A Great Article by Rod Vigstol (AKA Nodak7mm)

[deadlyswift]

New comers, old comers what ever! Click on the link below and read this write up! It's a great Story for all to read! Hats off to Nodak7mm for taking the time to put together such a great Article! As well to German Salazar for posting it in his blog!
Great Job guys!!




http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2012/03/shooting-events-getting-started-in-f.html

 

[GermanS1]

I really like Rod's writing style, very different from mine and a welcome change to the website. I think anyone considering shooting F-Class and worried about whether he has what it takes should read this article. Just come out and have fun with friends old and new, let the equipment sort itself out later.

 

[bozo699]

Deadlyswift,
Thanks for the post and site!

German,
Thank's for publishing Rods article!

Rod,
OUTSTANDING ARTICLE MY FRIEND!! You missed your calling if this is your first story, I have copied and pasted the story so I can reference it anytime I want. I would love to have the chance to shoot with you someday
Wayne.

 

[GermanS1]

Wayne, this is Rod's second article for the site. There's a link in it to his first article about the F-Class Nationals, well worth the read.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I read Rods, first article when it came out...I have enjoyed both of them. His second story brought a wry smile to my face as I started shooting F-open with my 6Br varminter in order to improve my wind skills for varminting. Since I have been shooting F-Open I have only been back varminting twice...now I am shooting every weekend in F-Open...still using the varminter.

Interestingly enough my experience is pretty much as he has described - I found a short bearing surface target bullet (95 Berger) to fit the throating for a 75V-max, bought a cheap caldwell BR rest (could have used my Harris bipod) and a rear bag and voila!

When I went back varminting recently, I was definitely shooting better, and in general my confidence was way up...but the competing bug has bitten and I really really want to master that wind

Rod and German - luv ya work

 

[Nodak7mm]

Shucks Guys!! It boils down to this. It's the great folks that I have met here on this forum, on the firing line & the folks out there, just hanging out on the sidelines that I know beyond a doubt are wishing they were playing in the sandbox with all of us. I know, I spent too much time wishing I could play too. It just sparks something in the right side of my gray matter and as a result, I just start talking to myself or another shooter via the keyboard.

But to be able to share it with y'all, the credit all goes to German! That cat is an extremely talented shooter that happens to maintain a “bleepin” awesome blog for shooters of all skill levels. Throw in the fact he is a patient, skilled and willing editor, heck he makes its easy to do.

Honestly? I just have a lot of fun writing and German lets me play in his sandbox from time to time. Thanks the kind words and for the “Group Therapy!”

But please do me a favor, look for the quiet guy on the sidelines, you know the one, the one with drool running down his chin and that “look” in their eye. Go over and start talking to him and invite him to come over and play with your toys, in your sandbox!!

Rod

 

[queen_stick]

Rod,

Great article! I enjoyed reading it!

I like the portion where you discussed the importance of meeting a 'shooting' partner':

"In retrospect, I got something better; I got a new friend who I can discuss shooting, accuracy and marksmanship with and is on the same page as me. "

That's the one thing I'm missing. I have a lot of friends that shoot, but nobody I know locally is into this stuff as deep as I am. Most guys are dumbfounded when I mention any technical term, like "BC". It's a real bummer having to figure this stuff out on your own. Sites like this are great, and talking to my shooting buddies on the other side of the country on the phone is nice, but having partner at your loading bench or shooting bench, showing you what you're doing wrong, or vice-verse, is priceless. Two minds are better than one, for sure! Anyway, I just wanted to say that you did an excellent job in your article, showing the importance of such a simple thing.

By the way, German posted an article of mine on his blog a while back... It was really gratifying to see my work go up on his page I'm sure you feel the same, and congrats to you for that!

Walt

 

[effendude]

Rod,
I loved the article. I can't wait for you to get down here next month for the wind clinic and match. We can discuss my hiring you to be my ghost writer!
Scott

 

[ryanjay11]

Rod,
Articles like yours do more for the sport than anyone could imagine. They give the nudge to shooters that have been thinking about shooting F-Class. Keep it up!

It was great to meet you at Nationals last year and I hope to see you there this year.

Ryan

 

[Brad from ND]

I still dont understand how in the world you came to the conclusion that you're better looking than me. My mom says I'm a catch!

Really though, Rod, great article. When need to head up there soon so i can get working on the new rig. Id like to shoot that one down at Elk River in a month.

 

[garyw]

NODAK-thats just the way i got into f-class could have been me you were writing about,i wanted to do something else with my rifles but long distance paper punching didnt really appeal-until i was convinced to go to a range over here in the uk namely diggle.i knew a few of the lads that shot there so went along,i was glad i went or rather my pockets are -they are very much lighter,this sis my first season in f class and im just finding my feet ,im trying to get the low down on wind reading which seems to be a slow process but every time i shoot i can honestly say i learn alittle more,all the seasoned shooters will take time to help and will answer all my questions.roll on the next comp.

 

[Bob3700]

Rod,

You hit the nail on the head with the shooting partners. That is what really hooks you on this sport.

I feel so fortunate to have about 4-6 shooting buddies that all compete at the matches together (NRA MR and LR Prone). We are also extremely lucky to have a private 600 yd range at our disposal. Each weekend you will find at least three of us shooting/practicing at the range. All the shooters are very accomplished (Master and High Master shooters) so if you have an issue, you can quickly get several thoughts on what you might do to impact it.

You can always find someone to go to a match with you or we will take the whole crew. We all cheer for one another and shoot as a team when we get the chance.

One of the fellows , like me, has a lathe and does some rebarreling work. We get a chance to exchange ideas, work together to overcome problems or tackle jobs together that we might not have done alone.

This is a great sport and we have a whole lot of fun. Thanks for your article.

RGDS

Bob

 

[deadlyswift]

First of all I will just say I have never meet Rod but sure hope we cross paths one day! Great guy and it seems we both share the same passion for shooting and not only that we both desire to give back to the same sport that has given so much to us!

My experience is very similar to Rod's! A Flcass shooter and forum member on this site sent me a email to just come out and shoot! He assured me that I would be treated with the up most respect. Up Most Respect is a under statement from what I have experienced! Who would have thought that a small town REDNECK that had a passion for guns, shooting, and just trying to challenge himself would be so welcomed among such accomplished shooters! I'm very blessed to have made the friends that I have in the shooting world, and getting to share my passion with them!

Let me tell ya guys... When Rod! and I'll add When again!!!!!! Not IF!!! Rod Starts shooting as well as he writes Look out All!!!!! I can see National records and Titles being held that will be hard to beat!!! His passion for the sport, Respect for others, and willingness to help out makes him a champion already!! Some of us Fclass shooters will be shaking this man's hand one day on a Job well done as he wares a gold medal around his neck!

 

[Waskawood]

First of all I will just say I have never meet Rod but sure hope we cross paths one day!

Be very careful what you wish for!!!!! C-mon guys, what are you trying to do to us that do know him??? His head is going to be so huge. I do know Rod. Just met him a few months ago and he is a class act. I have not had the privilege to shoot with him yet but that will change this summer I am sure. Thanks for the great read Rod. Lunch the other day wasn't bad either. ;D

 

[alf]

Rod,

Great read from a fresh perspective.

The effort to write freely is a blessing. I struggle with a couple of paragraphs....

Well done.