Competition shooter

[Bronsin]

I shoot in Eastern Region NBRSA group shooting and this year will be my 2nd SuperShoot. Shooting in competition is much more fun than I thought it might be. The challenge of different ranges every month, and sometimes different shooters is what drives me to do it.
I go kinda stir crazy if I don't have something to challenge my thought process. When I worked on racecars, it was always "do it this way, whether you agree with it or not", with my shooting, I am 100% in charge of how I do it, and how much money I spend on it.
I have made a lot of new friends in the last year that have always helped me out and given advise to keep me going. It beats the hell out of sitting around getting old.

 

[209jones]

I shot a few different disciplines over 20 yrs or so, service rifle, silos, some club hunter target stuff, Schuetzen matches, then got into 3d archery. Had a lot of fun at it, met a lot of good folk, got tired of all the travel eventually. No big desire to do it anymore, not willing to put in the time practicing for it, which is required if you want to compete, along with maintaining the mental game. Content to play with some guns these days, help folk out if they ask for it.

 

[jpjulian]

Just a plinker these days. 20+ years in Hipower with a little success here and there. Had to give up Hipower because of shoulder problems and couldn't sling up without tears in the eyes. I miss it and should get my lazy butt to a few matches and provide some emotional support.

 

[JMayo]

I strive to become competitive with the best in bench rest....
They make me a better shooter.
Years of shooting with the same ppl .... It becomes like a family reunion !

 

[Allen Corneau]

Starting my 9th year competing in Silhouette. Started in smallbore, added air rifle a few years later, and last year was my first with high power (which Is why I started hanging around here).

As others have said, i love the social interaction and seeing friends at our club matches, our state/regional matches (lots of Texas and Louisiana friends), and the folks that I see at Nationals year after year.

Competing means you don't get to slack off or say "that one doesn't count" like when practicing alone. The clock is running, each shot counts, and you have to step up to perform. That gentle pressure is what drives progress. Sometimes you falter and sometime you triumph, but in the end it's worth it for the experience.

Last year I attended 8 regional/state matches, our Nationals, the Canadian Nationals, and a major match down in Mexico. 53 days of travel/competing in addition to the monthly club matches. This year should be just as busy, maybe a bit more depending on if I add a couple more matches that I'm interested in attending.

 

[Leeinmichigan]

After 20+ years, I shoot only in registered (NBRSA or IBS) competition matches. I shoot the smaller matches to test my loads and fine tune my technique. I shoot the larger matches (Nationals, Points matches, etc.) for the competition, with the focus to “win”.

 

[Downeast]

There is a small group of us that get together and shoot F/BR . Prone or bench, we don't care. We have a "match" coming up at 300 yards because the 600 yard location is presently under water. Oh, and shooting over water really enhances mirage too. We shoot at reactive paper targets so you may or may not even see your hits. Not for the faint of heart. I'm pretty sure the match coming up will be decided by "X"s. I've been thinking of shooting a few sanctioned matches but it sounds like a total PITA. Besides, it's hard enough trying to beat the rascals I'm shooting against now!

Overall we do better at cooking than we do shooting. But we have a good time. So, no matter whether you shoot competitively with nothing but winning in mind or shoot to have fun, as long as you are out there banging away that is the most important thing.

 

[swd]

I love to shoot and compete. About 40 years worth it. Rifle, pistol, shotgun, small bore and center fire. Everything from local club matches to one international event.

 

[JFrank]

Mostly local tuning at 500, I only shoot LR a few times a years, some days I’m competitive and other times I’m not. If a guy wants to be successful he has to put in the work necessary to achieve the goal.

 

[Bob3700]

Been shooting competition since 1989. Started with benchrest n then moved to HP XC. There was more personal challenge to become an iron sight/ position shooting rifleman.
Achieved my goals of Distinguished Rifleman n Presidents 100 Along with Highmaster XC.
Now have turned to MR and LR prone, still with irons. I have won my share of matches ( big n small) and still enjoy the challenge of holding the rifle n twisting the sight knobs.
As others have pointed out, to stay competitive, u dedicate a lot of time n effort to shooting n maintaining top level scores.
One of the down sides to focusing on competitive shooting is there is no such thing as casual shooting / plinking. U are always working on improving ur performance. Trying different stock adjustments, working on an electronic trainer and digesting the feedback to perfect ur shooting process n performance. So now u practice like it’s a match n the actual match becomes the extension of ur practice.
Yes, the people and friendships u develop over time in the sport is one of the benefits of participating. Most are more than willing to help n pass along any knowledge/ experience they have. All of my mentors always told me to “ Pay it forward”. That I try to do.

