Many / Any Service Rifle Shooters here ?

[sarge 1]

Hi All,

As I stated in another recent thread I'm new here. USNM is the only forum I have spent time in over the years but I have been an active member there for a long time. I don't have a lot of time for forums but this one looks nice and I like the layout / interface.

I could be wrong but from observing here so far it seems the audience here is 90+% F class and Benchrest.

I am very active April thru October each year shooting Service Rifle only ( except for some indoor pistol in winters ). I do enjoy 300, 500 and 600 yard and 3 x 600 Prone matches. Thanks to scopes allowing me to ditch the old post sight I even made NRA Master Mid Range this year with my service rifles. I am also the range governor for a 16 firing point 600 yard range in South Eastern NH ( www.nfga.org). I have been very active for years working at attracting and retaining new Service Rifle Shooters.

Are there many or any other Service Rifle shooters here ..... ?

Thanks, George

you are not alone.

until my docs barred me from the range due to cardiac issues, I shot otc sr, mr using a m-70 and lr any any,
the commonwealth style prone shooting wasn't as interesting to me as otc. I just can't bring myself to shoot 100 yd matches...

never was caught up in chasing leg points but I have a silver medal from perry and made pres 100.

it's interesting to see the current crop of shooters and the
games they enjoy

I keep threatening to go shoot a lr match but I'd sooner train my buddy on blind retrieves and being steady to flush wing and shot, then retrieving on command.

I currently follow my Labrador's tail over 1,500 acres of upland paradise and hunt elk in fall.i hunt with my magnum receiver m-70 in 300 win I put together 25 yrs ago and a high grade k-gun. summertime I go to the high country of the san juans

my shooting now is called "applied" ,marksmanship.

btw I also shoot American and international trap, but would sooner go bird hunting

I continue to train and shoot a couple thousand shots annually....no sighters on that 6x bull

merry Christmas and keep shooting

 

[Trebor Snave]

I shoot SR. Still trying to make master XTC.

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

SR shooter, going to MR

 

[chefmossy]

Going back to service rifle 2019 after a 11 year break

 

[6BRLongRange]

Started back in ‘18 after a 10 year break, home club is ORSA, Oak Ridge TN

 

[Nature Boy]

I’d love to try it but I’m adraid I’d get hooked

 

[6BRLongRange]

I’d love to try it but I’m adraid I’d get hooked

That’s usually what happens

 

[r bose]

I’d love to try it but I’m adraid I’d get hooked

You will. It's a different game where you're more important then your equipment. I bought a basic "non match, off the shelf AR" rifle 20 years ago and shot expert scores with just a trigger replacement. I had been shooting an M1A previously. Traded up to a match conditioned AR and shot better but always knew my eyesight was my weakest link. When the rules changed recently, I converted to a scoped upper and my scores have improved at 600 yds and I'm able to maintain my master card.

My point is XTC is not a discipline that you can throw money at and win. (kinda like golf) It's 95% you and that's what draws me to it.

 

[GSS]

You will. It's a different game where you're more important then your equipment. I bought a basic "non match, off the shelf AR" rifle 20 years ago and shot expert scores with just a trigger replacement. I had been shooting an M1A previously. Traded up to a match conditioned AR and shot better but always knew my eyesight was my weakest link. When the rules changed recently, I converted to a scoped upper and my scores have improved at 600 yds and I'm able to maintain my master card.

My point is XTC is not a discipline that you can throw money at and win. (kinda like golf) It's 95% you and that's what draws me to it.

Agree 100% and why I love Service Rifle

 

[distinguished]

I used to shoot service rifle, went distinguished back in 2003. Mostly shoot match rifle these days but, once in a while, I just have to pick up my service rifle and have some fun. DR# 1646.

 

[Bamban]

You will. It's a different game where you're more important then your equipment. I bought a basic "non match, off the shelf AR" rifle 20 years ago and shot expert scores with just a trigger replacement. I had been shooting an M1A previously. Traded up to a match conditioned AR and shot better but always knew my eyesight was my weakest link. When the rules changed recently, I converted to a scoped upper and my scores have improved at 600 yds and I'm able to maintain my master card.

My point is XTC is not a discipline that you can throw money at and win. (kinda like golf) It's 95% you and that's what draws me to it.

My first AR was a Colt HBAR, I got my first leg points with it in its bone stock configuration - unfloated, single stage trigger, and stock sights. I had to come up with a way to sling it - a web sling wrapped around the D ring and attached to the front swivel, the sling length to the forward arm is a short one to the biceps. I just slid the gloved hand between the sling and the handguard. I used this sling method for awhile even when I acquired a service rifle float tube for the upper. That was in 1995.

 

[rminut]

I wish is still shot the service rifle more. I getnin 1 or 2 local matches a year. I got bit by the Prone gun big after legging our and making the P100. I do miss the simplicity of the service rifle. Maybe this is a sign I need to drag the old girl out and shoot it more.

This seems to be a common evolution. I admire the guys that have stuck with SR for decades, like Konrad and Holiger. My pocketbook would be so much better off if i stayed in a SR. Palma rifles are not cheap, but they do shoot well.

