First PRS Shoot - Couple Questions

[CShooter92]

I'm signing up for my first local PRS shoot here in a couple weeks (shoot isn't till June). I just have a couple questions that will hopefully help prepare me for what I'm getting myself into.

I've been shooting for close to 20 years; hunting, target shooting, etc. Rifle I'm going to be using is a 6.5 Creedmoor I'm having built and should be done in the next couple weeks that I'm dropping my Vortex AMG on. I don't have any bags or anything like that, just going to run the gun with a bipod and see how I do. I do have a couple quick questions that hopefully I can get some insight on.

1. Round Count will obviously be given ahead of time for the match, how many extra rounds should I anticipate for the day?
2. What is the best way to solidify my dope? Chrono, shoot different distances and record my dopes? What is the best way to adjust my dope for different shooting conditions?
3. Is there any equipment that is absolutely necessary?
4. List of other stuff I should bring? (Water, binos, Rangefinder)
5. Any other recommendations regarding positioning, moving between targets, etc?

Thanks in advance!

 

[308pirate]

1. Take 2X what you think you'll need
2. Shoot at actual distances and true your dope to that
3. A rear bag
4. Water, some snacks, approrpiate clothes. Everything else someone will let you borrow if you don't have it and need it
5. Ask when you get to the match and get squadded up

 

[NBK]

Addressing number 2, the best way is to chrono first and then run it out. Make sure you have a good zero, and then shoot at a couple of distances 600-1000ish. You can more or less true this up in a day but be aware that there are so many conditions that will give you variations at distance. It's really best to do over a couple of different outings.
A lot of guys get hung up at a match when their dope is a tenth or two off. The good shooters trust what it is and roll with it accounting for whatever they are seeing from shot to shot. Don't accept a hit for a hit, or a miss for a miss. Learn something from absolutely every single shot. If you hit lower half of plate, you really need to know that. You might to favor high on the next plate.

As for being prepared with gear before the match I really would suggest just showing up. There should be plenty of guys that will
Loan you anything they have. This will let you try before you buy.

Good luck!

 

[mercracing]

1. For a one day match, I would think you would be fine with 20 extra.
3. Honestly, if your matches are like any that I’ve been to, people who have shot these before will let you borrow their stuff so you can see what works for you.
4. Good footwear, sunscreen, water, snacks, tools, first aid kit, eye protection, ear protection.

 

[Raptor005]

Reaffirming what others have said. If you can, chronograph your ammo, but remember that factory ammo mv will vary from lot to lot, so the most important thing is to learn something from every shot. A miss is only a bad shot if you don't learn something from it.

It would be wise to get a rear bag for practicing and for the match, but someone at the match will have one you can use. A sling is another valuable piece of equipment for barricade and unsupported shooting, but again, someone will probably have one for you to use if you don't get one before the match.

Good luck!

 

[Nomad_chew]

Everyone has given sound advice. My only 2cents is if it’s a new piece of equipment, use it before you go. You don’t wanna be trying to learn something on the clock during a match.
And practice shooting off a barricade, there’s a 99% chance you will in some form or fashion.

 

[Raptor005]

Since we've overlooked it... A ballistics calculator. You're probably going to need to calculate an odd distance. Free phone apps work fine within 800 yards, and you can "true" it to your actual confirmed dope.

 

[tna9001]

About #2

I've got a slightly different take. While it's important to verify your ballistic solver by actually shooting, the idea of spending days at the range trying to "true" your data is an antiquated one. If you are using quality match ammo, an accurate chronograph and a good ballistic solver, the bullet is going where the solver says it is (inside of supersonic range) as long as you've entered the correct data into the solver. You'll see vertical dispersion driven by the variation in velocity, round to round and no matter how many days you've spent "truing" your data.

 

[MarkCO]

1. Round Count will obviously be given ahead of time for the match, how many extra rounds should I anticipate for the day?
2. What is the best way to solidify my dope? Chrono, shoot different distances and record my dopes? What is the best way to adjust my dope for different shooting conditions?
3. Is there any equipment that is absolutely necessary?
4. List of other stuff I should bring? (Water, binos, Rangefinder)
5. Any other recommendations regarding positioning, moving between targets, etc?

It will somewhat depend on what "style" of match you are going to. We have 4 around here, one is a positional field match that is frankly very challenging. Another is a belly match where you shoot known distance targets from prone only.

1. I have yet to shoot more rounds than required at any precision match and I take 20 extra.
2. Chrono, shoot at 200, 600, 1000 if you possibly can to verify.
3. A rear bag and probably a puff bag. You can get a 9x13 (or so)duffel bag and put some pillow stuffing or jackets in it, but if doing a field match, you will need it.
4. Run a dope card with elevation and the probable atmospherics plus some numbers at say 500 and 1000 for 5 mph crosswind. Have some way to clip to your arm or gun and forget about running numbers on a ballistic solver. You will do better at a first match paying attention to wind calls of experienced shooters. Water, snacks (not sugars), binoculars.
5. Most matches require you to move with the bolt open, so practice that. I like to leave my bolt open until I am in position and have found the target in my optic.

