Long gong

[King_beardsly]

Anyone play around with long gong matches and see what’s your experience been like? Is there anything I need to know before showing up besides the basics of know your gear and you ballistic data.

I’ve got a semi local club that’s putting on a match and figured I’d give it a shot since the PRS22 has lost its fun for me recently due to it becoming more of a hassle than its worth at this point.

 

[6.5SH]

Anyone play around with long gong matches and see what’s your experience been like? Is there anything I need to know before showing up besides the basics of know your gear and you ballistic data.

I’ve got a semi local club that’s putting on a match and figured I’d give it a shot since the PRS22 has lost its fun for me recently due to it becoming more of a hassle than its worth at this point.

Very range and condition dependent as to how difficult it will be. The other is the ES on your ammo, if you have a Xero use it during your strings so you aren't chasing elevation due to velocity.

Many shooters at the ones I've done quickly found out their "sub 10 SD" was a fantasy when more rounds are measured.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I shot one here in central NC back in December. To my knowledge, the folks/venue involved in that one haven't done another... if another has been held, the organizer didn't reach out about it. I would definitely attend.

My understanding is the COF we had was "standard" for long gong:

• 8/6/4" plates at 300 yards, 1/2/3 point values respectively shot from bench (I think prone was an option but nobody did it that way).
• Five 10-shot strings - shoot a string, go to back of line, wait for next turn.
• Shooter begins with 8" plate, which MUST be hit. If hit, shooter has option to shoot the next smaller plate (6") OR shoot the 8" plate again. If 6" plate is hit, there is the option of shooting the 4" plate - or the 6" or the 8" plates.
• If shooter misses a 6" or 4" plate, he/she has to back up to the next larger plate.
• Before each shot, the shooter must declare which target is being engaged to the spotter on glass.
• Ideally, two ROs per target set are needed: one on glass and one to record each shot's score on a designed-for-purpose score sheet which speeds up and clarifies recording.
• A perfect score is 147. The guys that drove all the way down from Maine to help run and participate in this match said an average score is in low-mid 50s. The guy who won that day shot an 80; median score was 45. Keep in mind that, no matter how good the marksman and rifle, no matter how much is paid for the best .22LR match ammo, no matter how perfect the weather conditions - hitting a 4" plate at 300 yards with a .22 involves luck as well as skill.

IMPRESSIONS:

• It was fun, but there was too much down time. We had 36 shooters and two target/RO sets. With each shooter taking 4-ish minutes to set up, shoot 10 rounds, and clear the bench, it took around six hours to get everyone through. I would suggest one plate set for each 10-12 shooters, but that would be logistically more difficult.
• Running the match on a "tee time" basis would help greatly - for example, set start times on the hour, 20 minutes after, and 40 minutes after, with 4-5 shooters scheduled for each slot. Of course, this approach would pretty much eliminate any post-match awards presentation. To offset that, the match could be run as a series with an end-of-season gathering.
• Or, of course, just limit the number of shooters. I'm not sure I'd go back to a match with, essentially, 18 shooters on a squad.

 

[6.5SH]

Yeah, 1 rack and 10 shooters can take about ~4 hours. The kit from shootingtargets7.com is pretty cheap though if wanted more.

 

[pronelife]

Confirming your ammo performance at 300yds before the match saves stress on match day.

 

[DrSquall]

I have done 4 or so here in OK. We now have 3 setups so it goes much faster. We do it different because we also do 100,200,300. Target size is adjusted down in size at the closer ranges to make it more challenging. I really enjoy but at times the wind will humble you.

 

[bostonbullit]

What size targets did you use for 200?

 

[WeeHooker]

What size targets did you use for 200?

We are getting ready to run our first long range rimfire match here in SE MA. We are debating weather to run a standard Long Gong format to the establish rules or run the first one at a shorter distance with a little less challange. While the goal is to eventually settle on Long Gong, we are thinking that more than a few potential participants arn't going to have the level of equipment ( Rifle or scope) and or wind reading skills needed to compete. ( It takes roughly 55 MOA to compensate for the 12.5' drop with std velocity ammo at 300.) Testing on our range has me thinking that a COF of 200yds with 7",5",3" and 1.5" gongs might be the sweet spot to get people to try /get hooked. That should ease equipemt requirements (only 22 MOA required) , allow everyone to hit something yet not be something that even a good shooter is going to clean. We have 3 full sets of 1/4" targets ( from 10" to 1/2" for flexability) so I'm hoping we can cut the wait time down. Likely will also do 3 vs 5 rounds through in the first match. The goal is to get people interested enogh to return/get involved. Long wait times and /or a 75% miss rate would not be helpful in getting them to come back.

 

[WeeHooker]

I have done 4 or so here in OK. We now have 3 setups so it goes much faster. We do it different because we also do 100,200,300. Target size is adjusted down in size at the closer ranges to make it more challenging. I really enjoy but at times the wind will humble you.

I'd like to hear more on what you do at 200 and 100.

