PRS Talk Training for my first prs match

fvalmostthere

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Minuteman
Mar 27, 2014
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Have my first prs match coming up in a month. Looking for any training tips to help me prepare.

I have a place to practice out to 600 but the match goes out to 1100, and I have never really shot past 600.

My current training usually starts with me proned out with a chronograph getting dope for all the distances and velocity. Then I take the chrono off and confirm dope. Then run practice stages of my barricade.

Any advise for a new guy would be greatly appreciated!
 
Showing up with good dope is always good.

The training I like to do lately is to set up practice stages and I prep for the stage like I would at a match. Write out my dope, get my initial wind call, plan my position. The only thing different is I wont shoot 8 or 10 rounds, I'll shoot 2-6 and then start over again with another stage.

I don't think shooting 8-10 rounds straight in practice does as much good as prepping like you would at a match and then just shooting enough rounds to test your position and wind call.

Good luck with you first match!
 
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Shouldn't need to chrono each practice session.

Practice positional and modified prone positions and dialing multiple targets
Build comfort level in those a d find your weaknesses
 
Practice positional and moving from position to position as smoothly as possible. Then getting into position and on target fast. Any saved time in moving helps make hits. You can use different things to shoot off of also. Don't go to the range and just shoot off your belly. Also practice weak hand shooting.

I agree that no need to chrono every range day. Chrono before a match with the ammo to be used and run your data on a good program with the environmental data for the range the match will be at. Having your data at your range is good as a reference but the environmentals may be different at the match range and that home data won't work. I shot matches for year not having more than 400 yards and never an issue using a good program to get data out to around 1400 yards.
 
^^^ These posts. Especially as regards getting into position and on target quickly! That's my weakness - I'm older than most PRS competitors with a few mobility challenges; I tend to avoid positional practice because it's not easy and can be uncomfortable. It costs me bigtime in matches. Watching video of myself in a match is almost painful because I'm so slow. So - practice getting into a stable position, getting on target, closing/cycling bolt, and trigger pull on barricades, barrels (on end, across, end-to-end), tank traps, etc. By far, this is the best kind of practice you can do if you are confident in your dope. Remember, though, It's far better to fire half of possible shots in a stage and hit them than fire all of them and miss all but a couple.

Do you have a ballistic calculator? If not, Get One. You can research them here on SH. I have tried several and stay with Strelok Pro - I think it's currently about $13 on iPhone app store. You have already collected actual dope; you can use it to "true" Strelok's (or other calculators') calculated elevations.

When you get to the match and get started, just accept you'll be nervous and do silly things. Sheesh, I've been competing in one shooting sport or another for many decades and still get flustered. I shot a match this past weekend which had a stage where shooters started prone, mag in, bolt back, safety on, rifle shouldered on rear bag of choice. My shooting buddies - one of whom posted above - will tell you I seem to be jinxed on this stage; I've done something stupid on it 4 matches straight, including a ND (finger rotated around slamming the bolt home on first shot and hit trigger) - immediate match DQ. Yesterday, I was sure I was ready to break the spell. Rifle up, cheek welded, timer beeps. Close bolt... won't close. Drop mag, reinsert, try again. Won't close. I'm still on the rifle when RO mutters "chamber flag." I didn't remove the chamber flag.

Biggest mistake I made in my first match was leaving scope magnification turned way up. This resulted in my not being able to find targets in the scope and/or firing on the wrong target. 12-15x magnification is plenty.

Stay hydrated and bring enough energy food to get you through the match. Sun block and bug spray. It's fine to tell your squad mates you're new and ask questions. Be sure to let the ROs know as well. Be absolutely sure to practice perfect muzzle discipline at all times.

Have fun. Be safe.
 
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When it comes to positional, work in being *effecient* in your movement. Be aware of the position of the target, orient your body and rifle to the target as you get to the shooting position, and orient on the target as you build the position. It takes a lot of time and practice doing this slowly and deliberately, but it will make a huge difference in time spent on positional stages at matches. Trying to rush through a stage will open you to more errors, but concentrating on effecient movement will make a bigger difference than speed.
 
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Build a PRS barricade or something similar. Or a ladder

Look at videos online or if someone local can help you, go that route. You’d be surprised how much a simple barricade or ladder can help you in the beginning.

And then realize that no matter what, your first match is going to be a train wreck (comparatively speaking).

Unless you’re coming from another competitive firearm discipline(and even then), this is going to be very foreign to you. You’re likely not going to clean house and show guys how it’s done your first match.

Take a note pad and write down the things that felt the most odd or hardest to do and work on them.
 
Also, if possible, practice visualizing how to run through a stage.

Example:

Stage is simple prs barricade. 4 positions, 2 shots each position.

Visualize exactly how you are going to move through the stage. As detailed as possible. If you’re going to pick up the bag and rifle at the same time, visualize exactly that.

Know that you want to only take one step to the right and be exactly where you want.....visualize it in your head.

Visualize the speed in which you’re going to run your bolt. When you’re going to leave the bolt open to move. Everything.

Then stick to this plan exactly, unless something totally unexpected happens.

You’ll find that you forget about the clock and pressure as you’re more concerned with enacting the plan you just spent 5min visualizing in your head.
 
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Have my first prs match coming up in a month. Looking for any training tips to help me prepare.

I have a place to practice out to 600 but the match goes out to 1100, and I have never really shot past 600.

My current training usually starts with me proned out with a chronograph getting dope for all the distances and velocity. Then I take the chrono off and confirm dope. Then run practice stages of my barricade.

