Shot the Prince Albert PRS match today. I thought it was a good match with a good variety of shooting positions and stage designs that provided little challenges. There were a few minor hiccups which the match director quickly adjusted for and we carried on shooting. Attendance was a little low which permitted more socializing.
There were 5 stages with a total of eight targets per stage, two at 200 yd berm, 2 at 300 yd berm, 2 at 400 yd berm and 2 at 500 yd berm. Although the same targets were used each stage the stages had different starting positions which caused minor changes in the overall distances. Targets ranged from 4" gongs to 8"x10" plates. Total round count was 40. Winds were pretty steady around 10 mph with periods of calm and some gusts. The winds were mostly from the back with some cross winds. Each stage you fired one round at each target, hit or miss you carried on to the next target.
Stage 1 was from the benches, you fired on round and then moved two benches over and engaged the next target. You continued this until you had engaged all eight targets. You could used the benches in any manner you wanted to.
Stage 2 was a simulated roof top using a wood decked utility trailer with very little angle to it. Shooting position was very stable so I should have had some good hits but I didn't. Over compensating for the wind (I think).
Stage 3 was a V-Tac barricade with four designated shooting positions, one port and 3 levels on the outer edge of the barricade. Shooters could choose which position on the barricade they used providing they switched positions for each set of targets. This stage really sucked for me but I probably learned the most from it. I tried to put my bipod on the far side of the barricade and pull the rifle back toward me. I don't think this helped stability at all. I also choose what I thought was the hardest shooting position for the close targets and moved to the easiest position as the range increased. In hind sight I would reverse this and hope to make a few easier shots and get a couple of stage points and sacrifice the longer shots. I tubed this stage.
Stage 4 you engaged the 200 yd targets from the prone position from the weak side, the 300 and 400 yd targets from on top of a barrel on its side and the 500 yd targets from the prone position from the strong side. Awesome stage design but absolutely horrible execution on my part. I have shot several stages like this in 3 gun and at relatively short ranges at IPSC targets it's no problem. First time trying it with a bolt gun at what seemed to be tiny pieces of steel was an experience. First time shooting a bolt gun with a scope from the weak side. Wow did that suck! I will definitely be practicing this in the future.
Stage 5 you started on a bench and engaged the 200 yd targets and then moved forward and engaged the 400 yd targets (not at 400 yds anymore), the moved forward and engaged the 300 yd targets (really not at 300 yds now) and then moved forward again and engaged the 500 yd targets and you guessed it, they were no longer at 500 yds. This was my strongest stage and was similar to the military run downs I did years ago. Maybe a little muscle memory helped out.
My overall score was pretty low but most of my shooting has been off the bench or from the prone. This match definitely emphasized that I need to do a lot of practicing from odd positions. My rifle worked fine and my holdovers were good. My wind estimation was off and I was over compensating but the biggest problem was stability. I need to practice a greater variety of positions and try to figure out what works and what is comfortable.
Can't wait for the next match. Thanks to the match director and other range staff. Good day of shooting.