 

[King_beardsly]

We are getting ready to run our first long range rimfire match here in SE MA. We are debating weather to run a standard Long Gong format to the establish rules or run the first one at a shorter distance with a little less challange. While the goal is to eventually settle on Long Gong, we are thinking that more than a few potential participants arn't going to have the level of equipment ( Rifle or scope) and or wind reading skills needed to compete. ( It takes roughly 55 MOA to compensate for the 12.5' drop with std velocity ammo at 300.) Testing on our range has me thinking that a COF of 200yds with 7",5",3" and 1.5" gongs might be the sweet spot to get people to try /get hooked. That should ease equipemt requirements (only 22 MOA required) , allow everyone to hit something yet not be something that even a good shooter is going to clean. We have 3 full sets of 1/4" targets ( from 10" to 1/2" for flexability) so I'm hoping we can cut the wait time down. Likely will also do 3 vs 5 rounds through in the first match. The goal is to get people interested enogh to return/get involved. Long wait times and /or a 75% miss rate would not be helpful in getting them to come back.

Where is SE MA? Because I’m on the NY/CT border by Danbury, so depending on where the match is, it’s just a rip up I84 for me.

 

[bostonbullit]

We are getting ready to run our first long range rimfire match here in SE MA. We are debating weather to run a standard Long Gong format to the establish rules or run the first one at a shorter distance with a little less challange. While the goal is to eventually settle on Long Gong, we are thinking that more than a few potential participants arn't going to have the level of equipment ( Rifle or scope) and or wind reading skills needed to compete. ( It takes roughly 55 MOA to compensate for the 12.5' drop with std velocity ammo at 300.) Testing on our range has me thinking that a COF of 200yds with 7",5",3" and 1.5" gongs might be the sweet spot to get people to try /get hooked. That should ease equipemt requirements (only 22 MOA required) , allow everyone to hit something yet not be something that even a good shooter is going to clean. We have 3 full sets of 1/4" targets ( from 10" to 1/2" for flexability) so I'm hoping we can cut the wait time down. Likely will also do 3 vs 5 rounds through in the first match. The goal is to get people interested enogh to return/get involved. Long wait times and /or a 75% miss rate would not be helpful in getting them to come back.

I would like to run a real Long Gong match to try and bring out more club members who may be put off watching us use tank traps etc during PRS but we only go out to 200 at Hopkinton, MA. We were thinking of trying something like you have setup and are debating target sizes and also thinking of putting out a KYL at 100

 

[DrSquall]

I'd like to hear more on what you do at 200 and 100.

The scoring system is the same (1,2,3).
Target sizes at 100 are 3, 2.5, 1.5
200 8,6,4

 

[WeeHooker]

I'd like to hear more on what you do at 200 and 100.

I would like to run a real Long Gong match to try and bring out more club members who may be put off watching us use tank traps etc during PRS but we only go out to 200 at Hopkinton, MA. We were thinking of trying something like you have setup and are debating target sizes and also thinking of putting out a KYL at 100

There is vendor on Ebay (HDsteeltargets) that sells a set of 11 , 1/4" AR500 gongs that range from 1/2" to 8" for $62. The targets move well enough at 300 and even better at 200. The nice thing with this set is that they (when used with an 11" hook) is that they can be swapped out mixed/matched in seconds to help you experiment with getting the size right. They can even be swapped/flipped mid match if needed. FWIW, we initially set up the 8,6 and 4" at 300 , the 7,5,and 3 at 200 and lastly the 2 , 1 and .5" at 100 as we experimented. (One set did it all) . Honestly, the conduit and 11" hooks cost more than the targets. Also FWIW, after multiple tests, we settled on 7', 5", 3" and 1.5" is about ideal at 200. 7" allows even the squirrel rifle guys to hit some while the 1.5" challanges the Vudoo crowd on most days.

That said, Hopkington isn't more than 90 min from me (down East in the New Bedford Area.). I'd be interested in coming by if you decide to have a match. I might even be able to bring some targets up to help out.

 

[WeeHooker]

Where is SE MA? Because I’m on the NY/CT border by Danbury, so depending on where the match is, it’s just a rip up I84 for me.

I'm about as far away as you could get within MA. Likely a 4+ hr ride to the New Bedford area by the cape. My bet is that there is/will be somebody running a match much closer if you hunt around. Maybe ask over on the Long Gong Facebook page.

 

[WeeHooker]

The scoring system is the same (1,2,3).
Target sizes at 100 are 3, 2.5, 1.5
200 8,6,4

and do you find those target sizes to be the right mix of keeping it achevable (aka fun) and yet challanging?

 

[Mongo68]

My range just did a combo long gong. Rimfire at 200,300,300. Then centerfire at 300,500,600. It was a lot of fun and I’d do it again.

 

[King_beardsly]

I'm about as far away as you could get within MA. Likely a 4+ hr ride to the New Bedford area by the cape. My bet is that there is/will be somebody running a match much closer if you hunt around. Maybe ask over on the Long Gong Facebook page.

That’s definitely a good haul from me, for some reason I was think something different but the cape is technically the most south east part.

 

[WeeHooker]

That’s definitely a good haul from me, for some reason I was think something different but the cape is technically the most south east part.

