Competing in the rain
- Thread starter Tony1320
- Start date
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
As Monte notes above, 2 gallon ziplock for the action. If you look closely at my rifles you'll see velcro dots on the scope sun shade and on the left side of the action, they correspond to the ones I put in the bag to keep it from moving.
Bear in mind that anything you add counts toward the weight of the rifle in F class. As to covering your ammo, remember, anything that lifts when you lift the rifle is included in the weight in F-TR, so you can't wrap a cover over the scope and the ammo box or you get the ammo box included in the weight. Use a separate ammo cover.
What ever you use has to be clear so the ROs can see your action for safety reasons.
Wide brimmed water proof hats are good for keeping water off of your scope lens.
Keep a dry-ish hand towel or washcloth under you to dry your hand and anything else you may need. (motel washcloths, carry all of them with you to the range)
Get a cheap box fan for the motel room. Use it to get your stuff dry at the end of the day.
Many of us who shot the Worlds in Canada spent a lot of time in the run up to that event getting our rain gear sorted. They shoot in the rain, if you ever plan to go to England, they shoot in the rain.
Bear in mind that anything you add counts toward the weight of the rifle in F class. As to covering your ammo, remember, anything that lifts when you lift the rifle is included in the weight in F-TR, so you can't wrap a cover over the scope and the ammo box or you get the ammo box included in the weight. Use a separate ammo cover.
What ever you use has to be clear so the ROs can see your action for safety reasons.
Wide brimmed water proof hats are good for keeping water off of your scope lens.
Keep a dry-ish hand towel or washcloth under you to dry your hand and anything else you may need. (motel washcloths, carry all of them with you to the range)
Get a cheap box fan for the motel room. Use it to get your stuff dry at the end of the day.
Many of us who shot the Worlds in Canada spent a lot of time in the run up to that event getting our rain gear sorted. They shoot in the rain, if you ever plan to go to England, they shoot in the rain.
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
I've been in a few matches that could be best described as 'synchronized swimming with guns'.
For a local club match, yeah, I'd probably pass. Nothing to gain / nothing on the line worth the hassle. But for a team match in a national or international level tournament... well, it *is* an outdoor sport. When I've committed literally hundreds of dollars (or more) to get there and am ready to go, and the whiners convince the match director to have a rain delay or cancellation...
Plus, as Wade mentioned... if you shoot with teams from England/Ireland/Scotland, they just look at ya funny when you complain about shooting in the rain
For a local club match, yeah, I'd probably pass. Nothing to gain / nothing on the line worth the hassle. But for a team match in a national or international level tournament... well, it *is* an outdoor sport. When I've committed literally hundreds of dollars (or more) to get there and am ready to go, and the whiners convince the match director to have a rain delay or cancellation...
Plus, as Wade mentioned... if you shoot with teams from England/Ireland/Scotland, they just look at ya funny when you complain about shooting in the rain
I've been in a few matches that could be best described as 'synchronized swimming with guns'.
For a local club match, yeah, I'd probably pass. Nothing to gain / nothing on the line worth the hassle. But for a team match in a national or international level tournament... well, it *is* an outdoor sport. When I've committed literally hundreds of dollars (or more) to get there and am ready to go, and the whiners convince the match director to have a rain delay or cancellation...
Plus, as Wade mentioned... if you shoot with teams from England/Ireland/Scotland, they just look at ya funny when you complain about shooting in the rain
100% this^^^^!!
I had a gear cover made from vinyl boat upholstery material (about 4' x 6') with 2oz egg sinkers sewn in to the 'hem' every 8 " to weight it down for windy conditions. Works like a champ and covers all the gear while not shooting. Cabella's makes outstanding Gore-tex foul weather gear that is light weight and breathable. I have used it while sailing and offshore fishing for 30+ years and am only on my second set; the first top/bottom lasted over 18 years of abusive use.
Good suggestions, we got caught in a good one at camp perry and the people in the pits just covered the gear and didn’t secure it for what was about to happen. They forced the field cleared immediately and wouldn’t let the pit crew enter the field. Back at the parking lot gear covers rolled in by the dozen. Some of bbq pit covers with elastic might work for wagons.
