Edited: went to my first match

Going to my first service rifle match this coming Sunday. Range has a max of 300Y; CoF will be national match 50 round + 8 sighters.

I have no idea what to expect...

I do know the 3 different positions and have gotten somewhat comfortable shooting in them w/ sling. I do have my own A2 rifle (w/ A1 stock) that I just worked up loads for yesterday (75gr HPBT).

Any advice on what to and not do? What to bring and not bring?

I've honestly never shot past 200Y before, and I haven't had to dope a scope/sights yet, so advice there would be helpful too. I went on a ballistics calculator and input rough figures and figure that 8 clicks should about do it for 300Y (4MOA elevation).

Consider showing up on time or a little early. Find the match director and explain to him this is your first run. You will find that the coaching they give you will be very valuable.
Once you get your 200 yd zero and assuming your load is close to standard, you shouldn't have any trouble getting close for 300 with advice you will get at your range.

You have already done good homework. If you dry run the match using a timer, you already have a fair idea of the mechanics for conducting yourself.

Once you get on the trigger, focus on getting your NPA right. If your position is creating too much muscle work, you won't do as well once fatigue sets in.
Work on getting a good position before the match. Random conditions at ranges make this a challenge. Study your lane and see where the best ground lies within those limits.

If you have a good NPA, don't take forever to fire the shot once you see your post aligned. Time doesn't make things better after a point which is different for different folks. Listen to the rythm of the better shooters and you will notice they either shoot or reset.
In other words, visualize a good shot and if you can't make it, don't push a bad one. Learn to call your shots and when to abandon a failed attempt.

Your first match will take more effort and create more stress. You will not worry so much about the overhead of the match as you gain experience.

The standard come up from 200yd to 300yd is 3MOA. This is what I would use for sighters and then adjust off your sighters.

I have a 100Y zero since that's the max range at the club where I shoot...

WELCOME TO THE GAME!
If you are zeroed at 100, come up 2.5 minutes for 200 and you should be close.

Don't use your sling in standing.

Have fun!

SRM

Ive only shot one match so far, heres what I remember.

1. For the rapids you might want to practice dry firing it with someone timing you. I ran out of time in the sitting position. I think it was a combination of taking too long on shots and fumbling the magazine change.

2. I dont have a shooting coat yet and just used my gore-tex parka. It was way to thin and I had raw elbows after the prone stage. I should have brought a field jacket or a heavy sweat shirt (or maybe both).

3. I was able to borrow a Chamber Flag, Spotting Scope w/stand, and shooting mat from the Club and some guys on the range but theyre on my list of gear to get.

When I went I actually didn't plan on shooting but the people putting it on talked me into it. I'm glad they did as it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot more than I would have if I had just observed as I originally intended. Now I'm slowly saving up to build a rifle to compete with (I shot the match with my rack grade BCM).

Good Luck and Enjoy

Just finished my first match today- it was a lot of fun, learned a lot, and the guys there were all very helpful.

Only got 377/500 for the day, so lots of room for improvement.
200Y Slow Offhand: 55/100 (1st shot of the day I was so nervous I jerked it for a M, Another M for a slamfire, and a 3rd M for a crossfire)
200Y Rapid Seated: 92/100 (Shot too fast because I was worried about time, still had 20s left on the clock)
300Y Rapid Prone: 78/100 (Again shot too fast; sling felt too tight and fatigued my support arm; again had 20s left on the clock)
300Y (Simulated 600Y) Slow Prone: 152/200 (became extremely fatigued when my left arm kept losing circulation. Support hand also felt very tired from the pressure. Couldn't get a good position because ground underneath me felt uneven; need to focus more)

Have some observations on what I shot- if you guys have tips to add, I'd appreciate it.

Now I also know I'm due for a better sling (my redhead one sucks...), a proper jacket instead of a field coat, and a mitt. Any suggestions for what to get?

