Highpower Rifle....where to learn?

[SnakeEater]

Ok guys(gals), I need some advice and direction. I've decided that I'd like to shoot in some highpower rifle matches this year. Problem is I don't know anything about the sport. Can someone give me a basic list of equipment needed? My goal is simply to improve my rifle marksmanship, not win any competitions. I just ordered an M14SA from LRB Arms and it's the rifle I'd like to use. Any help, guidance and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

BTW, here's the range I'll be going to. Miami Rifle & Pistol Club


Mike

 

[Quintin Likely]

Where to learn?

At the range! Where else? Seriously, call or E-mail your local match director, tell 'em you're new and this your first time out, and you'll more than likely have guys falling over themselves to help you get started. If I did it, then anyone can do it.

Don't get too hung up on equipment, let them know you're new a couple days prior to the match, and there'll more than likely be people there to loan you things like scopes, mats, and the like. Bring a rifle, at least two mags, a sling and some ammo and a positive attitude. If there's more than one relay, you might want to pack some water and snacks or a lunch or something. The rest will provide itself.

And we're all gonna be waiting patiently (okay, impatiently) for a detailed after action report.

 

[30Cal]

A sweatshirt will save wear and tear on your elbows. Many clubs have carpet you can borrow in place of a mat. The mat also saves wear and tear on your elbows.

You'll need at least 2 magazines. I usually bring just 3. Two are loaded with 8 for the rapid fire strings, and I do all my slowfire with the 3rd mag (and I also load it for 2 for the rapids).

Chamber flags can usually be bought at the match for cheap, and they are required.

A spotting scope is good to have but not absolutely necessary. As you get better and shoot full distance matches, much of your time on the spotting scope will be watching mirage for wind changes. A scope 20-25x works best for this. In general, you don't need a lot of scope because they put spotters on your holes that you can see naked eye if you've got good vision. A top end scope will allow you to spot holes at 300yds even after the target face has been patched a couple of times (I end up skipping this a lot, especially if the mag change hasn't gone smoothly). I would hold off on this until you get into it a little bit and get a chance to take a peek through a couple of different scopes and figure out what it is that you really need.

You'll want at least a decent sling. The Les Tam and Turner Saddlery slings are both excellent and will hold up forever. The surplus MRT slings (with the steel frogs) are OK, but will stretch over time with hard use. A glove for your left hand will be needed once you start shooting with the sling (keeps your hand from getting mauled by the sling swivel).

Have a great time!

Ty

 

[SnakeEater]

Thanks a bunch for the advice fellas.

 

[Trebor]

Here's a great site for Highpower info www.nationalmatch.us

There's a guy in Virginia, I think his handle is Mountainer, who teaches Highpower classes. He's on that board.

I reccomend the books by Jim Owens. I don't have a URL (Maybe Hightop.com ?), but a search should turn up his site.

If you can, go to Camp Perry for the Small Arms Firing school at the begining of the National Matches.

 

[30Cal]

Jim Owens is at www.jarheadtop.com

I highly recommend all of his books.

 

[John Deere]

First thing you do when you get to the match, is look for a guy with a ZZ-top beard and a camo M1-A. Watch him closely, every move, because he is doing it WRONG!
Actually, I don`t do everything wrong, (but somedays it seems like it)
All kidding aside, if you have a rifle that holds four rounds in the mag, zero it for 200 yds and come out sunday for the sporter rifle match. It`s sorta a hi-power match with training wheels. All you`ll need is 40 rds of ammo and some thing to lay on ( I use a cheap foam sleeping mat from the camping section of Dick`s). The guys that shoot there are laid-back and you will have fun!
If you are a club member, you can use one of the club`s AR-15s for hi-power matches until your rifle comes in, ask the match director for details.
I`ll probably be there tomorrow (tuesday) afternoon, if you care to look me up, otherwise come on out to the matches, let them know your a beginner, and then be prepared to have fun. Regards, Bill

 

[SnakeEater]

Bill, I'm not yet a member. I'm going to the orientation this Sunday at noon. I'll definately look you up once I attain membership.

Mike

 

[John Deere]

Sounds good, the guy who gives the orientation is a hi-power shooter, and an M1-A owner also. Is this your first M-14 type rifle ?

 

[SnakeEater]

Yep, first M14. I've never even held one. I do have extensive experience with the AR-15, but I'm ready for a "real" rifle.

 

[Steve Smith]

The guys gave you good advice. I'd suggest you do some searches here in the Comp forum for the following names:

Steve Smith
Jon Coppenbarger
Blind Rat
hipwr223
SRM

 

[John Deere]

Oh man, your gonna love that rifle! When are you expecting it to be finished? A couple of things to pick up while you are waiting for it to come in, you will need a sling, web or leather, which ever you like. Also at least three G.I. mags, that way you`re sure that they`ll work. A combo tool, and gas cylinder wrench makes cleaning easier, and since you clean the rifle belly-up, some sort of cradle to hold it in that position is really handy.
AMMO!!! You can shoot that rifle in the Sporter match, Navy match, Hi-power match, and Wed. night rifle league, so you can go through a case in no time!
You can still shoot the match on sunday, just be there around 8:00-8:30 for sign-up. Just about any milsurp or deer rifle will work (last month I used a 28/30 Finnish Mosin Nagant). Regards, Bill

 

[SnakeEater]

Bill I'm working 11-7 shift right now so it's gonna take all I got just to get to the orientation, no shooting for me Sunday I talked to Lou at LRB yesterday and he said 3-5 weeks until I get my rifle. It comes with a sling and I specified 3 USGI mags too. I'm gonna get those tools you mentioned, thanks for the advice. I'll be paying a visit to AIM in a week or so and I'll probably get 3K-4K rds of ammo.

Believe it or not I've never owned a spotting scope but I felt that I should buy one. I've just about tapped out the wife's generousity so I had to go cheap. I picked up a Sibir Yukon 20x50x50 for $50 with the tripod, I'm anxious to try it out too. I look forward to slinging some lead with you sir.

 

[John Deere]

SnakeEater, was that you wearing the hat with flames on it? If so, I`m sorry for being distracted (new M1As do that to me, even somebody else`s). Anyway, we got Greggs rifle sighted in, and ready to go. It only took him three years to finally get it together, but now he can shoot Highpower with a REAL rifle.
Get ahold of me sometime, and I`ll show you the tricks you need to know to keep you new baby happy and healthy.
Regards, Bill

 

[SnakeEater]

Bill unfortunately that was not me. I ended up being stuck at work until 10am yesterday, all I was thinking about was sleep. I'll be there next month.

 

[taliv]

snake, if you're in SW ohio, you should take a thurs afternoon off and wander up to new albany (NE suburb of columbus, take Rt 161 east and go 5 exits), where you'll find champion shooter supply.

you don't have to buy anything, but they have everything you need, and they will custom fit a jacket for you, and get you hooked up with all the HP shooters in ohio. it's at least worth the trip to talk to them.

(check before you drive, but thursday used to be the day they were open late and all the gun nuts would socialize in the store. they close earlier most days.)

 

[DevilDog]

My #1 recommendation to those new to highpower is to shoot matches! As many as you can find! I have heard many new shooters say "I need to practice some more before I start shooting highpower matches." Well, I think that is baloney. A big part of highpower is the logistics of the sport, really getting the course of fire down, and shooting with others, which is a big part of the fun for me. I have always found matches much more fun than practicing.

 

[Steve Smith]

Add Devil Dog to my list of recommended post authors.

How's it going man?