Rifle class specifications

[Ned Ludd]

From your location, you have a variety of options and several disciplines you can look into. There are several shooting ranges from less than one hour to about 3 hours driving time:

Mill Creek Rifle Club: https://millcreekrc.org/cms3.0/

Bucksnort Shooting Club: https://www.facebook.com/bucksnortshootingclub/

Vapor Trail Valley Shooting Range: https://vaportrailbullet.com/vapor-trail-range/

St. Louis Benchrest Club: http://www.shootingstl.com/

Because it sounds as though you are not completely certain of the discipline that mosts interests you, I would suggest visiting their webpages. As a first step, look into the disciplines offered to find out what might appeal to you, and that is also within easy driving distance. Then you can begin to figure out what the equipment requirements might be. Regardless of the discipline you choose, there are approaches that won't require selling an organ or two just to get started. No matter the disipline, some competitors will always have very expensive, top-of-the-line equipment. However, there will also be a fair number that use far more modestly priced equipment, especially at the local level. Getting involved and having fun doesn't have to break the bank. Further, owning the absolute best equipment money can buy in no way guarantees success, especially in the early stages. Getting involved and having fun is more important in the beginning. The rest will come as you gain experience and decide how far you'd like to go with it.

 

[jelenko]

discipline that isn't as heavily focused on equipment appeals to me more.

I'd second silhouette. A reasonably accurate rifle with a scope and you're set.
Long time ago I shot 1 match using a 308. Really enjoyed it.

 

[TaperPin]

I wish silhouette was more popular still. Was a good game that didn't require the absolute best equipment. Same for service rifle, but everyone shoots the same gun.

I’ll second that - moved away from an active silhouette club assuming it was sweeping the nation and would be found in every small town of at least 10k people. Wrong!

 

[TaperPin]

I have never looked into the competition shooting sports before and only know a couple of guys who compete. One shoots in pistol matches and another shoots PRS.

Is there an information source that outlines the rifle guidelines?

I'm sure this sounds like a ridiculous question to many here but again, I'm completely new and I've no one local I can ask.

Thanks in advance for constructive advice.

Many times just reading the official guidelines will make your head spin - like reading California dmv laws. It can be helpful to look at forums specific to the class of competition you’re thinking of. There is usually someone who has asked any questions you have.

 

[Tesoro]

I have limited-minimal experience with current rifle competitions. But I will remember the first and only 600m F-class I was invited to attend as spectator 8 yrs ago at the old ex-ww2 White City army training range in Medford, Or. There were about a dozen shooters for a practice session and most had heavy tuned up $$ rifles, This 30'ish guy showed up at last minute in his old dodge truck and set up an 'off the Cabelas rack savage' with a cheap bipod. He smoked the whole crowd! His rifle cost about as much as some of the front rests of his competitors. But really, I think the crowd he was shooting against were not that hot. Anyhow the point is the 'indian part' counts more than the equipment when there is a breeze!!!

 

[JEFFPPC]

I will make one other suggestion. If your competitive stay away from matches with classes. I was heavily into handgun silhouette. Trouble was you would go to a match that had 100 to 140 guns but you only shot against maybe a dozen people. B Class, A Class, AA Class, AAA Class, Int Class plus a half dozen gun types. Basically lots of participation trophies. But some like that I guess.

 

[sneakboxer]

https://thecmp.org/competitions/cmp-competitions-rulebooks/. https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=matchRegistrationListUpcoming&filter=location_state The CMP has a lot of options too. Service rifle, pistol, rimfire and old wood rifles. All of the match directors and ranges I know will go out of their way to help new shooters no matter what their age. Call the local director prior to the match and they will likely hook you up with all the gear to include a rifle and ammo. My advice would be call the director and go to whatever match you chose. Just go!

 

[Will Henry]

I will make one other suggestion. If your competitive stay away from matches with classes. I was heavily into handgun silhouette. Trouble was you would go to a match that had 100 to 140 guns but you only shot against maybe a dozen people. B Class, A Class, AA Class, AAA Class, Int Class plus a half dozen gun types. Basically lots of participation trophies. But some like that I guess.

There is nothing preventing one from shooting a master class score and competing at that level; except his skill level. In my mind, that perfect score is always right around the corner (except it isn't), and it doesn't matter what my classification might be. WH

 

[JEFFPPC]

There is nothing preventing one from shooting a master class score and competing at that level; except his skill level. In my mind, that perfect score is always right around the corner (except it isn't), and it doesn't matter what my classification might be. WH

The class is immaterial. The shooters are still all split up.

 

[Texas Solo]

F/ Class is Heavy on Equipment and $$$$

It doesn't have to be. I won my first club match by 3 points over custom barreled, stocked rifles with custom triggers and big money optics. I was shooting a STOCK Savage #12 from Cabellas with a Votex 16x scope at 600yds. If you can shoot MOA at 600, you can win. The shooter is equal to the equipment in importance.
I've said 100 times, the guy who can best read the wind will win.

 

[jelenko]

The class is immaterial. The shooters are still all split up.

I think it depends on the program for the match.

I've seen some with an overall 1st, 2nd and third and winners for each of the classes.

In any case, class awards are far more than just participation awards. Everyone doesn't get one. IIRC, NRA class awards required at least 5 for form a 'class'

 

[Will Henry]

The class is immaterial. The shooters are still all split up.

We always have a overall match winner. It is rare that this isn't also one of the top masters, but what would you expect? If I am paired up with one of the masters, I do my best to match his score, and I usually shoot a little better than I normally would. We are not "split up", and we all shoot together. The ten-in-a -row pins are contested regardless of class. Again, if one wants to compete head to head with the top guys, he just has to shoot well enough to achieve that classification.
We see a lot of older guys who continue to shoot master class although they are no longer shooting at that level. A matter of pride, I suppose. In my case, I am definitely looking at middle age in the rear view mirror, so I may be physically unable to progress to the Master level, but I can keep trying. This is the big thing, shooting offhand is somewhat demanding, and the results are far more dependent on the shooter than on the rifle. Still, as a gunmaker, I still can build a new rifle for each season , if that is what I want to do. WH

 

[divingin]

but I'm nearly 60 so the physical requirements are something that would likely cause me problems.

Valid point. A buddy of mine has largely retired from his action pistol shooting competitions (where he used to be quite good) because of stages where you have to go prone, shoot, then get up and dash to the next station. He says he's still OK with the diving to the ground; it's the getting up part that's the problem.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Actually that's a difficult question for me to answer. I rather like the concept of PRS shooting because it's not so much about the arrow as the Indian but I'm nearly 60 so the physical requirements are something that would likely cause me problems.

Please do not read anything into that statement. I'm not implying that any competitive shooting sports do not require skills. Far from it.

I'm simply saying a discipline that isn't as heavily focused on equipment appeals to me more.

I am 56 and just shot my first season of PRS type matches and competed in 2 separate leagues. I had shot f-class for many years and was not sure this would be the best fit but can honestly say that I am now a much more well rounded shooter. No wind flags and no sighters....every single shot counts. In order to get the rifle to balance and spot your impacts that will require a specific setup and equipment, my current rifle weighs in just about 18 pounds and balances like a dream. To be completely honest with my f-class setup even a monkey could shoot decent scores, not so much with the PRS game....it's all about the Indian!

 

[linebaugh]

Missouri has a lot of PRS/NRL matches and several benchrest places. I do a lot of rimfire PRS now. I shoot in MO a lot and can give you ideas if you want. PM me on questions or ask for my number and I can hook you up with a great group of guys in the PRS centerfire and rimfire and I can answer most questions on this area. Dont be afraid to talk to me if you want to.