Would you like to hear from somebody new?
I shot my first comp. 34 years ago, 4 position .22 rimfire, 50 ft. Shot other comps. small bore hunters pistol and local Practial Pistol matches. Might shoot a bench rest comp. around Christmas in Titusville, FL. Stopped by their range last Christmas time while visiting InLaws. Use to live in T'ville and shot at that range many years ago. Last summe bought a used 6mm PPC benchrest rifle, as I remember they shoot for score so a .30 would have been better, still in the market, or maybe a new barrel.
I enjoy comps, don't mind reasonable entry fee. Long distance travel is a problem. Cost of ammo for practice or comp is not an issue. Could care less about a trophy or plaque or certificate. Don't really want to join another organization.
What I would really like is a competition where shooting skill is the primary measure.
When I was in high school we shot 4 position rimfire and just about everyone shot the same rifles with the same ammo and so the best shooter on that day won. Maybe I should have purchased a rimfire benchrest rifle.
With my used rifle I have yet to shoot a group less than 0.200 and most of my groups are in the 0.300's but I will go shoot with those T'ville guys and see what I can score.
Maybe I should look into F-class or rimfire but what I would like is a stock class where a $1500 (or less) stock rifle is used with any ammo, shot at 100 yards (longest local range) shot off the bench for score or group. I am glad to take great care to load precision ammo, turn necks, weigh cases and bullets. I can even stand to load ammo at the range, sort of, my local range requires that I haul everything 400 yards, distance, parking to bench.
My used benchrest rifle is the most expensive firearm I have ever purchased. It cost me $1200 including the scope, it is also far an away the most accurate firearm I have ever owned.
I probably have $15,000 invested in firearms and reloading equipment. So, to you guys it probably does not look like I am dedicated enough since if I spent half my firearms investment on benchrest stuff I could (if I can load and shoot well) be competitive.
Tough SNIT, I like to collect topbreak Smith's, have a few hunting rifles and shotguns, still want to shoot my hunters pistol guns. Shoot some practial selfdefence stuff. I like having an accurate rifle, something that can shoot under 0.250 MOA but I could care less about trophy's or records or prize money. I do like shooting with smart people with a good attitudes. I don't like competition where the cost for a competitive entry is high. A lot of comps today, to be competive you need $5,000 in equipment and assessories. FUDGE that I will buy what I like and go shoot by myself at the local range. I am still trying to figure out what all the different benchrest comps are. It seems that even the short range stuff has a number of different classes. How about one class, one course of fire, one score. I think that some people shoot one gun in more than one class, what is up with that?
I hope this provides some insight to how you could improve your attendance at comps. but maybe not, you want more people to want what you currently have and that ain't where it is at.
