Re: Monthly Sporting Rifle match RATON NM
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">NOTE NO AR-15s for the match or practice.</div></div>
I believe this rule is now obsolete. Chuck?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Distances are given but for the critical shots you'll want to range them yourself.</div></div>
There is no need. The ranges are on within 5 yards for all targets, verified with multiple LRFs of different brands. All the targets can and have been hit using the written distances.
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The target distances are known and you get to do some ranging/note taking before the 3 minutes starts. A field sketch is given for each station but you are not to write on it. Targets are taken in the order of your choosing. You can make a field sketch but you need to be expedient. The clock starts when you fire your first shot. You will make dope changes and locate targets on the clock.
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To add on this, I strongly recommend planning to do nothing but plunk down and shoot. If you, individually, or as a squad, mess around before your respective "3 minutes" start, you will get behind schedule and eventually slow the whole match down.
An experienced SRM shooter on your squad will visually point out the targets as you arrive at the stage. You don't need a field sketch or any notes. Watch how he shoots the stage, particularly where he shoots from (within the "arms reach" radius from the position stake) in order to see and engage all targets. When it's your turn, all you need is to remember where the targets were. Let your spotter know your order, and when your last shot is done, he'll read you the next range. It can be very quick.
Most of the experienced SRM shooters have no setup/screw-around time as the squad arrives at the stage (assuming no backups) and each finish shooting in 80-95 seconds (ie, about half the time or less). The next guy is ready to go as soon as the last shooter picks his rifle up out of the dirt.
I emphasize this because time is of the essence for several reasons.
1. As this match grows and we have 40+ people on a regular basis, that means 10 squads of 4-5 shooters each. If one squad gets behind the whole match (everyone behind them in the rotation) get backed up. Due to travel requirements, nobody wants to get out of there at 5pm or later. An efficient squad of 4 should be able to shoot the entire match in 3.5 hours or less, assuming no backups. The more efficient each shooter and squad is, the more people can shoot this match each month.
2. It is in your best interest to shoot efficiently. Since you don't get any "sighters" or extra shots, a majority of your wind feedback comes from what you observed from your last shot. The more time you take, the more the wind can change over your string of 6 shots. Additionally, shooter performance typically degrades the more time you're out in the field or on the trail.