Ronald Thomas Marsden – the original RTM.

By the time Ron took up benchrest he had already embraced many endeavours – boiler maker, representative swimmer, speedway rider, family man and W.W.2 veteran. Field shooting was a passion and one he pursued even after war injuries made walking difficult by way of a very elaborate shooting buggy.

Ron first appears in benchrest annals at a Silverdale Gala shoot on 11/8/68 for a second in 200 yard 10 shot group event shooting 1.934. The following month he was at Baulkham Hills Range where he shot 3 award medals in one day and the 4th the following week – something considered a great feat in those days. The equipment list shows Sako action, Douglas barrel in .222 Rem by Bill Marden with a 10x Weaver scope.

Baulkham Hills was the venue for the 1969 Nationals and Ron took part for 12th Sporter, 7th HV, 31st LV and 4th Open (Exp). His Experimental was on a BSA action, Douglas barrel, cal 222/45, 25X Lyman and again Bill Marden as gunsmith. From here on Ron shot Nationals from Queensland to WA and everywhere in between until his last Nationals in Canberra 1989 – just 8 months before his death from cancer.

He had numerous firsts in benchrest and highlights aplenty but a couple of standouts were in 1973 when the only international competitions were via postals. Ron shot the best individual LV aggregate with his 40XBR Remington in 6X47 and then was also #1 in the world in Heavy Bench (Experimental). In 1976 he travelled to the USA to shoot, to look and to learn and in one shoot became the first Aussie to shoot an under .1 group. While on this trip he cemented friendships and business connections that shooters in general were able to take advantage of. The PPC was on the scene stateside and his reamer order for the cartridge cleared customs just after his arrival home.

He again travelled to the States in 1980 with the Brummells but only got to compete in the Californian titles before taking a heart attack at the home of Johanna and Skip Gordon. Admittance to Dover Hospital and surgery for blood clots made the flight home from east coast USA an anxious and risky affair and put an end to future plane journeys.

Ron was a servant of the Association serving as International delegate for many years NSW Benchrest Chair for over a decade, part of the initial Rule Book Committee, NSW Committeeman for 20+ years, range officer, designed and manufactured target frames etc. etc.- you name it he contributed.

Innovation was his catchcry. A short list included one of the first to sleeve an action, produced an alloy stock which solved a lot of bedding woes, produced a light weight benchrest stand that had vertical movement without moving the rifle, eliminated the mystery from fitting and chambering plus encouraged and assisted interested shooters to do their own work. All second nature these days but in the 70s and early 80s not so. Ron had a go and made a good fist of all things firearms even building a Marsden action that today is a prize possession of his great mate David Billinghurst.

Ron mentored a myriad of competitors who are better shooters, handloaders, component makers, parts manufacturers than they would have been without his assistance, advice, counsel, experience and expertise. The mentoring and assistance extended to disciplines inside and outside SSAA.

The Benchrest HOF was especially important and close to Ron. He was one of the movers in its establishment even down to organising the manufacture and finance of the initial patches. Ron qualified for HOF inclusion at #5 in 1978 and his tutelage is acknowledged in the bios of at least five of the current 27 HOFers.

He was in his element holding court after a shoot surrounded by shooters young and old he loved a chat but moreover loved to share his knowledge and experiences – successful and otherwise. A popular catchcry of shooters for many years was “if Ron Marsden speaks it pays to listen you WILL learn something”.

His legacies to benchrest are still evident almost two decades after his demise.