 

[rayporter]

i was showing at the aqha world championship show and while i was gone all my guns were stolen.

in 1980 i went to the super shoot to buy one rifle.

i did not get one then but lookin at the wailing wall i thought i could shoot that well. and the fire was lit.

 

[ern.santos]

Easier access to shooting past 100 yards. Get to hang out with like minded people and touch grass (or gravel). Celebrate your personal victories and have a list of items to improve upon for next time. It’s all about getting better.

there are worse things you could do with your spare time

 

[21PHX]

I shoot Four Region Level NBRSA VFS Matches, two NBRSA Registered Group Matches, four Tomball Club Matches, the NBRSA Short Range Varmint for Score Nationals, and the Tack Driver.

I might try to work in another Registered Group Match if business allows. We stay pretty busy.

I am also 77.

Come to the SHAMROCK in Dublin Georgia next month. Probably a little closer to you than the TackDriver.

 

[Longtrain]

I have been shooting competitively for 40 years. Started with registered skeet. Went from Rifle XTC to LR Match Rifle on to F-T/R and F Open over 20+ years. Grand Senior this year. Aging eyes pushed me off iron sights to F Class. I shoot one or two LR matches a year, a few mid-range matches and weekly prone fun matches.
I really enjoy reloading and working up loads that shoot bug holes. I have slowly moved away from a much heavier competitive schedule and actually enjoy alone range time testing and the weekly fun matches.

 

[Dave M.]

Do most here shoot in competition or are you just a casual range shooters

if you shoot in matches what is some of the main reasons you do?
I use to shoot in big matches but now just shoot smaller local matches
mainly just to enjoy friends and enjoy the day and do what we love todo
we shoot the bull about as much as we shoot bullets. No one leaves crying if they don’t win
whats you take

All competitions and only casual range sessions for load development

 

[BartsBullets]

I’m definitely a competition shooter. The majority of my shooting has been short range group shooting. I’ve also shot a fair amount of 600 and 1000 yard competition.

Besides the competition it’s the people you meet. Shoots are kind of like a big family reunion and many of my shooting buddies are as close as family.

Bart

 

[Chris831]

I’ve only shot Project Appleseed shoots which let to to the CMP service riles matches at 200 yds for the last couple yrs. Discovered this at the age of 43; I wish I picked this up when I was younger, stronger, better eyes, and more in shape.

But regardless, learned a lot from everyone and loved that the seasoned helped out the newbies including myself when I first tried it. Even thought we are competing against each other and ourselves; seeing everyone help each other out is why I stayed with the sport. Plus all the other great reasons mentioned by others here on the forum.

 

[30378]

Because of age, cost and distance I am now only able to compete against myself. I do love the sport!

 

[Jon Turner]

Comp shooter here. Started xtc in '79 or '80, shot my 03-A3 to qualify for my "one per life time" M1 from the DCM. Shot it until getting my first AR15 3.5 years ago. The M1 is fun to shoot, it just can't keep up with the more modern arms. My scores have increased immensely and I won 1st in my class the last 2 matches. I shoot with the Burbank club. They have xtc the 2nd Saturday of every month.
I really only compete against mineself, so winning, placing, or showing are moot points. I just try to do a little better each time. Some times I'm successful, some times not.
It's really about the comeraderie, with some shooting thrown in.

Jon

 

[marchx]

I do not consider myself a competition shooter. People like Bart, Al, Jeff, Randy, Boyd and many others are real competition shooters with exceptional track record (hall of fame level). I shoot about 10 matches a year (1 national, 1 international, 8 local) mostly f-class or varmint. I am rather a weekend shooter. This year I focus on building and tuning my new rifle for Bisley 2026.