You are 100% spot on. When I venture into benchrest last year I look the internet over and YouTube with really no avail. I found a couple videos and found this group and started from there. Lots of trial and error. I was very bless to have obtained Speedy Gonzalez ,and Mike Ratigan numbers and be able to talk to those guys about issues I would have with rifles or loads. This group here on this forum is also very great. But I believe the benchrest community needs something to be able to reach out to this newer generation like myself and others. Atlases to learn a few fundamentals and get the basic idea. Otherwise without passing knowledge ans wisdom along to the new generation it'll be lost and the sport will suffer greatly.One thing I cold not help notice during the interview, (and another Eric has done with another notable Short Range Benchrest Shooter), is his lack of knowledge of the ins and outs of Short Range Benchrest.
(That is, unless he was feigning a lack of knowledge for dramatic affect).
We as Short Range Shooters, both in Group and Score, need to take note that if a shooter as notable as Erik Cortina is this ignorant, (I am not using that in a derogatory manner), of what we do, how in the world are we going to get others interested in trying our Discipline.
I think I have a pretty good knowledge of Precision Rifle, F Class. High Power, Palma, etc. I guess we just can’t assume that other shooters in other Disciplines know what we do and what it takes to get involved.
As a NBRSA Mentor in the Gulf Coast Region, I have helped three shooters get headed in the right direction since June. All three were quite experienced with firearms, and all three had very little idea as to accuracy and precision we achieved with our Rifles, and what it takes to get there.
I think for the next shooter I am going to tell them to watch this interview before we meet.
As an organization, we have an uphill battle.
,
Robert