Yep. Me and a bud showed up cold a few years ago. I think our first match ever was Palo Alto. We were in Baton Rouge for some business thing and drove across the river. It was intimidating, but we'd shot some precision rifle together, so we gave it a try. The folks at Palo Alto were very welcoming and showed us the ropes.
F-Class participation?
- Thread starter Erud
- Start date
Yep. Me and a bud showed up cold a few years ago. I think our first match ever was Palo Alto. We were in Baton Rouge for some business thing and drove across the river. It was intimidating, but we'd shot some precision rifle together, so we gave it a try. The folks at Palo Alto were very welcoming and showed us the ropes.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Terry, Just go have fun. Winning is not important on your first match just have fun and learn the ropes. You can focus on winning on your second match. Every place I have ever shot I have just contacted a Match Director and shown up. If your are familiar with how the scoring works, that is a huge learning curve you do not have to contend with. I believe I read that you shot another discipline. So a lot will carry over.
Hi Steve. I have not shot any other disciplines. I’ve only shot more than 100 yards 3 times in my life. Thus the hesitation on my part to shoot a match much less just show up by myself.
DirtySteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Just make sure you know your approximate come ups for the distance you are shooting. Lapua has an app for your phone. I am sure you will do fine. Just being on paper the first shot is a large portion of having a good day. And you know what. Even if you do crappy you will have tested the water and have a good idea of what you need to get right before the next match.
Thanks. I have good notes for 600 yards although it was obtained with a brake that I've removed in lieu of a thread protector on it now. Surely good enough to get started with. I have a F-T/R .308 that I plan to shoot next season so just getting my feet wet tomorrow with what I have available now.
Thank you for the info. I wasn't searching google with the correct terms...duh. Since I'm up in the land of snow/salt/rust, it will be next spring, before I'll be able to test the waters. I will be sure to contact the match directors prior to going to a match. I currently shoot 1000 yd 50 Cal in FCSA matches, from a bench. We have 3 Classes than can be shot from the bench, which is just right for me. However, these matches are all fairly long drives 675 miles (each way) minimum. There are numerous F-Class matches within 60-70 miles from me, and these would simply give me more trigger time (of course with a smaller caliber) that will help me with my wind reading abilities.
Thanks again.
Good luck today,have fun.
This is what I have learned in watching the shooting sports evolve.
#1 In MN there is a lot of in-fighting among clubs with some clubs openly dissing F Class shooters in general (this includes club officers). Shooters will not travel to support those clubs. So some clubs literally are cutting their own throat their attitude.
#2 The MRRA does a poor job of helping the various sports grow. Erud's wife is the best public relations medium the shooting sports has for rifle shooting sports in the midwest let alone MN specific. Her blog is interesting and provides insight.
#3 Sling shooting to me has it's roots in small bore 4/3 position shooting. Some shooters use small bore as place to hone their skills in the winter. Junior shooting programs have languished all over the country. My observation was people took up Service Rifle shooting initially then transitioned to Match Rifle shooting. Especially after earning their Distinguished Rifleman's badge.
#3 You see there are club members that all they want to do is shoot and not give back to the sport. THAT IS LARGE PROBLEM anywhere. When I first started shooting HP. The club was like a clique. Till membership was sought only then did they remove the cone of silence
#4 The first club I joined to shoot HP had stalwarts did travel to Duluth a 275 mile trip, Harris a 325 mile trip, Red Wing a 375 mile trip. This was on a regular basis to garner support from other clubs. This was from Northeast North Dakota. This was healthy investment in time and resources. In return we would see shooters from Duluth, Wadena, the metro, Northfield, and Rochester. Even cheeseheads once in a while. Whereas, today those living in the metro can sleep in their own beds if they so choose and shoot matches at Elk River, Harris, and Red Wing. Or sneak over to Eau Claire. And, only have to possibly stay over night in Duluth.
#5 MN is home to some talented shooters who have built great shooting resumes. The current crop features both types of shooter IE Sling-Eric and F Class-Pat. And, in the past there have been talented sling shooters and national champions, too. There are a couple more home grown types on the National teams, too currently.
#6 The problem with new shooters joining in is a complete lack of having a club ambassador of sorts to mentor newcomers at venues. This not true with all clubs. I think ERSC has done a good job of promoting F Class shooting, and I am pretty sure no other club in MN can say that. Shooting USA has been up there to film a segment on F Class.
#7 As pointed out by other posts, the Male Ego is a huge impediment to getting new comers to come back. This is where a local club mentor could shine with educating new shooters with making do and making improvements along the way. They could foster the idea shoot against yourself and strive to improve with each match. You do not need 4K rig to go and learn to read the wind and other environmental conditions.
#8 I know from first hand experience that most clubs are like a Sorority/Fraternity House. Till you pledge and join, they will not pay you no mind. Translated that means show up for work days. Help set up and take down targets etc. New shooters notice things like people scurrying off to avoid taking down targets or set up etc. Or they want to rub elbows with the flavor the day.
#9 Sling shooting is dying in MN as far as I can see. And, in general there is a lack of potential shooters being made aware of opportunities. Of course some people are great about being keyboard shooters, too. Talk is cheap.
#10 When people want answers about shooters who may need accommodation. All they have to do talk to the match director and get clarity. Not post on some internet board. That is an individual problem not a sport issue itself.
