Heena Sidhu tests ammunition in Germany

Heena Sidhu, former world record holder and the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, went through a rigorous ‘ammunition testing’ exercise in Fellbach, Germany, to get herself the best ammunition for the important competitions in the season ahead.

Even though she uses the best brand, Eley Tenex, Heena had to endure a four-hour testing exercise to find barrel-matching ammunition for her 25-metre sports pistol. “We tested 19 different batches with different velocities that were available. We found something that consistently offered high accuracy,” said Heena’s husband and coach Ronak Pandit.

Logistical aid by NRAI

A total of 520 shots were fired to find the best batch for Heena, and the batch number has been reserved for her. She will coordinate with the Eley company in the U. K. to import the ammunition with government support and logistical aid provided by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

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The testing was possible as the NRAI had organised a preparatory camp in Germany for the World Cup to be staged in Munich.

“The testing will help get even better results from the existing technical skill levels,” said Heena.

India’s top five rifle and pistol shooters could be extended the facility with specific ‘testing camps’ to find the best ammunition and pellet, she added.