It sucks to finish last!

[Shooter13]

Last year was my first year and as I have bragged a pretty good year for a beginner (or so I thought), won a few lost a lot but still a pretty good year. Then come CV-19 and this year, first 2 matches this year I'm just glad to put it on paper! Found out the barrel was loose from the get go (yes I know I should have checked it, I guess). Last week not a good week, didn't finish last but close. Not looking for sympathy just saying I love this sport and as a beginner it can be overwhelming! Last week I looked and my bag is to big for my stock, I was told to get 1/2" and I did BUT I didn't check fit, it really is the simple things that get you. Maybe when I'm ready to give up the game I'll get better!!
I'm not a quitter but I hate to lose so I'll be working hard to move up that list!!

 

[Immike]

Think of the potential for improvement! Lol It takes a bite on the butt once in awhile to get lined out. You’ll be fine, go to work on it and watch it happen. We will now and expect a report!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Last year was my first year and as I have bragged a pretty good year for a beginner (or so I thought), won a few lost a lot but still a pretty good year. Then come CV-19 and this year, first 2 matches this year I'm just glad to put it on paper! Found out the barrel was loose from the get go (yes I know I should have checked it, I guess). Last week not a good week, didn't finish last but close. Not looking for sympathy just saying I love this sport and as a beginner it can be overwhelming! Last week I looked and my bag is to big for my stock, I was told to get 1/2" and I did BUT I didn't check fit, it really is the simple things that get you. Maybe when I'm ready to give up the game I'll get better!!
I'm not a quitter but I hate to lose so I'll be working hard to move up that list!!

Hang in there buddy! I've seen you shoot well and you're not as green as you're letting on.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Last year was my first year and as I have bragged a pretty good year for a beginner (or so I thought), won a few lost a lot but still a pretty good year. Then come CV-19 and this year, first 2 matches this year I'm just glad to put it on paper! Found out the barrel was loose from the get go (yes I know I should have checked it, I guess). Last week not a good week, didn't finish last but close. Not looking for sympathy just saying I love this sport and as a beginner it can be overwhelming! Last week I looked and my bag is to big for my stock, I was told to get 1/2" and I did BUT I didn't check fit, it really is the simple things that get you. Maybe when I'm ready to give up the game I'll get better!!
I'm not a quitter but I hate to lose so I'll be working hard to move up that list!!

I've got a pretty good place to shoot at my shop. Even has heat and a/c. Lol! Make the drive down sometime and we can go over your setup and shoot a bit. Best get those bugs worked out. You shoot with a tough crowd. It's hard enough without the seemingly simple things causing you trouble. Glad to help.

 

[Shooter13]

I've got a pretty good place to shoot at my shop. Even has heat and a/c. Lol! Make the drive down sometime and we can go over your setup and shoot a bit. Best get those bugs worked out. You shoot with a tough crowd. It's hard enough without the seemingly simple things causing you trouble. Glad to help.

Thanks! I'll take you up on that and soon!

 

[Tim Singleton]

my mentor told me you gotta take your lumps along the way
thats what makes you better

 

[R.Morehouse]

If you come in at the bottom of the pack on a relay at the World Open they give you a Booby Prize.......Usually a quality cleaning product.......Ask Me How I Know.......... Still had a GREAT weekend......Steaks were rare and the cigars & camaraderie couldn't have been better.

Regards
Rick

 

[rwj]

The most important thing to do each outing, regardless of your skill/experience level, is to learn something and have fun!

 

[rjtfroggy]

No it doesn't I do it all the time.
But on the other hand I am out doing what I like with a bunch of good guys, learning a little each time, what is better than that.

 

[mike a]

A bad day of shooting is better than a good day at home with my wife.

 

[Nature Boy]

If it was easy it would be boring

 

[Shooter13]

my mentor told me you gotta take your lumps along the way
thats what makes you better

I've got a pretty lumpy butt now!! Taking the lumps and getting bruised along the way!! ;-)

 

[WyleWD]

Last week not a good week, didn't finish last but close. Not looking for sympathy just saying I love this sport and as a beginner it can be overwhelming! Last week I looked and my bag is to big for my stock, I was told to get 1/2" and I did BUT I didn't check fit, it really is the simple things that get you. Maybe when I'm ready to give up the game I'll get better!!
I'm not a quitter but I hate to lose so I'll be working hard to move up that list!!

Where'd you shoot? Wilmore? WD

 

[Downhill]

Last place in a shooting event still beats the hell out of mowing the lawn. Just to put things in the proper perspective.