#11 People have lives outside of shooting. Some have jobs that impede shooting on a regular basis. I have heard all kinds of excuses. I do not have to time reload! THAT IS WHAT WINTER IN MN IS FOR!
#1 In MN there is a lot of in-fighting among clubs with some clubs openly dissing F Class shooters in general (this includes club officers). Shooters will not travel to support those clubs. So some clubs literally are cutting their own throat their attitude.
#2 The MRRA does a poor job of helping the various sports grow. Erud's wife is the best public relations medium the shooting sports has for rifle shooting sports in the midwest let alone MN specific. Her blog is interesting and provides insight.
#3 Sling shooting to me has it's roots in small bore 4/3 position shooting. Some shooters use small bore as place to hone their skills in the winter. Junior shooting programs have languished all over the country. My observation was people took up Service Rifle shooting initially then transitioned to Match Rifle shooting. Especially after earning their Distinguished Rifleman's badge.
#3 You see there are club members that all they want to do is shoot and not give back to the sport. THAT IS LARGE PROBLEM anywhere. When I first started shooting HP. The club was like a clique. Till membership was sought only then did they remove the cone of silence
#4 The first club I joined to shoot HP had stalwarts did travel to Duluth a 275 mile trip, Harris a 325 mile trip, Red Wing a 375 mile trip. This was on a regular basis to garner support from other clubs. This was from Northeast North Dakota. This was healthy investment in time and resources. In return we would see shooters from Duluth, Wadena, the metro, Northfield, and Rochester. Even cheeseheads once in a while. Whereas, today those living in the metro can sleep in their own beds if they so choose and shoot matches at Elk River, Harris, and Red Wing. Or sneak over to Eau Claire. And, only have to possibly stay over night in Duluth.
#5 MN is home to some talented shooters who have built great shooting resumes. The current crop features both types of shooter IE Sling-Eric and F Class-Pat. And, in the past there have been talented sling shooters and national champions, too. There are a couple more home grown types on the National teams, too currently.
#6 The problem with new shooters joining in is a complete lack of having a club ambassador of sorts to mentor newcomers at venues. This not true with all clubs. I think ERSC has done a good job of promoting F Class shooting, and I am pretty sure no other club in MN can say that. Shooting USA has been up there to film a segment on F Class.
#7 As pointed out by other posts, the Male Ego is a huge impediment to getting new comers to come back. This is where a local club mentor could shine with educating new shooters with making do and making improvements along the way. They could foster the idea shoot against yourself and strive to improve with each match. You do not need 4K rig to go and learn to read the wind and other environmental conditions.
#8 I know from first hand experience that most clubs are like a Sorority/Fraternity House. Till you pledge and join, they will not pay you no mind. Translated that means show up for work days. Help set up and take down targets etc. New shooters notice things like people scurrying off to avoid taking down targets or set up etc. Or they want to rub elbows with the flavor the day.
#9 Sling shooting is dying in MN as far as I can see. And, in general there is a lack of potential shooters being made aware of opportunities. Of course some people are great about being keyboard shooters, too. Talk is cheap.
#10 When people want answers about shooters who may need accommodation. All they have to do talk to the match director and get clarity. Not post on some internet board. That is an individual problem not a sport issue itself.
#11 People have lives outside of shooting. Some have jobs that impede shooting on a regular basis. I have heard all kinds of excuses. I do not have to time reload! THAT IS WHAT WINTER IN MN IS FOR!
Don't mind work days, worked quite a few for local and not so local ranges. I do mind the steep initiation fees ($500-$1000) in addition to the annual membership. My work and family situation has me relocating every 3-5 years, and I've already left behind too many initiation fees after a couple years to keep doing it. But thanks for the reminder to volunteer for the work days even if I'm not a member.
How did it go ?
Was sort of hoping no one would ask.
Started off decent and then train wrecked. Clueless. All over the target on the 3rd. Guess it could have been worse. 6.5 Creedmoor RPR with factory ammo, Federal Am Eagle 140. I learned a lot and had fun. I suppose that's really all that matters. 
Was sort of hoping no one would ask.
You got out to the range and had fun,that's all that matters. You did just fine,congrats!
Hah. You did great. I know it didn't feel that way. It didn't feel that way to the experienced shooters either.
Here is the wind chart from yesterday. We started shooting a little after 9. I think we were finished at 1 or 2. There were fish tailing headwinds, switches to near full value, and nasty let offs. Plus there was complete cloud cover, no mirage. Not really beginner conditions. The good news is, it is often like that over there.
Here is the wind chart from yesterday. We started shooting a little after 9. I think we were finished at 1 or 2. There were fish tailing headwinds, switches to near full value, and nasty let offs. Plus there was complete cloud cover, no mirage. Not really beginner conditions. The good news is, it is often like that over there.
Last edited:
Hah. You did great. I know it didn't feel that way. It didn't feel that way to the experienced shooters either.
Here is the wind chart from yesterday. We started shooting a little after 9. I think we were finished at 1 or 2. There were fish tailing headwinds, switches to near full value, reversals, and nasty let offs. Plus there was complete cloud cover, no mirage. Not really beginner conditions. The good news is, it is often like that over there.
View attachment 1025934
Thanks so much for all your help Russell. I appreciate it so much. Interesting conditions yesterday for sure.
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