First try at competitive shooting

[Virg461]

So I took my K31 last weekend to the Eastern CMP games at Camp Butner and shot in the Vintage Rifle Match on Saturday. What a blast! I scored 252/300, not great, but I'm pleased with it for a first time out. Especially considering I shot in a t-shirt against guys wearing high-dollar Creedmoor jackets. Gotta say, I could get addicted to this. Anyone else shoot vintage matches? I'm looking for more opportunities to shoot in NC. Any locals know of places to compete, preferably in the western/central part of the state? Also, I can see an M1 in my future.....

 

[1KPerDay]

Nice job! Sounds like fun.

 

[WNTFW]

Virg461,
Kudos to you. I love vintage, highpower and F Class. I would be hard pressed to pick one over the other. Service Rifle is a great class. I was really liking F-class, then I got asked to shoot an XTC match recently. I was about 2/3th the way down in the standings but really it reminded how much fun shooting from positions is.
I have shot with borrowed jackets and in just the t-shirt. (I had on pants too.) On the really hot days the jacket is no fun. I have shot 200yds with M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M4gery and NM AR. All were fun. Some produced better results. M1 Carbine was really pushing it but was fun. I have only shot 5 matches in highpower format.
I am lucky, the Louisiana Shooting Association rents out AR's for matches. I know some guys don't have access to a venue, equipment or any help.
One range has target pits, which is cool in itself.
252/300 is great. Plenty of guys do worse even with a few matches under there belt.

 

[Virg461]

WNTFW,

Thanks, it was a lot of fun. I'm definitely hooked. I've been shooting my whole life (I'm 38) but mostly at tin cans, squirrels, and deer. This is the first time I've ever shot against anyone besides my brother! It's funny, I was so nervous that I scored better during the rapid fire (89) than I did during the slow fire (87). Go figure. I'm looking forward to trying trying it again.

 

[WNTFW]

I have competed in various forms of racing so I'm not real nervous about the shooting part. My last match I was so calm about it is was unreal. I think being used to the way the match is run and having the safety procedures down helped.
I am more nervous about scoring correctly & pit service. I guess it is because if I shoot badly it only affects me. Screwing up somebody else's efforts would upset me more.
You can improve a lot through dry fire / NPA exercise and position practice. Getting your thinking straight is a lot of it. I have had the hardest time with sitting but decided to try something different than what I was taught. I can't wait to see if it helps me. I finally think my arm is under the handgrip like it needs to be in prone. Rapid - plenty of time left on the clock?? I'm not good on wind or calling shots.
Shooting next to someone in the same conditions can really show you that there is plenty room for improvement. Nothing improves the breed like competition.
I hope you can keep making matches. I have met some quality people at matches.
Good luck on your next one.