What's holding you back?

Dave C. · Post by **Dave C.** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 5:29 pm

What is the reason you are missing out on the fun and friendship
found at organized shooting events? It is not your ability or lack
of ability as shooting matches is the best way to improve.
And don't tell me "I don't have a high end ,high dollar gun so
I can't shoot the match!" That's bull and you know it!
Everyone of the shooters on the line at a match had to go to
thier first match too. And most if not all started with the same
type of guns that you already own. Most shooting matches are
won by the best shooter not the best gun. So no matter what
type of shooting interest you get up off your butt and give it
a try. Every shooting match I have ever seen has classes
so that you only compete against others of like skill levels.
Yea, I know it's fun to go plinking tin cans but the thrill of being
able to improve and measuer you ability against others is
much more rewarding that to bounce that tin can around.

Dave C. in NEPA

Ruffchaser · Post by **Ruffchaser** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:17 pm

Hopefully nothing is holding me back this thursday nite when the 22 league at the gun club starts . Looking forward to meeting other shooters and learning alot . It will be my first match/league etc... Asked a guy the other nite about his opinion on 45s and he insisted I shoot 3 mags worth of his which I enjoyed very much , he also enjoyed my ruger 22/45 .

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:09 pm

The word is "Camaraderie." You'll find it in the shooting sports at a level like no other event. No matter who is participating, they will all take the time to help eager new shooters. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and listen attentively to the advice you'll receive for it'll be worth it's weight in gold.

R,
Bullseye

Ruffchaser · Post by **Ruffchaser** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:02 pm

Wow , went to my first match and only scored alittle over 1/2 available points . But its was a lot of fun . got the nervousness and particulars out of the way now and already look forward to next week . There's probably at least 40 shooters and have seen lots of different guns , this will be fun !

Dave C. · Post by **Dave C.** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:43 am

I told you it would be fun!
The hardest match to shoot is the first one.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:18 pm

DAVE C,

You asked: "What's holding me back" Why don't I join leagues and go shoot matches more. Then you stated that lack of funds to buy the appropriate equipment was no excuse.

Well sir, I disagree with you on this.
There are many shooting sports that require top end equipment to even show up. Without this equipment you won't be welcomed or even stand much of a chance of placing.

Trap and Skeet is one of these: Just try to take your 870 hunting gun to one of these matches. You'll be sneered at, talked down to and ostracised. EVEN if you outshoot them.

NRA style rifle shooting: These guys use super duper tricked out heavy barrel target bolt action rifles, using sights that cost more than my Win 9422. Imagine showing up for one of those matches with a Winchester 9422. What a joke. Most of these target rifles have adjustable stocks, handrests and trigger pulls as well. Do you think for one minute that these competetors are going to loan you one of these guns? More than likely not.

More down to fantacy land is Cowboy Action Shooting.
If you shoot in an SASS sanctioned match, you'll need 2 single action revolvers, a lever gun of appropriate caliber, and a shotgun. This is expensive to the point that many folks just can't afford it. Yes you can borrow these from some of the people there, but you will eventually be expected to buy your own. In my personal circle of friends I don't know any body who can afford this.

Now, recently I joined Gary W Trotts Email Shooting League { http://fieldandfelt.com/emailshootingleagues/index.html } . He posts over on The Ruger Forum.
I can use any handgun to shoot these matches, and I can use my 9422 for the small bore rifle match if I want to. So now that's pretty simple and painless, right? Not really. Targets cost, ammo costs, range time costs me from $14 to $21 bucks to shoot. And I am now committed to shoot a certain number of matches within a certain number of weeks.

I'm not working now due to injuries received in a fall. Money is tight. So money is what's holding me back. And I'll wager I'm not the only one.

There are leagues at my local range, The shooters are friendly, they'd probably load me a gun if I needed it, but as I just said, it all costs money.
I'm in Illinois, there is no outdoor areas here where a person can go shoot for free. If you don't own enough acres, or know someone who does, you are restricted to ranges. Or clubs. And these cost money.

Hopefully someday, sooner than later I hope, my situation will improve. But for now - it IS the money.

Joe

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:50 pm

Joe,

Thanks for posting Gary Trotts shooting league link, I've had several people ask me if I knew of a internet shooting league. MarkII.org used to have one but the latest software upgrade rendered it useless. Having a link to this league might increase its usage by people from the forum who were seeking a new league.

R,
Bullseye

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:12 pm

Bullseye,

You're welcome.

I emailed Gary a couple weeks ago asking him if it was OK to post the web site. He said it was fine and please do it.
I've put it in my sig lines of several of the forums I'm involved in. I hope it gets results.

I am enjoying myself on his league, and all I can do is work towards improvement.
I'm not a bullseye shooter at all. 90% of my shooting was / is combat oriented. I used to be in an IPSC club back in the late 70s early 80s. But things happened and I had let my membership slide. When I tried to get back into it the top shooters were using the race guns. I couldn't compete with them with my stock guns. And I did not desire to spend money on something I found to be useless for anyting but the matches. I guess I'm a multiple purpose use type of gun owner.

Joe

toyfj40 · Post by **toyfj40** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:05 pm

J Miller wrote:Gary W Trotts Email Shooting League
http://fieldandfelt.com/emailshootingleagues/index.html

thanks for the link...
Note: they have a Domain-Alias, to make it a little easier to Post/find
http://www.eMailShootingLeagues.com/ to the same WebSite.

my local range has many Matches, for all types of competition.
There are some state/Nat'l award winners...
but it is pleasantly open to all comers, of any experience,
just use the proper equipment...
ie. if it is .22LR-open-sight-Rifle... then don't use a Scoped .308

but their Match-day/time is often not convenient...
so, internet/eMail matches can be cheaper and more convenient.
... I can go shoot on my "up day" and not have to be "up" on match-day.
take care and good luck with your matches...