I'm curious how many people compete vs people who just enjoy shooting. No right or wrong answer. I'm just curious.
Vote in poll to keep it simple.
Vote in poll to keep it simple.
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Do you Compete or just like to shoot?
- Thread starter D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷
- Start date
I like to shoot, so I have entered some local competitions, and will continue to do so. I have to say, however, that my efforts have been less than competitive. Shooting a series of match stages with a squad of shooters is one heck of a lot more fun that shooting on a public range.
I love shooting but got bored with the square range and shooting by myself. I just shot my second comp this weekend and boy was it humbling!!!!! And definately showed my weeknesses and what I need to work on. I feel I'm a pretty good shot a the square range but wanted to go to the next level and learn the wind and odd ranges and positional. Very hard to find places to practice that type of shooing outside comps.
I compete for fun. I have entered 3 national matchs but I never have intentions of winning those. They sure are fun to shoot though!
Just registered for 1st match. 8/11. Lrse team match. Sure I'll get smoked but got to jump in and get wet at some point.
I use my time shooting as a hobby to get away from work. Having said that I enjoy the alone time, and often lose track of time concentrating on my practice. On occasion I shoot with friends, but I find the vibe to be entirely different when doing so.
I generally have no interest in turning my time into a competition or social situation.
I generally have no interest in turning my time into a competition or social situation.
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I shoot matches, and even get in the top 5 or 10 fairly regularly. I don't care if I win necessarily, though. It's a community range day and I go for fun. If I shoot well, great. If not, oh well. The easier I take it the better I seem to do, anyway.
If I did not have a job and a wife,I'd compete, until then I just shoot.
I have yet to shoot a rifle match, but I plan to. One thing I know, is that shooting matches is the best way to learn what it is you need to learn. Until you start shooting matches, you don't even know what you don't know. Pistol matches taught me that a long time ago.
I compete, try to compete in at least a few national level matches a year. I use to shoot a bunch of local club matches when I was in Texas, now that I'm in Arizona, my work schedule doesn't line up with any of the local ones here.
I do it because it's fun, but also to test and build on my riflery skills. Each match is a learning session, and I come out of each one a better shooter.
I am not a PRS member, nor do I care about points or where I stand nationally. I don't take it too seriously, at the end of the day it's something I do for fun. At any given match, I'm usually a middle of the pack shooter. Top third if I am shooting good.
I do it because it's fun, but also to test and build on my riflery skills. Each match is a learning session, and I come out of each one a better shooter.
I am not a PRS member, nor do I care about points or where I stand nationally. I don't take it too seriously, at the end of the day it's something I do for fun. At any given match, I'm usually a middle of the pack shooter. Top third if I am shooting good.
I just like to shoot... I'm too lazy/cheap to get involved in competition.
I was able to attend a pro-am and in spite of making every rookie mistake, it was a great experience. I was teamed with an experienced shooter who went way, way out of his way to help, mentor and coach. What I found interesting was that lots of experienced shooters would mingle after a stage and talk about the right and wrong holds, positions and wind calls they made. After one stage when I did nothing but plow furrows in the berm, I got a lot of advise and anecdotes about “I remember my fisrt time at that stage and...,”
I want to go again but with two kids in college and those loans to pay, well, let’s hope.
I want to go again but with two kids in college and those loans to pay, well, let’s hope.
Pretty much exactly like this. Except that I do get to shoot 6-8 local matches a year too. It's good fun and challenging.
I shoot about 3-5, "practical rifle" type matches a year. Some are partner shoots, some are individual. For me, it gives me a hobby and something to do. I have found that in my limited experience it is a lot like golf for me. Sometimes I'll go out and shoot pretty good, other times I go out and feel like I can't hit the broad side of a barn. It is fun though, and I find it helps me tremendously when I hunt during the fall.
I have never shot a competition but love to shoot for fun. Right now it is my wife and 4 young children that consume my time when I’m not working. Some day I will get to a local competition. Until then it’s just shooting for fun.
I shot some local matches years ago, and did pretty well. I enjoyed it, but I enjoy informal shooting more. I have great access to all types of terrain with unlimited distances. Setting up my own steel and shooting alone or with friends is the order of the day usually.
I just wish I had time to go shooting period,working 14 hr days doesn't leave much time to do anything but sleep. 100*+ temps don't help much either!
I mostly just shoot, but by buddy asked me to do a local club prs match with him. It was super fun and I learned a lot. I will definitely be competing more in the future.
