[n00b]

I have shot off and on since I was just a littl' kid... mostly in the backyard. I have not shot in 10 years though. But, I would like to get started in some form of competitive shooting, and my father picked up an AR about 9 years ago had has not fired it in about 8 1/2years... So I took it and figured I could turn his purchase into my hobby.

Its a Colt with a 5.56 Comp 1:7 HBAR (have not checked the length of the barrel but guessing it is 20" and it has the old triangle handguard)

I have been looking @ the NRA's High Power Service Rifle for one area to start in and just found ACTs which looks like a lot of fun too...

1. Are there some Comp's for a n00b like me?
2. Where can I get some training/guidance to give me a little jump start?
3. I think that, that barrel with be legal for Service Rifle, will it?
3a. Is it a good starting rifle for Service Rifle?
4. What about ACTS, will the barrel be legal for an ACTS match?

Side question:
This AR is chambered for a 'NATO' round, being a n00b I would like to buy some reasonably priced off the shelf ammo that would shoot better than me, can you give me a suggestion where start? I do have several hunderd rounds of surplus ammo that was purchased at the same time as the rifle... but I don't see that being very hmmm... accurate???

[Sunray]

"...5.56 Comp 1:7 HBAR..." Nice. It's an early H-Bar. If your da is still with us, take him out to dinner to a really good place.
Start by joining a shooting club. Shooters, of all disciplines, tend to bend over backwards to help new shooters.
1. Yep. New shooters don't shoot against old shooters. There's some kind of shooting for everybody. Shooting matches is great fun. Go to any match you see advertised and shoot the match. Don't worry about placing though. That comes with time, practice and good ammo.
2, 3, 3A. HBAR's are target rifles.
Go here. http://www.nrahq.org/compete/gettingstarted.asp
"...Side question..." It's an endless debate whether .223 Rem is the same as 5.56NATO. You're all set for either.
Surplus ammo of any calibre isn't made for great accuracy. Military ammo is and always has been made to be reliable with a required accuracy spec. Match accuracy wasn't required.
You reloading? That will give you the best ammo, but you have to work up the load for your rifle. Match grade bullets or ammo is not cheap. Most ammo makers load match grade ammo though.
Start by joining a shooting club. It opens a lot of doors and you'll meet some truly great people who will help you far more than anybody on a forum can.
Remember, it's a good restaurant.

[n00b]

Sunray,

Thanks for the response and words of encouragement...

I do like the rifle, well the old triangle handgaurd is a little odd but that makes it different than all the other guys on the block I guess.

I am not reloading nor do I think I will reload until I get a bigger place... Its hardenough to find a good spot to store the rifle and accessories in my little house much less reloading equipment.

Thanks again,
n00b

[Sunray]

Hi. Lived in a slummy, two room, apartment, long ago. Still had my loading bench though. Mind you, I didn't have much other furniture then. There's just me and the cat, in a one bedroom, now, so I can do what I want. The cat only cares about her feed bowl and litter box. She sleeps wherever she feels like.
"...until I get a bigger place..." The rifle gets a trigger lock and goes in back of a closet. Find a couple .50 cal ammo cans for mags, etc. They stack, don't take up much space and should have a rubber gasket to keep things dry. .50 cal ammo cans are incredibly handy even if you didn't shoot. Most surplus places will have 'em. They run $7 to $8 US each, depending on where you buy. 5.56 ammo cans are handy too, but not so much as a .50 cal can.
A Black & Decker Workmate Model #WM425, 550 lb weight capacity, (they seem to show up in pawn shops and garage sales regularly. $116.48, new, at Amazon.com, of all places.) makes a good portable loading bench that can be stored under your bed. The rest of the kit can go there too.
When you're ready, look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you'll need plus their legendary customer service. Have any problems, even if you caused it or buy used kit(nothing to worry about) and they'll fix it, usually for free, with a phone call. The only question will be about your mailing address.
"...the old triangle handguard..." They're very similar to some varmint rifle stocks. If you really don't like it, I think you can put on the newer round forestock though.
Oh and Federal loads 69 and 77 grain MatchKings in their Gold Medal brand. Hornady loads a 75 grain match bullet too. Won't be cheap though.

[Jim Watson]

I am not a highpower shooter and can only give general advice:

First, find a range that has organized competitive shooting that you can get to. Get acquainted, shooters are helpful and your only problem will be picking which set of advice to follow. Many matches will include a clinic with expert instruction, or you can find an Appleseed Shoot for the very basics. You can even get deals on equipment as shooters move up to fancier gear.

Your AR is "legal" for NRA Service Rifle. As you get experience and skill, it will benefit from some gunsmithing, but it is ok to start out as-is.

A Google shows ACTS as an "action" shoot comparable to the rifle side of IPSC 3-gun. Your AR is just about ideal for that.

Your stash of surplus ammo will get you started, particularly if you go someplace that shoots the reduced range course at 100 or 200 yards, as many do. It will not take long for you to want something better for 600 yard prone, though. Match ammo will make a real difference there. It is expensive and as said, it does not take a lot of space to set up for loading decent ammo.

[DuaneRN]

Get Thee to an Appleseed.
www.appleseedinfo.org

Duane
RWVA Instructor

[n00b]

Wow guys this Appleseed thing looks like exactly the thing I need to start with... THANKS!

[n00b]

Ok... I am wanting to signup for an Appleseed, but have some questions.

I have 3 realistic options:
Yanceyville, NC —Feb 28 & March 1
Ramseur, NC—Feb 28 & March 1
Kingsport, TN—March 7 & 8

Kingsport is the closet but all 3 are do able and if one stands out as a better event than the others I will head to it...???
(Ramseur, NC appears to be the home of the Appleseed events, would they have the better events?)

Also I know they suggest using the same ammo though the whole event which I totally understand. And I would like to use the "AR" for this training, but I am always on a shoe string budget and considering I might expend some 500rds over the 2 days (from accounts that I have seen on the internet),...what ammo could be had on a budget that would work for such an event?

And looking around I see mention of Fred's "Guide to Becoming a Rifleman"... Is this worth getting and where might I get it? (PDF perferred so I don't have to wait on it to be shipped).


So Recap:

1. Which event?
2. Best Bang/Buck Ammo for 5.56/.223 training?
3. Guide to Becoming a Rifleman Yes/No? and Where?

[hawkhavn]

n00b,

They're all good! Seriously I was on the line at a dozen Appleseeds last year, they were all good. At Ramseur you may get the chance to go full distance, not sure about the other 2.

If you have a .22 use it for most of the course and save your ammo dollars for after you get the basics down.

If you have time, order the Guide, there is a lot of good material in there. Regardless, start stretchingout now and practice getting into position, you'll thank yourself later.

Hawkhavn
RWVA Instructor and IN State Coordinator