New Shooters at Big Matches.

jackie schmidt

jackie schmidt

New member
We had several "new" shooters at The Crawfish this years, avid Riflemen who wanted to see just what this "Benchrest Thing" was all about.
Many questions were asked, and many good answers were given. It was good to see seasoned veterans offer up good advice on how all of this works. This is how we build interest in Benchrest, and this is how we promote good will to all shooters.
I got to meet several shooters who before, I only knew from this Forum. It is good to put a face with a name.
As much as we try to steer new shooters in the right direction on this Forum, there is nothing like attending a big match, and watching experienced Benchrest shooters battle it out, keeping the Rifle working, and battling the conditions, as the best way to garner knowledge.
There are experienced shooters who "hold the cards close to the vest", and will not divulge much in the way of anything. But that is their business, and I would not hold it against them at all. I feel that there are plenty of us who are willing to help, and that takes upthe slack.
Remember, when a new shooter approaches you with a thirst for knowledge, you are representing Benchrest. The few moments you spend helping him might make a lasting impression, hopefully for the good.........jackie
 
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I try to make a good impression, but frankly their are a few of use who will probably do the Benchrest world a favor by holding our knowledge close to our chest.
 
Jackie,

I want to thank you and all of the other experienced shooters who were at Denton a couple of weeks ago for treating my future son-in-law so well. That was his first time to do something like that. I let him shoot one of my sporters and threw him to the wolves. He shot some really good groups for the conditions. What really hooked him was when Charles Huckeba walked up and congratulated him on his shooting Sunday afternoon. He was thrilled that a hall of famer, and the winner of that shoot, had noticed and complimented him.

Thanks to all.

Ray Dawson
 
I would like to thank the many guys at Tomball that showed an interest and gave moral support to my Grandson, Josh. Other than the Grizzly bear with the thorn in his foot at the motel, the rest of the weekend was fun to him. He said I couldn't tell jokes as good as Arnold Jewell. Feature that.
Butch
 
Butch

I might be wrong, but I would amagine that there are laws on the books in most States that do not allow minors to be within 100 feet of Arnold.:D Sort of like not letting them into "R" rated movies. They just ain't ready for that.........jackie
 
It must be the low prices at the pump that is bringing these new shooters around! Maybe it's the ready availability of brass, primers, powders, bullets, and barrels?

Most probably it's spring and it has been a long winter. Lot's of guys have been reading all the good posts here and at the other BR sites. Maybe they have even read about the BR schools that are being held and would like a little more insight before committing.

Either way we have to make sure and welcome the new shooters with open arms, show enough cards to keep the intrest level up. If one of them later beats you with your own trick, consider it a compliment.

Paul
 
Jackie,
58 shooters is a big match!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Crawfish used to draw 120 shooters. Any idea when the Crawfish will be back in LA. Sure miss the Cajun band and that good ole cajun cookin. Sorry Tomball alittle too far for me. Congrats to Charles

Jim
 
James A. Kelbly said:
Jackie,
58 shooters is a big match!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Crawfish used to draw 120 shooters. Any idea when the Crawfish will be back in LA. Sure miss the Cajun band and that good ole cajun cookin. Sorry Tomball alittle too far for me. Congrats to Charles

Jim
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Geraci told me that Francis Broussard was going to try to hold a match next year. They still are not through with everything. Don't know if they have power for campers yet or not.
 