Internationale Matchwoche, Zurich Switzerland, 1981 300M Free Rifle
U.S. Forces Europe Shooting Team
Texas State Prone Championship 2018
And the best...Mounted Shooting World Champion 2013
U.S. Forces Europe Shooting Team
Texas State Prone Championship 2018
And the best...Mounted Shooting World Champion 2013
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I think I have driven around 4000 km over the last year, going back and forth between competitions alone. Then there are the practice sessions at the local ranges, purchase runs for powder and primers and what not. I shoot longrange, fieldshooting and some odd PRS match. And I have a lot of good times doing it.
I have found the same thing to be 100% true. Anytime I'm around new guys I give them the same advice. The only bad apples I've run into at competitions in the last 3-4 years are guys who are only concerned about points and throw a tantrum anytime something goes wrong. Its off-putting and bad for the sport/hobby.
I'm not a competitive person preferring to "win" by being better than I was last time out and training hard to get that.
I just love the Discipline and challenge of shooting and do not compete. Never will. Nothing against competition or folks who like to compete it's just not my thing.
VooDoo
I just love the Discipline and challenge of shooting and do not compete. Never will. Nothing against competition or folks who like to compete it's just not my thing.
VooDoo
I work in Oil and Gas, so I work away from home. When I am at home and on days off I enjoy shooting as it gives me something to focus on other than work. I also enjoy spending the day outside, as i have always enjoyed the outdoors. I have tried competing, and i would like to compete more, but it is just not realistic with my schedule and being married. Competing is a very humbling experience as you really learn what your weaknesses are and what you need to practice/improve upon. It is completely a mental game and the only way to improve that aspect is through competing.
I am fortunate that the range I shoot at is not completely square. The 900 and 1000 yard range is square setup but we have a 200-700 yard unknown distance range with ~35 steal targets. This allows me the opportunity to simulate stages by shooting off of industrial tires, barricades, tank traps, cable spools, rocks, logs, etc.
I am fortunate that the range I shoot at is not completely square. The 900 and 1000 yard range is square setup but we have a 200-700 yard unknown distance range with ~35 steal targets. This allows me the opportunity to simulate stages by shooting off of industrial tires, barricades, tank traps, cable spools, rocks, logs, etc.
I’d have a lot harder time rationalizing the money I’ve sunk into this if I didn’t compete. I’m not in a position to make a run at the prs points race, but the club matches that are going up around here are sure a lot of fun. I’m really competitive internally so I like the perspective above: thinking of a club match as a community range day. That’s a healthy take on it.
I enjoy shooting at a local range just before day break as I'm all alone. By the time the late sleepers start pulling in I'm packing up or already gone. I have cut down the LR comps anymore as the drive sucks, but still do many local s/s matches. I find I enjoy the sub matches much better, as there is no noise, plugs/muffs to contend with. Finding land to use is much easier as well.
I love exploring new calibers, cartridges and various projectiles for them all. My job is research and development based so my passion is reloading and experimenting with the rabbit hole of variables it has to offer. I have every intention of joining matches but always get sidetracked with load development.
I have shot rifles for 50 years. No competition. Hunted a lot.
I did get involved with competitive shooting but not rifles. Traveled all over the world doing that and after 20+ years it became a job. I quit cold turkey and really don't want to get that started again. If I wanted to compete, I would go back to what I did before, I could still be competitive. I like shooting on my range or inviting a friend or two over to shoot. Only 800 yards but I enjoy it.
I did get involved with competitive shooting but not rifles. Traveled all over the world doing that and after 20+ years it became a job. I quit cold turkey and really don't want to get that started again. If I wanted to compete, I would go back to what I did before, I could still be competitive. I like shooting on my range or inviting a friend or two over to shoot. Only 800 yards but I enjoy it.
getting older and just running out of time to travel to a match. nothing happens where i live (communist long island NY)
i second the just getting the alone time is what the doctor ordered, i seem to feel the need to teach when i shoot with someone who isnt skilled enough.
some day i love to teach a little and other days is feels like a job for a few hours, though.
what i have been doing lately though is not using any electronics. i made a custom slide rule type device 8-10 years ago when the PDA's and programs were still growing.
Call it a more capable mildot master/ accuracy first product. made a bunch never tried to market it though, once again not enough time but the math part of shooting always intrigued me.
makes me concentrate so much more because of the extra effort i put into each shot.
i second the just getting the alone time is what the doctor ordered, i seem to feel the need to teach when i shoot with someone who isnt skilled enough.
some day i love to teach a little and other days is feels like a job for a few hours, though.
what i have been doing lately though is not using any electronics. i made a custom slide rule type device 8-10 years ago when the PDA's and programs were still growing.
Call it a more capable mildot master/ accuracy first product. made a bunch never tried to market it though, once again not enough time but the math part of shooting always intrigued me.
makes me concentrate so much more because of the extra effort i put into each shot.
