First Precision Rifle Match Tips

[TheMav21]

I am shooting my first "local" Precision Rifle Match this month, and I was hoping to get some training and match day tips from the experienced comp shooters on the Hide. I have a lot of experience with 3 Gun and USPSA, but I am kind of a tenderfoot in the long range game. Shooting 6.5 Creedmoor, I have dope out to 800 at this point. I'd love to hear how you approach the train up/tune up the weeks prior, stage planning, and execution.

Thanks!

 

[FN-Whitney]

Lots of building positions and dry fire.

 

[Mechdesigner]

I verify my zero, verify velocity, and confirm my dope then I like to shoot paper dots at 100 yrds off of barricades. Gives me an idea of my tendencies from standing, kneeling, sitting etc. Once you have solid dope and know the rifle performs, it comes down execution of the fundemetals, the paper will show you that execution.

 

[Hoyt7mm]

Make sure your squad knows you are new and could use help/guidance. That way you can get help during a stage. Don't be afraid to ask questions

 

[1moaoff]

Go enjoy! Just like the other games the first one is the worst one.

 

[Sheldon N]

I'd love to hear how you approach the train up/tune up the weeks prior, stage planning, and execution.

The hardest thing for most people is learning positional shooting, getting stable when shooting off various height barricades/props with a bag. That's a long term skill to practice and continually improve at.

Another big fundamental skill is position building - quickly and efficiently getting your bag, gun and body in position and exactly on target. That's something that comes with practice and time, plus a bit of underlying rifle pointing skill (ie how good are you at pointing a rifle without using the sights).

For the day of the match, one of the biggest things you can do is put your effort into mental preparation for each stage. Read the course of fire twice, know exactly what shots you will be making from which positions at which targets. Have your dope written down, but also rehearse the stage in your head enough that you could dial your dope from memory. Look at each of the targets in advance (bring binos if you can) and identify them both through the optic as well as looking at exactly where they are with the naked eye. Imagine when you are going to pause and adjust your turret, imagine where you're going to stand/kneel etc. Then triple check all your gear before starting the stage, dope dialed for the first target, no lens caps flipped down, the right number of rounds in your magazine, etc.

I wouldn't sweat how good you are at all or put any pressure on yourself. Just try to execute each stage according to your plan and to the best of your ability. Laugh it off when you miss a few targets, smile when you hit them. If you want to make a note about what to practice, jot it down on your course of fire paper then forget about any mistakes and move on to the next stage.

Have fun and make some new friends! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Know your dope and be safe.

Positional shooting to much difrenet than what yiu are used to. Over time you will ask alot of questions and find what works and what doesn’t. After a few matches you will know what to focus on.

 

[Longshot284]

You can never miss fast enough to hit.

home is where you make it.

 

[salks]

Run your scope about 15x. Practice building stable positions and dry fire. Watch closely how the good shooters do it. Ignore the clock at first. Concentrate on getting hits.

 

[308pirate]

For the day of the match, one of the biggest things you can do is put your effort into mental preparation for each stage. Read the course of fire twice, know exactly what shots you will be making from which positions at which targets. Have your dope written down, but also rehearse the stage in your head enough that you could dial your dope from memory. Look at each of the targets in advance (bring binos if you can) and identify them both through the optic as well as looking at exactly where they are with the naked eye. Imagine when you are going to pause and adjust your turret, imagine where you're going to stand/kneel etc. Then triple check all your gear before starting the stage, dope dialed for the first target, no lens caps flipped down, the right number of rounds in your magazine, etc.

Just try to execute each stage according to your plan and to the best of your ability. Laugh it off when you miss a few targets, smile when you hit them. If you want to make a note about what to practice, jot it down on your course of fire paper then forget about any mistakes and move on to the next stage.

All of the above dovetails very well with shooters with a solid action pistol background, because that is exactly what we do conceptually before every stage of the match.

1. Physical (self and equipment) preparation
2. Stage planning
3. Visualization
4. Execution of the plan

 

[408w]

Watch how the other shooters are addressing the stage with their shooting positions. Remember everyone else there once had their first match at some point and don’t get nervous just have fun with it. If you are being safe with the rifle no one is going to care about how well you do and will be willing to let you try out bags and give advice. Just ask.

 

[kcrippen]

I’m a bottom 10% shooter but getting better, for me I look at my rounds fired to impacts. Lots of good information above but definitely letting the MD and your squad know your new, and have fun.

 

[NewsShooter]

Remember you're there to have fun, just watch others and don't try to go fast, slow and steady. Local match so you should get lots of help.

 

[lead ƒarmer]

If you are being safe with the rifle no one is going to care about how well you do and will be willing to let you try out bags and give advice. Just ask.

It really does boil down to this

 

[502Chevelle]

It is better to slow down a little, and get hits, than be rushed to try to complete the stage, and end up with more misses.
Make sure you have your scope dialed for that first target before you start the stage.
Have landmarks to help you know where the targets are. Once the paint gets shot off of them, they get harder to find.
Have fun. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t shoot up to your expectations. (I really struggle with this one). You are going to make mistakes, it’s ok. Really, it’s ok as long as you learn from it. Put it behind you and try not to make that same mistake again.
15x was recommended above, and that is a solid point. If you need more power, and you might, find the target on lower power, then dial it up, take your shot, then immediately dial back down so you can locate your next target quickly.
Have all your shit ready the day before so you don’t spaz out and run around like a moron trying to get organized.
Don’t forget to HAVE FUN!