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Interest in long range sporter class?

You get 20 average hunter guys to show up. Three of win first, second, and third place.
Next month three guys show up. Guess which three.
 
Haven't bothered to read all the comments. My first reaction is Why?
Other than drumming up business for super expensive hunting rifles that also are competitive, I see no value.
If you want to compete, build a competition rifle.
If you want to hunt, build a hunting rifle.
If you want to compete in a hunting rifle class, you will be spending a bunch of money to have either a competitive competition rifle or a better than needed hunting rifle.
One mans opinion. Different disciplines need different tools. Pick your lane.
 
I think a lot of people would end up building ‘safe queen’ hunting rifles purposed only for the competition and then it would be no different than the BR relays shot at the same match.

Should have to prove the rifle has taken big game in the field with pics and witnesses or its not a real hunting rifle and is not allowed in the competition
 
I think a lot of people would end up building ‘safe queen’ hunting rifles purposed only for the competition and then it would be no different than the BR relays shot at the same match.

Should have to prove the rifle has taken big game in the field with pics and witnesses or its not a real hunting rifle and is not allowed in the competition
Bring a gun with some blood stains !!
 
My only complaint bringing my 30-28 or 6.5x300wsm is barrel heat with 5 round strings 3 shots are hot enough and I dont want to start spending 750-800 getting new barrels spun on them.
Now I do have a 6 creed I would entertain possible going to D.C. once or twice a year just if nothing else to hang out and learn something.
 
PSC in Houston used to have a prone format match every 4th Sunday. 200 yard walk and paste, 3 20 round matches for a 60 shot aggregate. No scores were turned in, all you got were bragging rights until next month.

People brought out whatever suited them that day. Over the 20 something years I shot that match, I shot every short action center fire that I've owned, bolt and semi-auto, along with my 22lr service rifle trainer. Sling, bipod, rest, whatever suits you.

Basically, just a somewhat focused group range day.

I miss it.

If you have near by ranges with the match format you want to shoot, see if they mind if you shoot out of competition. Of course, you might outshoot some of the purpose built guns.
 
My only complaint bringing my 30-28 or 6.5x300wsm is barrel heat with 5 round strings 3 shots are hot enough and I dont want to start spending 750-800 getting new barrels spun on them.
Now I do have a 6 creed I would entertain possible going to D.C. once or twice a year just if nothing else to hang out and learn something.
Maybe a three shot format would be appropriate. Also I would suggest no scoring just group only, because the short sighter period of minimum shots ~ maybe 3 shots sighter and 3 for record.
 
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I'll throw my two cents in. I've been playing in the IBS long range game for a few years now - the last couple using basically light PRS rifles. Am I winning much? No, but I just enjoy shooting and the folks I compete with. Most all of them are very helpful and very capable. If I would take more of their advice, I'd probably be doing better LOL.
If there was this kind of match in my area - I'd probably play there also.
 
Also I would suggest no scoring just group only,
No, no no, just the opposite. This is about hunting rifles.
Group = precision = ?
Score = accuracy = hunting.
Shooting a 3" group in the guts vs a 6" group in the boiler room.
Group size would be used for tie breaking scores...
Hunting accuracy is not about the arrow, it is primarily about the Indian.
 
30cal non magnums.up to 30/06 10-12lbs ideal. no wildcat cartridges.
I use to shoot a similar match here on base many years back. at the time 30/06 was the limit 600yds.
AR platforms were allowed.
But 243, 260,7mm08 were allowed also.
 
No, no no, just the opposite. This is about hunting rifles.
Group = precision = ?
Score = accuracy = hunting.
Shooting a 3" group in the guts vs a 6" group in the boiler room.
Group size would be used for tie breaking scores...
Hunting accuracy is not about the arrow, it is primarily about the Indian.
I disagree , shooting sighters to get centered up for a good score takes extra shots that heat up the barrel and ruin the record group. Picture 3 shots at 1000 yards inside of 2inches’ with a sporting rifle..who cares what the score is.
 
Maybe a three shot format would be appropriate. Also I would suggest no scoring just group only, because the short sighter period of minimum shots ~ maybe 3 shots sighter and 3 for record.
I agree with 3 shot groups. But thinking in hunting terms, SCORE would be far more important than group size. Especially score closest to center on a cold bore shot,

Groups are very important for consistency, but the accuracy of hitting your mark matters a lot more in hunting. You can have a hunting rifle shooting really small groups at any distance, but if you’re shot is off by a foot, you miss or have a wounded animal, which is complete garbage for the purpose of hunting.
 