If you have been wanting to or saying "one of these days I'll shoot a match" then make it happen. Get off your rear and sign up.
If that is not your thing then so be it. But competitive shooting will show you your weaknesses faster than anything else. You will never do some of the things that have to be done during certain stages on your own.
People are creatures of habit and if you go the the range on your own you will usually end up in a routine or repeat similar shots, or positions that you eventually get good at. The problem is you may not discover and practice what you are not good at. If the goal is to get better and especially get better quickly sign up for a match.
I started out shooting pistol comps and I was lucky enough to be mentored by one of the best shooters in USPSA. Those comps took my shooting way further, way faster, than I ever could have on my own or what's possible on a square range. Then, (my passion has always been rifles), I discovered Precision Rifle shooting and I got hooked. The catalyst for pistol was getting better to carry, for rifle it was hunting out west. I now feel confident hunting taking shots at further distances off of natural objects like trees, rocks or fallen logs as well as man made objects such as, fences, gates, hay bales at ranges I would have never imagined.
On top of that the VAST majority of guys that compete are quality people. Sure every group has theor exceptions. Anyway if you are or ever have said "I want to try that one day" then make it happen. You only live once. And I've seen plenty old guys mop the floor with the young ones so don't think you're too old. Get out, shoot, have fun and meet new people and fill your life with new fun experiences. We only get 1 trip on the rock, I think.
And to the guy who said usually the more laid back I am the better I do is right. Some of the best matches I've shot I didn't think I did everything I could have and in this I place the best and I've won a few.
If that is not your thing then so be it. But competitive shooting will show you your weaknesses faster than anything else. You will never do some of the things that have to be done during certain stages on your own.
People are creatures of habit and if you go the the range on your own you will usually end up in a routine or repeat similar shots, or positions that you eventually get good at. The problem is you may not discover and practice what you are not good at. If the goal is to get better and especially get better quickly sign up for a match.
I started out shooting pistol comps and I was lucky enough to be mentored by one of the best shooters in USPSA. Those comps took my shooting way further, way faster, than I ever could have on my own or what's possible on a square range. Then, (my passion has always been rifles), I discovered Precision Rifle shooting and I got hooked. The catalyst for pistol was getting better to carry, for rifle it was hunting out west. I now feel confident hunting taking shots at further distances off of natural objects like trees, rocks or fallen logs as well as man made objects such as, fences, gates, hay bales at ranges I would have never imagined.
On top of that the VAST majority of guys that compete are quality people. Sure every group has theor exceptions. Anyway if you are or ever have said "I want to try that one day" then make it happen. You only live once. And I've seen plenty old guys mop the floor with the young ones so don't think you're too old. Get out, shoot, have fun and meet new people and fill your life with new fun experiences. We only get 1 trip on the rock, I think.
And to the guy who said usually the more laid back I am the better I do is right. Some of the best matches I've shot I didn't think I did everything I could have and in this I place the best and I've won a few.
Qualified yes, but I'm essentially retired from comp. I maintain the capacity, and practice, but have no concrete plans for any specific events. My Physical capacity is about bottomed out.
Greg
Greg
I use to be that way after chemo, but said self it's time to get off your ass an push forward. Pure 100% work, but today I am reaping the rewards of never giving up. I started this life game, an fully intend to go out that way. Besides there are so many libtrads I have not had the pleasure of pissing off yet!
Well .... I attend local matches when I can, but I can't call my shooting competitive. I consider it low cost coaching. I was lucky enough to find a club with extremely talented people that are willing to help and go out of their way to do so.
Working swing shift for the last 3 years and 7am starts with 1.5hr drives to the range really hurt . Just getting to the range to practice is hard enough. When the winter hours start and the temp drops...
Working swing shift for the last 3 years and 7am starts with 1.5hr drives to the range really hurt . Just getting to the range to practice is hard enough. When the winter hours start and the temp drops...
Competing is what really makes shooting fun for me. It would get a bit old without a goal to work toward and a way to benchmark your progress. You meet some great people along the way too.
I agree, that's why I keep the capability up and running. I'm trying to work my way back up out of this hole. It worked after radiation, it worked 3 years later after chemo, and again 7 years later after the first heart attack in 2004. I'm working on it again after the second heart attack last year, and making progress, but it's slower each time. Not there yet, still working on it, but it would be dishonest for me to say I'm up and ready at present, and my performance reflects that at present.
As for competitiveness, I compete against myself, so it's always the same approach whether there's a comp going on or not. Targets have scoring rings, and I keep score upstairs in the brain housing group. I'm out to beat my own preceding results, so I get to win or lose every time out.
