Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,074
- 7,602
For some, hunting season is just getting rolling. For others, like me, it's all over now. I will be out again this winter on snowshoes for coyotes though... Want to do more shooting? Improve your shooting? Instead of just plinking with your buds - consider some kind of organized competition!
Photo of me on the 600 yard line at our local gun club, during our monthly NRA "highpower" match. Rifle is a Model 70 Winchester in .308, and it shoots very nicely all the way out to 1000 yards - but this sport isn't about the rifle so much as the shooter!
Easiest way in? Either the NRA "hunter" matches, which are a modified, shorter version of the highpower matches, but limited to a hunting rifle. Or, F-class prone matches. All you need for F-class is your reasonably accurate rifle, a varmint barrel rig is best, with a decent scope, about 80 - 100 rounds of good ammo and a bipod. Might want a hunk of canvas or a pad to toss on the ground too.
This past year I didn't get to compete and it really bugged me. I have a pile of .308 match ammo all loaded up and ready to go. So much that I ran out of ammo cases and just have some bagged up in zip-lock baggies! Match shooting through the off-season helps keep me sharp for hunting season (gotta practice those awesome 30 yard shots you know...) and gives me a great excuse to spend more time loading and shooting.
A fellow is likely to meet some great folks, learn a lot and improve his shooting. Choose your poison; small bore, highpower, Palma, F-class, benchrest, LR benchrest, hunter benchrest... Maybe even check to see if there's a "tactical/practical" match near you - they're the least structured, and possibly the most fun. If you've got a club/range near you - there's a good chance that there's some kind of organized shooting sport happening.
Check out the NRA "competition" site for more info.
Nosler makes excellent competition bullets - and they're what I used to shoot my way to "Long Range High Master" with that .308 Winchester. No problem making those things accurate at long range!
Regards, Guy
Photo of me on the 600 yard line at our local gun club, during our monthly NRA "highpower" match. Rifle is a Model 70 Winchester in .308, and it shoots very nicely all the way out to 1000 yards - but this sport isn't about the rifle so much as the shooter!
Easiest way in? Either the NRA "hunter" matches, which are a modified, shorter version of the highpower matches, but limited to a hunting rifle. Or, F-class prone matches. All you need for F-class is your reasonably accurate rifle, a varmint barrel rig is best, with a decent scope, about 80 - 100 rounds of good ammo and a bipod. Might want a hunk of canvas or a pad to toss on the ground too.
This past year I didn't get to compete and it really bugged me. I have a pile of .308 match ammo all loaded up and ready to go. So much that I ran out of ammo cases and just have some bagged up in zip-lock baggies! Match shooting through the off-season helps keep me sharp for hunting season (gotta practice those awesome 30 yard shots you know...) and gives me a great excuse to spend more time loading and shooting.
A fellow is likely to meet some great folks, learn a lot and improve his shooting. Choose your poison; small bore, highpower, Palma, F-class, benchrest, LR benchrest, hunter benchrest... Maybe even check to see if there's a "tactical/practical" match near you - they're the least structured, and possibly the most fun. If you've got a club/range near you - there's a good chance that there's some kind of organized shooting sport happening.
Check out the NRA "competition" site for more info.
Nosler makes excellent competition bullets - and they're what I used to shoot my way to "Long Range High Master" with that .308 Winchester. No problem making those things accurate at long range!
Regards, Guy
