Which way to go???

retepnosflow

retepnosflow

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I searched & read a multitude of threads where guys were looking for advice on their particular gun build for long range, Benchrest, F-class etc etc if there is many other options beyond this.
But I thought to myself what is it that I want to do, compete, plink, long range competition, F-Class and could not figure out what it is I want to move on to or why......I know this is sort of leaving things open for discussion but that is why I ask you guys what you like best about what you do.....you know, so I can listen to others experiences good or bad. I figured this would be a better way to get away from the regular what kind of gun do I want to build thread & pick the brains of others as to why they like that certain style of shooting so to speak or why not is also an explanation option.
Just so you guys understand where I'm coming from I have pondered the long range thing and bugged guys like Rick online as well as others with Caliber questions. Eventually I went and bought 200 once fired 338lapua Brass thinking this will get me off my butt and out there with the highpowers but I never did and now I question why is it I wanted to go that big, is it the Horsepower factor.....cause I'm not the best shooter as it is, I'm OK but have shot with way better who can handle the big stuff.
Up till now I have shot a multitude of Calibers like 223, 22-250, 257, 270, 308, 30-378 & 338 so it's not the gun I'm interested in knowing about, it's the Discipline or style so to speak that I'm curious about & why do you like it the best???.
 
I compete in F class.

I love LR shooting and wildcatting. Gun tech, experimenting and trying out new ideas or pushing the boundaries of accepted practise is great fun.

There is no better selection of great rigs with their story then the Gun of the Week collection on 6mmBR.com I really can't think of a discipline that is not featured.

My idea of a better mousetrap for F class is Gun of the Week #75.

Another new 'mousetrap' is in the works and should make noise in a while.

Best suggestion is to go to the various matches and see what they are all about.

If you can, see if someone will let you try their gear on a practise night or fun match.

The only way to know if you are going to like something is to get out there and burn some powder.

Don't forget to include action shooting sports and Shotgun games. They are alot of fun too.

I have been lucky enough to try a wide range of stuff over the years. ALL was fun but I find F class to be my thing these days.

However, I just got a Norc M4 and there is a local IPSC range.....

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
However, I just got a Norc M4 and there is a local IPSC range.....

Jerry
Click to expand...

Ironic, when your business motto is "When accuracy counts" :p:D:stirthepot2:

I also concur with Jerry that you have to try out different disciplines to see which one is your thing. I'm just getting into F-Class, and I also like shooting clays; these two things are vastly different but each has its own attractiveness. You just have to get out there and shoot some ammo :ar15::ar15:
 
mysticplayer said:
I compete in F class.
However, I just got a Norc M4 and there is a local IPSC range.....
Jerry
Click to expand...

Try the following drill 5 or 6 times and then tell me you didn't have fun:
The D-drill is a single 8in target at 50yds.
-Start in the low ready, with 5 rounds in the gun (one in chamber/4 in mag) and 2 spare 5 round mags.
-On the buzzer fire five rounds, reload as you go to kneeling, 5 kneeling, reload on the way to prone, 5 prone.
-Par time is 25 seconds with all 15 rounds in the 8in circle.

Hardest part is pressing when the sight picture is "good enough" instead of waiting for "great":

Video of someone shooting par:

htt p://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i188/shooter521/EAG%20Carbine%202008/video/?action=view&current=DSCF0284.flv
 
I started shooting when I was a kid. I loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed plinking, shoooting any vermin I could find, and anything I could make "react". I got ito the army and did lots of shooting, both as part of the trade, and as part of competitions within the military. I did the handgun thing for a long time, and I finally settled upon F-Class.

This is a long-distance sport (out to 1000 yards) that combines the technical aspects of reloading precision with using the right equipment and ultimately the skill of learning to shoot these distances. It is addicitive. Every range is completely different. You may "master" one rifle range, but go to another and you will find the conditions are completely different.

One of the fringe benefits of this sport has been connecting with dozens of experts, and I mean EXPERTS on every aspect of long range precision shooting. Barrel makers, gun-builders and superlative long distance shooters all participate. Funny enough, many of these guys rarely - if ever - post on internet forums. One of the most talented long-distance shooters I know does not even own a computer! They have no time for arguing their points of view, they just shake their heads at us - and our BS - and shoot. The sport attracts like-minded shooters, and it is the most laid-back fun-oriented bunch you'll ever meet. None of the clique nonsense, none of the pretentiousness, and an incredibly welcoming bunch of people.

