I must say that I have read all these threads with interest and that I am proud to be a Canadian.
   At this point I think before anything else gets started or decided, we should find out who is thinking of going to the World Shoot in St Louis. If I recall correctly you will need to be a member of the world team and you will have to have a passport. If I recall correctly the competitor chosen also had to come up with close to a grand for entrance fees and uniforms etc etc.. Please add anything else that applies so that everyone knows what they are getting involved into.
 I for one am considering getting back into the race, I still have some 8208 and a bunch of Watson bullets getting old. I think I even have a new barrel that I haven't tried.

  Calvin, I don't think you are an "a-hole" or anywhere near that. I do think a good discussion should be had on this issue and we should be able to discuss the issues without unnecessary eye poking in general.  I love the idea of a completely Canadian qualification match (Now I will show you the issue), it should be held in Alberta!or if you are in the east, Elmira! I have to agree with Vera, I have never felt or heard animosity of the westerners except maybe when Opal beat me by .010" for small group at the Super Shoot. But I got over that, eh. The issue is distance and time and face it, if the match was held in Alberta or Elmira, would you get 40 shooters total. If this was the only real qualifying match, one gun break down or lost firearm on the plane sure could ruin someones outlook of competing. This would be considered a local match in the US, but would have the time and expense of a major shoot in the US. It is more economics than anything else. Right now the west is growing but its economy is doing well also. It was not like this when Ontario was booming. Years ago I can remember going to 12 shoots a year without leaving the province but the economy was doing well and the government was not imposing ridiculous restrictions on ranges near populations. Now several have given up as the restrictions were to costly for rifle ranges to meet. Times are tough even on the American side in traditional areas of benchrest. It has been tough on all shooting sports in a lot of areas if you look around.
 I did enjoy going to the World shoot in 2005 and if you get the opportunity to go, then go out and try your best to qualify. It is an experience you will enjoy and remember all your life. How my wife put up with me for those 2 years, I do not know, but she did.
 I would again have to agree with Vera, the world teams have always been pretty close to even as far as westerners and easterners and I believe this has been a good thing, it has given us opportunity to meet each other and work together for a greater goal. When I came back from the World shoot I sure had an appreciation for all involved and felt I had gained several new friends, in western Canada, Namibia, South Africa, France, England, New Zealand... well I can't name them all.
 Let's discuss how we can make the most of these opportunities by raising money and supporting the world team so that those who do have the ability to go and are successfully competing, can go even if it may be in Australia, South Africa or New Zealand, not just a rush to the closer matches because it is the only time that I can afford.(I am not trying to single out Calvin, most of us are not in a position to to do this on our own) We should be all striving to put our best shooters forward.
 After writing all this I think Vera is doing a pretty good job of speaking on this and I am just rambling.
 To all the team members, welcome back, thanks for doing your best in representing Canada. Now go get some sleep before the jet lag catches you.

 Wow. It must have been rough looking at the scores overall. It must get breezy in the land of Oz. Hope everyone had a good time and enjoyed their visit while they were there.

Congratulations Calvin!

 Hey Cal, how did the bench and range turn out?

 The perfect target would be a 55 and a perfect agg would be 275

Look for some of the new Canadian made aa2015 powder. I bought a lb and it looks promising. It will say made in Canada right on the side of the bottle.

 Well, I know there are more successful shooters than I at this type of shooting. I will tell of a few things I have observed.
1) Usually the first 30 yds the wind direction is the most important
2) mirage is very helpful in reading the last 30 yds
3) sometimes their is one predominant flag and it is the one you mainly have to watch.
 With everything you have to take the into account the way things are laid out such as berms, lanes and tree density etc.

 Thanks Rick and great job!

Take a couple of the really light ones and a couple of the heaviest ones and mix them up. Load and shoot them in a group and then shoot some that you have carefully weighed into a group. I have personally not been able to see a difference of 2 grains in a ppc sized case. If you can see what 4 grains difference in mag cases will do I would be surprised. Half this game is if you believe it makes a difference than it does make a difference. Case wall variation has more of a bearing on accuracy and the quality of the brass to withstand pressure and reloading is usually bigger issues. Lapua  usually has the advantage here but it never hurts to check.
 Did you weigh the cases after you sized and trimmed them?