F T/R Competition Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

MLC

MLC

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 4, 2004
1,058
6
Solebury, PA
#1
I've been interested in shooting F class for several years now and have recently discovered that there are matches every weekend within 3.25 hours of my house.

What support gear would you consider essential to F and F/TR shooting?
 
#2
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

When I leave home for an F class outing I take...

my rifle in a starlight case
a cleaning rod (it has come in handy many times not for me but..)
a small box with minimal tools allens, driver, bits, etc
my shooting mat
a couple different rear bean bag type devices (where I shoot the firing lines are not all created equal and what you use at 800 for a rear bag will not work at 900 or at 1000)
100 rounds of ammo
I phone or dope card
data book and a pen
small clipboard for score card
eyes/ears/sunscreen/light jacket
soft sided cooler with plenty of h2o and a couple granola bars
plenty of skoal
a good attitude open to constructive criticism from the old high master types
an empty chamber indicator.
my spotter / tripod ( there will be plenty there and I usually never get mine out of the truck if I shoot the first relay but better to have and not need. You can use your rifle in a pinch)
a healthy supply of patience (helpful for not firing during pickups or letoffs)
at least 20-30 bucks for match entry fee and lunch afterward
and last but not least a truck load of humility for no matter how figured out you may think you have it...someone will usually show up that will make you question this theory.
 
#4
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

everything Rwest bring minus the skoal and plus a folding chair for scoring comfortably.
extra cash to pay for target service if available.
 
#7
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

everything Rwest indicated PLUS
- eye drop to keep my eyes hydrated and avoid the eye floates
- soft cooler yes; but it is for my ammo to keep the ammo temp regulated.
- Hard cooler for food and water.
- boots for mornings with heavy dew or raining runners for other times.
***RAIN GEAR
- hats
- umbrella for rain and to keep the sun off the range has little shade and the sun can be an issue.
- I wear cargo pants with the zippers on the legs so i can turn them into shorts if the temps get too high.

 
#9
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

I'm gettin me some eye drops. Good call. Fill out your location / profile so the rain talk will make sense. If you look at mine you will understand why I left out rain gear.
 
#10
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

I'd add a large readout timer, depending on how the match director has things set up you can really adjust your strategy if you keep track of time. Especially if you are in a block time situation.

Everyone has some kind of shooting mat, but I have started using a heavy doormat for under the barrel. Helps keep dust and debris from getting on you/your kit/rifle/eyes.

The item that has helped me more than any other is a first rate spotting scope/stand. Great glass makes a long day on the line so much nicer regarding eyestrain. A nice stand allows perfect setup on the line in position.

Extra batteries for everything that needs them.
 
#12
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

The 2nd and 4th posts here pretty much cover it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sean Hagerty</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Electronic hearing protection. Ear plugs are ok, but it sure is nice being able to hear everything said. </div></div>

I've got both, and I prefer to shoot with my plugs in and wear the electronics for pit duty and scoring. I just don't like shooting with muffs on. The recoil always seems to bang them and it's distracting.

Funny thing though, I wore my muffs the other day doing some off hand with my AR and had the volume turned up, I could here the recoil spring travel in the buttstock.
 
#13
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

I travel as light as I can.

My mat is a mover's blanket. Cheap enough to be expendible, big enough to fold over double (which can serve to smooth over rough ground, or even cover over my gear (and/or me) if weatehr demands it.

Rifle, rest and bipod, rear bag, mirage band/tube. Chamber flag. Cleaning rod, patches, bore foam. Eye/ear protection compatible with my garments. Only such tools as would be appropriate for a quick field repair.

When I'm bringing the Garand, I have a complete spare trigger group handy. Never needed it, but it has saved other guys' matches on several occasions. I also have some spare Garand firing pins and a bolt disassembly tool handy.

Hand towels, rubbing alky for really hot days (treats heat casualties very quickly), a wide brim hat, light colored long sleeve shirt and long trousers. Sunscreen. I have health issues with direct sunlight.

Several bottles of drinking water, some with Splenda sweetened lemonade mix. A handmeal if the timing dictates. Fresh fruit as well in such instances. Baby wipes so I can eat with clean hands.

Warm clothing shells for marginal weather.

Our COF is 40rd for score and unlimited sighters. I carry 50-60 rounds for myself, and a second batch of same in case an interested spectator wants in.

I bring a spotting scope and tripod, plus a folding seat for scoring and/or cooling my heels between relays/stages.

I find it all pretty much fits into, or folds atop a milk crate.

Greg
 
#15
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

Can't speak for where you are at, but this time of year here down South, a few bottles of water and a can of mosquito spray go a long way. Other than that, what every one else said.
 
#16
Re: Starting out in F/TR, gear other than the rifle

After today something I'll add..