James

I suppose it depends on what you call a big match. I would much rather base a matches quality on the level of competition, rather than the numbers. Any time you have Charles Huckeba, Larry Bagget, Gene Bukys, Dr. Tim Olstersdorf, Dr. Ken Trerrel John Horn, Scott Hunter, Jay Lynn Gore, Sam Arnette, and the likes at a match, it is a big match. I would rather shoot aginst quality, rather than quantity, any day.
As far as the Crawfish going back to Louisianna, I don't think it is going to happen any time soon. The truth is, there are just a few shooters in Lafayette who are interested, and they can't get any help.
We at The Tomball Club are willing to hold The Crawfish and do our best to keep the tradition alive as long as it takes. Keep in mind, the Tomball Gun Club profits nothing money wise from holding matches. We give all of the proceeds toward awards, and the Boy Scout Troupe that acts as out target and clean up crew.
Of course, there is the reward of knowing your Club is willing to put on a match strictly for the sake of giving dedicated shooters a place to compete. As with a lot of things, that is priceless.......jackie
 
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Jackie,
Are you trying to say your region has better quality shooters then other regions? I look around the country and the regions look pretty even to me as far as competition at all the matches. I have seen you post over the last few years, and your posts seem to say that you think your region has more quality shooters. If I was to pick a region that I thought might be the best shooters it would have to be southeast region as they have more hall of fame shooters than any other region. At our eastern region matches we have as many or more quality shooters than what you listed. I believe in all regions if you have 50 or more shooters that there are over 8 -10 quality shooters at their matches. This is why I questioned your big match claim. Maybe if you got out of your region alittle more often you could expreince some of the other regions and their stiff competition. You are too good a shooter to holed up in Texas all the time. I think you would make a good run at first time Super Shooter if you ever decide to come. We are expecting 40 foriegners this year and around 350 shooters.

Jim
 
James

I did not mean to imply that in what I wrote. Our Gulf Coast Region Shooters are no better than any other Regions Shooters.
But, I do believe they are just as good.
I try to travel over to The South East Region once a year, (Rachels Glenn) and the match reports will tell you that I, and other Gulf Coast Region Shooters who make the trip, hold our own.
Sure, I have a job that demands certain responsibilities that I cannot avoid. It is part of owning and running a business. I dedicate myself to our Region, and probably a Nationals. The Super Shoot is in the Spring, our busiest time, when our big customers get full ahead into new budgets. Ohio just might as well be on the Moon as far as my being able to take a week+ off to attend.
In our Region, I have three ranges that it takes me at least 150-180 gallons of Diesel Fuel to go to, and get back from. Each has two matches. That will be $2000+ worth of fuel, just to get there to to shoot. That isn't counting the 22 hr one way trip to Phoenix for the Nationals, and the 13 hour one way trip to Rachels Glenn.
It is not uncommon for me to work all day Friday, get on the road in the evening, and arrive at a place like Midland or Seymour in time to set up, and get ready to shoot.After shooting Sunday, I then have to face the 8 to10 hour drive back home, in time for work Monday Morning. Somewhere in there,I try to get some rest.
I will probably attend all nine Gulf Coast Region Matches.
I apologize if I ever gave the impression that the Competition in our Region is better than others. We all know that this is a tough game, and to stay at the top anywhere requires considerable effort.
As for Daves comment, I doubt I ever implied that others did not have a equally tough time trying to come up with enough hours to do things. I am at a loss as to why he chose to make a comment like that........jackie
 
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Jackie,
I knew that you were not stating that that region was better, that is why I asked. The way you wrote it, it read that you thought your region was better, and after I had a call that wanted to know how you could say that, I went and asked you the question. I am sure you would much rather be here at Super Shoot than at work(at least I would) and I am sure someday you will make it here. Unfortunate that we have to pay to play and that means we have to make money. Why does life always get in the way of having fun! Hope to see you at Mickeys this fall, I've been to several of his matches and love them, but again life(kids) have kept me from going last few years.

Jim
 
Dave B said:
Jackie can't travel, he has a job. He seems to think the rest of us don't.
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I sure am glad this didn't get personal.

IF Jackie says he can't shoot because he has to work then that is what he has to do. I am confident it isn't because he is scared to show up.
Some people take their commitment to their family pretty serious and BR becomes second place. I will never fault them for that.

Ted
PS What I think Jackie was saying is that when you show up for a match and that list of people shows up as well then you know there is going to be some quality shooting going on, no matter where you are from.
 
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