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I agree with 3 shot groups. But thinking in hunting terms, SCORE would be far more important than group size. Especially score closest to center on a cold bore shot,

Groups are very important for consistency, but the accuracy of hitting your mark matters a lot more in hunting. You can have a hunting rifle shooting really small groups at any distance, but if you’re shot is off by a foot, you miss or have a wounded animal, which is complete garbage for the purpose of hunting.
The point I’m making is that getting centered up in 1000 yard br takes several shots adjusting to the wind during the sighter period, a sport barrel will be too hot to shoot decent groups.
Unless I missed the original objective of the thread but I thought it was to test the potential of the build. A cold bore challenge is a bit different in my mind.
just really rewarding to shoot tiny groups with a hunting rifle thats not designed to do that as its primary goal
Jim
 
My Ideal Long-Range Hunting Rifle Competition Scenario

  1. Objective: The goal is to create a realistic, challenging competition that mirrors real hunting conditions.
  2. Format:
    • First Round: Shooters start with a cold bore, with no sighting shots allowed, just as in a real hunting scenario. Competitors will shoot at a 100-yard target, 3 shots total, with a time limit of 2 minutes from the first shot.
    • Second Round: The next series of shots will be at longer distances, between 200 and 500 yards, using 3 shots on a warm barrel. This round simulates follow-up shots in real hunting, where conditions change with distance.
  3. Rationale:
    • Cold Bore Accuracy: In hunting, you don’t get a sighter shot, so this format tests the cold bore accuracy of each rifle.
    • Warm Barrel, Long Distance: The second group allows participants to test their rifle’s performance at longer ranges with a warm barrel, reflecting a typical field scenario.
    • Cost-Effective: The small number of shots keeps it affordable and accessible, allowing more people to participate without excessive ammo costs.
  4. Classes and Equipment:
    • Two categories: Handloads and Commercial Ammunition. This structure provides a fair platform for different types of shooters.
  5. Community Aspect:
    • Rather than lining up 10 shooters at once, only a few will shoot at a time, allowing for interaction and learning among participants. This setup fosters a sense of fellowship and encourages newcomers, creating a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
This layout provides a challenging yet accessible competition for all skill levels, with a focus on realism, cost-effectiveness, and community engagement. On the honor system: the rifle must qualify by having harvested a game.
 
I am all for keeping the round count low with a hunting gun and seeing how it would go at 1K. I think It would work if this was done during a BR comp. as a sidebar between LG & HG. I would be much more likely to participate if this were the case. It would be easy to pack along a hunting rifle to a match that I am already going to for a few quick shots vs. making a whole day of it to just take a few quick shots. I think participation would be much bigger piggybacking it to another comp. where more shooters are there. The camaraderie and Ball-Busting would be a HOOT.

Maybe use game-sized ( Elk ) silhouette targets to give a more realistic experience to let the shooter see if they should ever attempt a shot on game at longer distances.

Regards
Rick
 
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If you want your cold bore shot to hit where your warm bore shots hit, then buy a classic Sauer or Sako. My Sauer 200 shot same spot stone cold or smoking hot. And it shot max .5moa with tailored handloads.
 
We run a "Hunter" class in the clubs- and some regional champs - 2 sighters/5 for record. It encourages local shooters to join in, youngsters to shoot with parents - and we get new members as a few go on to get target rifles.
More the merrier.
 
I believe that if you want to have a pure hunter class, as posted previously, you limit the equipment to factory made. No aftermarket barrels, stocks or calibers. Just what the everyday person could order from their local gun store. Put whatever optics on top that you want. Factory gun with a rear bunny bag, it’s not complicated. This is about what you are going to sling over your shoulder and take to the woods, not what you paid your local gunsmith to create. It’s about average, everyday hunting people.
 
If you want your cold bore shot to hit where your warm bore shots hit, then buy a classic Sauer or Sako. My Sauer 200 shot same spot stone cold or smoking hot. And it shot max .5moa with tailored handloads.
Cold bore consistency will vary with every barrel and/or load tuning recipe. Has nothing to do with the rifle manufacturer. Could grab multiple brand new Sauer 200 rifles off the store shelf and they can all have different cold bore characteristics
 

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