On the sling. a USGI COTTON web sling works great and won't hold you back and is easy to get in and out of..
CMP sells a good one for $7.95. Stay away from Nylon, it slips, and leather is not cheap.
'Borg

Elbow pads are your friend. I wear one on my support arm, because in prone it's always in contact with the ground. If you don't have a mat, a 6'x3' carpet scrap will also help until you decide you want a mat (I got mine from Midway). I didn't notice if you had a glove or not; a decent padded work glove is good enough to start. Drink plenty of fluids and be sure to eat; I've cramped up at the end of the day because I didn't.

Most of all, ask other shooters at your next match what they recommend, they might have extra stuff you can borrow.

92 sitting is plenty good!

I was able to borrow a glove for my support hand, and it worked really well. It wasn't till the last leg of the slow prone that my hand starting cramping up.

What I really need is to replace the sling- during the prone stages, it just got unbearably tight and caused too much fatigue. It would also keep sliding from above my bicep to right above my elbow, so it was applying pressure at a really bad area.

I was able to borrow a share a mat w/ my squad mates, which helped.

I do need to remember to bring an energy bar next time. After 1, I started getting a hypoglycemic headache...


I've worked up a small list of things to get in the near future:
Creedmoor cotton GI Sling
Creedmoor shooting glove
Creedmoor shooting jacket
Rear hood rubber cover (helpful since I shoot NTCH)

Any thoughts/opinions/alternatives to what I have listed? The price ranges per item I'm fairly set on (although I could always be convinced to go cheaper!)


ETA: I actually had elbow pads on during the slow prone portion, and it felt REALLY uncomfortable; cut my circulation off when used in conjunction with the sling...

200 SF- Be sure your NPA is right, and re-check it frequently. Check the number board as your sights come onto the target. Also, practice dry firing.. Place a 1" dot or paster on an index card. Mount it at eye level 15.5 yards away. Get in your gear (just like a match) and dry fire. This is an excellent tool for learning trigger control.
200 RF- Between shots, take a shallow breath, exhale to a respiratory pause, clean up the sight picture, and break the shot. This does wonders for your cadence and will slow you down.
300 RF- Same as above..
300 SF- A good jacket (pulse pads), sling, and glove will eliminate alot of your discomfort.

GI sling - I got mine at Cheaper than Dirt for like $15. I only use it on my rifle during offhand. My leather sling is set up as a "no pulse" for the other three stages. I do shoot with guys who use the cotton sling throughout the match and they do just fine.

Fulton Armory has a couple of articles on how to set up and use an M1907 sling: http://fulton-armory.com/matchshootingfaqs.aspx

Watch ebay for coats in your size and ask around at the next match; a used coat will save you some money. Definitely recommend a jacket if you really like the game. If your hand is cramping, the sling might be a notch too tight; my fingers used to go numb until I got that figured out and went out a notch from sitting.

If you're not already on the forum over at http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/ you might check it out. Lots of good information there as well.

Sir, while I've been a user of Creedmoor products for many years there are some other sources of good equipment. The current Creedmoor catalog lists a number of gloves and I think I have five or six. I like the Gehmann fingerless gloves, they actually last me more than two seasons. The old style leather open finger style is also a good choice. Mostly it's a personal preference thing but make sure the glove is substantial enough that your hand doesn't go numb due to sling pressure.

I really like the Creedmoor shooting coats, there are other options but none are better than Creedmoor.

Check out Champion Shooters Supply in New Albany, Ohio. They carry the Freeland line of products and in my humble opinion their deluxe shooting mat is possibly the best on the market. Also check out Champions Choice in LaVerne, Tenn. They have an extensive line of shooting products and often have sales on their gear.

The 1905 style leather sling has been my choice for quite a few years. I used to use the Turner leather slings until I discovered Les Tam. John Weller in Ohio also makes an excellent product if you can get hold of him. The problems you describe regarding sling tension and sliding down on your arm are largely user induced. I have a number of the cotton USGI variety but never on any of the rifles I use in competition. Check out the Jim Owens web site: www.jarheadtop.com. He used to have articles on his site that described various methods of sling use and installation on the rifle. He even wrote a book on the subject. I use what he describes as the USMC reverse sling method of installation on the rifle. I really like the books he wrote but in my humble opinion the best is the one about what he calls "the big Lie". Check it out, it's excellent material for the beginner.

