The World Cup is just one of three events the trio will compete in, including  the ICFRA F-Class World Cup (Individual) and the Canadian F-Class Nationals (Individual). 

With over 100 years of rifling experience between them, the trio will be expecting a strong showing.

Eppleston said the selection is a great achievement.

“It’s a great honour to be selected in any Australian team. It doesn’t happen very often and it’s a prestigious thing to be selected,” he said. 

“The shooters come from most other Australian states and Bathurst have three members from a team of 16.”

Eppleston’s, Willis’ and Bond’s selection is a great success for Bathurst, with three of the 16 squad members coming from the city. 

At the last F-Class World Cup in Raton, New Mexico, Australia claimed the gold medal. 

“It’s a growing event in Australia and recent success has spurred interest,” Eppleston said.

Eppleston, Willis and Bond will take their custom built rifles to Canada.

The rifles use a Barnard action made in New Zealand and the trio have customised them further with specialised scopes and barrels, using the .308 Winchester cartridge. 

Eppleston, Willis and Bond will all also compete for the NSW F-Class team in Adelaide in the Australian Nationals. 

The nationals, in May, will serve as a lead-up to the events in Canada.

After a shooting career that has spanned most of their life times, they will be carrying plenty of experience into the tournaments. 

Teams from Canada, the United States, South Africa, England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand and Zimbabwe are amongst a few of the nations that will be competing in August.

Bond said the Chou brothers, from Canada, will be amongst the favourites. 

Canada and the United States will be amongst the favourites, but Bond also said “we won’t be too far behind”.

“We’ll go close, as a team [to winning it]. It depends on what happens on the day and if things go our way,” Bond said.

“The atmospheric conditions are the most difficult thing to judge.

“The waind might be gentle, but it’s difficult when you’re shooting at eight, nine and one thousand yards.

The target Eppleston, Willis and Bond will be shooting is six square foot, but to achieve maximum points they will need to hit the bullseye, which is only 10 inches in diameter.

Willis and Bond will be coaching in the team event, while Eppleston will be shooting.

“The wind blows the bullets and the coaches job is to assess it and tell us when to shoot,” Eppleston said. 

The events is hosted in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, to coincide with 150^th celebration of the city.

Connaught Rifle Range will serve as the host venue for the events, which will run from August 8 to 17. 

Anyone interested in finding out more or trying F-Class shooting should contact the Bathurst Rifle Club through their website.