Where all all the shooters???

[Bill Norris]

Well...there are two ways to look at this. First is..you're beat before you start. Ya gotta believe that you CAN do this, or you won't.
Second is, if ya haven't tried it, ya can't know.
I'm working with a relatively new shooter who I consider to be a natural at this game. In fact, he won a National Championship last season. He made mistakes early that most , myself included, could never make up during a match that day. At the end of the day he was a CHAMP!
If he will do as he has promised me and puts in the time, he can be unstoppable.

You may be like him!

I think I probably fit into the First category. LOL. Because I don't have the confidence level needed.

 

[jimmymac]

I’m light on experience and screw up all the time, but when I show up I’m there to win. I may get my butt kicked, but make no mistake...I’m there to win. No sense approaching it any other way.

The biggest thing for me is the great tips that can be had at matches by guys with a lot of experience. Last summer Jim Kelbly laid some really solid stuff on me about reading mirage and how it relates to wind. I used what he told me during that match and he was spot on. There is a good chance I’d have never learned that on my own.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I think I probably fit into the First category. LOL. Because I don't have the confidence level needed.

If ya don't try, you won't know your own abilities in this game.
It's a little like playing a guitar...Some, like me, have to work harder at it than others and some can pick their stuff up, carry it to a match and beat me like a drum. I have to work harder but we wind up near the same, at the end of most days.
Yes, confidence plays a part but if you show up and shoot, you might surprise yourself. No, you're not very likely to win your first match..not at all. But, with a good mentor, it's amazing what can happen. Usually, the new guy ends up passing the mentor up and the sky is the limit. We are all humans here! Nobody is superman and they can all be beaten. (Oh, did I really say THEY)? Lol! Just kidding..but ya do need some confidence. My first match told me that I could do this with work.

 

[Bill Norris]

Totally agree with u there. And in some instances I have that confidence level as in music, not to brag but in days gone by I was as good a bass player as u find. Was good enough to be the leader of our last band and took us from the practice house to opening for Hank Jr. in a 15 month span. So, I know exactly what u r saying about needing confidence in order to make it happen.

 

[Stan Taylor]

I think I probably fit into the First category. LOL. Because I don't have the confidence level needed.

I really don't know how to classify myself I've been shooting actively in IBS and currently in GBA thousand yard and 600 yard since about 2007 and I'm kind of handicapped I've got issues with the ability to keep from shaking.I've got nicknames Galore from Member shooters over the years I don't let it stop me as long as I'm competitive.
I try to support the organization's that we shoot because I support the shooters that I shoot with whether they beat me or not it's the camaraderie of the sport and meeting people across this whole country great bunch of guys they will support you and help you that's the primary reason I shoot.

 

[Tim Singleton]

I’ve used this before
You can’t go out and pay a $100 entry fee and race against the likes of Dale Earnhardt
But you can show up pay your fee and maybe lead a lap so to speak against Tony Boyer, Bart Sauter, Jack Neary or Billy Stevens no other sport like it!
And you might be able to do it with used stuff bought right here!
Not that your gonna go out and win the race but leading that lap is pretty cool

 

[jimmymac]

Exactly! Tim nailed it.

 

[Shooter13]

Yes he did! and it is really cool to do that

 

[rwj]

I try to support the organization's that we shoot because I support the shooters that I shoot with whether they beat me or not it's the camaraderie of the sport and meeting people across this whole country great bunch of guys they will support you and help you that's the primary reason I shoot.

The competitive shooting sports need participants at all levels. I admire those having lesser skills and equipment because they know it’s unlikely that they’ll win, but still show up to volunteer their time, socialize, and try to improve. The sport will die without them, just ask any match director!

 

[deadeyemike]

I have the equipment. Time is my biggest problem. I work full time. Chores still need done above and beyond the 40. Vacation time is limited so I have to be choosy on where and when I shoot. This isn't excuse making. It's just life.

I shot a handful of matches last year. I'd love to shoot more, but the reality is it will only be a handful again this year. I'd love to go to group shoots every weekend or every other weekend, but the time commitment kicks my butt. If I get to two NBRSA group shoots this year I'll be doing good. It's two days at the match, plus you better get there a day early at a minimum to set up a loading area, place flags and get a little trigger time in. As much as I like group shooting, I see myself gravitating more and more towards UBR. One day matches within a few hours from home is logistically easier to pull off. Show up in the morning, go home in the afternoon. It's a long day, but doable. UBR score shooting turned out to be more fun than I thought it would be, and the competition in WV and Maryland was stiff. The local club matches don't excite me much, other than the HV group matches at the Chippewa rifle club in Ohio. For a club match, you better bring the "A" game to that place because you may end up shooting next to a HOF shooter. There are always excellent shooters in attendance.

