Getting started in some long range competition???

gth

gth

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Close to North Bay, Ontario
I have long since thought about trying out the long range game, but really never had the proper equipment or new how to get started. (Turns out I still have neither.:)

Is there any links someone could provide that may give a prospective shooter a look at the different disciplines/orgs/procedures involved in LR shooting competition. I hear all kinds of talk of the different Classes ("F" and so on) but have no Idea what they are about.

Also if someone from around North Bay is into LR stuff I would love to tag along for a shoot to get a look at how it goes. Ideally, if there is a shoot that has a "Hunters" class of sorts that I could participate in I would really enjoy giving it a try. I have a few rifle I could use to get started, if it turns out I enjoy it I would definetly get the proper gear to compete.

Any kind of general info provided will be appreciated.
 
If you're serious about long range shooting, join the ORA (Ontario Rifle Association) http://63.89.55.16/ora/ They provide long range target shooting, precision rifle (sniper), F-Class and service rifle. In addtion, there's an active long range black powder program and military rifle program. The main ranges are CFB Borden (Barrie), Connaught Ranges in Ottawa, CFB Kingston, Cedar Springs(near Chatham) and Winona (near Stoney Creek).
 
+1 join the ORA. I started in the middle of the season last year, and found them to be a great bunch of people who actually want new members and go out of their way to make them feel welcome. They are competitive but safe, very friendly and well organized. They take their equipment seriously but not to the point of excluding anybody, so not to worry if you don't have all the long range gear. They even have a sub-class F(M) for "mass produced" rifles which allows you to be competitive with an "out of the box" rifle.

My first time at one of their events I showed up with a rifle / scope that I had never shot much less zeroed. Since most of my match shooting prior to this was IPSC I was aghast when it was announced that "we will start at 600 yards". :eek: But they were very helpful, and set me up with my own target and two people (including one guy who turned out to be a *very* accomplished long range shooter) to help me get on paper, following which I joined the regular relays.

Later in the season I attended an Intro Day which included a briefing on the ORA & DCRA, procedures and shooting disciplines, plus range time using either your rifle and ammunition *or* theirs *or* some of each. It also included their Handbook (developed by MilCun) with almost 100 pages (6" x 8.5") of material on long range shooting. Highly recommended.

This season they are running a series of "Long Range Training" workshops which are taught and coached by experienced shooters. The first workshop was mainly on scopes and rifle fit, and included classroom and range time to help each participant learn about equipment adjustments and performance.

The second workshop is at an indoor club / range in Burlington and I think the third is at Borden. Not super handy if you are in North Bay but well worth the trip if you can manage it. If you can't attend, check out their website and order the Handbook, and make plans to attend one of the Intro Days in the spring. If you are trying to choose a rifle, page 24 of the Handbook has a chart summarizing the suitability of various rifles for each of the long range events and programs.

Good luck.

Snapshot
 
+2 on the ORA. I just mailed in my first membership renewal. All of the guys I have met have been more than helpful and very friendly. I can't wait for the 06 shooting season to start.
 
I am glad you re-new Dakota, you can probably car pool with us this year with the old farts to other events and do some long range shooting event;) :cool:
 
Sounds good to me. I am in the same boat as you just need that damn new rifle to show up. Really how long can it take to make one @#$%^@ rifle and ship it across the Atlantic. I was looking at my deposit receipt the other day ordered on May 31st 2005.
 
It takes a long time to knit a rifle action using knitting needles and steel wool.:p

Syxx15, I hope you are not talking about me when you are saying old farts:eek:
 
Thanks guys,

Its a little discouraging that there are only a few ranges that hold these events and they are all pretty far. But I'm definetly interested in trying it, so I will definetly get that new scheduel printed out and try to make it to a shoot.
 
gth said:
Thanks guys,

Its a little discouraging that there are only a few ranges that hold these events and they are all pretty far. But I'm definetly interested in trying it, so I will definetly get that new scheduel printed out and try to make it to a shoot.
Click to expand...

Get a few friends involved and car pool it. Get to one of the Introductory Days. You don't even have to bring a rifle, we will supply one:cool:
If you don't own a long range rifle yet, hold off buying one until you take in an Introductory Day. We don't sell them, but can give you suggestions, so you won't piss away your money on something that won't work.
 
maynard said:
Syxx15, I hope you are not talking about me when you are saying old farts:eek:
Click to expand...

Not at all, I was talking about the other 2 guys!!!:p :rolleyes: Well on the other hand, with that bad knee of yours. I guess you can be known as a senior now!!!:p
 
Last edited:
Hey I think I walked all but once last year, now my kit did ride a couple of times.;)
Won't be so bad as my rifle doesn't weigh as much as yours, and I only bring enough ammo for the match. Not that shooting out of 4 or 5 different ammo box's would screw me up or anything:redface:

maybe Maynard should put an electric door opener on the shop then you could drive him right in:D :D I hope his memory goes soon too, I don't want all this fun to come back and haunt me this summer.

Maynard I do hope the knee is getting better. Hey what is the lethal range and velocity on a crutch anyway. Just so I have a chance at the next visit.
 
Hahahahaha, trust me Maynards memory not all there. Espically when hes working in his shop of his!!!!!!:p He knows what I am talking about!!!!

"Now where did I put that damn thing"

I think your right though, this is both going to bite us in the ass when the season starts!!!!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom