Tips for getting into long range competition

[1-1 Banger]

Anybody care to share any knowledge on long range competitions? Any tips, tricks, pointers and advice is welcome. I'm not new to long range shooting, I am sniper qualified in the Army, but I've never done any competitive long range shooting in the civilian world. I want to be able to keep my skills fresh as I'm getting out of the Army soon. A long distance range in the military consists of showing up with my weapon and getting the allotted number of rounds issued to me for the day. Other than obviously having to supply my own ammunition and equipment, what should I bring to help maximize the experience?

 

[MaterDei]

The range I belong to hosts long range competitions. I suspect that your local ranges will as well. Check their website for when they hold their competitions and just show up. All of the competitions that the club hosts are open to the public and newcomers are welcomed with open arms.

Thanks for your service. I was in the Army for 11 years. Odd that you and I are both online at 0530.

 

[thegiff]

There are different types of long range competitions, F-class, tactical, and benchrest come to mind. Decide what you want to do, and show up at a shoot, either to watch to get a feel for it, or participate since you are there already. Most groups are quite welcoming of new or interested people.

I've been shooting tactical matches for a couple of years now, it is a lot of fun. You can run a stock rifle off the bat, but won't be all that competitive. Seeing and handling other shooters equipment, you can decide what equipment you want/need and skip a lot of the frustration of buying or building something that doesn't work.

Almost guaranteed that your first outings you will place at or near the bottom. My first three matches I was last, last and last. 4th match I was not last, just 3rd from last (out of 15 or so average number of shooters). Just push through that, practice, watch others and ask questions, most shooters like to help each other out.

 

[taliv]

go to precisionrifleseries.com and watch the videos on the left hand side of the page

 

[1-1 Banger]

Are tactical matches the ones with barrier shoots and such? Do I have to have a spotter? It's easy enough to teach someone to spot, I just can't think of anybody with the same level of obsession I have for long range marksmanship.
Materdei-Haha, yep. 0530 somehow finds me every morning, even on leave it seems. And good luck "sleeping in" past about zero nine right?

 

[jwrowland77]

I would say like above, just show up at one and shoot. That's what I did. I'm a jump right in to learn type person.

I still can't sleep past 0600 even on the weekends. Most days I'm up at 0400 since I had to report for duty at 0500 when I was in.

 

[taliv]

yes, and depends. some matches are individual, some are team matches.

 

[thegiff]

Most tactical matches I've seen are shot on an individual basis. Now nad then some allow two man teams for spotting, but that isn't common. Really, just show up to a match, especially a monthly where it is more low key than the big matches where people come in from hundreds of miles for the shooting and a nice prize table.

 

[taliv]

PMG, PTS, K&M, Mammoth, CD/Thunderbeast all run very popular team matches that fill up quickly. The military/LEO matches are almost all team matches.

you should try them. they are quite different than individual matches and usually a lot more fun