Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
No. I have always shot F-Class. I have competed at various ranges where different sighter formats have been used. The only format I really didn't care for was when only two sighters were used in the first match of the day and a blow-off period was not allowed. I have seen that more than once and it forces the shooter to a) come early and drag out all their sh*t to foul the rifle on a different range somewhere adjacent to the range on which the match was being held, or b) make an extra trip to the range prior to the match date, exactly as I described previously.
I have no idea why some people think limiting every match to two sighters is the only way to go, but they're out there. Maybe it's a "my balls are bigger than yours" thing, or maybe they think having only two sighters will somehow magically shorten the match to a significant degree. F-Class shooting is precision target shooting, period. Limiting the number of sighters, particularly in the first match of the day, is completely antithetical to that notion, because not every single rifle is fully fouled and 100% up to its maximum shooting potential after only two shots. Nor is every shooter. All I ask is to have either unlimited sighters in the first match of the day, or a blow-off period so I can foul the rifle properly.
I understand completely now why the OP started this thread and was having questions after his additional post explaining how it was a match format question, not being upset about different formats as I first thought/perceived. It was for clarification purposes, and those were totally fair questions, I should add. My subsequent remarks were largely made in response to other comments, including those about killing the old guys by making them pull the target for an excessive number of shots in the heat. If someone isn't [physically] up to the task of pulling targets, whatever that entails, they shouldn't be doing it, period. That could mean providing a target puller, hiring a paid target puller, or simply staying at home when the mercury gets up into the mid 90s. In fairness, I'm probably not all that far away from being in that position, so I don't make such comments lightly. In any event, I always try to help out other shooters that might need it due to age or physical condition. I'm talking simple, basic things such as helping someone get their gear out of the vehicle, or setting up/removing it from the line. IMO - that's what everyone should do. However, I've been squadded many times with the old dude that can't pull to save his life, either because he's physically incapable, or simply not very motivated to pull targets in a timely manner; I've had both. So if you're squadded with this individual, you maybe get 25-30 second pit service on a good day. I'm talking about the individual that potentially wrecks anyone's score they're ever squadded with, and certainly lessens everyone's enjoyment of the match. Anyone that has ever shot more than a match or two knows the exact individual I'm talking about. They either can't physically do the job, or just don't give a sh*t. So as I noted above, I always try to help others out that may need it wherever possible, but don't expect me to cut anyone slack that is either wrecking my score and/or enjoyment of the match, because it isn't going to happen.
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