets, cases and grade same.

Probably not as efficient as other shooters with reloading but certainly do the preparation work early is key for me.

1 thou shoulder bump always. This is due to my chosen style of shooting running a condition I don’t want any sticking cases in 6 seconds.

• Do you have a particular powder or load that you rely on for consistency?

2217, BM2, 8208 are my powders and they all shoot differently in each rifle.

If was to pick one, it would be BM2 lot to lot no difference at the moment when I buy powder I buy as much as I can and keep the batch the same as possible.

As for new shooters 29.2gn to 29.8 there will be an accuracy node there for sure.

Seating depth for me is always 5 thou off the lands. In theory if anyone ever says they know exactly what their seating depth is they a better reloader than I am….

6. Challenges and Growth

• What challenges have you faced in your shooting journey, and how have you worked through them?

Biggest challenge for me was work life balance I was s shift worker for 30 years many a time I would get to a match at 1 am the morning of the shoot after driving hours to get there.

No range to practice on has been a significant challenge but I have compensated for that with my at home technique which as produced great results.

• What are you currently focused on improving in your technique?

My new focus is to set up flags and flag lines that produce the best information that is something I can do at home we have 15 acres of land (other houses to close to shoot), but I can run flag lines and practice set up.

Set up in every shooting sport is key to success. One thing remains constant and that is how your set up functions.

7. Mental Preparation and Handling Pressure

• Do you have any pre-match rituals or routines that help you get in the zone?

I don’t eat before big matches the first detail is always seen as the day breaker, so I keep as calm as possible. Having shot as big events all around the world everyone gets pressure, how I handle it is focusing on what I can control not what I can’t.

I like to watch details before I shoot if I get the opportunity but If I am on the first detail I remain seated and calm as long as possible.

To get ready to take the line I focus on cleaning the rifle and getting my equipment ready to take to the bench.

• How do you stay calm and focused under the pressure of competition?

Being calm for me is about not taking in the environment of negativity or those claiming the smallest group ever either thought in my head achieve the same thinking, someone else’s thoughts not my own.  If I am going well, I don’t look at the scores until the match is over. When look at groups I don’t look at the size of the group so much as the shape of it.

The shaping of groups tells you’re the direction of the flag push and the drop offs.

8. The Shooting Community

• Are there any mentors or people in the community who have helped you along the way?

In short range it would definitely be Stuart Elliot he has probably been the constant along the short-range journey. Stuart and Annie have been instrumental in getting me involved in short range and certainly has helped with getting the best gear possible.

• How would you describe the benchrest shooting community in Australia? What makes it unique?

The bench rest community in Australia is in trouble with shooting numbers like all other shooting sports in Australia. I believe that you only get shooters from other shooting sports.

Short range benchrest shooters are unique they have accuracy knowledge that needs to be shared not taken with them. The growth of any sport is how welcoming the community is.

From the outside I have heard shooters say “those bench rest shooters are snobby and don’t talk to you” nothing could be further from the truth. The sport is hectic you are loading, cleaning, shooting, setting up.

Benchrest needs to have a better balance of introduction and commitment to the sport. As an example, Bench rest needs to have champions of the sport not champions of the match.

• Any advice you’d like to share with new or aspiring shooters?

2025 is the year of pushing to get shooters across to this sport for me personally. Already I have shooters who are shooting the fly coming over to shoot at short range matches and hopeful move into short range. Not entirely committed to the sport at first but will over time.

For NEW shooters talk to shooters take in all the information you can then try it don’t every take what someone tells you as the benchmark. Everyone is different you will get starting points, but you need to develop who you are as a competitor.

Best advice learn how to read conditions – there are articles all over the internet do your study this is a lifelong apprenticeship.

9. Fun and Personal Insights

• What’s something surprising about you that people might not know?

I can play the Irish fiddle, mandolin and banjo.

• If you weren’t involved in shooting, what other hobbies or passions might you be pursuing?

Music definitely

• Do you have any shooting-related superstitions or “lucky” habits?

Moly coating bullets – I believe it is the edge over other competitors

10. Looking Ahead

• What’s next for you in shooting? Any big goals, upcoming competitions, or new skills you’re focusing on?

I would like to shoot some Small group Australian Records.

Certainly, looking forward to the National event.

I am focused on getting more shooters in our sport.

• What do you see as the future of benchrest shooting in Australia?

It is strong with the new website, Facebook creating conversations and building competitor base is certainly going in the right direction at present momentum is everything.

11. Final Thoughts

• Anything else you’d like to share with the readers?

Shooting is more than just a sport it is the building of close relationships with mates.

Shooting is more than just self-promotion; it is about comradery and giving back to the sport and helping it grow.

Build friendships and achieve your goals…….