Misstreeshot
Member
I am going to start competing in service rifle competitions and would like some help on what equipment such as gloves, shooting jacket, elbow pads etc. you use for your competitions. I will be shooting my AR. thanks
What competition equipment do you use?
- Thread starter Misstreeshot
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MutinousDoug
Member
Les Tam sling
Freeland fingerless mitten
Creedmore hardback coat w/ solid core foam knee pad for elbow pad (Home Depot)
Freeland scope stand/Leupold 20x scope
Jim Owens data book
Carpet sample mat
Insulated, soft lunchbox for ammo and mags
Mesh bag for brass
Cast silicone earplugs
Stool
Freeland fingerless mitten
Creedmore hardback coat w/ solid core foam knee pad for elbow pad (Home Depot)
Freeland scope stand/Leupold 20x scope
Jim Owens data book
Carpet sample mat
Insulated, soft lunchbox for ammo and mags
Mesh bag for brass
Cast silicone earplugs
Stool
Last edited:
I started last spring so I'll give you my observations based upon doing some things either wrong or perhaps in the "wrong" order.
Jacket - started with a Marine shooting coat - padding in the right areas but no rubber non-slip on the left elbow/rib area, also, not that tight. Step up was to a Champions 'cheapie' canvas with adjustable closures and good rubber in the right places. Champions and Creedmoor both have an offering around $70 - 80 bucks that's a great starter. Wasn't willing to spring for a leather hardback w/o more experience and a personal fitting. BTW, the canvas by all the makers seem to run small ... I'm a 42 tall in a regular suit but a 44 jacket just fits.
Scope stand ... tried the old binoculars for 200 and 300 for about a month - that's hard on the neck in prone and really screws with your position. Got a stand (Ray-Vin, stainless, 1 inch, 1 hand scope adjustment) and feel it's a great investment.
Scope - now making do with a junker that just barely works for 300 yds. You're not looking for holes - just mirage at 300 - 600. Either wait until you can afford a Kowa with the long eye relief (not the zoom, the LER) or go with a Konus 20-60*60 for the short term...you'll eventually end up with a Kowa if you stick w the sport. 60 or 66 models are more than adequate, the 80s are overkill ($$$)
Shooting glove - mostly used to tame pulse as well as enhance comfort ... until my positions get a lot better, pulse is not an issue. Quite happy with a mechanics padded glove with some rubber on the palm - probably $8.
Sling - got a Les Tam and a Turner (had them already) ... great once broken in, but they take awhile. Have mostly used a GI cotton web sling and actually prefer it - you need a real cotton model, not the nylon repros that stretch.
Stool / Cart ... depends on the ranges you frequent. If it's a long way from the parking to the line or if you walk between the yardage lines, a cart is worth it. I got a Schneller used - $500 new, not quite worth that but real nice. Takes up 1/2 the back of an SUV though. A lot of guys make their own from a 3 wheel baby stroller or a hand cart + a little ingenuity.
For just a stool, Creedmoor has a nice one with a huge capacity bag. Way less expensive is a Walmart mailorder camp stool that comes with a bag attached beneath ... $14 or so. I still use the plain stool for informal matches, offhand or walk'n'paste when the cart is just too much hassle. Also nice in the pits while waiting between strings.
Earplugs plus muffs, especially if you get set next to a couple 30 cal. The slimline muffs shotgunners use are nice as they interfere with cheek weld less.
Personal preference - I use a flipdown plastic eyeblock so that I can shoot with both eyes open - really helps with the eye fatigue.
Mat - started with a chunk of carpet - works fine, a little elbow burn as you move around. Catch the Midway shooting mat on sale - $20, very well worth it, wouldn't pay any more than that for a 'name' brand.
5, 20 round straight body mags. 1 for single loading in slow, 4 holding 5 each (or 2 and 8) for 20 round rapid stages. Never found a need for the official Bob Sled type single loader ($40) - just pop them in with a pinkie on top of a regular mag follower and drop the bolt.
Case deflector - only use in slowfire ... keeps the brass in a neater pile, not worth the chance of a bounceback in rapids.
