Sophomor BR Shooter questions???

CYanchycki

CYanchycki

Club Coordinator
I thought I would start something new with all this talk about 8208 XBR at the Cactus.

There has been some really good information shared to what I would say a limited degree. I would never expect the many top shooters to divilge there secret of how they have got where they have or what helped them win the Cactus, Shamrock, SS or NBRSA Nationals. Nevertheless the information that is shared in whatever quantity is well respected.

As a young BR shooter(I mean new to BR) there is tons of information out there to be digested. More than likely there are MANY shooters at 44 who have shot THOUSANDS of rounds more than I have.

I understand all the basics of becoming a good shooter first then possibly a great shooter takes many many rounds being fired along with bullets, barrels, powder. The ability to tune a rifle and know when it is about to go south so one can adjust. The quirks of the powder one is shooting and how it reacts in hot, cold, humid or dry air. The ability to read the windflags and what it is going to do or should do to your bullet on its flight downrange. Mirage and its effects on the bullet be it by itself or in conjunction with the wind.

So many factors for a sophomor shooter.

I have not met any of you shooters outside of the handful of Canadian shooters I have shot with here in Canada. I have become a real KEENER of certain posters on this forum and there ability to share information with other shooters. Not that all information is not informative but the manner in which these individuals relay it makes it easy to digest and understand.

I like to think I am honest when I say something and expect honesty in return. I know if I were to attend a BR school I would want it to be in Michigan. I get the gut feeling that it is a warm and welcoming place. The other would be Texas. Texas is quite evident as a trip to Gene Beggs tunnel and spending time with him would definately help the learning curve.

If there is anything that would be nice to see is a few top shooters come up to Canada and hold a school. What a rush that would be........ A great American shooter with some STRONG Canadian beer.

Regardless thanks for all the information that is shared.

To the question now.

I have tried to digest all the information shared on the 8208 at the Cactus. It slowly is getting digested but I find myself getting caught up in all the temp, humidity, density altitude etc etc and end up getting slightly overwhelmed. I read it over and over and have even begun to copy and paste all this information on word documents to save it for the future.

I hate taking notes but realize it is a must.

As I plan my first endeavor of a MAJOR shoot south of the Canada/US Border, I begin to wonder how to NOT become overwhelmed by trying to understand all this information?

What should I concentrate on to make the trip(more the shooting) enjoyable without getting caught up in all this talk about the effects of the environment on the powder and tuning?

I look forward to your suggestions. I could expand on this more but my 2 finger typing is getting tiring.

I look forward to your thoughts.

Calvin
 
Calvin.
I have sat next to Joe Krupa, Jack Neary, Ken Hottenstein, Bill Gammon, Lowell Hottenstein (Curse Lowell. He gave me a BIG KICK OVER A CLIFF...:eek:), Greg Reed (he let me shoot off his Farley :) ) and several others. All very nice people. I don't think they have any secrets.
They all very freely, share information.
On 1 occasion Lowell noticed there was a problem with the next guys' front rest. It was loose. I saw this but was not sure. Lowell spoke right up.
Lowell has a million Friends.
 
8208 or XBR.
8208 had a few names. and 3 lots.
XBR is the new stuff.
IMR-8208XBR. Gold label.
I been trying to get a handle. 29.5, 30.0, 30.5, 31.0, 31.5 HOT.
3-3 shot groups. All had a .0xx group.:confused::eek: At 30 degrees.
Today 55-54 degrees. Same thing. A little windier. Wid was more switchie. After a good rain......
:eek:
 
The last 3rd of your post.
Where and what are you doing below the 38th parrell?????
The Super Shoot.
I was told. Just go. And have fun. Don't take it serious.
Strong Canadian Beer. If you go to the Super Shoot. That would be welcome.
The trucks over the bridge, can't bring enough.
 
Like I

said I like to speak out loud. It is not in the context to ruffle feathers but that is why I said I would want to go to Michigan. The names you mentioned.

When I am talking 8208 I am talking 8208XBR as I will NEVER have the opportunity to see any of the GOOD stuff. The closest I will ever come to anything that is any good is the current 8208XBR, 133 and H322 which I have yet to try.

I am trying to decipher a lot of the information (from a sophomor point of view) that Joe had to share and yet feel not out of place when load developing.

We will see, if the good Lord is willing that could maybe be a plan for next year..
 
CYanchycki

My advise is to remember what works for one person won't necessarly work for your setup. Different reamers, bbls, neck tension, bullets, powder, ect. Just because someone says--bla, bla, bla, works for me--don't bet your paycheck on it. Their intent may be good, but in a couple of years sometimes it's a different story for them. They change their mind and go a different direction. Go ahead and take your notes,seperate the wheat from the chaf, but the proof is VERYIFIING THINGS YOURSELF. It takes time, but do not get hung up on going for every idea on this board. Don't overload yourself with information. Tomas Jefferson said "It seems the harder i work, the more good luck i have".

Also, i'd stick with XBR amd N133 and a couple of bullet choices. If neither one of those won't shoot, you're screwed. Too many choices=too much confusion=too many variables.

