What's keeping you out of Service Rifle?

If you threw out every rule that 'someone' didn't like, the rulebook gets awfully thin really really quick - I bet you could find someone that disagrees with the title page. What ever the reason you seem to hear (it's what I have, I don't want to spend the money, it's not practical, it's not real world, I don't want to be in an arms race, it's too far to drive, the entry fee is too much, it might rain, I can't run, my thumb has a booboo, etc. etc. etc.), you still need to start with something and get people engaged. The example I look at is F-Class ... while not everyone likes all of the rules, it's driven a lot of equipment and ammunition development in both FTR and FOpen, which has expanded to the point where World Championships are attracting over 400 competitors, all from starting out as a locally accepted club level rule in BC.

FTRRookie wants to get people engaged that will have a voice at the table. Unfortunately it's more so for locals to the Ottawa area, but with interest and participation, a good set of rules could be adopted that other regions could utilize. An example might be that there can be a similar 'open' class for everyone that does not want to conform to the more traditional rules, such as the CMP way. See which class attracts interest and survives. Lots of opportunity if people will step up and run with it.
 
In the world of square flat range competitions.
The CMP is trying to draw in active and retired military shooters as their exclusionary rules were limiting participation and it seems to be working.
The DCRA has had no limitations on gear for years and single digit civilian participation at nationals is the norm.
I would think the right answer is somewhere in the middle.
 
Gunnerlove said:
In the world of square flat range competitions.
The CMP is trying to draw in active and retired military shooters as their exclusionary rules were limiting participation and it seems to be working.
The DCRA has had no limitations on gear for years and single digit civilian participation at nationals is the norm.
I would think the right answer is somewhere in the middle.
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CMP is more successful because there are many local affiliated clubs that run local matches and clinics.

DCRA does not have the same affiliated club structure for the SVC program. Some of the PRAs are doing more on their own , some are not doing anything. There are absolutely NO local club level activites in any organized manner.
 
Gunnerlove said:
In the world of square flat range competitions.
The CMP is trying to draw in active and retired military shooters as their exclusionary rules were limiting participation and it seems to be working.
The DCRA has had no limitations on gear for years and single digit civilian participation at nationals is the norm.
I would think the right answer is somewhere in the middle.
Click to expand...

Short answer is that Connaught is for the locals - not many travel for it. The USA has the numbers to draw upon - we in Canada need to draw upon a reasonable course of fire and an inclusive qualification method. Agreed - a middle method needs to be landed on. The DCRA does not have the numbers and federal support that the US has (no surprise based on demographics, and the US system has a different attitude to firearms and ammo), so we should look at something inclusive of those that want to shoot basic service rifle and those that want to shoot whatever they want to shot ... coupled with the ranges that can accommodate SR competitions.

Again, a shameless F-Class plug, is that we in the west have made it a priority to travel and shoot at Connaught for the Nationals the last three years. You must have people traveling to 'outside the border' matches in order to make matches a success - otherwise they become local club matches with no national significance.
 
The ORA matches held at Connaught have a much bigger civilian turn-out than NSCC for some reason. Many young guys show up that don't show up to NSCC. Advertising probably plays a role, but I get the feeling that the bigger factor is that they like the faster pace and more dynamic nature of the CAFSAC CoF.
 
kombayotch said:
The ORA matches held at Connaught have a much bigger civilian turn-out than NSCC for some reason. Many young guys show up that don't show up to NSCC. Advertising probably plays a role, but I get the feeling that the bigger factor is that they like the faster pace and more dynamic nature of the CAFSAC CoF.
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I think matches 1-12 (takes 1 day) and the CAFSAC matches (takes 2 days) over 3 days would be one hell of a competition. 2 classes, Service and Open, and run it on a Friday-Sunday. Lots of shooting, fast paced and any ones game till the end.
 
ORA CAFSAC CoF takes 1.5 days. It is always done by noon Sunday. CQB matches take 1/2 day. CAFSAC CoF + CQB over 2 days would be popular. Nearly 400 rounds fired over 2 days. That's something the "Call of Duty" generation would turn out for!
 
But it has to be worth the days on the road or grand in airfare to get there. I think 3 days and 320 rounds on score is pretty Goldilocks.

Not arguing against the above, agreeing.
 
Or do what the PRS does and make the Friday a train-up that is optional. A chance to learn from more experienced shooters draws out the newbies, helps cut down on the fear factor of the match. People who can only get the weekend off just show up for the match days on the weekend. People fly all over for those matches.

On military teams, new shooters get training. Civies don't get any training before a match. They do through CMP. That's also likely a factor in low civilian turnout...
 
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Could run CAFSAC for 1.5 days. CQB afternoon of the Second day. Stage II for SR morning of day 3, presentation to follow.

Would likely increase Civilian participation from the Ottawa area at least which is now zero.

CAFSAC CofF also favors duty type ARs, (less rounds at distance) and does not involve the archaic practice of calling scores back by radio which works poorly, kills all momentum of the event and makes me pull out my hair.
 
kombayotch said:
The radioing the scores back routine is just painful!
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They do that because they are not willing to draw more targets and score down at the butt.

I don't mind the old 1-12, but sighters are unnecessary before every single match. If they cross out all the sighters for rapid and snap( and stop radioing the score), it will be done in a day.

I actually like the old run down, much more physical and demanding.

I used to sun bath and nap at the range back in the days, that was how much time wasted in the old 1-12.
 
The reality is if you want to get these young guys to come out and shoot it has to be a high tempo match with minimum downtime. They want to fire a lot of rounds in a short period of time. And they like matches are very dynamic not static like an old TR match.

If you want new civilians to come out, give them a training day the day before the match starts. Many civilians don't want to go out there because they have no clue what they're doing and they have nobody to teach them.
 
Bolivar said:
As for training....it is a national championship. PRA matches should be the training. The event should be the event IMO.
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Most of the PRAs don't even have a SR program. They can't be relied upon for training. Yes, it's a national event and if you want civilians to attend from all parts of the country (not just Ontario and BC) then you need to give them some assistance. They aren't just going to fly to a big match and jump into it. They also aren't going to fly out to a bunch of one day clinics that are spread out in the spring. Having a training day before the match lets new shooters from areas that don't have SR come to the match and get some guidance before they shoot it. It costs them an extra hotel night for the training and not an entire trip.
 
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