A friend has been taking me to some rifle matches and I have had a good time at a moderate level of involvement. Highpower F-Class so I don't have to wrap up in coat, glove and sling, and BPCR silhouette to give my old Winchester some exercise. (My main game is IDPA, and rifle shooting is a world of difference.)
I have two words of advice for the beginning or casual target shooter:
Don't be intimidated by the word "match." Everybody had to start somewhere and the experienced shooters will be a world of help. Your biggest problem will be sorting out all the advice you hear.
Do make some effort to be prepared. There are clinics and schools, but a regular match assumes you know how your gun and gear operate and that you have sight settings. For a rifle match AT LEAST be spot on at 100 yards with a standard target load in a standard calibre. Then somebody will tell you the "come-ups" for longer ranges that will likely get you on paper.
The last time I shot F-Class a guy had come out with a buddy and brought his new .308 previously shot only at 50 metres and with two entirely different loadings (plus a third borrowed on the spot) and entered the 1000 yard event! The best efforts of his pal, the match director, and about half the pit crew could not get him on the paper at 1000. Well he did get one keyhole, probably grazed the top of the berm, and he did get one crossfire hit on my friend's target. He had not taken the opportunity to tail onto the last relay at 600 to try to find out what was going on. Sad. I hope he comes back with some idea of what is required.
