Meaford Long Range Steel Challenge (2-day PRS points race match)
- Thread starter kombayotch
- Start date
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a Savage with a blind magazine. Would make due with it.....
I'm in...give me a date and I'll be there...
I think some of you are placing too much emphasis on the rifle for PRS shooting.
From what I saw, having a light recoiling rifle had a significant advantage over the 308s because the shooter could call his own shots. 223s and 6mms had an edge in this regard. Rule says nobody can be "on glass" while you're shooting so no feedback if you can't call your own shots.
One of the guys in our squad came in 20th place with just a factory Remmy and floor plate with a 1 inch scope, so the rifle was nothing special and his hand loads were just thrown, not even weighed.
Strategy also plays a large part. Some guys wouldn't waste time on some of the long range "sucker" targets. Instead they used more time on short range more makeable shots. 90 seconds to break off 9 shots with 3 each at distances like 350 yards, 550 yards and 760 yards is moving quickly, so you have to prioritize your efforts. Few guys would get all their shots off, never mind actually hit something. On many events a score of 1 or 2 was a good score and a 4 was great.
The most important thing without exception is that you need to have good zeros from 100 to 1700 yards.
It's a pain for most of us to find a place to get such zeros but you gotta have them if you want to doo well. Again strategy can come into play even here. If you have good zeros to 800 yards, you'll have what you need for the "more makeable" targets. Your strategy may be to forget making a real effort at the longer shots.
Oh ya, one event had us shooting out to 1640 yards and that turned out to kill 4 scopes in a squad of 15 shooters. Cranking your scope that high takes the pressure off the internal springs and the recoil moves them. After that everything went south. In my opinion many of us would have been better off to crank to 1000 yards on the scope and then just hold high, this would at least protect the scope and keep you in the game... You know ... live to fight another day.
Knowing hold offs was also critical. Having mil dots with moa clicks was a death sentence. The clicks had to match the reticle and FFP was a clear advantage because you'd zoom a lot.
Think a little like a golfer... we all want a monster drive but its the short game that makes your score.
From what I saw, having a light recoiling rifle had a significant advantage over the 308s because the shooter could call his own shots. 223s and 6mms had an edge in this regard. Rule says nobody can be "on glass" while you're shooting so no feedback if you can't call your own shots.
One of the guys in our squad came in 20th place with just a factory Remmy and floor plate with a 1 inch scope, so the rifle was nothing special and his hand loads were just thrown, not even weighed.
Strategy also plays a large part. Some guys wouldn't waste time on some of the long range "sucker" targets. Instead they used more time on short range more makeable shots. 90 seconds to break off 9 shots with 3 each at distances like 350 yards, 550 yards and 760 yards is moving quickly, so you have to prioritize your efforts. Few guys would get all their shots off, never mind actually hit something. On many events a score of 1 or 2 was a good score and a 4 was great.
The most important thing without exception is that you need to have good zeros from 100 to 1700 yards.
It's a pain for most of us to find a place to get such zeros but you gotta have them if you want to doo well. Again strategy can come into play even here. If you have good zeros to 800 yards, you'll have what you need for the "more makeable" targets. Your strategy may be to forget making a real effort at the longer shots.
Oh ya, one event had us shooting out to 1640 yards and that turned out to kill 4 scopes in a squad of 15 shooters. Cranking your scope that high takes the pressure off the internal springs and the recoil moves them. After that everything went south. In my opinion many of us would have been better off to crank to 1000 yards on the scope and then just hold high, this would at least protect the scope and keep you in the game... You know ... live to fight another day.
Knowing hold offs was also critical. Having mil dots with moa clicks was a death sentence. The clicks had to match the reticle and FFP was a clear advantage because you'd zoom a lot.
Think a little like a golfer... we all want a monster drive but its the short game that makes your score.
Last edited:
While a lighter recoil rifle certainly helps, recoil management also plays a large role. It's a critical skill for being able to spot your own shots regardless of caliber and it's a skill that gets neglected or is never developed if you're always relying on spotters and shot makers to tell you where your shots are going. Some techniques may produce nice small groups, but will not allow you to spot your shots.
[youtube]Ndc_NVGEt24[/youtube]
The match winner won the ELR match a few weeks prior to MLRSC with a 300 Norma. That was a match where the nearest targets were at 500 and the furthers was at 1900. He had to spot his own shots in that match as well. Often shooting off of things. He had to manage the recoil on that 300 Norma to do it, and as you saw, he isn't a big guy.
We are still working on booking a range for the fall. But, it doesn't look like we will be able to bring the CORE instructors up till the spring. We would really like to do that because there are a lot of skills taught in the courses down there that don't seem to be taught here that are critical for succeeding in this type of match.
[youtube]Ndc_NVGEt24[/youtube]
The match winner won the ELR match a few weeks prior to MLRSC with a 300 Norma. That was a match where the nearest targets were at 500 and the furthers was at 1900. He had to spot his own shots in that match as well. Often shooting off of things. He had to manage the recoil on that 300 Norma to do it, and as you saw, he isn't a big guy.
