Where to begin?

[mattri]

Sorry if this has been covered.

Looking at attending/entering a match of some type. Don't really have a firm grasp of the various classes and their respective restrictions etc.

Have been shooting and reloading for a few years now, seem to hit more than I miss but know I have a ton to learn, thinking a beginner's comp would be the place to start.

At the moment I have a 7mm-08 built off of a Savage PTA with a 30" CBI bull in a Stockade Prairie Dog/Tactical with a Weaver T36 that shoots 175 SMKs to half MOA @600 when I do my part, 1-1.5 when I can't figure out the wind. The stock has had quite a bit of weight added so it's a pleasure to shoot but I doubt it would make weight in anything, gun prob weighs close to 30lbs.

Also have another 7mm-08 built off of a T&T'd 110 action with a RB1, a 26" CBI light varmint barrel cut down to 24" and pillar bedded in a Boyds Prairie Hunter. Kind of a walk and stalk/ med range hunter. Have it zeroed @ 200 and can regularly ring the gong @ 600 by holding over.

So that's what I'm working with at the moment. Don't get me wrong, I have no delusions of grandeur, would just like to get involved in something that can help me grow and help me invest in the shooting community.

I live in southwest Iowa, 50801 and work 55-70hrs a week. Don't have a ton of time to travel and my wife is always going on about paying bills, feeding the kids blah blah so not a ton of disposable income.

Is there something I could get into with one of these rifles? If not what should I be looking at?

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Immike]

Try some midrange fclass if you can find some in your area. Score shooting is fun and less demanding on equipment. Good place to start! You will know what to do after a few matches.

 

[mattri]

Awesome thanks, any recommendations on how to find a local match?

 

[mattri]

Will definitely check it out- thanks again.

 

[hmcclannan]

Call or email me for ENGC info:

402-201-4905

hmcclannan@cox.net

Herb

 

[broncman]

WARNING!!!!!

Midrange F class is a gateway drug! It leads to more...and more..

You will get hooked! Just warning you!

 

[effendude]

Mattri,
Don't be intimidated by all the details and rules starting off. Contact the match director of a nearby midrange F-class match, I suggest a club level or NRA Approved match to start with, and explain you are a new shooter. The match director should be able to help you with the necessary details for you to shoot. When I run matches, it is nice that someone lets me know in advance and the day of the match that they may need help or some coaching. It just makes things easier. Shooters will be likely to help too at the less important matches. Regional and state cghampionship matches are not the place to start. Most club and even some approved matches don't weigh rifles or care about classes, especially for a new shooter.
Good Luck,
Scott

 

[MK 19]

The most important thing to do for any shooting competition is to show up. Go to a match. You don't have to bring anything the first time, just show up, talk to some of the people, help them set up targets. Get to enjoy the lifestyle before you become heavily invested in the competition. I took that advice from a wise old man and did just that with Cowboy Action, after going to a few matches and helped out with targets and stages I decided that I wasn't really that interested in the whole dressing up thing, nothing wrong with it, just not my thing. I did the same thing with 3-gun, but with 3-gun I enjoyed it greatly, became invested, and continued to shoot it till my health prevented me from the Action side of Action shooting.

So go, show up, get active, see how you like it. Then start shooting.

 

[Immike]

I agree with the last advice if you have no equipment, but that's not the case. You have been practicing and it is time to go to the firing line. I haven't known anyone regret their first match experience and I have fond memories of jumping in with minimal equipment. There is an old saying in shooting (shoot what you brought). Fclass has alot of new blood on the firing line and you will fit in just fine.

 

[mattri]

Definitely going to just watch my first time at a comp. Want to at least have an idea of what's going on before I embarrass myself.

 

[Immike]

Definitely going to just watch my first time at a comp. Want to at least have an idea of what's going on before I embarrass myself.

Life is short and don't waste time watching what you can do. Do what you are comfortable with but we all have to take the first step to go somewhere.

 

[RStewart]

I agree with the last advice if you have no equipment, but that's not the case. You have been practicing and it is time to go to the firing line. I haven't known anyone regret their first match experience and I have fond memories of jumping in with minimal equipment. There is an old saying in shooting (shoot what you brought). Fclass has alot of new blood on the firing line and you will fit in just fine.

I agree with what Mike says.

 

[Jdne5b]

Definitely going to just watch my first time at a comp. Want to at least have an idea of what's going on before I embarrass myself.

Match tomorrow at ENGC. Bring your gun, watching is no fun.