We currently have 28 targets, but hope to expand each end. There were only about 180 shooters for the last FCNC, and less than 50 targets used each day of individual competition. I'm not sure if a 5 relay pit rotation would work out good, or do 6 relays like in the past. The NRA are the ones that forced 20 shot strings on us, to save on record keeping. However we start shooting at 8am. Why waste the best part of the day. Also when the FCNC were held here in the past, they were like late August or September. If the worlds are in August, then September will probably be the month.
2016-17 F Class Nationals
- Thread starter Bob Sebold
- Start date
ARIZONA_F_CLASS
FTR LR High Master, FTR MR Master, Smalbore Master
Dos XX said:
I was wrong,I meant 2013 F Class nationals in Raton. I thought
there was over 200 at the 2014 nationals. The Berger had 340.
Have shot at Lodi at least once in a prior life. Nice range, nice facility, good folks, lots of things to see and do in the area. Still hold the area dear to my heart. The matches there are run seamlessly and you need to have your caca squared away because they run the matches efficiently, maybe more efficiently than any range in the country. The only real drawback is that the range faces west, but that is not a huge issue later in the day for scope shooters. Just be prepared for the afternoon sun angle/position. The range itself is not real difficult and there have been a pile of high scores fired in all divisions.
If you like to fish, that time of the year will produce real trophy-sized walleyes on the WI river system. They can be caught from shore and it requires you to become a little nocturnal. Fish until midnight and get some quick shuteye to be up early to shoot. 10-13# fish over 30 inches are possible. The closer it gets to ice-up, the better the fishing will be. But, Oct is leading into prime time.
If you like to fish, that time of the year will produce real trophy-sized walleyes on the WI river system. They can be caught from shore and it requires you to become a little nocturnal. Fish until midnight and get some quick shuteye to be up early to shoot. 10-13# fish over 30 inches are possible. The closer it gets to ice-up, the better the fishing will be. But, Oct is leading into prime time.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Ringostar said:
With 20 shot strings, we're looking at 40 minutes per relay or about 1.5 hour per set of 2 relays. If you have 3 double sets (6 relays), each match would require over 4 hours and then add in travel time on the bus at pit changes and you're looking at 13 hour days.
With 15 shot strings, we would shave about 10 minutes for 18 relays or almost 3 hours, giving us 10 hour days. Starting at 8:00AM, we would be finishing the last relay of the day at 6:00PM.
Time can be saved with judicious pit changes and of course, if all shooters finish before the allotted time, but it's still going to be long days with 6 relays. With 20 shots per match, anything over 4 relays makes for very long days.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
lmmike said:
Yeah, well some ranges have issues with paid pullers, also not everyone wants to spend money for a paid puller.
I pulled my first target back at Connaught in 1982 or so, and I have pulled targets ever since at many ranges in the USA and Canada. It lost its luster a long time ago. I think one of the worst places to pull targets has to be Camp Perry, no berm to detect the impact and boats keep floating into the impact area causing delays in matches.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
What's so difficult about saying "lines ball?"
Not that anyone wants my opinion but here goes anyway. I think Lodi is to small of a range to host the LR F-Class Nationals if entries are to be open to everyone like has been done in the past. Ive been to Lodi twice since 2008 and I love the place. However given the range capacity I believe that you will in some way have to limit participation. Maybe our sport has grown to that???????
Keith Glasscock
Gold $$ Contributor
280man said:
That is why I was asking about a qualification standard. In Olympic shotgun, there was a minimum qualifying score that must be shot each year to be invited to nationals - I don't know if that persists, I've been out of that game for more than a decade. I don't think that would work in F-class because some ranges are less forgiving than others. Perhaps, a qualification by classification (Master and above or something like that in F-Open and Expert and above in F-TR OR placing in the top 25% of a state championship) will have to be instituted at some time.
The down side to those qualification standards is that there will be lots of paperwork to determine who is qualified to compete and who isn't. Best bet is to get as many grants as possible to expand existing ranges to accommodate the shooters and let everyone play.
bayou shooter said:
Well Denys , some ranges know how to make it work also. Lodi had close to enough in 2011 for everyone and it wasn't much split amongst 6 people that they had on each firing point. $20 ea per day. If it will raise range capacity to 300 then it solves all the problems wouldn't say? The great thing about 5-6 relays is that shooters can help with the match or have time to eat, work on equipment or socialize. The pullers fee could be part of the match fee so they only have collect from the club to get their money. It can work and it does fit within the match time frame.
I believe that the Natl Championship should move around the country to make readily accessible to everyone. Including the 2015 championship, 5 of the last 6 have been held in the west. That is tough for the eastern shooters. I was at Lodi in 2011 and the 6 relays worked okay (even with all the rain delays).
The heaviest attended championships have been the two at Raton preceding the World Championship. With that World Championship out of the way, we went back to 175 shooters in Phoenix last year. At Lodi, with 6 relays of 28 shooters, it could handle 168 shooters.
I am also not opposed to have written into the program that classified shooters will have priority over unclassified shooters. I do not believe that state and national championships are the place to bust your cherry in F-Class.
The heaviest attended championships have been the two at Raton preceding the World Championship. With that World Championship out of the way, we went back to 175 shooters in Phoenix last year. At Lodi, with 6 relays of 28 shooters, it could handle 168 shooters.
I am also not opposed to have written into the program that classified shooters will have priority over unclassified shooters. I do not believe that state and national championships are the place to bust your cherry in F-Class.
My thoughts about "paid pit pullers": I feel that I have paid good money up front for the privilege to go and get to pull targets at a match, any match; as well as shoot. So, I'd just prefer NOT to pay a puller in addition to those match fees!! 
However, I do it from time to time, although I'm missing out on the pit experience that I fully paid for 8), like when I get squaded on a point with a group that wants to use a puller. Of course, when you go out of country to shoot, you miss a lot of the flavor of the match, because one has no choice!!
Danny Biggs
However, I do it from time to time, although I'm missing out on the pit experience that I fully paid for 8), like when I get squaded on a point with a group that wants to use a puller. Of course, when you go out of country to shoot, you miss a lot of the flavor of the match, because one has no choice!!Danny Biggs
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
I don't mind pulling targets, but given the choice between starting before crack of dawn and finishing after sunset for the distinct pleasure of pulling a target versus foregoing the inestimable pleasure of target pulling but finishing mid to late afternoon, I know where my preference would be.
Of course, electronic targets would be even better.
Of course, electronic targets would be even better.
There probably will not be that many paid pullers, never is up here. So Danny you got your wish! Denys, you will need to get on "Earl Time". Nobody ever shoots till 6:00 at Lodi. As far as the size goes, I cannot tell you at this time how many points we will have. More than 28 for sure. I will bust my ass to get as many as possible. Unfortunately I cannot do as I please. There will be larger firing points and more parking, more, more, more, including malted beverages after shooting!
When things get firmed up I will let you know, but it will be months, not weeks. Meeting with the board went well so far. Looking for funding as we speak.
When things get firmed up I will let you know, but it will be months, not weeks. Meeting with the board went well so far. Looking for funding as we speak.
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