Helping wife get into matches -- Questions

[K22]

Wow -you are blessed that your wife wants to share your hobby. This can be a great way to build an even stronger bond and relationship between you two. Take joy in this this.

Lots of excellent suggestions by others.

I would be extremely patient with her - encourage her - listen to her questions - if you are not sure of the answer ask fellow shooters or pose those question on site - lots of very experienced shooters on here that are eager to help.

Best wishes.

 

[Todd Earhart]

My wife and I have shot rimfire benchrest together since 2017. It has advantages if you can get along. We usually shoot matches that have multiple relays and typically shoot the same rifle.and flags. She hangs targets while I'm cleaning. Its a big help.
Todd

 

[ronsatspokane]

I see too many guys trying to drive their SO's in a specific direction. Rarely works out. I say take her shopping for whatever catches her eye. If she really wants to be competitive she'll find her own way just as you did. If she doesn't go that way then support her in whatever way she decides to go.

This from someone who has been together over 40 years now and tried to get the wife into skiing when we were young, motorcycles later on and shooting off and on for decades. Guess how that worked out. She is into other stuff. I support her interests, she supports mine.

 

[Dave M.]

Folks,

I am getting my wife to start getting more active in shooting competitively, can anyone tell me if there are any simple reads, videos or such to show her how to learn to set up at a bench on her own? How to set up her scope for any range she will shoot at? Mostly the basics. I try, but sometimes with my patience level and her ability to question me to death, we hit road blocks and it frustrates both of us. She has serious potential to be able to compete and I want her to be a success, and have fun at the same time. We will be shooting various yardages, mostly off a bench, she is shooting a light .260 AI in a BAT repeater, with a NF NXS compact scope. When the time comes, I will outfit her to shoot long range BR with me as well.

Thanks Folks.

Get her to read the Tony Boyer book. Then have her read it again

 

[RiflePainter]

Me and my wife shoot together and what Ive learned is that I can show her the basics but she will always listen better to one of our friends at the match. She has had a lot of help and shes learned from them and in the end its a lot less stressful for both of us. Another thing that we do is make bets with each other and we go to a match competing against each other instead of the other competitors. That has really made it fun for her.

 

[Dave M.]

Get her to read the Tony Boyer book. Then have her read it again

My girlfriend now shoots with me and she has gotten really good and very quickly. Her rifle etiquette and handling are excellent.
Dave

 

[1911mag]

My wife 3rd year in F Class
Setup and basics she listen to someone else I trusted on advice over me, wind reading was and is her biggest issue now. Getting better with help from me, make sure her loads are as good as yours as I have been blamed for a bad shot from my loading. Patience is a virtue. She asked a lot questions. All said and done I am glad she goes with me and we have fun.

 

[cncmill]

Only have pictures of the prototype but I have been making Front bag shape retainers and have some with attached string to help align your rear bag with the front. Beginner shooters like the string setup. More experienced shooter like them plane with out the string. If you think this would help your wife I will send you one for free if you cover the shipping.

Erick Crouthamel
Crouthamel Precision
https://www.facebook.com/CrouthamelPrecision
https://crouthamel-precision.square.site/

 

[FeMan]

Congratulations, you are a lucky man! Now don't blow it.....

Out of the blue, my wife (of 34 years) told me 5 years ago she wanted to learn to shoot LR. I let her try a bunch of my rifles and she picked out the one she liked best, named it and said it was now hers. It was my favorite but I said what the heck!

I decided that when I took her out, I would leave all my stuff at home and help/coach her exclusively. I tried to coach as much as possible before the shoot and then encourage her and stick to answering her questions while at the range. I taught her to use the target as feedback, which really helped. If her groups weren't satisfactory, that lead her to think about it and perhaps ask what I thought. I had to bite my tongue until it bled a few times, but I never gave unwanted advice and stuck to encouragement.

I am happy to say she is addicted now and shooting Tactical, F-Class and ELR. She can read the wind better than most experienced shooters and has several sub-1" groups at 1k. On her birthday, our anniversary, or other special day she asks to go shooting and helps me reload to boot.

So my advice is to have a lesson plan and coach her on it before you get to the range. Include what she should be expecting and what common shooting errors lead to poor groups. If she does well, freely lose your mind for her If she has issues, stay cool and ask her what she thinks is going on and offer possible suggestions if she asks you. If you be the coach and let the target be the teacher, you will do well.

 

[tillroot1]

Only have pictures of the prototype but I have been making Front bag shape retainers and have some with attached string to help align your rear bag with the front. Beginner shooters like the string setup. More experienced shooter like them plane with out the string. If you think this would help your wife I will send you one for free if you cover the shipping.

Erick Crouthamel
Crouthamel Precision
https://www.facebook.com/CrouthamelPrecision
https://crouthamel-precision.square.site/


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Thank you, that is so generous! I will show her this and see what she thinks. again, thank you!

 

[Rocketvapor]

We are both retired and my primary recreation is at the range. We started practicing for Midrange F-Class.
She used to be a pretty good shot but the idea of competition stressed her out.
Made a match and she liked it.
For us it's for fun. Something we can do together as we grow old.

 

[Dave M.]

Quickly you will become competitive if you pay special attention to loading the perfect ammo. Be willing to put in the time to get your rifles in tune and your wife will enjoy it more. Winning does that to a woman.
Dave

 

[Rocketvapor]

Especially a woman that's a retired Marine.
Sunday morning is our 100yd practice day.
Another 600 at the end of the month.

 

[tillroot1]

I want to thank everyone that took a bit of time to reply to this. Your opinions are valued and I am already on to most of the suggestions. I am looking at a BAT 3 lug in a short range stock to build her a rifle on. Any opinions on that? My thoughts were shorter bolt throw, maybe less friction for working the bolt, helping to not upset the bags. Any more opinions are appreciated.

 

[JFrank]

I heard Panda’s were pretty good

 

[Sandstorm]

Yup the Panda rocks...in 6 BR especially.

 

[mikeinct]

Folks,

I am getting my wife to start getting more active in shooting competitively, can anyone tell me if there are any simple reads, videos or such to show her how to learn to set up at a bench on her own? How to set up her scope for any range she will shoot at? Mostly the basics. I try, but sometimes with my patience level and her ability to question me to death, we hit road blocks and it frustrates both of us. She has serious potential to be able to compete and I want her to be a success, and have fun at the same time. We will be shooting various yardages, mostly off a bench, she is shooting a light .260 AI in a BAT repeater, with a NF NXS compact scope. When the time comes, I will outfit her to shoot long range BR with me as well.

Thanks Folks.

PM me, Have her & my wife chat/text. Her lil Buddy, "Ripper Mary" hands out husband manservant beatings like lunch. We shoot LRBR on steel at Ridgway Pa. Marianne & my trophy pumpkin do pretty well. They will get her on track. mike in ct

 

[tillroot1]

I heard Panda’s were pretty good

thats what I am shooting, and it may be what she shoots too, still in the planning stages now.