Baseball style cap - some like the ones with "sides" on them to block errant cases from your neighbor,
needle type oiler,
color coded ammo boxes for short vs long line rounds,
empty chamber indicator,
highneck or hooded sweatshirt for under the shooting jacket - keeps your neighbor's empties out of your shirt - a hot '06 case down your back can really play havoc with your concentration in prone rapid.
I usually have a small tool kit in the car - case extractor, range rod, front sight tool, misc, etc.
There are a bunch of great stickies and articles as well as fairly frequent sale items on the Nat'l Match forum ... http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
Enjoy!
/Bryan
Jacket - started with a Marine shooting coat - padding in the right areas but no rubber non-slip on the left elbow/rib area, also, not that tight. Step up was to a Champions 'cheapie' canvas with adjustable closures and good rubber in the right places. Champions and Creedmoor both have an offering around $70 - 80 bucks that's a great starter. Wasn't willing to spring for a leather hardback w/o more experience and a personal fitting. BTW, the canvas by all the makers seem to run small ... I'm a 42 tall in a regular suit but a 44 jacket just fits.
Scope stand ... tried the old binoculars for 200 and 300 for about a month - that's hard on the neck in prone and really screws with your position. Got a stand (Ray-Vin, stainless, 1 inch, 1 hand scope adjustment) and feel it's a great investment.
Scope - now making do with a junker that just barely works for 300 yds. You're not looking for holes - just mirage at 300 - 600. Either wait until you can afford a Kowa with the long eye relief (not the zoom, the LER) or go with a Konus 20-60*60 for the short term...you'll eventually end up with a Kowa if you stick w the sport. 60 or 66 models are more than adequate, the 80s are overkill ($$$)
Shooting glove - mostly used to tame pulse as well as enhance comfort ... until my positions get a lot better, pulse is not an issue. Quite happy with a mechanics padded glove with some rubber on the palm - probably $8.
Sling - got a Les Tam and a Turner (had them already) ... great once broken in, but they take awhile. Have mostly used a GI cotton web sling and actually prefer it - you need a real cotton model, not the nylon repros that stretch.
Stool / Cart ... depends on the ranges you frequent. If it's a long way from the parking to the line or if you walk between the yardage lines, a cart is worth it. I got a Schneller used - $500 new, not quite worth that but real nice. Takes up 1/2 the back of an SUV though. A lot of guys make their own from a 3 wheel baby stroller or a hand cart + a little ingenuity.
For just a stool, Creedmoor has a nice one with a huge capacity bag. Way less expensive is a Walmart mailorder camp stool that comes with a bag attached beneath ... $14 or so. I still use the plain stool for informal matches, offhand or walk'n'paste when the cart is just too much hassle. Also nice in the pits while waiting between strings.
Earplugs plus muffs, especially if you get set next to a couple 30 cal. The slimline muffs shotgunners use are nice as they interfere with cheek weld less.
Personal preference - I use a flipdown plastic eyeblock so that I can shoot with both eyes open - really helps with the eye fatigue.
Mat - started with a chunk of carpet - works fine, a little elbow burn as you move around. Catch the Midway shooting mat on sale - $20, very well worth it, wouldn't pay any more than that for a 'name' brand.
5, 20 round straight body mags. 1 for single loading in slow, 4 holding 5 each (or 2 and 8) for 20 round rapid stages. Never found a need for the official Bob Sled type single loader ($40) - just pop them in with a pinkie on top of a regular mag follower and drop the bolt.
Case deflector - only use in slowfire ... keeps the brass in a neater pile, not worth the chance of a bounceback in rapids.
Baseball style cap - some like the ones with "sides" on them to block errant cases from your neighbor,
needle type oiler,
color coded ammo boxes for short vs long line rounds,
empty chamber indicator,
highneck or hooded sweatshirt for under the shooting jacket - keeps your neighbor's empties out of your shirt - a hot '06 case down your back can really play havoc with your concentration in prone rapid.
I usually have a small tool kit in the car - case extractor, range rod, front sight tool, misc, etc.
There are a bunch of great stickies and articles as well as fairly frequent sale items on the Nat'l Match forum ... http://www.usrifleteams.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
Enjoy!