I just got back from the Imperial Meeting in England. They shoot unless you can't see the targets or there's lightning. Having shot in the rain before, I use a rain cover instead of a rifle case https://hps-tr.com/en/wet-weather-slips-3. I scotch guard the heck out of my shooting coat and use 2 gallon zip locks for my ammo and plot sheets. I made a "mud flap" out of duck tape for my chamber that has worked well in the past. Y'all that are shooting with scopes, a chamois works real well to wipe your lenses. A nice, thick bar towel is your friend. I left my thick shooting mat at home and bought a thin one that won't soak up the water. I don't wear rain gear while shooting, I'll dry out. We got lucky and didn't get rained on until the last day but we were ready for it. I'm not going to travel a long distance and sit out because of rain.
Thanks for all the help everyone
I'm going to the Canadian F-Class Nationals for the first time. As of right now it looks like we are gonna get rain it's a long drive and expensive trip so I want to be prepared
Do you guys just wipe down your scope lenses on the fly once it gets too wet? Is there something specific I should use so I don't damage the coating
I'm going to the Canadian F-Class Nationals for the first time. As of right now it looks like we are gonna get rain it's a long drive and expensive trip so I want to be prepared
Do you guys just wipe down your scope lenses on the fly once it gets too wet? Is there something specific I should use so I don't damage the coating
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
The coating on modern scopes will not me harmed by rain. I leave my sunshade on at all time and rain will not get to the objective lens unless I aim the rifle up. I place the cover on the shade before listing the rifle.
Keep a microfiber towel handy to wipe the ocular lens (and your glasses) as needed. The towels will not hurt the lenses.
Second on the microfiber cloth. I keep a new and dedicated one in a plastic zip-loc bag for my optics for 'emergency cleaning'. If you wash the MF cloth, don't use any fabric softener/'bounce sheet' as it will contaminate the cloth and smear onto your lenses. Improper cleaning is much worse than no cleaning at all.
Turbulent Turtle
F-TR competitor
Here are a few pictures to help illustrate my rain setup. The first one is the port side of my rifle with the Velcro tabs. You will notice that I have two long ones and a tab. That helps with the orientation when installing on the ground.
I just tack on this plastic thing and throw it over the wheeled scope and it drapes over the scope, action and ammo box. I can move the ammo from the box to the rifle and still be covered from the rain and I can plunk my scorecard under the rifle, between it and the ammo box.
You will notice that I have cut the plastic so there are no sharp points on it. That plastic is more like vinyl, pretty sturdy and the points will poke you bad; don't ask.
I just tack on this plastic thing and throw it over the wheeled scope and it drapes over the scope, action and ammo box. I can move the ammo from the box to the rifle and still be covered from the rain and I can plunk my scorecard under the rifle, between it and the ammo box.
You will notice that I have cut the plastic so there are no sharp points on it. That plastic is more like vinyl, pretty sturdy and the points will poke you bad; don't ask.
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
If you are going to Connaught, definitely bring something to cover your gear *between* relays, especially when you are down range at the 700 & 800 meter lines. At a minimum some heavy trash bags if you are packing everything, or a tarp and some bungee if you are carting your stuff.
I found there is a particular size of plastic tote that nests just about perfectly in a Tipke cart. Plus it makes loading/unloading the gear at the start & finish of each day *way*. easier.
Look up a local burger joint called "The Works"... awesome ala carte burgers - and you can get your poutine fix there too
I found there is a particular size of plastic tote that nests just about perfectly in a Tipke cart. Plus it makes loading/unloading the gear at the start & finish of each day *way*. easier.
Look up a local burger joint called "The Works"... awesome ala carte burgers - and you can get your poutine fix there too
If you are going to Connaught, definitely bring something to cover your gear *between* relays, especially when you are down range at the 700 & 800 meter lines. At a minimum some heavy trash bags if you are packing everything, or a tarp and some bungee if you are carting your stuff.
I found there is a particular size of plastic tote that nests just about perfectly in a Tipke cart. Plus it makes loading/unloading the gear at the start & finish of each day *way*. easier.
Look up a local burger joint called "The Works"... awesome ala carte burgers - and you can get your poutine fix there too
Great tips guys I will try to head to the store tomorrow to pick up this stuff
I will definitely check them out I love burgers
What are you guys using for carts? I've never needed one before
I'm thinking of picking this one up http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/woods-folding-camp-wagon-0765541p.html
I'm thinking of picking this one up http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/woods-folding-camp-wagon-0765541p.html
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