A small rubber mallet. Never happened before but I had a couple of rounds that were sticky going in, and one of them stuck coming out. The brass came from a bag labeled as being full length re-sized, obviously it wasn't.


Thankfully Danny Biggs was shooting next to me and just happened to have one in his bag (think that was a coincidence?)
 
#19
XTR said:
After today something I'll add..

A small rubber mallet. Never happened before but I had a couple of rounds that were sticky going in, and one of them stuck coming out. The brass came from a bag labeled as being full length re-sized, obviously it wasn't.


Thankfully Danny Biggs was shooting next to me and just happened to have one in his bag (think that was a coincidence?)
Click to expand...

Ditto on that. Had to use one one time.
 
#21
I've seen a rock used. Didn't turn out well.

Just unpacking... Chair, mat, rifle, 100 rounds ammo, backup rifle, 100 rounds ammo (cuz I AM going to shoot damn it,) food, water, Dt Pepsi, cooler, timer, pen, paper, notes from last time, electronic muffs, plugs (sometimes use both,) eye protection, hat, optics wipes, bug dope, sun screen, towel, cleaning rod, wipe out, grease, oil, sun glasses, butt wipes and TP, cell phone, cash, extra water, screw drivers, patches, altoids, jogging stroller, small back pack, business cards, rain gear, pop up sun canopy. Never have used the sun canopy, but it's in the back of the truck anyway.
Don't have a spotting scope, so I don't pack one. Maybe for my birthday.
 
#23
KelsonAK said:
I've seen a rock used. Didn't turn out well.

Just unpacking... Chair, mat, rifle, 100 rounds ammo, backup rifle, 100 rounds ammo (cuz I AM going to shoot damn it,) food, water, Dt Pepsi, cooler, timer, pen, paper, notes from last time, electronic muffs, plugs (sometimes use both,) eye protection, hat, optics wipes, bug dope, sun screen, towel, cleaning rod, wipe out, grease, oil, sun glasses, butt wipes and TP, cell phone, cash, extra water, screw drivers, patches, altoids, jogging stroller, small back pack, business cards, rain gear, pop up sun canopy. Never have used the sun canopy, but it's in the back of the truck anyway.
Don't have a spotting scope, so I don't pack one. Maybe for my birthday.
Click to expand...

I was curious how you guys get all this shit from the truck to the line. The jogging stroller seems like a good idea. Any other?
 
#25
Headquarterz said:
I was curious how you guys get all this shit from the truck to the line. The jogging stroller seems like a good idea. Any other?
Click to expand...

This is why I and a few others I shoot with regularly use:

Precision 600 lb Drop Side Nursery Cart - Lawn & Garden - Outdoor Tools & Supplies - Wheelbarrows & Garden Carts



At Camp Pendleton MR matches, we have to haul all the gear about 500 or 600 yd to the firing line. The large wheels are good. I bolted a 3/8" piece of plywood in the bottom of mine for better support than the wire mesh.

Cart_zps91c08549.jpg



I also have a smaller folding version that seems to work reasonably well:

Mac Sports Folding Wagon - Green : Target


Creedmoor also has more traditional shooting carts:

Stools & Range Carts | Creedmoor Sports
 
#27
The Mac sports is what I now use and I installed gun brackets on it to hold the rifle. The little wagon collapses into a neat package that fits in any of my vehicles.
 
#28
Denys,
I bought the Mac Sports folding one based on your recommendation a while back, here or elsewhere, can't remember. I've been meaning to tell you that was a great suggestion. It's a very useful little cart to keep in the trunk for lots of different stuff. It's also the one I'll be taking to Raton as the other is way too big to ship. Good call!
 
#29
Thanks, it is a neat device. I've been using it during swim season which just concluded, to haul stuff from the car to the team's spot. Chairs, coolers, etc. I just drag the cart and the pop-up thing instead of being loaded down with all the junk and making multiple trips.

I added these ATV gun rack things on the cart:
Kolpin Rhino Grip XL - Single at MacksPW.com

It does not inhibit the functionality in any way for folding the cart and it holds the rifle very firmly. This weekend, I will test it to see if I can put the rifle on it with the bipod attached; I'm just too lazy to do that until the Sunday match.
 
#32
REELDOC said:
Original RPCM Cool Vest - The Original Cooling Vest
Click to expand...

+1 That's a good idea. I have never brought mine to the range, but I should. Here in Houston it gets very hot and humid in the summer. I have gotten up off of my mat and found puddles of standing water from sweating. And they work great. I am a volunteer fireman, and while they have not worked out logistically for fighting actual fires (due to timing), they work great for planned stuff like live burns at the firefield. Think 100 deg F ambient in 99 percent humidity wearing 80 pounds of protective gear and THEN going inside a concrete building full of fire, yet I stayed relatively comfortable wearing a cool vest. They work!
 
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