/Bryan
Last edited:
rskent
Member
Misstreeshot
For what its worth:
Bushmaster rifle –White Oak barrel, float tube, jewel trigger,
Turner Sling - leather not biothane
Creedmoor hardback coat
Shooters choice mitt / thin leather glove for off hand
Freeland stand
Konus Scope
Midway mat
Creedmoor stool / diy wheel kit
Opinion – You don’t need a lot of expensive crap to have fun / Just go shoot
Opinion #2 – The most important thing you can bring with you to the line is a positive mental attitude
Steve
For what its worth:
Bushmaster rifle –White Oak barrel, float tube, jewel trigger,
Turner Sling - leather not biothane
Creedmoor hardback coat
Shooters choice mitt / thin leather glove for off hand
Freeland stand
Konus Scope
Midway mat
Creedmoor stool / diy wheel kit
Opinion – You don’t need a lot of expensive crap to have fun / Just go shoot
Opinion #2 – The most important thing you can bring with you to the line is a positive mental attitude
Steve
skidooman603
Member
RRA NM Lower
White Oak A2 upper
Champion's Choice Mat
Used CC Coat $125
Konus 80 scope $125 used
Turner Sling
CC fingerless Glove
HomeMade Scope Stand
First Year shooting HP. Wouldn't change a thing I have purchased so far. Would like to get the Creedmore Hard Back Coat but at almost $500 it will have to wait.
Practice, Practice, Practice...
Just bought a Compass Lake Engineering .22 upper for winter indoor practice to work on that Off Hand...
Once again Practice, Practice, Practice
White Oak A2 upper
Champion's Choice Mat
Used CC Coat $125
Konus 80 scope $125 used
Turner Sling
CC fingerless Glove
HomeMade Scope Stand
First Year shooting HP. Wouldn't change a thing I have purchased so far. Would like to get the Creedmore Hard Back Coat but at almost $500 it will have to wait.
Practice, Practice, Practice...
Just bought a Compass Lake Engineering .22 upper for winter indoor practice to work on that Off Hand...
Once again Practice, Practice, Practice
Me
This is what I did.
$1,000 Rock River Arms National Match A2 AR15 (.223 is the easiest and cheapest to shoot)
$200 Konus 20x60x80 spotting scope (Kowa is better but 3 times more)
$200 Vin-Ray scope stand (buy once, cry once)
$50-75 Sling (I like Les Tam @ $75)
$25-60 Glove (I'm a open finger guy)
$100 Used shooting jacket off Ebay (bought my hawkeye 20 year old heavy leather jacket for $115)
$80 Shooting mat (mine is a Creedmoor with extra padding)
$65 Shooting stool (mine is a Creedmoor)
$25 Dewy cleaning rod
$20 Sinclair AR cleaning rod guide
$20 AR cleaning hold open
5 ~ $15 Mags (20 round straight body)
$25 NRA membership
$150 Ammunition (400 rounds Remington 55 grain)
$35 Ray-vin Super Smoker (the best)
$30 shell holder (20 round + 2 sighters)
There you go, 2K. Now go have fun.
If you shoot short courses, the ammo will be fine your first year. This year I bought a press and am making my own "match" ammo at the same cost.
I also bought a CLE 22.lr upper this year for training. Yes at 1k its alot, but I have put 1300 rounds down the tube and at the ammo cost difference it will be paid for next year.
Remember, Dry fire as much as you can, focus on the front sight, forget about the last shot, don't worry about the next shot, and break this shot in the X ring.
Jim
ps; please don't show this post to my wife
This is what I did.
$1,000 Rock River Arms National Match A2 AR15 (.223 is the easiest and cheapest to shoot)
$200 Konus 20x60x80 spotting scope (Kowa is better but 3 times more)
$200 Vin-Ray scope stand (buy once, cry once)
$50-75 Sling (I like Les Tam @ $75)
$25-60 Glove (I'm a open finger guy)
$100 Used shooting jacket off Ebay (bought my hawkeye 20 year old heavy leather jacket for $115)
$80 Shooting mat (mine is a Creedmoor with extra padding)
$65 Shooting stool (mine is a Creedmoor)
$25 Dewy cleaning rod
$20 Sinclair AR cleaning rod guide
$20 AR cleaning hold open
5 ~ $15 Mags (20 round straight body)
$25 NRA membership
$150 Ammunition (400 rounds Remington 55 grain)
$35 Ray-vin Super Smoker (the best)
$30 shell holder (20 round + 2 sighters)
There you go, 2K. Now go have fun.
