F T/R Competition New to F/TR; advice sought

[chefcam864]

I have not yet shot at any matches, but I'm getting ready.I bought a Rem 700 SPS Varmint in 308, and I have ordered a Timney trigger, single shot mag follower, and a Bell & Carlson Medalist Varmint/Tactical stock(the stock situation has turned into a nightmare.)The rifle shoots very well in it's box-stock configuration, and should improve a little with the new stock and trigger. I'm getting consistent .6-.7" 10 shot groups with Handloads at 100 yards, and holding just a tick over 1" at 200. I'm planning on a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 when the funds are available, but for now I'm running a Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 on a 20 moa NF base, as well as a Nikon 15-45x60 spotting scope. Can you guys give me some ideas about equipment I have forgot. Can I be competitive (if I do my part) with the kind of gear I have? Keep in mind I have never even attended a match, but I have been shooting seriously for 7 years and am a pretty good shot. I have spent a good bit of money so far, and need some time to recover. I live in upstate SC, so if anyone can point me to some club matches in the vicinity that would be great.
Thanks, Casey

 

[Blue Streak]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

With the equipment you have,..competitive,...depends on the competition, however, I will assure you that you will have a blast no matter what! Just show up,...don't expect too much you first trip or two and just have fun and learn. You may very well be competitive in your classification,..who knows. The point is to have fun, shoot, and learn. Learn about you rifle, your loads, and other equipment just to name a few things. More than likely you will out shoot some guys and some guys will out shoot you.

 

[chefcam864]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

thanks for the encouragement. Some times I get so wrapped up in things that I forget why I'm doing it in the 1st place; to Have fun!

 

[BradfromND]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

As far as equipment goes, pick up a shooting mat and a rear bag. Midwayusa did have their big mats on sale for half off a couple weeks back. Tough to beat for $50.

Just go out and have fun. Once you're classified, you will compete against shooters of similar skill. Being competitive just means doing your job against similar shooters. 95% of the time it is the guy reading the wind, not the gun....just remember that.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

I went to my very first F-T/R competition with the following attitude: my <span style="font-style: italic">intention</span> was to win, my <span style="font-style: italic">expectation</span> was to come in dead last. I figured anywhere in-between and I'd be GTG (LOL). I think the best advice while you're there is to talk with other shooters and learn as much about it as you can (sometimes it's better to do this after the matches are finished). Above all, do your best and have fun. Here is a link to a similar recent thread here that has some items listed you may find helpful in your first match. Welcome to the addiction!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3730621#Post3730621

 

[40xs]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

Chefcam, you have a good entry level piece to learn with. It's a 1/12 twist so if your plans are for 1k yard comps. you may want to consider 175gr. for the b.c. while you are in your learning curve. Heck, I've been doing it for 9 years and I'm still in my learning curve,lol. One thing to remember, you can be the best bench shooter in your group but once you get beyond 400 yds. your basic marksmanship goes out the window until you learn to read the elements (wind, mirage, temps, etc.) If you are like most of us, once you find your comfort zone you will probably want to trade up somewhat on a heavier, longer setup. main thing is don't get discouraged on your first couple attemps. Anyway you will be grouped with other folks in unclassified cat. until your scores start coming up. Just do it! and listen to the experiencd shooters, they won't steer you wrong. Good luck on finding powder and boolits!!

 

[XTR]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

Check this thread Here

Spend the first yr participating and learning. If someone gave you their perfect equipment list and you went out and bought all of it, you'd still get your ass handed to you the first time you had a fishtailing wind, and you'll probably use different stuff. There is nothing that will substitute for trigger time at long range.

Keith Code wrote a book about performance motorcycle riding, in it he illustrates the value of experience with the analogy that you have $1.00 worth of attention to use, same works for shooting. If you're spending 15¢ on trigger, 15¢ on sight picture in the scope, 10¢ loading the rifle and putzing with bullets, 10¢ on body position and grip, 10¢ with your spotting scope and 15¢ on playing with your rear bag you've only got 25¢ left for the wind, and I promise you, you need to be spending 50¢ or 75¢ on the wind.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

Competitive shooting follows a course of fire and is pretty much a scripted activity. It may even pay to simply leave the gear home the first time and simply (and safely) audit/observe the sequence of activities, taking notes about anything that is new to you.

What folks spend the most time handling and doing is the basis of the knowledge you want.

Without being intrusive, ask questions, prefacing them with a "please" and a very brief declaration of your" new" status. Most competitors will want to help, and the ones who don't are probably having too many issues to be of much help anyway.

This way, when you come out to play, you'll be able to hit the ground walking instead of crawling; and running will come more easily.

