What do YOU want in a Match?

[Stumpy1]

Here is the setup; -Mid-Range and Long-Range prone matches. Local and Regional level matches. E-targets are in place and work very well. NRA sanctioning with all matches Registered. Conventional Sling and F-Class.

What 'stuff' makes a match somewhere you want to go?
Is it (mostly) all about the shooting? Or...

1. Decently run match? Smooth, no fooling around.
2. Multi-distance matches? 300/500/600 and Palma type?
3. FullBore?
4. Tee-shirts for the Regional level matches?
5. Meals provided at Regional level matches?
6. Prize tables?
7. Decent payout?
8. Reasonable match fees?

So, what are the things you like to see in/at matches?

Looking forward to learning.

Frank

 

[kelbro]

All of those sound good. It's also nice to have a campground nearby if the match is more than a couple of hours from my house.

 

[r bose]

All of the above. But I'll add, E-targets have made matches run way too fast. I'm not suggesting a match take all day but the goal shouldn't be to be finished by 10:30 AM. I feel extremely rushed then.

 

[Fast14riot]

A well organized and run match let's shooters worry only about their shooting. A detailed match bulletin that is easy to find online is very helpful. Detailed info about places to stay near by, is camping allowed at the range, food, and something I went through at our state match this year, I found out from the hotel staff that the range has discounted rates agreement for big matches. I had booked online and never even knew it was offered.

Prize tables are cool, sometimes "side games" during the match are fun too. Our state match the MD has certain shots highlighted on your score card, best score total of those shots puts you into a blind shoot off after and those winners get prizes. Your score card is highlighted when you get it so you can game it if you want.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Not having E targets and not having camping at the range are two killers for me. Also, if traveling to shoot, I want to shoot. 2 days minimum, a practice day is a plus. Start at 8 or 9 in am and shoot until 4 or 5 on Sat at least. Sunday done by 2.

 

[rardoin]

Challenging range, LR, well organized and no horse's a$$ personality running it and reasonably nearby accommodations are what attracts me to travel for an event. I won't travel far for MR unless it would be a MR/LR 2 day match. E-targets are nice, but I'm physically able and willing to pull targets as long as the carriers are maintained in a reasonable condition.

 

[SDDasher]

Match Directors that are safety conscious and impartial to all shooters. No favoritism towards local members in any regard to squading, rules enforcement or any issue to be resolved about the match.

 

[anon]

As a sling shooter, I second the E-Target conundrum. In a dead calm, how long does it now take F-Open, F/TR, and us slingers to shoot our sighters plus 20?

 

[323]

In order of priority 1-5-8 you should’ve put 9 as good awards we give away plaques like this. Also for our state championship you don’t have to be a state resident to win the state championship. But far as I’m concerned #1 is the most important. There is a match held in Idaho outside Rexburg it’s one the best ran matches I been to. It’s two days, lunch is provided, e targets, shoot palma course of fire both days but on Saturday they also shoot a 20rd 1k yard match after they are done shooting the Palma course. Our matches I like to say are ran extremely well our only issue is range rental at one of the ranges so we hold 1 day match. If we do 2 days at the other one in Kenai then finding a hotel can be tough it’s in the middle of tourist season. We also give away coffee cups to the 1st thru 3rd place finishers.

 

[WyleWD]

Match Directors that are safety conscious and impartial to all shooters. No favoritism towards local members in any regard to squading, rules enforcement or any issue to be resolved about the match.

+1^^^ Add clearly defined course of fire and allowable equipment and forbidden equipment to the sign up sheet. Lastly any safety rules that are or might be unique to the range. JME. WD

 

[BKA]

All of the above. But I'll add, E-targets have made matches run way too fast. I'm not suggesting a match take all day but the goal shouldn't be to be finished by 10:30 AM. I feel extremely rushed then.

E-Targets are great! Whatever game you're playing, you have time limits, no one says you have to machine gun your shots down range. Your extremely rushed feeling is self induced, don't blame it on an E-Target. In addition, E-Targets have settings that allow for a delay in recognizing your shot, thus making you wait between shots to see your sighter or record shots displayed.

 

[1K6BRA]

At least one good descriptive one liner to add to my list to use on other people at the most opportune time.