If you shoot short courses, the ammo will be fine your first year. This year I bought a press and am making my own "match" ammo at the same cost.
I also bought a CLE 22.lr upper this year for training. Yes at 1k its alot, but I have put 1300 rounds down the tube and at the ammo cost difference it will be paid for next year.
Remember, Dry fire as much as you can, focus on the front sight, forget about the last shot, don't worry about the next shot, and break this shot in the X ring.
Jim
ps; please don't show this post to my wife
- sunscreen
- bug repellent
- eyeglass/eye protection cleaning kit
- eyeglass screwdriver
- backup eyeglasses/eye protection
- tylenol for headache or muscle pain
- couple bottles water - stay hydrated!
- baby wipes or D-lead wipes
- backup hearing protection
- basic gun tool kit (screwdrivers, allen/torx keys, drift pin, small hammer, gun oil, cleaning rod & boreguide & jag & patches & solvent)
- spares for critical parts
- rainwear
- change of clothes
- notebook & pen
- bug repellent
- eyeglass/eye protection cleaning kit
- eyeglass screwdriver
- backup eyeglasses/eye protection
- tylenol for headache or muscle pain
- couple bottles water - stay hydrated!
- baby wipes or D-lead wipes
- backup hearing protection
- basic gun tool kit (screwdrivers, allen/torx keys, drift pin, small hammer, gun oil, cleaning rod & boreguide & jag & patches & solvent)
- spares for critical parts
- rainwear
- change of clothes
- notebook & pen
hmm...
the creedmore hardback jacket is worth the money to me. i've shot one for 4 seasons.
i used to use a fingerless leather glove inside a freeland mitt, but now i use a creedmore fingerless glove. they're both fine. no advantage either way.
i've got a freeland mat, but midwayusa has shooting mats for sale super-cheap all the time. one's probably as good as another. or none at all, to be honest, if you're not afraid of a little mud once in a while.
got a nice kowa m21 or 21m or whatever scope. it's worth the money.
it sits on a cheap freeland stand. i got the scope and the stand used. i probably would have got the heavier stand from creedmore if i'd bought new. but i get by with the cheap one. the adjustments are annoying sometimes.
try to sweet-talk some old man on the line out of his ray-vin smoker. it's worth >$30. i don't think they make them anymore, and the alternative (the little one that comes in the plastic box) totally sucks. it's not worth $5.
a regular baseball cap works for me. a little extra shade is nice, but i don't like having my view of the line obstructed for safety reasons. if someone walks up to me, it's probably more important than whatever i'm shooting, and i'd like to know.
i got the ridiculously expensive creedmore cart. it works well, but isn't worth the money if you're on a budget. you can definitely get by a lot cheaper. those jogging strollers with a gun rack are probably the best setup.
best of luck!
the creedmore hardback jacket is worth the money to me. i've shot one for 4 seasons.
i used to use a fingerless leather glove inside a freeland mitt, but now i use a creedmore fingerless glove. they're both fine. no advantage either way.
i've got a freeland mat, but midwayusa has shooting mats for sale super-cheap all the time. one's probably as good as another. or none at all, to be honest, if you're not afraid of a little mud once in a while.
got a nice kowa m21 or 21m or whatever scope. it's worth the money.
it sits on a cheap freeland stand. i got the scope and the stand used. i probably would have got the heavier stand from creedmore if i'd bought new. but i get by with the cheap one. the adjustments are annoying sometimes.
try to sweet-talk some old man on the line out of his ray-vin smoker. it's worth >$30. i don't think they make them anymore, and the alternative (the little one that comes in the plastic box) totally sucks. it's not worth $5.
a regular baseball cap works for me. a little extra shade is nice, but i don't like having my view of the line obstructed for safety reasons. if someone walks up to me, it's probably more important than whatever i'm shooting, and i'd like to know.
i got the ridiculously expensive creedmore cart. it works well, but isn't worth the money if you're on a budget. you can definitely get by a lot cheaper. those jogging strollers with a gun rack are probably the best setup.
best of luck!
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