Would Just like to say to new shooters, for which we all were @ one time, find a range that has matches, either local or registered, pick a date from there schedule and take a drive. When you get there introduce yourself to the match director (do this several hours before the match) and that you've read a LITTLE about Br and would like to see for yourself what this is all about...
My guess would be (as long as you did this a couple hours before the match started) at the very least the director would point you to someone helpful in the club that may have a spare spotting scope to watch the event OR maybe even have a spare rifle ready to go just in case someone else has trouble (don't count on that last statement).
You will soon see after you get through the 'ICE' (some maybe thicker than others) these experienced guys and gals just love talking about Guns, Accuracy, etc. etc... who'd of thunk it?
Just can't stress enough to just GO and see what its all about. Be curtious of the shooters participating in the match as some may be preloaded, flags set up, bench ready to go, and just 'hangin out' ready to visit, while others may have had trouble with whatever and with only two hours to go need to set flags, load, overhaul rest, fix flat tire on loading trailer so things level out, re bed action, rebuild trigger, change scope, jump down spin around and pick a bail of cotton, weight in, etc etc... those individuals would NOT be the ones to visit with before the match but, if all goes well, maybe after.
OR, there's how I got started, I went to a Br gunsmith by the Name of Stan Ware, picked him because he was closest to me, I had a dinged up crown on my prized 22-250 (plain ole rem 700 vs) and after some examination of the barrel (while I was eyeballing all the targets pinned up in his shop along with Match Certificates) he stated that it was indeed messed up and he could fix it. I simply asked the question, "So where do you shoot these at?" I got the name of the range and thought, jeese that's 4 hours away, and just shrug it off then he mentioned the Postal league that, at the time was run by Francis Becigneul, and Stan mentioned that he had just put a new barrel on his Br Rifle and was breaking it in at his Personal range (only a short walk from the shop) and asked if I'd like to put a few through the Barrel? Are you Serious? a chance to Shoot a REAL Br Rifle with a 1oz trigger........well to cut the story short, that's all it took for me, your first actual experience with Br (not just what you read on this board) may be as pleasant but you'll never know if you don't put yourself in a position to meet and visit IN PERSON with some of the nicest, helpful, and decent people our Great Country has to offer.
I would Sure like to see a new thread on "How I Got Started in BR" I think that would make for some great reading.
Oh, almost forgot,
Merry Christmas To ALL!