 

[r bose]

E-Targets are great! Whatever game you're playing, you have time limits, no one says you have to machine gun your shots down range. Your extremely rushed feeling is self induced, don't blame it on an E-Target. In addition, E-Targets have settings that allow for a delay in recognizing your shot, thus making you wait between shots to see your sighter or record shots displayed.

As a prone shooter, it's almost impossible to "machine gun" shots downrange. I leave that to the F Class shooters. I feel rushed because when I'm on shot 8 and they have completed their 20 shot string of fire, i'm hovered over as if I'm tying up the process and match "wasting their time". (yes I've been told this)

We get maybe 10% prone shooters and 90% F Class at any given match. So, yes we (prone shooters) tend to be much slower and they are watching the clock wondering WTF are we doing (this includes the match director who has never shot prone, palma, iron sights before)

I'm asking any match director to respect the time we have to complete the string and ask whoever is finished beforehand to wait, without judgement, for us to finish. My feeling of being rushed is not self induced but created by others who want to get home for a late breakfast.

Come shoot prone, in a sling with iron sights, and you'll understand then how rushed we are.

 

[DR1586]

For any match, I look for the following.

1. Well run, efficient match where I can focus on shooting and not dealing with range-induced issues.

2. Group of shooters that want to shoot and compete, regardless of skill level.

3. Ample amount of shooting, 60 shots at a minimum, preferably 80 or 100 per day. 2-day matches are great, as long as it’s 120+ shots over two days.

4. Adherence to rules, sanctioned course of fire, and conventional high power practices. I want to shoot on the correct target face. I want to shoot a match that is a match, not something someone dreamed up. I want the rules applied to all classes and not sacrificed for the sake of attendance, prizes, cost, etc.

5.) A match director that is friendly and accommodating, but shuts down any bitching a moaning. I don’t want to be barked at but I want a match director that prevents any bullshit during the match. With all due respect to my fellow shooters, there is always one or two folks that want to complain about something. If you have an issue with the match, address it with the match director in a tactful manner and provide possible solutions.

Outside of that, the rest is just nice to have. Having a chance to earn my entry fee back is good, but not necessary (as long as the money goes to the HP program at the club). Prizes don’t mean a whole lot as it’s not why I do it.

 

[DR1586]

Not having E targets and not having camping at the range are two killers for me. Also, if traveling to shoot, I want to shoot. 2 days minimum, a practice day is a plus. Start at 8 or 9 in am and shoot until 4 or 5 on Sat at least. Sunday done by 2.

Don’t listen to Walt, he’s just trying to justify his purchase of a new 2500HD and camper. He spent all he could on guns and components and had to look for other options.

 

[DR1586]

All of the above. But I'll add, E-targets have made matches run way too fast. I'm not suggesting a match take all day but the goal shouldn't be to be finished by 10:30 AM. I feel extremely rushed then.

Agreed that some become fascinated with being done early. I’m all for efficiency, but if you’re done before 2:00 then you didn’t put enough rounds down range that day.

 

[DR1586]

As a prone shooter, it's almost impossible to "machine gun" shots downrange. I leave that to the F Class shooters. I feel rushed because when I'm on shot 8 and they have completed their 20 shot string of fire, i'm hovered over as if I'm tying up the process and match "wasting their time". (yes I've been told this)

We get maybe 10% prone shooters and 90% F Class at any given match. So, yes we (prone shooters) tend to be much slower and they are watching the clock wondering WTF are we doing (this includes the match director who has never shot prone, palma, iron sights before)

I'm asking any match director to respect the time we have to complete the string and ask whoever is finished beforehand to wait, without judgement, for us to finish. My feeling of being rushed is not self induced but created by others who want to get home for a late breakfast.

Come shoot prone, in a sling with iron sights, and you'll understand then how rushed we are.

You bring up a great point. A match director with at least an understanding of, and preferably experience in, all disciplines/classes is a huge plus. I believe it lets them relate to all shooters better and ensure that the match is providing the best possible experience for everyone.

 

[drop_point]

No position on the range should place the shooter at an inherent and observable disadvantage.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Don’t listen to Walt, he’s just trying to justify his purchase of a new 2500HD and camper. He spent all he could on guns and components and had to look for other options.

2500 would be a downgrade.

 

[D Coots]

Unless I want to be involved in the work it takes to run the show, I'll take what is offered.