By hanging around these guys, I learned to bypass the tendency to experiment with crap, and to learn form the lessons these guys learned for me. Equipment, componenets, optics, calibers etc. These guys know what works. In these times, it is also important to think in terms of economy. Powder, bullets and primers are hard to find! Sticking with a proven combination makes the need to have a magazine full of different - and hard to acquire - powders and bullets much less important.

F-Class is a Canadian sport too. It was ctreated in Canada about 20 years ago and has taken off. The pinnacle for me has been the honour of being chosen as the Team Captain for Canada's National F-Class Team going to the World Championships to Raton. Having the honour of rubbing shoulders with the best in the world and helping create a team that I know will be the best on the planet is humbling.

I guess the bottom line for me is that there are as many intangibles as there are tangibles in this sport's appeal. I strongly suggest you come out and try it. It will put much of what get tossed around here into proper perspective. You will find it much easier to sort fact from anecdote, or consumer pressure.
 
Being that you appear to be in Alberta, I invite you to come and have a look at competitive Benchrest shooting. We have our Nationals at the Rosebud range July 31, Aug 1. This is group shooting. Basically putting one shot on paper and then chasing 4 more shots through the same hole at 100 and 200 yds. Hugely addictive. Details at forum link below.
 
I think you are putting the cart in front of the horse. Asking folks why they like their shooting displine is fine, but what they like may not be very accessible to you. I live in N.B. one of my friends decided that he was going to shoot IDPA, but the closest club that does that is in Ontario. So for years he did not shoot ipsc which was a half an hour from his house. Finally he did his black badge and is having fun. My point is he decided that one shooting disipline was best for him even though it was not accessible. You should figure out what is happening around you and decide which sport you would like to take up.
 
I already shoot IPSC work permitting as I have no set days to work or be off. This causes me to miss lots of stuff which sucks. As far as the long range stuff or F-class, service rifle type stuff it is all around Alberta but it always seems that due to my work (Oilfield) I always miss this type of stuff. Due to the feast or famine nature of my work it is hard to take time off unless known well well in advance.
 
RP, who says my Norc will not be a tack driver (at least for an AR) when I am finished :)

Starting some test loading and got a few 3rds 1.5 to 2" groups at 100yds using FMJ's and ball powder. Now if I can get it to repeat.... and maybe squeeze it down a bit more....we be having some fun.

Accuracy is always a relative term - a 1/2 min SR BR rifle is not going to make any owner happy. A hunter/varminter will be thrilled if this was from a factory rig. I figure if I can get this Norc to 1.5 MOA at 100yds with FMJ's, that is pretty darn good precision for a battle rattle gun.

scottm, I will have to try this drill. Sounds like way too much fun and another costly distraction :)

Do get out and try ALL the various matches in AB. Pretty much everything is available with posted schedules. Work, and family, definitely can be limiting to our play but that's life.

The shooting family is quite small and you will bump in to shooters that do different disciplines. In general, they are more then willing to share their passion and help a newbie.

No matter the 'final' choice, it will be fun and that is what this is all about.

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
RP, who says my Norc will not be a tack driver (at least for an AR) when I am finished :)

Starting some test loading and got a few 3rds 1.5 to 2" groups at 100yds using FMJ's and ball powder. Now if I can get it to repeat.... and maybe squeeze it down a bit more....we be having some fun.

Accuracy is always a relative term - a 1/2 min SR BR rifle is not going to make any owner happy. A hunter/varminter will be thrilled if this was from a factory rig. I figure if I can get this Norc to 1.5 MOA at 100yds with FMJ's, that is pretty darn good precision for a battle rattle gun.
Click to expand...

I want to see this M4 driving tacks then :ar15::D:ar15:

Above statement is very true. When I started shooting with a 10/22, I was just happy to shoot, accuracy be damned. Even with my first centrefire, a Savage 114 in 308, I was pretty content with hitting the paper at 100 yards. Now look at me, I'd be pissed if all my groups aren't bug-holing! :D
 
The best advice going is to figure out what is most accessible to you. Once you know what is going on near you, you have a much better chance at actually getting to do some shooting. Sometimes the most accessible shooting is a well put together fast twist .223 on steel in the clearcuts.
 
This does sound like fun as there are lots of clear cuts in Alberta.

mpwolf said:
The best advice going is to figure out what is most accessible to you. Once you know what is going on near you, you have a much better chance at actually getting to do some shooting. Sometimes the most accessible shooting is a well put together fast twist .223 on steel in the clearcuts.
Click to expand...
 
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