Yea, got that. I'm less than 30 min from the bridge to the cape. Problem being that the tourists clog the roads to/from and on the cape this time of year. I won't make the treck as close as I am. Too bad, there are some good/active shooting clubs on the cape too.

 

[Fx51LP308]

Yea, got that. I'm less than 30 min from the bridge to the cape.

Bourne or Sagamore? I used to make that trek a ton of times from NJ/NY to Woods Hole to catch the ferry. I even recall doing it back when MA-25 had not yet been completed and you had to go through Bourne town center (and by all the merchants) which caused a huge traffic jam. Great for the merchants but horrible for those trying to catch a boat. With MA-25, the roles got reversed. Great for people goring though to the Bourne Bridge, but horrible for the merchants along US-6.

Problem being that the tourists clog the roads to/from and on the cape this time of year. I won't make the treck as close as I am. Too bad, there are some good/active shooting clubs on the cape too.

Interesting. I though you might be referring to western MA (i.e. Pittsfield). I had a college classmate from Pittsfield that was NROTC but also assisted the Station Gunny at the school with a "Riflery" course the Gunny taught at the school, sponsored by the PE dept. Those were the days, huh?!? I was invited to join m classmates pistol team for some competitions. We (as a team) beat out the Univ's campus police dept.

Somehow, I doubt that course is taught anymore.

 

[Hoser]

We will be putting a few targets out at 300 yards as a side match for this months regular rimfire match.

12 inch target is worth one point.
9 inch target is worth two points.
6 inch target is worth three points.

You get 15 rounds to score as many points as you can.

 

[WeeHooker]

We will be putting a few targets out at 300 yards as a side match for this months regular rimfire match.

12 inch target is worth one point.
9 inch target is worth two points.
6 inch target is worth three points.

You get 15 rounds to score as many points as you can.

That's a good idea. Something I've considered as well. When we run our 200 yd match, I'm thinking we set up a similar 300 target set and have a side "sniper match" $5 to enter. Highest score in 10 rounds ( our leagal mag size limit) takes home 1/2 the sniper match till. That would generate $ for the club AND give the shooters in the que something to do while they wait the 30-45 min to get on the 200 yd line again.

 

[lash]

This is a timely discussion for me.
I just purchased a set for an option for those that are either less mobile or turned off by PRS22 matches.

I like the idea of 100, 200, 300 yard options. I think I’ll also consider the shooting format used by most ELR matches wherein you require three shooters on the line at once. After the shooter before you finishes firing, they have one minute to clear out at which time the next shooter prepares to fire. And etc…

Having run KLY racks at my PRS22 matches for years now, I think I’ll use 3”,2”,1” at 100 yards.

I might also have a separate side gallery for those shooters not on the line who want to have some fun.

This has me thinking now.

 

[WeeHooker]

When I started my interest in "precission .22" some 4 years ago, I figured I'd shoot the (new to the area) PRS matchs being run at my club. After observing one match, I realized my old bones were just not up to the arobics of positional shooting. From there, i started shooting mainly by myself and from a bench at KYL targets and various other reactive targets. Before long, I was drawing attention to people who were intreagued. Not much longer after thant, I had near a dozen or so guys interested enough in this kind of shooting that they ended up putting togeather their own fleet of CZ and Bergara rifles. These days, we have as many as 20 shooters at our monthly matchs where we shoot all kinds of targets from 25 to 100 yds. ( KYL"s, Reverse KYL's, dueling trees, lollypops, paint balls, q tips...........). We are not shooting to any standard set of rules, just plagerizing and improvising to keep the shooting fun for all levels. Rules almost always change from match to match to keep it fresh and challaging. The message there is that if it's fun and achevable for the average shooter ( which are admittedly getting older like myself) , they will come. I figure the 200 and 300 yd long range stuff is just the next iteration of that fun. It's going to bring those same people in and likely a few more. The rabbit hole would be a lonely place if you had to stay down there by yourself.

 

[lash]

When I started my interest in "precission .22" some 4 years ago, I figured I'd shoot the (new to the area) PRS matchs being run at my club. After observing one match, I realized my old bones were just not up to the arobics of positional shooting. From there, i started shooting mainly by myself and from a bench at KYL targets and various other reactive targets. Before long, I was drawing attention to people who were intreagued. Not much longer after thant, I had near a dozen or so guys interested enough in this kind of shooting that they ended up putting togeather their own fleet of CZ and Bergara rifles. These days, we have as many as 20 shooters at our monthly matchs where we shoot all kinds of targets from 25 to 100 yds. ( KYL"s, Reverse KYL's, dueling trees, lollypops, paint balls, q tips...........). We are not shooting to any standard set of rules, just plagerizing and improvising to keep the shooting fun for all levels. Rules almost always change from match to match to keep it fresh and challaging. The message there is that if it's fun and achevable for the average shooter ( which are admittedly getting older like myself) , they will come. I figure the 200 and 300 yd long range stuff is just the next iteration of that fun. It's going to bring those same people in and likely a few more. The rabbit hole would be a lonely place if you had to stay down there by yourself.

I like this.