I started competing seriously at organized competition (National Match Rifle, and 3-Gun Bullseye Handgun) in the mid 90's. I got about 2-3 years into it before the Lymphomas and the heart issues began, so I have, in essence, been dealing with a series of recoveries for almost the entire time since. There was a plateau between 2006 and 2017, and I did compete, largely at FV300, an event we invented in Central NY, shooting at V (5pt max) targets scaled to have the X and 5, etc., occupying the same MOA value as the X and 10 on an F Class target at whatever distance appears in the event name. As our club range extended, we shot it at 200, 250, and 300yd. It began to spread across Central NY clubs, and the folks who shoot the Towanda matches started out by using a version of it. This is where my passion for the AR/Bolt .223/5.56 derives.
Greg
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I shoot by myself 95% of the time.
I shoot some little local 22 matches every once in awhile.
Its just so inconvenient to have to pack up and take a whole weekend to do any of the tactical types of matches yall a go to. I fully intended to when I started hanging around here but now Im much less gung ho/more complacent. I just enjoy taking a couple hours on the weekend to go out by myself and shoot.
I shoot some little local 22 matches every once in awhile.
Its just so inconvenient to have to pack up and take a whole weekend to do any of the tactical types of matches yall a go to. I fully intended to when I started hanging around here but now Im much less gung ho/more complacent. I just enjoy taking a couple hours on the weekend to go out by myself and shoot.
I have always loved to shoot, was always among the top in accuracy, and I thought I was good. Then I went to a match and it radically changed my perspective of what "good" is. I sucked. Now I run middle of the pack against some of the best marksmen (people) in the world, and feel GREAT about it! Competing has taken my shooting so much higher it's ridiculous.
I am older than my years. Live far from any LR matches.
Each match I attend is a match with no prep or practice.
Every match I have attended has been a huge benifit to me on several levels.
When the temps roll back a tadI hope to travel to my next.
Each match I attend is a match with no prep or practice.
Every match I have attended has been a huge benifit to me on several levels.
When the temps roll back a tadI hope to travel to my next.
It's only inconvenient if it's not a priority. Guess you can say the same thing about vacations.
Competitions are a good way to flush out what works and what doesn't. Whether that is your equipment, your reloading techniques, your techniques, etc. I don't think PRS is the "be all, end all", but it's certainly made me a much more competent shooter (by a large margin). I enjoy it though, gives me something to work towards in my shooting hobby, and you meet some great people. I tend to turn my match weekends into mini-vacations on the front or back end of it.
With that said, it's not for everyone.
I compete in PRS matches but only when they are convenient and close to where I live, but really enjoy just shooting with friends as well.
The only out of town stay over night match I’ve competed in was the 2016 GAP Grind and it was a great experience that I highly recommend. Shannon and the GAP guys put on one hell of a competition. My Pro partner was cool, a great shooter that could read the wind with crazy accuracy so it was a really good experience and a whole lot of fun.
The only out of town stay over night match I’ve competed in was the 2016 GAP Grind and it was a great experience that I highly recommend. Shannon and the GAP guys put on one hell of a competition. My Pro partner was cool, a great shooter that could read the wind with crazy accuracy so it was a really good experience and a whole lot of fun.
I did when I lived in Texas but since I moved to Oregon I haven't found any place to shoot close enough to where I live
Get in your car and drive, man! The NW is one of the best regions around for options of matches to shoot. Just gotta be willing to put in a bit of seat time.
Get in your car and drive, man! The NW is one of the best regions around for options of matches to shoot. Just gotta be willing to put in a bit of seat time.
There is a lot in Washington but the closest I found is 4 hrs one way. I just can't swing that right now
Local competitions only so far.
I just love to shoot with my buds. We setup a bunch of crazy drills just for bragging rights
I just love to shoot with my buds. We setup a bunch of crazy drills just for bragging rights
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I live up in BC, Canada and shoot lots of the matches down in Washington. Wenatchee or UNSC are the closest and it's still like 6+ hours of driving. Shooting used to be something I did alone for the relaxation/focus of it but I've really come to enjoy shooting matches the past couple years. It's given me something to really focus on while injured and has really elevated my shooting. With a fresh baby girl at home, it's becoming more of a challenge to get out but I still think between NW matches, PRS and RTC I've shot something like 9 matches since Xmas. I've got a great range I've set up close to home with steel out to 980 yards that I make a point of shooting at 3+ times a week. I get that some people have no interest in competing but if you have any interest in it, do it. It'll elevate your skill set quicker than anything. The RTC matches are my favourite since you need to locate, range and engage all the targets on the clock, it's super challenging. The bonus is all the people you meet competing are great folks.
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