Lastly, check out Sinclair Int. in Ft. Wayne, Ind. They have and extensive line of shooting products and also a very good choice of tools and equipment for the reloader. HTH, 7zero1.

Good job on the sitting rapid! I'm still pretty new at this, and was extrememly nervous at my first match also. Once I realized afterward that everyone there wasn't pointing fingers at me saying "watch the new guy", and were more than helpful to help if you had any questions, it made it much easier. It's hard to get a good, tight sling when you don't have a coat on. I just got mine this year at Christmas, but up to then, I've been wearing a Carhartt jacket to give me some padding against the sling.

Midway has a new mat that they advertise on sale for around $45. My buddy bought one, and he seems to like it. I've got one of their $26 (on sale) mats, and it works, but I've seen them after a couple of years start tearing at the stitching, due to the rubber elbow pads on the coats.




I believe that Sinclair has moved their operations out to Iowa, they no longer have a store in Ft. Wayne. But you can find them on the web at http://www.sinclairintl.com.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I ended up getting:
Creedmoor coat and glove,
Midway mat (I have a dealer acct, so it's only $24),
a cotton GI sling,
a sight hood bumper
and a flip down blind for my glasses to put over my left eye.

I'm definitely looking at getting one of the spotting scope stands from champion shooter supply along with a Konus 100mm spotting scope, but that'll have to wait as that setup will run me another $500 at least.

If you think you are going to go to Camp Perry this year for the National Matches, Champion's Choice and Champion Shooters Supply will both be there. I don't remember which one he got it from, but my buddy bought his Konus scope (15-45 X 65) and stand there last year, and paid right about $300 for them, which included the scope mounting head. Another thought if you're trying to save a few bucks. I've been using a Barska scope, with my wife's camera tripod, and it's worked for me so far. I can flatten the legs out all the way for when I go prone, and it's just a bit on the low side for standing, but I can just bend down a bit.

Yeah, I keep hearing how people go to Camp perry and get these rediculous deals... I'm gonna have to check it out.

Sir, vendors row at Camp Perry during the National Matches is like a supermarket for shooters. Many of the big names in the business that most of us only deal with via mail order set up shop during the Nationals. Champions Choice, Champion Shooter Supply, Sinclair, Bill Geiselle, Doug Giraud, Fin Feather Fur, Compass Lake, Springfield Armory, Rock River, DPMS, Fulton, Armalite, White Oak, and others are all there and they compete with one another for your business. Creedmoor Sports set up shop a few years ago but has been absent the last few years. I think Mr. DeMille would rather concentrate on his shooting than tend the store. I make it a point to buy as much as I can so I can avoid stupid fees such as hazmat for powder and primers that I can't get back home. Even if you don't compete a visit to vendors row is worth the trip. Don't forget the CMP North store is also located there and they stock up on rifles and ammo from Anniston during the Nationals just to cater to the competitors that make the annual pilgramage. JMHO, 7zero1.

Any estimate on what Giraud trimmers will go for at Camp Perry? I've been wanting to get one since processing using a Possum Hollow and then chamfer/deburring seperately is getting to be a PITA...

Sir, FWIW I bought my trimmer from Mr. Giraud during the National Matches a few years ago. I do not recall that there was any special pricing except to say I don't recall if he charged me Ohio State sales tax or not. My recommendation would be to call Mr. Giraud and discuss the deal in advance. It would be worth it to me just to save the shipping charges. HTH, 7zero1.

There are no big savings at Perry. Most of the staff is priced the same as it is on-line or in catalogs. You save on shipping, but you have to pay Ohio sales tax. You do save on primers and powder by not paying Haz Mat fees and you might get some discounts on them and other components; depends on availability and how they are priced by Fin, Feather and Fur. You get to see all the staff up close and try on the gloves, hats and coats and decide which to buy. Lots of buying on impulse.

The big savings are on rifles.

For the most part, the big savings are in rifles and uppers. Rock River has had some smoking deals on uppers and complete rifles the last few years.

It is nice to see in person a lot of stuff you usually only see in catalogs.

It's tough on the wallet, especially for me being only 40 minutes away.

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