F T/R Competition Camp Pendleton Long Range 10-11,12-14

ditchdigger

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 2, 2011
65
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In a Trench Somewhere
I think I'll come shoot it as a complete newbie, first time. Any logistics advice? Do I need to bring a puller? How many rounds do I need? thanks, Jerry

(Long Range format is a LR Prone COF, which is 20 rounds for record with unlimited sighters fired at 1000 yards in a time limit of 30 minutes. Many Long Range prone matches involve shooting two or three 20-round strings (i.e. 3×1000). I bought 60 rounds for record and 20 for sighters.) from Santa Margarita web site. Helps a lot on first string to have a spotter my last and first time at 1000 yards I went through 15 rounds before I got on target. Bring shooting mat, sun screen, hat, eyes and ears protection, water (camelbak 3L) and a bag lunch, pen and small clip board for scoring. Extra are folding chair, spotting scope and cart/wagon to move equipment. Hope this helps

Bill
 
You indicated you don't have a lot of experience at these matches, so first and foremost, make sure you have decent dope for your rifle/load that will get you on paper at 1000 yd. You will find plenty of help if you aren't on paper right away, but new shooters often waste a lot of rounds trying to get dialed in. Sometimes, they'll shoot so many trying to get on they are unable to complete the last match, which I'm sure is very frustrating. Bring plenty of loaded ammo; 60 rounds of record fire plus sighters means you'll want at least 75 rounds, but 80-90 rounds (or more) may be better for your first time out.

Obviously, having a rifle and load that will stay supersonic to 1000 yd is also highly desirable. Avoid using a load with 168 Sierra Matchkings if your going to be shooting F-TR (.308), they just really aren't up to the task for most that have tried to use them. Also, you'll need a minimum of 25 MOA to as much as 35 MOA elevation turret travel up from your 100 yd zero to get on at 1000 yd.

Bring a shooting mat, spotting scope, timer, and any other items you may want on the line when you're shooting.

If you don't know already about how to do pit service, here are three videos you can watch to get some idea of what it involves:

Target Pulling (Working in the pits) - Part 1 of 3 - YouTube
Target Pulling (Working in the pits) - Part 2 of 3 - YouTube
Target Pulling (Working in the pits) - Part 3 of 3 - YouTube

The wind conditions at Range 117 can sometimes be pretty challenging, so fast pit service is very helpful to the shooter. Typically, 10 seconds or under to run the target down and back up is very good. Alternatively, there is a place on the pre-registration if you want to request a puller. XTR posted a sticky at the top of the F-Class forum here with some good information about F-Class (F-TR):

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/f-class-f-t-r-competition/197762-f-tr-faq.html

You'll have plenty of time to ask specific questions you might have before the match and in between rounds during the day. Everyone is very willing to help out new shooters, so don't be afraid to ask.

Bring plenty of fluids, a snack if you want one, etc. It could be pretty warm, but it's hard to tell at this point. A folding chair is a good thing to have as well. There is not much shade to speak of at Range 117, so suncreen or similar is a good idea.

Hope this info helps. It's always good to have new folks shoot so come on out and have some fun.
 
Thanks for the hugely helpful, friendly, and welcoming replies. I'll be shooting F-open. in 6mmBR. I stay supersonic to about 1250 yds with my current load although I may use a slightly hotter load for this longer distance/tricky wind. Just a few more questions:

1. My gun weights 22 lbs on the bathroom scale. Should I try to weigh it more carefully and lighten it a little if it is 22 lb 2 oz?

2. There is a saturday and sunday option on the entry form. Do I shoot one or the other or both? If it is one, Sunday works better for me so I'll sign up for that.

3. I assume there is no problem using a magnetospeed during the sightin period to verify my load.

4. I have a spotting scope. Do two shooters pair up and spot for each other?

5. Looks like in open class I can use a benchrest on the ground. This is a bit quicker for me so I'll probably do this the first time but I'll bring a tripod also.

6. To get on base, all I need to show is DL and proof of insurance? Should I mention I have a weapon in the back?

That video is great. I should have no problem working the pits. I'll watch it again before next weekend.

Thanks for all the help,

--Jerry
 
Thanks for the hugely helpful, friendly, and welcoming replies. I'll be shooting F-open. in 6mmBR. I stay supersonic to about 1250 yds with my current load although I may use a slightly hotter load for this longer distance/tricky wind. Just a few more questions:

1. My gun weights 22 lbs on the bathroom scale. Should I try to weigh it more carefully and lighten it a little if it is 22 lb 2 oz?

I keep mine under, but it won't be weighed so you can decide.

2. There is a saturday and sunday option on the entry form. Do I shoot one or the other or both? If it is one, Sunday works better for me so I'll sign up for that.

Either or both are fine, whatever works best for you.

3. I assume there is no problem using a magnetospeed during the sightin period to verify my load.

No problem at all.

4. I have a spotting scope. Do two shooters pair up and spot for each other?

It's all single firing points. If for any reason someone needs help getting on target in the first match, someone can sit behind them and get them dialed in. Depending on the number of shooters, there will be two or three relays. If two, you'll score yourself. If three, there will be a scorer sitting behind/beside you recording your score. The spotting scope is for you to keep track of mirage or your target while firing, but also will be used when scoring if there are three relays (ie. with scorers).

5. Looks like in open class I can use a benchrest on the ground. This is a bit quicker for me so I'll probably do this the first time but I'll bring a tripod also.

Tripod is only in case we have three relays and each shooter also sits behind another and scores. If there are two relays and you record your own score, you only need a mount that will allow you to look through the spotter while shooting prone.

6. To get on base, all I need to show is DL and proof of insurance? Should I mention I have a weapon in the back?

DL, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance are needed. May or may not be checked. Once in a while, they will ask you to pull over past the gate and check that your weapon is unloaded and the ammo is stored in a separate container. Takes only a minute or two and is no big deal. SMGC puts on great matches, I'm sure you'll enjoy it and hopefully be hooked!

That video is great. I should have no problem working the pits. I'll watch it again before next weekend.

Thanks for all the help,

--Jerry

See responses above
 
ALERT!!! The match has been cancelled this weekend. I sent a question to the Admin and got that reply back. It is also posted on the home page of the SMGunClub.

Pala is having a levergun match, no rec shooting. so I think we're just out of luck for anything long range this weekend.

--Jerry