I don't generally feel strongly about most match setup/logistics options, but I do have a few preferences, some of which have already been shared.
Things I appreciate:
1) Ample time to zero (with "line is hot" and "line is cold for safety brief" times advertised in advance), and access to zero board(s) throughout the match. Ideally these are spaced every 4-5 stages so you don't have to take the Oregon Trail to get to/from the board to fix a problem; I do understand if this isn't feasible.
2) Dope confirmation targets at or beyond the farthest target distance. Not everyone has an opportunity to validate trajectory at 300+ in advance.
3) No paint on targets. Everyone gets a more consistent experience, versus the first shooter on a KYL getting a perfect wind call from the first impact on white paint.
4) Not hugely important to me, but I do appreciate when the props and positions dictate gear, rather than the CoF having explicit restrictions. Not terribly hard to make a stage where tripod rear is a guaranteed disaster, for instance.
5) It seems silly, but I'd rather pay an extra $15-30 in my match fee for a solid lunch, rather than a 6" Jimmy John's sandwich with chips and a pickle.
6) Solid props with small targets.
Things I'd rather not see:
1) "Luck" stages, as described above.
2) "Meatball" matches, as described above.
3) Really unstable props. These are something I'm personally working on though.
4) Props that don't work for certain common setups; the one that comes to mind is shooting off the seat of a folding chair through the gap in the back. Many chassis and scope height combos mean you can't run a bag and see your target.
5) This one's pretty minor, but shooting positions that degrade over the course of the day. It's not too uncommon to see a prone stage in the dirt that creates a basin where shooter after shooter places their bipods, so later shooters need more bipod.
Appreciate you asking for feedback and ideas, and I look forward to reading more input from the community!