All that said, I shoot every weekend, just not every weekend at a match. My local range is less than 10 minutes away. Even on my busy schedule I can get there for an hour or two to work on my skills. I'm glad I dragged my neighbor down the hole with me. We are always competing informally.

Jimmy, I hope you can come back down to WV and shoot with us again this year. Hope you can talk your neighbor into coming down with you. We enjoyed your company and hope you get to do it again..

 

[Shooter13]

I admire those having lesser skills

HEY!! You talking to me??? LOL funny thing is even the first few matches I shot last year I didn't have a clue of what I was doing but thanks to @John Beauchamp as my guide I never found myself feeling nervous at all but enjoying the shooting and BSing.

 

[Stan Taylor]

The competitive shooting sports need participants at all levels. I admire those having lesser skills and equipment because they know it’s unlikely that they’ll win, but still show up to volunteer their time, socialize, and try to improve. The sport will die without them, just ask any match director!

HEY!! You talking to me??? LOL funny thing is even the first few matches I shot last year I didn't have a clue of what I was doing but thanks to @John Beauchamp as my guide I never found myself feeling nervous at all but enjoying the shooting and BSing.

No I think he was talking about me ole Bobble Head LOL.

 

[sdean]

From my angle looking at this and being brutally honest about why I never tried to compete I arrive at this realization. We all know in this game there are 3 main elements that must be at the top shelf or as close as possible. The equipment, the ammo, and the shooter. Either one that is not up to parr at a match will definitely leave a shooter absolutely dumb founded. Within this trio I've had and still have good accurate rifles and rest, etc. and have been hand loading since 1995. I feel my hand loads are capable of winning a match as well due to the time I spend making sure each loaded round is clone material and some groups I have shot in the past (Maybe luck LOL.) But, the third aspect which is the shooter of course leaves a lot to be desired. I simply do not feel my ability to repeatedly drive the rifle straight and be consistent in a match would ever match the rifle or the ammo. Therefore, the reason I never tried to shoot against anybody but myself. Again, just being honest.

Only one guy will win. You will be in good company with the rest of us. My shooting has improved with experience.

 

[JEFFPPC]

No I think he was talking about me ole Bobble Head LOL.

Stan I have deveoped a bit of the same issue myself the last year but am coping with it. As long as I can compete I will and when I cant I will help with matches . I was into long distance running for about 20 years and I always ran and trained by, When the going gets tough the tough get going. That's how I approach this. I do know I would rather hunt and shoot 1 year too long than 1 year not long enough.

 

[Shooter13]

Only one guy will win. You will be in good company with the rest. My shooting has improved to experience.

Only 1 guy per class!! Key here is pick a class with no one else shooting, I shot unlimited all year (just 1 gun and it weighs 17 lbs) and would be the only one shooting so no matter how bad I shot I won .............. and lost twice. LOL

 

[JEFFPPC]

Well , your a lot smarter than me. All my guns are light and I usually pick the class with the most guns in to shoot.A lot of times I am shooting my 10.5 lb PPC against guns that way more than double. I love beating those heavy guns. My wife tells me all the time, Your not smart, just stubborn . She might be right.

 

[jimmymac]

Jimmy, I hope you can come back down to WV and shoot with us again this year. Hope you can talk your neighbor into coming down with you. We enjoyed your company and hope you get to do it again..

You can count on it Mike. I had a great time. Nice group of guys and I felt welcome there. I’m sure I won’t make all the matches, but I’ll get there as much as I can. Looking forward to when the schedule comes out so I can pencil in some dates.

I’ll be dragging the neighbor along. He will be running a LV PPC. I hope to recruit another gentleman that’s a long time IBS score shooter.

See you in the Spring.

 

[deadeyemike]

You can count on it Mike. I had a great time. Nice group of guys and I felt welcome there. I’m sure I won’t make all the matches, but I’ll get there as much as I can. Looking forward to when the schedule comes out so I can pencil in some dates.

I’ll be dragging the neighbor along. He will be running a LV PPC. I hope to recruit another gentleman that’s a long time IBS score shooter.

See you in the Spring.

Jimmy, Our Match dates are: Mar.29, Apr.19, May 17, Jun. 14, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 18. All matches will start at 09:00.

 

[jimmymac]

Perfect! Thanks Mike.

 

[Shooter13]

Jimmy, Our Match dates are: Mar.29, Apr.19, May 17, Jun. 14, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 18. All matches will start at 09:00.

What range Mike? are you UBR or IBS?