considering setting up matches in CT

S

savet06

Mike Suhie
After reading the replies to a previous post of mine (many thanks to those with match info in the surrounding area), and, realizing that with a 2year old and one on the way it would be quite difficult to get a whole weekend away for shooting on any regular basis, I have decided to try to put together a match in CT. I will say that I fully intend to get out of state for a match as often as I can, and look forward to meeting some of the folks that have been so generous with their information here.

I have had a very generous offer from a member here to come down and show me the ropes on how to run a match. I am trying to get a feel for what sort of interest there is out there for "local" matches. As of now my home range in plantsville, CT (bell city rifle club) would only be able to support a score match (or an honor system group match, and I don't know how well that would go). I am not married to the idea that my range is the only one that would support such a venture, but it does have some very positive aspects:
centrally located and easy to find off of I-84
100 and 200 yd range with pits at 200
adequate parking
clean facilities and indoor plumbing in the clubhouse/indoor range
awesome switching winds coming over the top of the mountain, or from the bank of pines lining the sides of the range, or right up your back (my favorite...)

I am in the process of writing a proposal for the executive board to review, and wanted to get an idea of numbers of those interested.
you can pm me here or email me if you would be interested.

I am open to any ideas or suggestions.
Thanks,
Mike Suhie
 
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I would suggest you hold a registered Score match , I believe people will go to more expense and trouble to attend a registered match than a fun match. There is always the chance of setting a meaningful record at a registered match.

Dick Grosbier
 
Thanks Dick,
I will look into what is needed. I would love to get as many people there as possible. I imagine that looking on the IBS website will have contact information, registration information, etc...
Mike
 
Thanks guys. It seems to me that CT is ripe for this kind of competition. It would be great if there was a range with moving backers and be able to offer group shooting as well.
I am hoping that with enough interest we can make it a regular thing, and give the CT and surrounding shooters a great place to compete. I really appreciate all the pm's and support so far. I will keep you all posted. I am giving my proposal to the board on March 26th.
Please keep posting if you are interested. The more people I know are interested the better I can plan for the match, and whether to go all the way and get IBS approval. I am learning a lot as I go. I spent the afternoon today reading the IBS rules and regs, and mentally going through a match and trying to anticipate costs, manpower, liability, timeline, and most importantly how to get people to come and have a great time.
I want to cater to as many groups as possible within the bounds of time, and cost (and sanity). A 100/200yd VFS, HBR, and factory/semi-custom classes would be my first inclination. I am quite new to the entire game much less running matches, but I don't do anything in my life half assed, and so I will gather as much information as I can and run the best match I can.
Keep the pm's and posts coming!
Mike
 
Mike,
I recently submitted a proposal to our board and I would be glad to email it to you if you are interested. It is specific to our range, and based on feedback from the board it looks like it will be a while before we could have matches, but you might get some ideas from the proposal. You can find my email address on my profile page.

Steve
 
Steve,
I appreciate the offer and would like to take you up on it. For some reason my computers (both home and work) are not allowing me to view public profiles. If you are able to view my profile and see my email address you are welcome to use it and send me your information.
if you aren't able to see my email we will figure something out.

keep those posts coming, guys. The more posts, the more fuel to the fire.
Mike
 
CT Matches

Hi Mike: Please count me in for the HV Group matches and possibly the Score matches.(I have been talking to your Dad about this undertaking)
Mike in New Fairfield,ct.
 
Mike,
Thanks for the support. I will be trying to find a good venue for group matches as well, but I haven't heard or read about a range with moving backers. If the score matches at Bell City go well, who knows, maybe we can talk the board into some investments. I actually had you in mind when I started this whole thing anyway (you are the only person I have met in person that actually competes in BR mathches). I am looking forward to getting to NJ this summer to one of the matches you go to. I am having Sid Goodling build me a switch barrel rifle (ppc/30br), and I fully intend to make it to as many matches as possible.

If you know of other people around that might be interested please let me know. I'd like to come to the board with a good estimate of the number of shooters we can attract...though i suspect it will be similar to planning a wedding. Invite 100, get 60.
keep those posts coming guys!!
Mike
 
Mike,
Drop me a message to: gama53@comcast.com
If I can help I'd be happy to. Any kind of IBS match -doesn't matter to me whether the match is group or score if we can get a club interested. I'm in North Branford - probably 45 mins away.
Gary Amatrudo
 
Gary,
I was actually sending you an email as you posted. I really appreciate your interest. I am excited about the possibilities for CT, and even though I may not know a heck of lot about the intracacies (the naivete of a newbie) I gotta think that this is a good thing. In the back of my mind, though, I wonder why there haven't been more of them available? I know there are shooters out there. Just need someone to run the shoots?
I'll figure it out, and make something happen...somehow
Mike
 
Mike,

I to am a newbie from Woodstock, NY with a LV 6ppc being built for me by Kelbly's. I plan to spend a few months practicing before I shoot in a match. If you are successful (and I hope you are) I would be interested in shooting in your matches.
 
Dennis and Bob,
Thanks for the posts. Three more to the list. I have decided that this is either a go big or go home type of a venture. I will be altering my proposal to the board for official IBS sanctioned match, and applying to the IBS board for approval. It may take a while, but it appears that it will be worth the effort. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh.
It seems, and it makes sense to me, that as Mr. Grosbier mentioned earlier, I would get more people to come if it were the real deal.

Keep them coming,
Thanks,
Mike
 
At Riverbend in GA we have club group matches with 'honor backers' :D. I can't imagine that anybody there would purposefully not shoot the full 5 on the target and I KNOW for a fact that several people have gotten lost and shot 6 on the target:confused:

We alternate between group and score each month.
 
Mike,
You hit the nail on the head. It takes people willing to run the matches. Most clubs have one or a few individuals that we all owe more to than most shooters acknowledge. This handful of folks get it done year in and year out – we would not have matches without their dedication. Running the actual match isn’t bad. There is help to be had for the asking. Several of our wives or kids work the matches in the stat house or on the target crew. It is prepping the range, marking the targets, getting the awards in order…. And on…. And on …that is difficult for most. If you can handle that part, making a match happen will be pretty straight forward.
I’m not telling you this to discourage you. Only to let you think about some of the tasks that will need to be done. I can put you in touch with several people that run matches regularly, who can advise you. CT can draw from a decent area. So as long as your attendance expectations are realistic things will turn out great for all.
Gary
 
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