Saturday, July 25, 2015

Match Preparation

Hello all,

What do you do for match preparation? To be more precise, at home preparation.

Today I would like to talk about match preparation and more importantly, shooting position preparations. I know everyone gets there ammo, gun, etc., etc., ready, but what about your shooting position for your style of matches.

I shoot mostly prone in the matches I am involved in. The night before the match after I get all my goodies, range bag and accessories put together, I like to get the firearm I will be using out and get in the prone position on the floor with the scope cranked way down. From there I like to focus on a spot on the wall with my prone position closest to what I think I will be at when at the range. I just hold there and keep as steady as I can, I try different breathing techniques to see what the steadiest is for me, body position to see what is steadiest and rear rest position. I like to hold my position for a few minutes and study each one and find the best.

Dry firing. I don't do it, I like to just squeeze the trigger of a uncocked firearm, I know that I don't get the feel of the trigger letting loose and sending the firing pin towards the cartridge, to me it helps me know and control my trigger a little better and then when I am at the range I fire live ammo an pick up on the trigger control where I left off before. Probably only helps me in my mind.

So off of the firearms and onto the accessories. I pack everything the night before and have it ready. I like to group my ammo up if I know how many shots are in the match, keeps me a little more organized an prepared, especially if it's a timed match.

What are some things you like to do? Feel free to comment.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Just Another Windy Day

Good day all,

Well I got a Mini-Palma match under my belt now, but what a terrible performance.

 If it ain't one thing its another. From a post earlier in the year my first Mini-Palma match got rained out, so I  made it to the next one, lucky me the wind was only blowing around 20-25 mph, we went ahead and shot the match, I shot a 173-1x which is terrible, with that being said on top of the wind I found out my scope was garbage as well.

After the wind died down, I went back to the range to zero my scope back in. I walked the shots back into about 2" from right of center, went another 8 clicks(1/4" @ 100 yard clicks) the next few shots went left 1/2 inch and not right. So with the wind and a junk scope no wonder I shot like crap.

Well this weekend we had another Mini-Palma but as my luck goes the winds were even worse 27+ mph, so the match was cancelled.

Seems like I have switched gears again, from centerfire to rimfire. The rifle I am using is a Savage BTVLSS with a Nikon 6-24x scope(now) and a 6"-9" bi-pod, the palma matches are shot prone position at 100 yards with 22 rimfire. I need to purchase some higher end target ammo for my matches but keep procrastinating on that, I have found a local gun store who seems to have a good supply of CCI LR standard velocity, I have been having pretty good luck with that.

Some other things I have done to the savage was lap the bolt to make it a little smoother an lap the bore to help with any minor imperfections. I did adjust the trigger to the lowest it can be set with the factory accutrigger. Some other Mods that may be coming up would be a trigger, putting a 11 degree crown in and a larger bolt knob. I do need to order a 20 MOA rail for my scope. I ran out of adjustment on the "up" rotation of the scope.

I did complete my RSO training and now I am a certified RSO at my local range. I would like to become more involved out there in the future as well.

Rex