About a dozen Lightning Ridge shooters competed but it was the club's vice president Tony Cornish and member Anthony Hutchinson who fared the best.

Cornish took out two second places in D grade for the standard pistol and black powder events, while Hutchinson was successful in placing second in C grade for the men's air pistol event.

Vice president Cornish said the three-day event drew 106 competitors from throughout the State as well as some from across the borders and even one from as far away as Tasmania.

But he said the local contingent was about the same as last year, although there were more placegetters in 2002.

Eight events were staged for the open, which included standard, 50 metre, rapid fire, centre fire, air, black powder, and restricted and unrestricted service pistol.

Cornish said the centre fire event was the most popular among all the shooters, which was most common because it incorporated the ladies' events and sports pistol events.

"We were happy with the turnout, we had a lot of people who had competed last year come back to have a go at this year's open, which was great.

"Some shooters who didn't actually know we were having our open during the long weekend, but were in town at the time, also decided to compete at the last minute."

Cornish said the weekend had run smoothly.

"This is the first time in the past three years that we haven't had wet weather spoil our weekend," he said.

While no local shooters broke their grade in this year's open, nine visiting shooters did.

In the 2003 Opal Open 10 juniors competed and 15 ladies, which Cornish said was on par with what was expected.

"I believe the events were somewhat challenging for the juniors as upcoming new shooters, and it was good to see that we were able to attract some new lady shooters to enter the open."

Since then the club has also boosted its number of Pistol Australia Range Officers from one to four, with Peter Nation, Matti Ammala and Tony Cornish joining the ranks.

Cornish said this meant that the club had more members who were qualified to run shooting events at both the national and international level.

The Lightning Ridge Pistol Club is always looking for new members to join up, from beginners to experienced shooters.

All are welcome and for further information ring the club on 6829 0116 on Sundays, Tony Cornish on 6829 1176 or Bob Smith on 6829 0712.