Unofficial - 2022 F-Class Nationals

[Ned Ludd]

I would like to attend Nationals this year in PHX, not a bad drive down.
Is event entry difficult or restricted?
As a fairly new F/TR shooter, should I even think about going?

Why not? It's an experience everyone should try at least once. Once the entry is open, it can fill up rather quickly, so no need to book accommodations until your registration is confirmed.

Have you competed at 1000 yd previously? If not, you could still certainly attend, but I would suggest having reasonable estimates for your bullet drop from a ballistics calculator, and arriving sufficiently early to attend the scheduled practices.

I attended Nationals twice (F-TR) at Raton when I first started competing. As a fairly inexperienced shooter, I didn't do particularly well, but it was certainly worth the experience. Competitors are grouped by their classification, so you will have still an opportunity to shoot high score within your classification. Anyone that wants to attend the larger matches/venues has to make this choice at some point. The notion that a less experienced shooter might not be welcome at a big national match should never even be a consideration. If you choose to attend, you will learn a lot and meet some great folks. I would also recommend having some reasonable expectations of how you might perform. There is nothing wrong with having high expectations, but the top shooters at National matches are GOOD, in capital letters. I wouldn't want to let unreasonably high expectations potentially make the experience a disappointment.

 

[sdean]

I would like to attend Nationals this year in PHX, not a bad drive down.
Is event entry difficult or restricted?
As a fairly new F/TR shooter, should I even think about going?

I suggest if have not ever pulled a target find a way to experience that beforehand if at all possible. Other than that have fun.

 

[Jdne5b]

Contrary to SWN, Nationals doesn't usually fill up. Of course if there is an entry limit due to covid that could change.

 

[F Class John]

I would like to attend Nationals this year in PHX, not a bad drive down.
Is event entry difficult or restricted?
As a fairly new F/TR shooter, should I even think about going?

New shooters are always welcome, after all we were all new shooters and competitors at some point.

Just be prepared that while most everyone there is friendly and probably great company at dinner, this is a very high level match and as such people have their game faces on and they expect an exceptionally high level of service whether that be while you're scoring for them, pulling targets or any other aspect of the match. You need to know at least the basic rules of F-Class, how to score, how to pull targets quickly and effectively and so on. It's GO GO GO from the time the first shot goes off and just finding time to eat can often be a challenge and you need to be on your game, paying attention 100% of the time. Even people who have attended their own local matches a couple times find it daunting because of the sheer scale of 95 lines of fire, 360+ competitors, 4 relays of shooters and two people to a target pulling. It's something on another scale for sure, but tons of fun.

Having previous match experience is often encouraged but people will be happy to help you learn very quickly how to score and pull targets properly if you've never attended a match before and are willing to listen. Most everyone one there would rather help new people out and have it done right so everyone has a good time but you also need to be honest with those in your squad if you're not sure how to do something so they can help before it's to late. Just be prepared to come with an open mind, there's lots of great shooters with centuries of combined experience there.

One last tip, if you're planning on asking for actual shooting help or want to ask questions of the shooters around you, DON'T DO IT while they're setting up, shooting or tearing down. Let people breathe and then approach them and you'll find people far more amenable and ultimately you'll have a lot more fun as well.

just my 2 cents...

 

[XTR]

I love the "it's a shorter drive to PHX" posts in here. For me it's over 2700 miles... one way. All other things being equal I'd shoot in the humidity.

edit: When I shoot PHX or Raton I fly. At this point I've been flying out there since '15. It's expensive when you add uptime off, flights, lodging,and rental car. I'm almost at the point of deciding that this hobby needs to become more local.

 

[Warren Dean]

New shooters are always welcome, after all we were all new shooters and competitors at some point.

Just be prepared that while most everyone there is friendly and probably great company at dinner, this is a very high level match and as such people have their game faces on and they expect an exceptionally high level of service whether that be while you're scoring for them, pulling targets or any other aspect of the match. You need to know at least the basic rules of F-Class, how to score, how to pull targets quickly and effectively and so on. It's GO GO GO from the time the first shot goes off and just finding time to eat can often be a challenge and you need to be on your game, paying attention 100% of the time. Even people who have attended their own local matches a couple times find it daunting because of the sheer scale of 95 lines of fire, 360+ competitors, 4 relays of shooters and two people to a target pulling. It's something on another scale for sure, but tons of fun.