We are still working on booking a range for the fall. But, it doesn't look like we will be able to bring the CORE instructors up till the spring. We would really like to do that because there are a lot of skills taught in the courses down there that don't seem to be taught here that are critical for succeeding in this type of match.
This recoil management video is interesting in theory but plays out very differently in practice.
Many events were staged to keep the shooters in uncomfortable positions, which made the above very difficult if you didn't have the flexibility of a 20 year old ballerina. Some guys had it but most didn't.
One trick among the top shooters is support gear such a pillows that strap to their caves or chest that gave them support.
Another was padding strapped to the fore end.
There are lots of little tricks that you see guys use to gain support.
Its physically demanding and if you aren't in good shape you will be hurting at the end of the day... and worse by the end of the third day. But that wont stop me from going back. It was just plain fun even if I needed a week to recover.
Many events were staged to keep the shooters in uncomfortable positions, which made the above very difficult if you didn't have the flexibility of a 20 year old ballerina. Some guys had it but most didn't.
One trick among the top shooters is support gear such a pillows that strap to their caves or chest that gave them support.
Another was padding strapped to the fore end.
There are lots of little tricks that you see guys use to gain support.
Its physically demanding and if you aren't in good shape you will be hurting at the end of the day... and worse by the end of the third day. But that wont stop me from going back. It was just plain fun even if I needed a week to recover.
Last edited:
Recoil management is very much real and works in pactice when executed properly.
If you look at the standings you'll see a few pretty heavy guys in there that are neither in shape nor flexible. Yet they still manage to place high and even win matches that are heavy in barricade shooting. Its about finding techniques that work for you.
Support is definitely a necessity. Whenever possible, support the rifle at two point as far apart as possible. Two points can be some combination of the buttstock, forend, bipod, scope or mag. Use corners and sides of things if you can.
Whenever possible support your torso in some way. Putting a bag between your heels and butt is one method. Another is to put your rear bag under your ankle and then sit on your heel.
If you look at the standings you'll see a few pretty heavy guys in there that are neither in shape nor flexible. Yet they still manage to place high and even win matches that are heavy in barricade shooting. Its about finding techniques that work for you.
Support is definitely a necessity. Whenever possible, support the rifle at two point as far apart as possible. Two points can be some combination of the buttstock, forend, bipod, scope or mag. Use corners and sides of things if you can.
Whenever possible support your torso in some way. Putting a bag between your heels and butt is one method. Another is to put your rear bag under your ankle and then sit on your heel.
Some good info in this article:
http://www.longrangeonly.com/prs-making-better-hunter-lro-editor-billy-george/
http://www.longrangeonly.com/prs-making-better-hunter-lro-editor-billy-george/
Canadian Tire sells DeWalt brand knee pads $25 that I recommend very highly for PRS shooting. If you don't like the tacky yellow label you can cut the threads they use to sew it on. (I did) With label removed these are very similar to the popular ALTA brand knee pads that are impossible to find locally.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dewalt-heavy-duty-hard-cap-kneepad-0550144p.html#srp
You would be wise to purchase a pair, or even some cool tactical brand if you prefer because your knees will take a beating as well as your clothing.
On that note, elbow pads are also highly recommended.
Wear them outside your clothing to protect your clothing. Some guys (if you looked closely) were wearing them under their clothes, which saved their elbows and knees but not their shirt and pants.
The first day was a prone position sight in day laying on concrete covered with fine gravel. When a 308 recoils in the prone position and drives your elbow into the gravel, you will regret not having elbow pads. After the sight in day I went to Canadian Tire and bought some hockey elbow pads but they were white and clearly not tacticool but hey, better than nuthin.
If you prefer something more incognito to wear under your clothes, try this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IHC66R4?psc=1
.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/dewalt-heavy-duty-hard-cap-kneepad-0550144p.html#srp
You would be wise to purchase a pair, or even some cool tactical brand if you prefer because your knees will take a beating as well as your clothing.
On that note, elbow pads are also highly recommended.
Wear them outside your clothing to protect your clothing. Some guys (if you looked closely) were wearing them under their clothes, which saved their elbows and knees but not their shirt and pants.
The first day was a prone position sight in day laying on concrete covered with fine gravel. When a 308 recoils in the prone position and drives your elbow into the gravel, you will regret not having elbow pads. After the sight in day I went to Canadian Tire and bought some hockey elbow pads but they were white and clearly not tacticool but hey, better than nuthin.
If you prefer something more incognito to wear under your clothes, try this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IHC66R4?psc=1
.
Last edited:
We have sent in the request for a range on Nov. 5th. Will start a new post once it is formally approved with details about pricing and numbers. This will not be a formal clinic. It will be run as a practice with several of us giving instruction.
