Competition Shooting Training

[GarandOwner]

I want to get into high power rifle compeition, specifically ones involving service rifles like the garand. I have some books on stances, but have no formal training. Does anyone know of where I should go to look for training, or would I be better off just learning what I can on my own, then entering a competion and look for help there? My main concern is gaining knowledge hopefully without looking like a complete idiot by just entering a competition without knowing for sure what I am doing (as far as stances go)

 

[lmccrock]

Best thing to do is find a club having a clinic. All will be revealed.

Next, know your zeroes so you do not need to find where the bullets are going during the match.

Last, have fun and do not worry about looking new.

Lee

 

[MutinousDoug]

Most clubs will require you to prove attendance at a clinic before allowing you to participate in a match. This is for the safety of the other competitors as well as yourself. The clinic will explain how the match is run and demonstrate the positions and course of fire for each stage as well as scoring and spotting. There is a lot to absorb and most clinics contain at least a shortened live fire match with an experienced coach for each new guy to help with positions, equipment and getting rounds on paper. Also, different ranges/clubs may have slightly diffiernt routines to accomodate differences in facilities.
I went to at least two clinics before I felt confident enough to show up at a match by myself. (But I'm overly sensitive about looking foolish in front of a bunch of strangers.)
Call the clubs near you that have a High Power program and ask about a clinic. Short of that, attend a match, ask anybody where the match director is and tell him you are a new guy and just watch the goings on. The reduced course matches are usually a bit less formal and may be a good place to start but you need to know how to score and work the pits for an across the course match.
95% of the people you approach with questions at a match will be more than happy to help you out if they aren't getting ready to shoot or moving equipment on of off the line.
Buy a copy of the NRA rulebook.

Enjoy

 

[Blackfork]

Tell me where you are and I'll look for matches.

I'd go and watch one. That will get your blood up. Also tell the match director you want to shoot the next one, or THAT one, but you need coaching, rifle, ammo, scope, et. Usually you get a great reception.

Our club has club rifle, free ammo, equipment for anyone who wants to try it out.

For heavens sake don't BUY anything up front.

Ok, maybe Zedikers book. Or from the CMP the Service Rifle training guide.

 

[Pat McCoy]

Buy the "junior Rifle Shooting" book from NRA, or look for a copy of "The New Position Rifle Shooting" by Pullum & Hannenkrat if you can't find a clinic to attend.

 

[30Cal]

Show up to the first even they'll let you shoot at. I don't think you'll get much out of watching one. Call first and tell them you haven't shot a match before.

Jim Owens has a good set of books on highpower--www.jarheadtop.com
They'll walk you through equipment, how to use it and how to shoot better. Well worth the money. I'd get the leather sling one at a minimum. The big lie is also excellent.


There's huge volume written by Randolph Constantine--The Modern Highpower somethingorother. It's got everything.

 

[Mark whiz]

Like the others have said, local clubs are probably the best place to start to get good starting info. I'm gonna look thru my resources at home and see if I can find you some useful links.
The one piece of advice I can give, is that the best, cheapest, & quickest way to practice technique and improve your shooting is 1)Dry fire practice and 2)Air rifle practice. If you learn to shoot well with an air rifle, you can shoot ANY rifle well - this I learned thru my local club's youth air rifle program, practicing what they taught the kids.

 

[GarandOwner]

Thanks for all the good posts, I found a Garand shoot up in Jacksonville that is close to where I am in Daytona Beach. I will give the match director a call or email tommorow and see if the club gives any sort of Introduction training for Competition, then there is another I found in Melburne, hopefully one of them puts on some sort of clinic I can attend. Again Thanks for all the advice!

 

[Mark whiz]

My son & I have shot & competed at both the Melbourne (Port Malabar) and Jacksonville (by the airport) ranges and they are both execellent facilities.

Another place I can recommend is the Titusville range (http://www.titusvillegun.com/ ). This would be a LOT closer than the other two and it's open to the public as well as members. It's a little more "low brow" than Malabar - but it's a good place to get in a lot of shooting - I used to go there once or twice a week................at least until I moved up north in 2005

 

[Brian Dale]

Sure, I went to my first highpower match in order to watch. The club members laughed jovially at that notion. Then they got me a rifle and mat, watched over me, gave me individual instruction and made sure that I had a great time.

 

[Blackfork]

New folks

We had a new guy at Terrell on Saturday that watched one relay and shot the next one. Reduced 200 yard course. i don't know what he shot but he had a very capable coach walking him through the second relay.

I shot a 488X18 and a 489X11, so I was busy with my own program.

Match directors usually glad to see you, as are the competitors. Nobody stays new very long.

 

[GunnyBallz]

Garand Match/ Hi power clinic Jacksonville Florida

GarandOwner wrote:
"Thanks for all the good posts, I found a Garand shoot up in Jacksonville that is close to where I am in Daytona Beach. I will give the match director a call or email tommorow and see if the club gives any sort of Introduction training for Competition, then there is another I found in Melburne, hopefully one of them puts on some sort of clinic I can attend. Again Thanks for all the advice!"

We have a Garand Match 31 March at Gateway Rifle & Pistol Club in Jax, Fl. included is a link to the website, and there also is going to be a high power clinic in June. Good Luck. If you want some coaching I would be more than willing to get ya started. I have been Shooting Hi power competitively now in the Marine Corps and civilian matches since 1996. I do shoot Garands, Ar's, M1A's etc..All it will cost ya is a cup of coffee, and of course your time.

http://www.grpc-jax.com/events.htm
http://www.grpc-jax.com/index.htm


Gunny