There's a very active program at Butner, expect there to be 50-60 shooters there; about half sling and coat and about half F class, F class being a mix of open and FT/R . Easy group to be new in.
Things you need:
A relaxed attitude
Rifle / ammo capable of MOA or better, with known ballistics and a good 100 yard zero, ammo capable of getting to 1000 in good order (staying supersonic or other transonic-happy bullet)
No muzzle break, as they are not allowed in NRA registered competitions.
Shooting mat
Bipod / rear bag(s)
Spotting scope very very desirable; you might be able to get away without one (by borrowing one), but you need to be able to see the target when you are scoring for your partner and you cannot use your rifle scope for this. I use mine while shooting to watch mirage, for example, so it is not available for use by my scorer.
Eye / hearing protection
Empty Chamber Indicator (might be available day of match)
Folding chair optional but desirable
There is no lunch break, the match always keeps moving forward, so everyone eats on the run so to speak, so bring water, cooler, sandwich or other food, snacks, etc. Nothing available for sale at the match. Grocery store in Butner for restocking each day.
You can do it with a 10X scope but you'll wish you had more.
Shooters are squadded into 4 relays. Relays 1 and 2 shoot Match 1 first while relays 3 and 4 go to the pits to pull and score targets. Then there is a pit change, and relays 1 and 2 go to the pits to pull and score while relays 3 and 4 shoot Match 1, then relays 3 and 4 shoot match 2. Then there's another pit change, and relays 1 and 2 shoot Match 2. This is to expose all shooters to early and later day conditions. Early - Mid afternoon at Butner is often....challenging.
Squadding starts at 7am, and there are people there before 7 in line. Shooting starts at 0800 with relays 1 and 2 (Saturday) on the line. Relays 3 and 4 shoot first on Sunday.
Tell whoever you get squadded with that you're new; watch what others do. Range commands are formal. You will be instructed when to bring your equipment to the line. Do not bring your rifle to the line until you are instructed to do so. When you move your rifle, it must have an ECI inserted in the empty chamber. Do not load or fire until instructed to do so.
Prep time is 3 minutes at the beginning of each match. The RO will tell you when you're in prep time, and you may remove your ECI and dry fire during prep. The command to load will be given after prep time has expired.
There will seem like a lot to do and not enough time to do it. Once you learn the routine it is much less hectic.
Other things nice to have at Butner after April:
Sunscreen
Hat
Water
Insect repellent
Water
Towel to wipe sweat off of everything
