Club Days and Practice FO-FTR

[6BRinNZ]

How do you guys use your FO - FTR club days?

Do you try to win the day or do you do things like pick conditions to shoot in and see what happens (you may not normally shoot that condition)....maybe in a regional match you might shoot fast in one particular condition...is this how you shoot your club days as well...or would you maybe try to shoot slow and picking the change each time (for the club day).

What do you do to build your wind repertoire?

TIA

 

[Immike]

This is a good question! I have been in a unique situation the last few years where I run the line until someone is done shooting and will take over. On what is left of the relay is what I have to shoot in and creates a opportunity to learn while I shoot through the conditions whatever they are. Don't hesitate to throw yourself into a learning environment and put yourself in a corner, you will get in it in a match that's important and need the experience. Mike
The only shortcut you will find in shooting is to be a (quick study)

 

[6BRinNZ]

Thanks for the response Mike...I can see value in trying out different conditions, at the same time I can see draw backs in that I'm not refining how I would shoot in a regional or national match...but maybe the pay off is in the longer term as I would expect to have a much better handle on different conditions.

 

[Steve Blair]

It varies. Sometimes I am trying new loads or rifles, maybe a new bipod or technique in F-T/R. Sometimes, I go to win with a proven combination. The winds at Camp Pendleton's Range 117, where we shoot Long Range, usually have the last word. If they're bad, not much to be done but try to hold it together through the string and stay out of the 8 ring. Our Mid Range matches are shot on Range 103 and it is much more predictable and conventional. The flags and mirage are pretty honest and shooters can get solid experience. The good part is that we shoot most of the year and get good range time. Usually, a Long Range weekend and one Mid Range 3X600 every month. [br]
I would also recommend shooting on as many different ranges as possible. Each presents a unique set of problems. After a while, the patterns start to reveal themselves and it gets easier to adapt to a new situation.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I would also recommend shooting on as many different ranges as possible. Each presents a unique set of problems. After a while, the patterns start to reveal themselves and it gets easier to adapt to a new situation.

Yes - I am very fortunate in that my home range is out to 1000 yrds (its going to host the 2019 WLRRC) and I have two other ranges that are within two hours drive one of which goes out to 1200 yrds.

When I first went to one of the other ranges I asked if the flags were made of different material as they looked and acted very different....answer was no its just the way the wind and conditions were acting on them.

I shot last weekend in terrible conditions (wind broke a support holding target) and won convincingly but I have been wondering for a little while if I would get more out of the sessions if I changed my approach. This is only my second F-open season and I believe right now my biggest issue is rejudging a significant change in the middle of a string which is now the predominate condition...i.e. I can't wait it out.

Shooting is a little odd (my back ground is athletics and cycling) in that there doesn't seem to be lot of structure as to how to approach training...probably more so for FO-FTR disciplines rather than TR.

Obviously shooting time will take care of the problem but I am hoping to tap into others experience to speed things up.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[XTR]

When I make it to our Monday afternoon practice it may be anything, we don't record scores.

All of our monthly 1000 yard matches are NRA sanctioned at some level (registered, approved, regional), those I shoot as well as I can since the scores count.

 

[broncman]

I have not shot many matches but I still remember what Kent Reeves said when he did the long range clinic I attended years back. He used his sighters to determine wind conditions. He said to shoot in the maximum conditons you are seeing, the min and try to figure out the average condtion and shoot in all three using your sighters. Then if you are forced to shoot in an off condition, you should then have an idea.

That was for 1000 where you have more than two sighters.

 

[6BRinNZ]

I have not shot many matches but I still remember what Kent Reeves said when he did the long range clinic I attended years back. He used his sighters to determine wind conditions. He said to shoot in the maximum conditons you are seeing, the min and try to figure out the average condtion and shoot in all three using your sighters. Then if you are forced to shoot in an off condition, you should then have an idea.

That was for 1000 where you have more than two sighters.

Thanks broncman - have you been able to apply the theory OK? I have always liked the theory and it makes sense but because of time limits it seems hard to apply....possibly the other issue is - we only ever get two sighters...