FT/R vs slingshooters

[pcrowe]

Hey Ken,

I met you at ORSA a couple of weeks ago. Phillip Crowe from N. AL. I shoot at Tullahoma as that is the closest 1000yd range to me, although I won't be able to make it this Sat. You should think about the long range regional down at Blakely, GA the weekend of April 6th,7th. We shot the regional last year and had a good time. It's a very nice range, the most similar to Camp Perry of any range I've shot on. It's flat, fairly open and faces North.

Pcrowe

 

[kiwial]

i started shooting f open a couple of years back with my varmint rifle and have had a ball while taking my skillset to higher levels which was the main reason for me being there.but as i got more wraped up with trying to score as high as possible i found myself just going through the motions on the firing line and not taking risks on fear for losing a point.
after moving a few months back a member at the new shooting club asked if i wanted to give the irons and sling a try. as the club had all the gear there including a left hand rifle and the fact there wasn't many f shooters in the region i thought that i would humor them considering i was the new guy.the next weekend i showed up with my f rifle hidden in the car just in case it was some sick joke on their part. once we had set up the targets and went back to the mound a prehistoric looking rifle and sights was pulled out of a case and even once all the dust was blown off it still looked like it came from some museums dumpster. the jacket i was handed and told to put on was naturally 3 sizers too big and the next 5 minutes was spent lying in the baking sun while three guys fussed about showing how i should hold this and squeeze that at the same time,i thanked them and gave the thumbs up so i could get it over and done with before my hand was amputated from my wrist, that and the fact that each had told me pretty much the opposite to the other two so i figured i would be better off winging it.
once settled down and looking through the sights at the target i was pleasantly surprised on just how stable and clear the picture was then reverted my attention back to my protesting hand which had now gone from a numb state to a throbbing one and chambered that first round that now has got me well and truly hooked ;D

 

[EagerNoSkill]

I shoot competitive FTR in UK.
I practice with several national level sling shooters and I am always amazed at the accuracy and consistency they achieve.

Each discipline has value and cross over contribution. Fclass has it genesis in MR. The ranges, drop tables, wind reading methods, team and match protocols were developed by MR shooters.

I reckon the recent improvements in match bullets have been driven by the demand of Fclass with it accuracy emphasis.

Both have massive value and we learn from each other.

Enjoy the recoil therapy and camaraderie!

ENS

 

[broncman]

Pcrowe,
I will look into that! Unfortunately I have a memorial service to attend that weekend. My girlfriend lost her sister and mother within a day of each other this week, and then had a cousin commit suicide a day later....horrific turn of events for the family. Needless to say my shooting has taken a backseat for a few weeks...

Ken

 

[Bob3700]

One thing that most have overlooked was the origins of F and FTR shooting. It was created to keep shooters in the game.

As the sport is getting older, the sling shooting crowd has been dwindling due to age and eyesight. It takes a lot of time and physical effort to learn to shoot prone with irons and a sling. Eyesight is a very critical element in that game.

With the overall age of the prone sling shooters growing, something was needed to keep competitors shooting. Tubb many have actually been the catalyst for this with his scoped XC events at Perry. So lets allow scopes and rests to hold the rifles up in prone competitions. Basically it becomes benchrest shooting laying on the ground. High power scopes and rests dictated a smaller target. That was only appropriate.

So as I see it, F and FTR becomes a game of high quality ammo, an accurate rifle up to the wt. limits, repeatable hi power scope, good rests, and the ability to read the wind. The demand on eyesight is reduced with the use of scopes and rests and bi-pods reduce the physical strain of holding while aiming the rifle.

Sling shooting is high quality ammo, excellent iron sights, an accurate rifle, the ability to hold that rifle in position for 22-30 min (MR or LR shootng), and the ability to see the target thru those sights, and holding the rifle steady while breaking the shot.

The size of the target makes little difference as the sighting and rifle support system dictates that difference.

So the sling shooters have a more difficult time with the support and sighting system, the F and Ftr shooters are challenged with a smaller X ring. It is still a game of 10s and Xs no matter which game you play.

Enjoy it and go compete knowing that there is always a game that allows you to compete and enjoy a match with your friends.

Which is harder? That is the discussion over pizza and beer once the match is over

Bob