Went to my local club for their CMP Match/Clinic and shot the reduced course (100 yards) in 6 stages. This wasn't my first match, but was my first "formal" rifle match (I'm used to pistols) and my first NRA/CMP style event.
Unfortunately there were more newbies than experienced shooters, so me and my friend were each other's coach *blind leading the blind*. That was ok, we're both decent shooters usually and we asked questions and paid attention. The pros went over everything really well for us, so we weren't in the woods completely.
I was shooting a Bushy XM15 20" Hbar, bone stock with a 1907 sling.
I was surprised how slow paced the course of fire was, and how inclined I was to rush through shots (newbie!), but after the first run I told myself to slow down and watch my breathing, stretch my arms and loosen up and everything went alot better after that. My first string (which on this course was reversed from normal) the slow-fire prone was actually one of my worse strings, but it got better. If I could have thrown that one out I think I would have hung with the best shooters there but hindsight is 20/20!
Overall I shot a 370 (out of 600), which I guess is ok from what they told me but I definately know I'm capable of better, even with a stock rifle. Discount my bad run and I was in the top 10% of the guys there, so overall I'm pleased just to get the experience in and learn some things.
I definately see that experience and practice matter. In fact, I think that will trump fancy jackets/gloves/shooting mats. The best guy there was shooting a pretty plain AR with nothing but a trigger job and some weight on it, std. sights and no free-float. His spotting scope was the hunkiest thing I've ever seen, but he handed it to the rest of us. Yes, proper equipment is obviously important, but Tiger Woods doesn't need a great set of clubs to kick your butt I guess is what I'm trying to get at. This guy was very comfortable behind a trigger, you could tell.
Also, patience is key, and paying attention to your body and what it's telling you. I was surprised at during the competition how many times I found myself feeling uncomfortable and had to correct myself or get into a more natural position. Nerves I guess, but it was different from practice where I feel completely free and loose.
I also saw some guys who shot horribly, and most of them were ill-prepared for the day. One guy had 2 different kinds of ammo (radically different), and another hadn't even shot his AR before (owned it for 5 years!). He spent half his time getting on the paper. If you're going to do a match like this, you at least have to prepare some really basic things. A few mags, ammo you've shot and zero'd and some basic shooting necessities. That should be utterly obvious, but it's not to everyone apparently.
Anyway, that's my experience and if you haven't competed with a service rifle I highly recommend it. You do NOT need fancy stuff or great skill, just a willingness to learn and a range to shoot at! It's not a pressure shoot, and it's a ton of fun.
Unfortunately there were more newbies than experienced shooters, so me and my friend were each other's coach *blind leading the blind*. That was ok, we're both decent shooters usually and we asked questions and paid attention. The pros went over everything really well for us, so we weren't in the woods completely.
I was shooting a Bushy XM15 20" Hbar, bone stock with a 1907 sling.
I was surprised how slow paced the course of fire was, and how inclined I was to rush through shots (newbie!), but after the first run I told myself to slow down and watch my breathing, stretch my arms and loosen up and everything went alot better after that. My first string (which on this course was reversed from normal) the slow-fire prone was actually one of my worse strings, but it got better. If I could have thrown that one out I think I would have hung with the best shooters there but hindsight is 20/20!
Overall I shot a 370 (out of 600), which I guess is ok from what they told me but I definately know I'm capable of better, even with a stock rifle. Discount my bad run and I was in the top 10% of the guys there, so overall I'm pleased just to get the experience in and learn some things.
I definately see that experience and practice matter. In fact, I think that will trump fancy jackets/gloves/shooting mats. The best guy there was shooting a pretty plain AR with nothing but a trigger job and some weight on it, std. sights and no free-float. His spotting scope was the hunkiest thing I've ever seen, but he handed it to the rest of us. Yes, proper equipment is obviously important, but Tiger Woods doesn't need a great set of clubs to kick your butt I guess is what I'm trying to get at. This guy was very comfortable behind a trigger, you could tell.
Also, patience is key, and paying attention to your body and what it's telling you. I was surprised at during the competition how many times I found myself feeling uncomfortable and had to correct myself or get into a more natural position. Nerves I guess, but it was different from practice where I feel completely free and loose.
I also saw some guys who shot horribly, and most of them were ill-prepared for the day. One guy had 2 different kinds of ammo (radically different), and another hadn't even shot his AR before (owned it for 5 years!). He spent half his time getting on the paper. If you're going to do a match like this, you at least have to prepare some really basic things. A few mags, ammo you've shot and zero'd and some basic shooting necessities. That should be utterly obvious, but it's not to everyone apparently.
Anyway, that's my experience and if you haven't competed with a service rifle I highly recommend it. You do NOT need fancy stuff or great skill, just a willingness to learn and a range to shoot at! It's not a pressure shoot, and it's a ton of fun.
