SHOOTING

DUBBO'S Bob Dowling plans to be on target for next month's Commonwealth Games by shooting at this weekend's Central Western Championships in Orange.

Dowling will compete against some of the world's best at the Melbourne Games but his toughest competitor this weekend is likely to be himself.

The 59-year-old said he aims to win the master grade centre fire and rapid fire events this weekend but he also wants to push himself.

"This will be a warm-up for next month," Dowling said of the Central West Championships.

"This is my last competition I'll go to before the Commonwealth Games. I guess I'll be shooting against myself. It's a bit like golf where you're competing against yourself."

Dowling is in good form having just returned from a training camp in Melbourne where he was able to practise at the Commonwealth Games range.

Dowling last represented Australia in the Commonwealth Games in 1994 when he won gold and silver in Canada.

He won an individual silver for the open men's rapid fire and then joined with Pat Murray to win the open men's pairs rapid fire pistol.

In Melbourne Dowling will contest the 25m centre fire where he expects the Indian shooters to be some of his strongest opponents.

"It's exciting and I'm looking forward to it," he said.

"It's different because it's your home country. I just want to do the best I can on the day."

Other noted top shooters heading to Orange include former Australian representative Philip Adams (Forbes) and Sydney pair Glenys Catlin and Mitzi Spain (Sydney).

Orange shooters Dean Brus, David Oates and Max Wicks are also set to do well, as is junior member Andrew Bond.

Shooting begins on Saturday and Sunday at 8am until late afternoon, plus there will be one match of air pistol on Friday night at 7pm.

Helpers are asked to be at the range early.