Picking a first PRS two day match

[King_beardsly]

If you were shooting your first two day match which would you choose… war rifles shootout or sheepdog showdown? Both are about the same distance from me to travel to and both have solid reputation for being a good time, the showdown “qualifier” match and the shootout standard two day.

I haven’t actually shot a full match season in a while, so I’m not expecting to set the world on fire and running a 223 for tac division definitely put me at a disadvantage but it’s all about having fun right. I have other caliber options but I don’t really want to switch up stuff and end up screwing my self up one way or another.

 

[BenE]

War certainly has the better range, it’s nice and spread out over mostly level ground. Sheepdog can be tight and plan to hang out on a 30* slope for 3-4 stages each day

 

[OREGUN]

Silent Night.

Or if you don’t like the dark, Ruger-Koenig. It’s the best range in the PRS.

 

[King_beardsly]

Silent Night.

Or if you don’t like the dark, Ruger-Koenig. It’s the best range in the PRS.

Maybe next year, I’ve heard awesome things about the Ruger-Koenig match from a few people.

 

[sidetoss20]

Of the 2, WAR is a way more impressive range.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Pigg River has the Ham match which is a great match

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

War hands down. Sheepdog is already sold out so good luck. Ham is very new shooter unfriendly as well. 70-90 second stages. I don't get why people rave about it, it was not a great match and you can tell the difference between matches run by pro shooters and those who aren't. VPRC is a much better match at the same venue. Your best bet would be the VPRC next March. Clinton house down in SC was also a great match.

You can shoot like 10 good local matches for the cost of a 2 day, especially running .223 at some of the local matches that don't go past 6-750.

Where are you located? If your willing to travel there are certain matches that are fun and worth the flight as well.

 

[Lightning8]

Pigg River has the Ham match which is a great match

That might be a humbling first 2 day.

 

[King_beardsly]

War hands down. Sheepdog is already sold out so good luck. Ham is very new shooter unfriendly as well. 70-90 second stages. I don't get why people rave about it, it was not a great match and you can tell the difference between matches run by pro shooters and those who aren't. VPRC is a much better match at the same venue. Your best bet would be the VPRC next March. Clinton house down in SC was also a great match.

You can shoot like 10 good local matches for the cost of a 2 day, especially running .223 at some of the local matches that don't go past 6-750.

Where are you located? If your willing to travel there are certain matches that are fun and worth the flight as well.

I’m in NY on the CT border, so sheepdog is my usual range for matches along with granby in MA but there new laws have made it a little sketchy since they are so ambiguous. I’m willing to travel if I could get some people local to me that are willing to drive to matches that are with in 8 or so hours of driving. I think war is right around 3 hours from me, so that might become a new spot for matches since it’s only a hour longer drive that sheepdog or granby.

I RO’d the first showdown match and it was experience see how everything was getting done but that was the first two day match there, so I chalked up some stuff to growing pains. The VPRC match definitely looks like a good time and I believe a few guys from my region went down, so maybe I’ll talk to them and see if I can tag along next go.

I was both those locations only went out to 6-750 but both push out to 1000 and I haven’t found any local outlaw matches so I’m stuck paying $60ish per match

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Right on. I shoot with some guys that live up there (CT,NY) so you probably know them too.

$60 is cheap for a match nowadays honestly. Prices are creeping up. The main cost is travel. Take a day or two off work, 2-3 nights of hotels, fuel, food, 250-300 rounds of ammo. If your flying add flight, baggage fees and rental car. I'm flying to WA this week to shoot a match. Will end up costing about $2k all said and done. You can shoot a ton of one days for that cost.

WAR and sheepdog both have one days. MDPRS matches in Lancaster, PA and Lewistown, PA , Westminister MD have matches as well. I wish there were more venues in the North East and New England but its pretty limited.

You should RO Sheepdog this year if you are free. I'm sure Mike would love the help.

 

[King_beardsly]

Right on. I shoot with some guys that live up there (CT,NY) so you probably know them too.

$60 is cheap for a match nowadays honestly. Prices are creeping up. The main cost is travel. Take a day or two off work, 2-3 nights of hotels, fuel, food, 250-300 rounds of ammo. If your flying add flight, baggage fees and rental car. I'm flying to WA this week to shoot a match. Will end up costing about $2k all said and done. You can shoot a ton of one days for that cost.

WAR and sheepdog both have one days. MDPRS matches in Lancaster, PA and Lewistown, PA , Westminister MD have matches as well. I wish there were more venues in the North East and New England but its pretty limited.

You should RO Sheepdog this year if you are free. I'm sure Mike would love the help.

It’s very possible, and it seems a lot of the guys around here have been venturing out to more pro matches this season.

The prices are definitely creeping up, which is a shame but everything is going up in price so it’s to be expected. That’s what has always discouraged me from doing the two days matches, they are pretty cost prohibitive when you start adding everything but there are enough on this side of the country that it’s possible to make three to see where you stand in the grand scheme.

I’ve been so lacking in shooting matches this season between family obligations and not wanting to deal with the new laws in MA that I’m going to have travel further than usual for one days to make the three scores for the regional finals. So the WAR and a few others are on the radar for the next few months since there are limited stuff in the New England region and I don’t really want to drive the NH.

I might talk to Mike and see if he needs help again this year, I was supposed to RO last year but ended up having Covid run through my house and didn’t want to risk getting other people sick.