 

[Devin Wiggett]

Just when you think you might have it figured out,this sport will humble you. Don't let it get you down,we have all been there and will continue to be from time to time.
Good luck

 

[Shooter13]

Just when you think you might have it figured out,this sport will humble you. Don't let it get you down,we have all been there and will continue to be from time to time.
Good luck

Thank you! Encouragement I need!

 

[Tim Singleton]

I've got a pretty lumpy butt now!! Taking the lumps and getting bruised along the way!! ;-)

Yea we all have em
When it goes bad seems like everything goes bad. One match I dumped action full of powder barely got that target shot in time huge group. Then next target of course trigger wouldn’t reset full of powder had to run get backup gun to finish that target another beauty of a group
Went back to the line and my Farley rest that had always been flawless decided to start sticking and jerking.
Oh yea and the scope turned out to be bad on my backup rifle.
Anyway you are right it sucks to be last!

 

[K22]

Don't compete anymore but did so for about 30 years shooting NRA Pistol Bulls Eye (I guess they call in precision shooting these days). I qualified as Distinguished Expert (285 out of 300) with a 22 RF and 38 Center fire revolver.

What I learned:

1. Enjoy the journey - don't fall into the trap of letting a hobby become a source of irritation and frustration.

2. Not saying you should be happy with loosing but instead focus on improving your skill / score not where you placed in a match. When you improve your skill / score your place will improve and take care of itself.

3. Always go back to the fundamentals - have a well planned and thought out methodical shot plan i.e. sequence. I used the Army Pistol Marksmanship Unit guide book which I found invaluable for learning the fundamentals of pistol marksmanship.

4. Always practice with a purpose - call your shots - and analyze what went right and what when wrong and why. Keep a record book of all shots fired with notes on issues to work on next range session. Strive to improve with each range session.

5. Develop a mentality of competing against yourself and forget the others on the line and never look at the leader board.

6. Above all have fun - it's suppose to be fun - you'll still get dinner no matter where you place in a match.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tim Singleton]

Worst lump I ever took.
shot a potential world record agg won the yardage gun was 1 ounce heavy. Dqed from that yardage. Talk about sucking to be last that one still stings

 

[JimPag]

Last year was my first year and as I have bragged a pretty good year for a beginner (or so I thought), won a few lost a lot but still a pretty good year. Then come CV-19 and this year, first 2 matches this year I'm just glad to put it on paper! Found out the barrel was loose from the get go (yes I know I should have checked it, I guess). Last week not a good week, didn't finish last but close. Not looking for sympathy just saying I love this sport and as a beginner it can be overwhelming! Last week I looked and my bag is to big for my stock, I was told to get 1/2" and I did BUT I didn't check fit, it really is the simple things that get you. Maybe when I'm ready to give up the game I'll get better!!
I'm not a quitter but I hate to lose so I'll be working hard to move up that list!!

I know what your talking about Frankie. I drove all the way 2 weekends ago to shoot a 1,2,300 meter match at Orangeburg, SC from Maine. I took two rifles with me my trusty old Farley Black Widow that I shoot at 100 only and a brand new rifle that Sid Goodling built before he passed away last year. It's a Bat 3L with a Roy Hunter stock chambered in 30 BRX. Well came in 2nd via MR Creedmore at 100 meters and when I started to use the BRX at 200 meters the scope started to fail me big time. It would fade in and out. The first match I lost 14 points, the last 4 matches only dropped 1 point but it was all over for me after the 1st match. I kept hitting the objective bell and it would clear up for a while and then a complete white out of the scope. The 300 meter match the next day was even worse so much that I couldn't even see the target anymore and I didn't even shoot match 5. I asked Bill Shaver who was sitting next to me to look thru the scope after the last match. He looked thru it and said how can you see anything with this? I said that's the problem I can't. I didn't go down to shoot it was an after thought. I had to stop by Bob Green's house in PA to drop off a rifle and 10 barrel blanks, then pick up a rifle and 4 new chambered barrels from him, then I had to drive to Maryland to meet John Bosley over at Herbie and Kim Llewellyn's house to pick up 2 rifles from him and one from Herbie and all the rest of Herb's stuff that he sold me while I was there which was a ton of stuff then to GA to pickup a compete bullet making set-up. My motorhome for so full of stuff I couldn't even move in there. So I drove a total of 2700+ miles only to have a cheap 2200 buck scope fail me. I got used like a rented Government mule. Then there was Cline and Ronnie Milford who both verbally abused me from the time they both got there till the time they both left. Cline missed out on his life's calling. He should of been a comedian instead of a wine salesman. He's relentless on me but he know's I can take it. He's one funny Mother.