Need some advice

[Pyscodog]

I'm the rifle chairman at my gun club. I've tried to get some impromptu matchs going but seems interest is low these days. Any suggestions for some type of rimfire match that might draw some interest from the members? We have 550 members and the last match I held had 6 shooters. Wasn't worth the time to even mess with it.

 

[Gizmo60]

Lots of ranges/clubs have the same problem today; six out of 550 is pretty bad to be honest. Basic every day members with basic every day rifles just won’t compete against members with high end gear as they don’t want to be embarrassed.

Forget about trophy’s/medals etc, … as prizes, as the better half says they are just dust catchers.

Depending on your membership and their wallet/experience, try running the same comp with different classes, say one for those with high end factory customised rifles & custom built rifles, another comp for heavy factory rifles, etc… Obviously you will need harder targets for the vets with high end gear and easier targets for other competitors. Don’t forget to run a novice/beginners comp for new members with everyday standard rifles.

Try an easy one, a best cold group comp, no sighters, no bedding rounds, just five rounds and measure the group, best group wins. You can also break this comp down to classes if you want to.

Ideally your comps should be self-financing; therefore the number of prizes for each comp will be determined by the numbers entering. If the club is going to sponsor/part sponsor prizes then it gives you some more leeway.

When starting out don’t put restrictions on scope power/rests/bags etc, basically come along and shoot what you have in RF, BUT keep the high end custom members to their own comp. Start off small, get some traction going and hopefully numbers should increase from there.

 

[ttfreestyle]

We just started a FUN type match with a mixture of paper and reactive targets from 50 to 100. Guys are laughing and having fun so far. We use targets that let most any decent 22 on good ammo have a chance. Good luck

 

[Pyscodog]

A friend said him and a group of friends get together and shoot Dum Dum suckers at 50yds. Just bragging rights to the winners. Sounds like fun. A "know your limit" match sounds fun as well. But I have no targets....yet.

 

[ttfreestyle]

We shoot ara 25 shot factory target at 50, 10 dum dums at 75, 10 golf balls on tees at 100 and that 8 target kyl swinger at 100. It’s 4 stages and most can get through it with two to three boxes of ammo so it doesn’t cost a fortune to shoot. We have a money pot as well, makes it fun.

 

[ksfrank]

My club shoots a rimfire (22lr only) bench rest match using 1/5 scale silhouette targets. Chickens at 40, Pigs at 60, Turkeys at 77, and Rams at 100. When we started this match 6 years ago we had 7 people show up. Todays match had 40 shooters. Husbands and wives shoot, we have families with their kids. Todays match had 3 generations from one family. The club is the Prescott Action Shooters. Here is a link to the website

https://www.yavapairecreationleague.net.

If you look under the discipline tab, Silhouette, you can see the match results.

 

[Martin52]

Consider running an online survey asking members a few questions to gain their feedback regarding their interests to help plan the future.

Tell them why you're doing it and make it quick and easy, 5-10 relevant key questions seeking yes/no answers and maybe 1-2 at the end for more detailed comments.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Often reactive target are the key - rimfire and centrefire. Keep the firing line small and encourage spectators - waiting competitors and family. Father and kid teams work well too.

 

[VLNBYR]

Attempts to impose a desire where none exists are doomed to failure.

 

[3Ackleys]

If you haven't, you could, send a mailing out to all members. An "invitation" program, with the details of the shoot.
If you can open it to non-members, make up some flyers, to be hung at local sporting goods stores.
We shoot an offhand rimfire shoot on Sundays in the winter using the NRA 75' RF target. With a "king" match after- shooting suckers, chalk sticks, small steel spinners, or some kind of "closest to" paper targets.
We charge $10 for the match and depending on attendance pay the top 3-5 places about half the total take. With the remaining money going to the club. For the King match(s) it's $1 each shooter, winner takes all.

 

[Pyscodog]

Several times, at a club meeting, I ask for suggestions. Seems lately it falls on deaf ears as I get little to no response. Years ago, I use to get great turn outs but the last couple of years something has happened. While we still have the same number of members and a two year waiting list, usually there are very few people at the club.

My last match was a rimfire 100 yd match. I had so many people calling me asking about the match and if they could bring friends that I even went out and bought additional targets so I would have enough. Six people showed up and it was myself, two other board members and three regular members. After that, I just kind of gave up on match's.

It seems these days, people want to come out and shoot, then leave. Same results when we have work parties,usually the same few members that do all the work. No one wants to help anymore either. Its to bad because we have a very nice club.

 

[gravelyctry]

Rimfire silhouette matches are fun, low cost, and not much for restrictions on equipment or a need to purchase special equipment to be competitive.

They’re also quick and you don’t have to be at the range all day to take part.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

The Colorado Rifle club has a Steel Dogs match. Prairie Dogs for 35, 50, 65,80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 135 and 150 yds. 5" steel diamonds set on edge from 165, 185 and finally at 200 yds.
10/22's kinda rule the roost! slow fire on all targets first go around. then 1 min for as many as you can hit.

 

[Ironman308]

PRS is very popular. Maybe shooting off props at unknown distances. Positional shooting and some small targets at 25 yards.

 

[Delfuego]

The NRL22 matches seem to bring people out. Not my favorite format, but they seem to get good participation (especially with youth shooters). Also they are cheap and easy to get started. Some clubs will expand on them by having the NRL22 COF plus extra stages designed by you for a "combined" club match.

I think silhouette matches are dwindling at least around here they have been.

Keep it simple. People like shooting steel. Hanging targets don't need to be reset. Any 22lr is welcome.

 

[dutch14]

Been to the range the last 2 Sundays, didn't quite have it to myself but close to it. Personally, I prefer reactive targets over paper.

 

[USMCDOC]

Been to the range the last 2 Sundays, didn't quite have it to myself but close to it. Personally, I prefer reactive targets over paper.

paper targets are "reactive", you put a hole in it and you react to it.. nuff said

 

[Pyscodog]

Paper targets get boring then they start shooting the posts and causes me a crap load of work.

 

[USMCDOC]

Paper targets get boring then they start shooting the posts and causes me a crap load of work.

yeah.. those with no respect.. they're a pain..

 

[Jacks Grampa]

Dueling posts at various ranges are fun. Lots of ways to compete and no going down range until end of the match.