Any advise for a new guy would be greatly appreciated!

If you can/are willing to mention what match you're shooting, some people may be able to chime in with advice specific to that match/venue.
 
I'll echo what others have said, but do not forget the basics.
Making sure your zero is correct, turrets zeroed out, enough ammo, data, gear in good working order.

For practicing, I like to dry fire and run a stage. I may shoot some rounds in a stage for practice, but I want to run it dry to feel it. This also reinforces a smooth bolt operation which will highlight in the awkward positions.

Once that is down, work on building a solid position for the stage. A few more seconds spent getting into position can save time for the stage. Understand 'efficiency of motion' and make every move count to get rounds down range smoother and quicker.

Lastly, have fun. The dudes shooting these events are typically top notch and very helpful.
 
And then realize that no matter what, your first match is going to be a train wreck (comparatively speaking).

Unless you’re coming from another competitive firearm discipline (and even then), this is going to be very foreign to you.
USPSA Production B class, NRA HP and mid range prone Master, NSCA sporting clays A class............it won't help. Ask me how I know.
 
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Wow thank you all. I have been practicing on my own off a barricade since about January and have definitely learned a few things already that will help. Got out this past weekend for the first time in a while and had some rust but picked it back up ok. I will definitely grab a barrel and take that next time. I am going to the Minute Man Precision Rifle League Match in NH in a few weeks. I know I have talked to a few guys on here that are members of that league. Been trying to make it to a match since January but this is the first one that has worked out. Thank you all for the advice, I will try and implement as much of it as I can!
 
before the match ever starts...

if you have your rifle zero'd prior and have confirmed dope using that zero setting, and are confident your rifle holds zero....dont change it on the zero line the morning of the match

if your zero isnt holding every day, theres a rifle issue that needs correcting before attending the matches...but ive seen too many people adjust zeros for conditions different than what they trued in, and then have dope issues constantly...if they trued with "zero A", and nothing moved physically on their rifle...when they adjust to "zero B" because of mirage, an optical shift, etc...their dope will be off
 
Something someone told me when I got into PRS this season, try and get a mental checklist in habit prior to each stage.

For me, I try do to the following: Check elevation is dialed correct, parallax is roughly where it should be, magazine loaded, zoom is where you want it, bipod/bag selection made etc. Saves you from jumping into a stage with wrong info and wasting time correcting.

Not really a practice related thing, but making sure you know where the targets are and what targets you are shooting in what order is always good to have a solid grasp on. It may be annoying but I do a quick confirmation of this with RO when they ask if I understand COF.
 
Don't forget to have fun and make friends. :)

Goal for the first match should be to come away with things to practice, an only slightly bruised ego, and a list of new friends you can ask questions or maybe even go shoot and practice with.
Guys I'm in Tampa, FL and am so looking forward to PRS and probably other things I don't even know about in the shooting sports world. The new yet to open facility just posted an update looking like October opening so plenty of time to be practicing the right things. I get a chance to practice several times a month on a private land 200 yards of practice at best right now cows are keeping us from shooting longer. I guess when I'm limited to short shooting just do lots of positional stuff? We have IPSC, 10" and 4" at 100 and 200. Any suggestions on what/how I can best make use of that time? Thanks guys.

Also a few of us are considering joining Manatee down south until JTAC opens so may even make a run down there this coming week that will open up my distance window
 
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Wow thank you all. I have been practicing on my own off a barricade since about January and have definitely learned a few things already that will help. Got out this past weekend for the first time in a while and had some rust but picked it back up ok. I will definitely grab a barrel and take that next time. I am going to the Minute Man Precision Rifle League Match in NH in a few weeks. I know I have talked to a few guys on here that are members of that league. Been trying to make it to a match since January but this is the first one that has worked out. Thank you all for the advice, I will try and implement as much of it as I can!

The Minuteman League was just started this year and is going great. There is a great bunch of guys running it. I’ll be at the match on the 10th.

One thing this league does for new shooters is to allow them to receive coaching during the match. You can declare yourself a new shooter at the beginning of the match and your score will not count towards any league points, but your squad mates will be able to coach you and help get you on target.

The facility in N.H. is beginner friendly and a pleasure to shoot at.
 
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Guys I'm in Tampa, FL and am so looking forward to PRS and probably other things I don't even know about in the shooting sports world. The new yet to open facility just posted an update looking like October opening so plenty of time to be practicing the right things. I get a chance to practice several times a month on a private land 200 yards of practice at best right now cows are keeping us from shooting longer. I guess when I'm limited to short shooting just do lots of positional stuff? We have IPSC, 10" and 4" at 100 and 200. Any suggestions on what/how I can best make use of that time? Thanks guys.

Also a few of us are considering joining Manatee down south until JTAC opens so may even make a run down there this coming week that will open up my distance window

With the exception of the 4” at 200 I wouldn’t spend much time on those relatively large targets at those close distances.

During the winter it is often hard for us to make it into our local long range property so I’ll do positional practice on 3/4” dots at 100 yards at another local range that doesn’t get snowed in so bad.

It’s really really good practice and there’s no confusion on how good or bad your groups are as you’re able to review the groups after the fact. Really helps tune up your positional shooting.
 
ok thanks i definitely don't shoot at anything but the 4" anyway. if the cows get out of the way b/f bow season starts we can back up to anywhere from 525 to just under 700....should I move up to the 10's then? Or just tsay on the 100/200 and use smaller dots? Thanks