George, you can still compete with a line of iron sight shooters. There is plenty of room on the service pistol line. Think about it- DOUBLE DISTINGUISHED.

 

[DR1586]

This seems to be a common evolution. I admire the guys that have stuck with SR for decades, like Konrad and Holiger. My pocketbook would be so much better off if i stayed in a SR. Palma rifles are not cheap, but they do shoot well.

George, you can still compete with a line of iron sight shooters. There is plenty of room on the service pistol line. Think about it- DOUBLE DISTINGUISHED.

Agreed. I just got burned out a little and needed something new. Of course I have an addictive personality (keep me away from cigarettes, whiskey and blackjack) so the Palma thing but me hard. I guess part of it was my mentor growing up was a great XTC shooter, but is/was an even better Palma shooter. Hearing his stories about the Palma matches have it this shine that nothing else has for me.

 

[rminut]

I might have an addictive personality also. I seem to really like earning CMP points. First pistol, then SR, now over half way to a 22 EIC award (not really the same as the others). I find the chase with the added pressure of limited matches more challenging and fun than any other part of shooting. Making long range HM with a Palma rifle was almost boring compared to going out with the SR and SP. Just like the chase I guess.

 

[Fynn]

FWIW, just getting started with Service Rifle and loving it so far. The mental management required of me to perform to my current (albeit novice) level is precisely what has drawn me in and gotten me hooked.

Glad to be here

 

[GSS]

FWIW, just getting started with Service Rifle and loving it so far. The mental management required of me to perform to my current (albeit novice) level is precisely what has drawn me in and gotten me hooked.

Glad to be here

Awesome, Thanks for posting.
Glad to hear what attracts most service rifle shooters and keeps us hooked is what you are seeing as the draw as well.

I hope you have lot of opportunity to shoot a good number of matches each year at different ranges ( Full Distance and reduced ) in your area?

Reduced ranges are great for practice and getting you executing the fundamentals faster without the sometimes confusing feedback you get from full distance ranges where the affects of light, mirage and wind can have you wondering if the not so great shots were you or the conditions.

Even of you only have full distance available I would used reduced targets at 200 yards for practice until you can shoot good groups and scores at that distance on those tiny targets. Shoot in full distance matches as much as possible but practice up close at first.

Many find Service Rifle too difficult to do well at so they quit and move onto something where it is much easier to shoot small groups and good scores.

Best advice is to;
Find a Master / High Master shooter in your area to help you out early before you develop too many bad habits that are very hard to break.

You will find that the type of people that enjoy Service Rifle will be very helpful to newer SR shooters.

Welcome to the Addiction!
George

 

[marty dabney]

FWIW, just getting started with Service Rifle and loving it so far. The mental management required of me to perform to my current (albeit novice) level is precisely what has drawn me in and gotten me hooked.

Glad to be here

I see youre in NC. if you can find time, look at North State Shooting Clubs schedule and try to make it to one of their matches. I shoot there several times a year and would be glad to help you out as much as I can

 

[GSS]

Fynn,
I and some friends traveled down from Southern NH to Camp Butner in North Carlolina a couple times to shoot in the CMP Regional Matches back when they were called the Creedmoor Cup Matches.

I don't shoot the Garand, Springfield, games matches just the 4 Man Team, Cup and EIC matches.
But, Awesome Range, Awesome people...

This year they are April 26th - May 5th
http://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-travel-games/eastern-games/

http://thecmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019-EG-Draft-Match-schedule.pdf?ver=20181218


Do not worry one bit about scores you shoot in matches ( especially as a novice ).
Just think about competing against yourself and working to improve by dropping less points each match / season.
Well diggers are the only ones that start at the top... lol

If NC is in your area I would definitely take Marty up on his offer to help you get off on the right foot.
A little coaching at the beginning from experienced / accomplished shooter goes a long way to shorten the distance to shooting better scores.

George
DR#1970 Fall 2009

 

[DarkStar]

FWIW, just getting started with Service Rifle and loving it so far. The mental management required of me to perform to my current (albeit novice) level is precisely what has drawn me in and gotten me hooked.

Glad to be here

I live in coastal NC and I go up to Butner for just about all the XTC matches, except the upcoming Polar Bear XTC match this weekend. . . dealing with house stuff from Hurricane Florence that just ramped up all of a sudden. Doesn't help that all my reloading stuff is in the back of a storage unit.

Hopefully I'll be back up to full speed by the NSSC March XTC matches.

But don't listen to me. . . I usually shoot match rifle anymore (note the blue Tubb gun the avatar). I do dust off the 'ol smoke pole a few times a year, though. Some weird addiction to running a bolt action in rapid fire. . . I'd like to think I was the inspiration that corrupted Marty in to match rifle.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Quit shooting the pogo stick in 98 because I got too involved with rifles that had sights that turned the exact opposite direction. With upcoming back surgery through the VA, it is doubtful that I will ever shoot sitting again for a comeback. Just the way the pickle squirts is all. Actually started/owned/operated the LR & NM forums. That helped burnout settle in real good. Looking forward to possibly trying my hand at Mid-Range Tactical at some point. Otherwise, the fishing is pretty good up here and a lot less stress