Good luck
Dave
 
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Cal. I understand.
My first Benchrest Tournament was last year(6 MI Tournaments). And my first Super Shoot.
Lowell said it was his 35th Super Shoot. And the first time his name was in the Program/flyer thing. And he is in the HOF.
 
OH,YEA!!!!!!!!
Dave has a very good point. The old apples and oranges thing.
Had that discussion today.
Thanks Dave. :eek:
 
"What should I concentrate on to make the trip(more the shooting) enjoyable without getting caught up in all this talk about the effects of the environment on the powder and tuning?"

To make a long story short......HAVE FUN!

Far be it from me, (last year was my first year as a non-rookie) to advise anyone how or what to shoot. But I will say this. Not very many of us venture into this sport with the idea of becoming rich and famous, so just relax......jump in with everyone else and do what you know how to do and trust your sighters.
Ask questions about anything and I'll bet you will be surprised at some the absolutely GOOD AND HONEST answers you get, even from guys you just met. I still remember at my very first IBS match when one of our more noted shooters told me; "Even good equipment doesn't read wind flags;" Some of the best friends I have came from casual conversations while setting out flags or commiserating at the wailing wall or ..etc.

I have yet to meet anyone who was born knowing how to shoot or reload, so we have all been there and done that something to some degree.

So just show up.....shoot the best you can.....learn what you can....and do not get away from why you started shooting in the first place and the enjoyment of good shooting will come.
 
Thanks

guys..........

It is amazing sometimes how quick one can begin to physc themselves out. This is even long before an event.........

Long winter I guess up here. The weather has been GREAT the last week. The snow is starting to go but the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is around the corner. That week is usually good for a NASTY WINTER SNOWSTORM.......
 
Dave Coots said:
My advise is to remember what works for one person won't necessarly work for your setup. Different reamers, bbls, neck tension, bullets, powder, ect. Just because someone says--bla, bla, bla, works for me--don't bet your paycheck on it. Their intent may be good, but in a couple of years sometimes it's a different story for them. They change their mind and go a different direction. Go ahead and take your notes,seperate the wheat from the chaf, but the proof is VERYIFIING THINGS YOURSELF.Dave
Click to expand...

Very good advice Dave. Truer words were never spoken.

I remember back in my college biology classes the discussion about animal intelligences. The more intelligent a specie, the more variation there is in individuality. Dogs, dolphins, chimps, pigs all have high intelligence levels and there is greater diversity in their behaviors and a wider range of problem solving choices. Humans are no different. In fact, we're the biggest example of this. Since we are the most intelligent, we have the greatest diversity. Then you throw us into a sport that has a million different angles and options and you can quickly see how much variation you can get in individual experiences and opinions. The only one that is correct is the one that is correct for YOU.;)
 
Calvin

The very nature of your questions suggest that you already have a good grasp on what it takes to be a successful competitor.

Most know my feelings about how we play this game. To me, it all starts with the Rifle. Great Rifles make good shooters.

Years ago, one of my Mentors said that when it is all said and done, it's all about barrels, bullets, and tuning. Just about every thing else is window dressing.

If you ever have the opportunity to go to the line with a really great Rifle, you will see what he meant.........jackie
 
I appreciate

it guys.....

and Jackie what you said in your comment is something that I want and need to see.

I want to see what a GREAT TUNED rifle is capable in the hands of a good wind reader....

Calvin
 
zippy06 said:
8208 or XBR.
8208 had a few names. and 3 lots.
XBR is the new stuff.
IMR-8208XBR. Gold label.
I been trying to get a handle. 29.5, 30.0, 30.5, 31.0, 31.5 HOT.
3-3 shot groups. All had a .0xx group.:confused::eek: At 30 degrees.
Today 55-54 degrees. Same thing. A little windier. Wid was more switchie. After a good rain......
:eek:
Click to expand...

i have 4 lots of 8208....plus one of xbr.....
 
Calvin

I can tell you of several instances where a relative new Shooter scored a GREAT barrel, some great bullets, and, after some getting familliar with the basics, won matches, shooting against veteran shooters. But, when that barrel went away, the rude awakening of how difficult this game can be soon set in. They go from shooting sub .200 aggs, to shooting .300+ aggs, and were doing nothing different.

They will then start logging on to sites such as this, asking questions about bags, flags, stools, stock tape, heads upshooting, bag squeezing, knob turning, and just about any other concievable thing that they THINK might be wrong, when the reality is, the Rifle just ain't there.

Many simply get discouraged and just quit. That leads me to believe that the worst thing a new shooter can do is be fortunate enough to get a Great Barrel on his first Rifle. He will get lulled into thinking that this game really isn't as tough as we all say it is.

All Shooters go through cycles. (well, mostly all). You KNOW when things are really working, and you know when, despite your best efforts, the bullets just do not seem to want to cooperate as they fly down range.

One of the best things that can happen is, (often by mear chance), you order 10,000 bullets, 5 barrels, and 90 pounds of powder, and the combination works. That is how I have always done it, probably in the hope that if by chance everything is good, life will be good for at least a couple of shooting seasons.......jackie
 
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