John Radford can hardly believe his luck after winning the ultimate among target’s shooting world elite.

The former Gunnedah identity, now of Coffs Harbour, won two gold medals at the World Rimfire Benchrest Championships in France.

Radford not only guided his Australia counterparts to victory in the team’s event, he also took out the holy grail of the championship, the coveted individual number one ranking as well.

“I achieved some of the best scores that I ever have and probably ever will in my long shooting career,” the  76-year-old told the NVI, resting up back home on the coast after his record breaking European tour.

In a sport where a millimetre is as good as a mile on the score sheet, perfection is rare unless of course your name is John Radford.

Over two days of competition, he shot six cards of 250 for an impeccable 1500-point perfect round, scoring 114 bulls-eyes from 150 on offer which appear just a few millimetres in diameter with his rifle sighted at 50m.

Radford is awaiting confirmation on four world records which he broke in France, including one he pinched from Aussie team-mate John Patzwald within moments of the new one being set.

“He broke the record and then I went and took it off him,” John said.

“He didn’t get to hold it for very long.”

Radford added there was little love lost despite the pair’s intense rivalry.

“He’s like the younger brother I’ve never had,” he said.

Teams from 10 countries around the world contested the championship including the United States, who reckon John’s insurmountable feats in the sport “will never be matched”.

Australia won eight of the 12 medals on offer with his Australia A team placing first, the Australia B side third and Australia C fourth – a result which came of a big surprise to rival teams at the championship.

“We were only sixth favourite heading into the event,” Radford said.

“After that (result) they were gob-smacked.”

Born in Gunnedah, John spent many of his younger years growing up in the area. 

His father owned a sports store in Boggabri and was also a world champion in his own right.

“I’m a proud Gunnedah boy and never forgotten where I’ve come from,” Radford said.

Originally a sign-writer, he plied his trade for a number of years in Narrabri before moving on elsewhere and would one day win an Australian Small Business Award for his entrepreneurial efforts.

Currently Radford invests much of his time coaching promising, up-and-coming target shooters.

He doesn’t charge a cent for his instruction – for him, the satisfaction of passing on his years of knowledge in the sport is reward enough.