DEAN Brus' success at the Opal Open in Lightning Ridge on the weekend has made his wife happy, the Orange shooter bringing home some opal jewellery for his efforts.

Brus had a strong showing at the Open winning his pet events, the service pistol and service pistol unrestricted, as well as finishing second in the A grade rapid fire and centre fire.

Brus added some extra fun to his weekend by adding an extra event to his schedule.

"I shot black powder for the first time ever and had a lot of fun," Brus said.

"I borrowed a gun and borrowed the equipment and participated in the event and I nearly won the thing outright. I've never been graded so I shot in C grade and I was only two points off the top score for the whole day.

"I shot a 338 out of 400 and the top score for the whole weekend was 340. It was quite funny actually. The fun factor was the best part of the shoot."

Brus also added some new records to his visit to Lightning Ridge but said they weren't anything out of the ordinary.

"The fellow I travelled up with, Tony Drabsch from Parkes, we sort of led the field in service pistol," Brus explained.

"There wasn't a lot of recognised service pistol shooters there. The two scores I shot were actually range records for Lightning Ridge. But I don't think there's been a lot of master grade shooters go up there and participate in service pistol previously so that was an easy achievement.

"We just happened to be a couple of master shooters there that weekend and therefore set the pace."

Windy conditions hampered Brus' efforts in the air pistol but he said the entire weekend was an unforgettable experience.

"I shot air pistol and I was lousy. I wasn't in the places there. I found it very difficult to shoot up there in the open air range and I was quite windy. I was really struggling to shoot there.

"I can't knock myself around because it was just the conditions that wouldn't allow anyone to shoot good scores. Apart from that it was certainly an experience. There was about 106 competitors. I've been to the Ridge many a time but never to shoot."

Now Brus is working towards the Western Plains Championships in Dubbo in a month and then the Australian Grand Prix finals in August in Sydney.

"There's plenty of training to do and hopefully I can shoot a little bit at my local club."