Having previous match experience is often encouraged but people will be happy to help you learn very quickly how to score and pull targets properly if you've never attended a match before and are willing to listen. Most everyone one there would rather help new people out and have it done right so everyone has a good time but you also need to be honest with those in your squad if you're not sure how to do something so they can help before it's to late. Just be prepared to come with an open mind, there's lots of great shooters with centuries of combined experience there.

One last tip, if you're planning on asking for actual shooting help or want to ask questions of the shooters around you, DON'T DO IT while they're setting up, shooting or tearing down. Let people breathe and then approach them and you'll find people far more amenable and ultimately you'll have a lot more fun as well.

just my 2 cents...

Well stated, John.

 

[1911mag]

Go, The experience and people are awesome. My wife and I went to Nationals last year first time. Being well prepared and organized pays off as well as other great advice above. Couple things I added to trip for the pits. Spray cans grease for target frames, duct tape, and spotters. Just so happened all 3 were in shortage in the pits. My OCD paid off.

 

[Ringostar]

I would like to attend Nationals this year in PHX, not a bad drive down.
Is event entry difficult or restricted?
As a fairly new F/TR shooter, should I even think about going?

The only time nationals has filled was due to Covid restrictions. Don’t be scared to register. I shot my first nationals as a long range marksman. It was held at my local range. So why not join in. Then I went to nationals at Raton as a sharpshooter. One of the days, the wind was very strong. I scored better that day, than 3/4 of the masters and half of the high masters. So don’t be intimidated.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I would like to attend Nationals this year in PHX, not a bad drive down.
Is event entry difficult or restricted?
As a fairly new F/TR shooter, should I even think about going?

Go for it . This old Guy is going for it ! Maybe a once in a life time event for some of us .

 

[JeffT]

I vote Atterbury.

 

[Warren Dean]

I vote Atterbury.

You would....

 

[Ringostar]

I’m going through to apply for hunting tags now. Wouldn’t know it, the dates for nationals falls right in the middle of rifle bull elk season! Guess I’ll have to apply for archery elk and rifle deer. Those are before and after nationals.

 

[D-4297]

F Class John covered it as well as can be . Even if you don't shoot particularly good , the knowledge gained is worth twice the price of the ticket . And you get to rub elbows with some of the best in the world , and compete on equal footing . Name another sport where you can say that . And Phoenix , Ben Avery is beautiful in October . Personally ; I wish they'd schedule it for July or August , but that's just me .

 

[XTR]

... And Phoenix , Ben Avery is beautiful in October . Personally ; I wish they'd schedule it for July or August , but that's just me .

With average highs in the range of 105+ I don't think even the most hardy of us would enjoy being on the range for 8 or 9 hours in July/Aug.

 

[D-4297]

I do understand your point of view . But that's no different than for us "Locals" to watch the folks come in for the FCNC or the SWN running around in tank tops and shorts in the middle of our winter , either . As we are bundled up in thermals and coats . Just thought "turn-around would be "Fair Play", that's all .

 

[Ringostar]

I do understand your point of view . But that's no different than for us "Locals" to watch the folks come in for the FCNC or the SWN running around in tank tops and shorts in the middle of our winter , either . As we are bundled up in thermals and coats . Just thought "turn-around would be "Fair Play", that's all .

I always wear shorts the SWN.

 

[JeffT]

F Class John covered it as well as can be . Even if you don't shoot particularly good , the knowledge gained is worth twice the price of the ticket . And you get to rub elbows with some of the best in the world , and compete on equal footing . Name another sport where you can say that . And Phoenix , Ben Avery is beautiful in October . Personally ; I wish they'd schedule it for July or August , but that's just me .

Indiana is has beautiful weather in October also. Plus all the foliage changing colors

 

[D-4297]

Indiana is has beautiful weather in October also. Plus all the foliage changing colors

And rain storms , and bugs , and wet ground ....Grew up in Ohio . Don't like the weather in Cleveland ? Wait an hour . It'll change . That's why I live in Phoenix now . And I don't have to shovel sunshine , either .

 

[Dos XX]

Weather in Indiana in October doesn't matter when the match is in July.

Weather in Phoenix in July doesn't matter when the match is in October.

Please, call me Captain Obvious.

 

[JeffT]

Weather in Indiana in October doesn't matter when the match is in July.

Weather in Phoenix in July doesn't matter when the match is in October.

Please, call me Captain Obvious.

Ok
Call me captain obvious
All the people that live near Phoenix want the nationals there every year so they don’t have to travel