The first few ties "at bat" will not be instances where perfecting your game plan will have any serious chance of success (i.e. Come out to learn, not to win). The important emphasis will be to get your game plan into sync with the rest of the activity going on around you.

Once that falls into place, you'll be able to spare the attention needed to work on bringing your score up to potential.

Greg

 

[l115a3]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

You may need to have a higher mv node for longer distance.

After 600 yards, 168SMK will not stable as 175SMK nor 175LRBT.


Better BC will help to reduce your human error such as miss the wind estimated.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: New to F/TR; advice sought

Don't know where you guys are shooting but at Palo Alto in Donaldsonville Lo , the guys make their .308's shoot like miniature .300 win mags. Most guys are running the 200 Berger hybrid with 28 or 30" krieger or bartleins and custom actions throated so long that the powder capacity isn't an issue with that bullet in relationship to the lands. I shot my GA Crusader and got my ass whipped. I learned 2 things that day1: know your bullet in different wind conditions 2: shoot my creedmor in f- open All kidding aside its very fun but if it gets to the point your so stressed or pissed , take a minute and remember that you love to shoot and its not always about competition. My best shots I have ever made will never be known but I could give a shit.
Somebody said it great earlier..... In f tr , if your going to win you have gotta pay to play. Optics, travel $, brass, powder, WIVES, all take a toll on the time and dedication you can provide to winning.

 

[scissorhands]

I have not yet shot at any matches, but I'm getting ready.I bought a Rem 700 SPS Varmint in 308, and I have ordered a Timney trigger, single shot mag follower, and a Bell & Carlson Medalist Varmint/Tactical stock(the stock situation has turned into a nightmare.)The rifle shoots very well in it's box-stock configuration, and should improve a little with the new stock and trigger. I'm getting consistent .6-.7" 10 shot groups with Handloads at 100 yards, and holding just a tick over 1" at 200. I'm planning on a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 when the funds are available, but for now I'm running a Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 on a 20 moa NF base, as well as a Nikon 15-45x60 spotting scope. Can you guys give me some ideas about equipment I have forgot. Can I be competitive (if I do my part) with the kind of gear I have? Keep in mind I have never even attended a match, but I have been shooting seriously for 7 years and am a pretty good shot. I have spent a good bit of money so far, and need some time to recover. I live in upstate SC, so if anyone can point me to some club matches in the vicinity that would be great.
Thanks, Casey

I shot in my first F/TR competition 3 days ago. I will give you a brief journey to my first match.

I showed up with my Rem700 LTR .308, some pretty accurate hand loads, a couple of breakfast tacos and a few waters.....I did show up with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and observe also. I, like yourself had my rifle shooting .500 groups at 100 yards ( 5 or more shots) and .3 ( 3 group shots). I felt pretty confident in my equipment to be competitive and I think I was! I Shot in the 90% range and I was an excellent target puller!!!LOL

Going from starting to average is a pretty easy step... Going from a really good shot to the "best" is the hardest step in any competition (shooting, fishing, golf, tennis...you name it)

With that said.. I left the match and sold the remington and bought a Savage FTR. I did keep my scope(which I think is just as important as the rifle) NF NXS 8-32x56. I had no preference on rifle name brand, I just wanted to be a little more competitive (I'm sure next year I will have a "big boy" custom rifle if I feel the Savage is not enough). My Remington was a great rifle, but .500" groups weren't going to cut it for me....I dont have the savage yet, but I hope its a step up from my older rifle.

Go shoot a competition and have fun, you will learn a whole lot more in one day at a competition, than you ever will on a forum. I learned that, 100 yard groups and 22 shots at range( 2 sighters) in a competition with wind and a time limit are 2 different balls of wax.

Rob

 

[Longguns]

[QUOT+100 on this LOL=gstaylorg;2315565]I went to my very first F-T/R competition with the following attitude: my <span style="font-style: italic">intention</span> was to win, my <span style="font-style: italic">expectation</span> was to come in dead last. I figured anywhere in-between and I'd be GTG (LOL). I think the best advice while you're there is to talk with other shooters and learn as much about it as you can (sometimes it's better to do this after the matches are finished). Above all, do your best and have fun. Here is a link to a similar recent thread here that has some items listed you may find helpful in your first match. Welcome to the addiction!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3730621#Post3730621[/QUOTE]

 

[tarzan]

i would pass on sightron shoot ur gun at 300 yrds at least to check ur up and down. .6 .7 = 6 or 7 in. at 1000 if it hold up get a good bipod and back bag and a piece of carpet rl 15 175 smk or 185 juggernaut and go for a good tine