It is about fundamentals. You won't win, so don't pay attention to your scores, but learn from every shot and stage. Find a skilled shooter and try to shoot a few after him asking him to watch your stage runs. Afterwards, with paper and pen, ask for input and write it down, make sure you understand and then you have some stuff to work on. Hate to sound like an advertisement, but you have plenty of time to take a class, so take one. It will save you money and starting bad habits.

 

[NBK]

About #2

I've got a slightly different take. While it's important to verify your ballistic solver by actually shooting, the idea of spending days at the range trying to "true" your data is an antiquated one. If you are using quality match ammo, an accurate chronograph and a good ballistic solver, the bullet is going where the solver says it is (inside of supersonic range) as long as you've entered the correct data into the solver. You'll see vertical dispersion driven by the variation in velocity, round to round and no matter how many days you've spent "truing" your data.

 

[CShooter92]

It will somewhat depend on what "style" of match you are going to. We have 4 around here, one is a positional field match that is frankly very challenging. Another is a belly match where you shoot known distance targets from prone only.

1. I have yet to shoot more rounds than required at any precision match and I take 20 extra.
2. Chrono, shoot at 200, 600, 1000 if you possibly can to verify.
3. A rear bag and probably a puff bag. You can get a 9x13 (or so)duffel bag and put some pillow stuffing or jackets in it, but if doing a field match, you will need it.
4. Run a dope card with elevation and the probable atmospherics plus some numbers at say 500 and 1000 for 5 mph crosswind. Have some way to clip to your arm or gun and forget about running numbers on a ballistic solver. You will do better at a first match paying attention to wind calls of experienced shooters. Water, snacks (not sugars), binoculars.
5. Most matches require you to move with the bolt open, so practice that. I like to leave my bolt open until I am in position and have found the target in my optic.

It is about fundamentals. You won't win, so don't pay attention to your scores, but learn from every shot and stage. Find a skilled shooter and try to shoot a few after him asking him to watch your stage runs. Afterwards, with paper and pen, ask for input and write it down, make sure you understand and then you have some stuff to work on. Hate to sound like an advertisement, but you have plenty of time to take a class, so take one. It will save you money and starting bad habits.

Thanks! Some really cool details here that I would have never thought of. I realize I won't win or even come close. I just wanna shoot and have fun. My gunsmith is a shooter as well so I may ask to squad with him and see if I can learn some tips from him. Unfortunately in Canada, classes are a little hard to come by.

 

[Jakebrake300]

Im 36 and have been hunting and shooting my whole life, I too just did my first match a couple of weeks ago and I would say to get very comfortable with your rifle. You will waste a lot time fucking with your gun and scope trying to get into the correct position and finding the damn target if your not. Practice on a barricade of some sort if you can as You'll probably have something of the nature at the match and it will help you with target acquisition.
Also a buddy took a cell phone video of me on my first stage off a barricade and he sent it to me later- I thought I was moving along pretty quick until I whatched my dumb ass fumble around! But it has helped me realize what I need to work on -

 

[BangBangBlatBlat]

1. I bring about 20 extra to verify zero if I have to, or if there might be a reshoot on a lane.

2. Shoot the actual distance and verify atmoshpheric conditions. Chronograph can help but might not paint the whole picture.

3. Not required but highly reccomended. Pretty much any stage in PRS can be solved with a Gamechanger bag and one of the large pillow style bags. You will probably be able to borrow some at the match.

4. Binos for looking at targets. Paper. Pen. Football style wrist coach for writing down stage plans. I found mine at Dicks. Snacks. Ranges will be given. Some way to carry your stuff.

5. Shoot for hits. I scored well in my first match because I knew I wasn't as rehearsed as the top guys, but went a little slower, and beat out 70% of guys. It seems middle of the pack guys try to imitate the speed of the better shooters but not a lot of the hits. Do things deliberately during the match. Think to yourself "My dope for target X is Y and it is on the gun".

 

[Jakebrake300]

And have fun!

 

[SND]

Good advice above to get comfortable with the new gun before going, get out and set up in different spots so you can get used to positioning it. Would also really recommend getting some sort of small rear bag, like a tab gear type. It really makes a diff.

Definitely have fun as well ...

 

[morganlamprecht]

5. Shoot for hits. I scored well in my first match because I knew I wasn't as rehearsed as the top guys, but went a little slower, and beat out 70% of guys. It seems middle of the pack guys try to imitate the speed of the better shooters but not a lot of the hits. Do things deliberately during the match. Think to yourself "My dope for target X is Y and it is on the gun".

this is solid advice that most find hard to follow...hit targets vs sending rounds...shooting 5 out of 10 shots and hitting 4 is better than sending 10 and hitting 2...speed will come with experience and familiarity

 

[Alan101]

Bring a good attitude.

Be prepared to be humbled. Shot my first match last year and quickly realized that I was not as good as I thought.

Be ready to learn. You will learn stuff that you didn’t even know you didn’t know.

Have a realistic goal in mind. Mine was not to get DQed for doing something stupid.

Have fun. All your really doing is turning money into noise. How can that not be fun?

 

[Dr59860]

do you typically get some eye strain and if so, how do you prepare for it

 

[MarkCO]

do you typically get some eye strain and if so, how do you prepare for it

No, because good glass.

 

[Dr59860]

How does good glass compensate for having only one eye open for prolonged periods of time?

 

[MarkCO]

I shoot with both eyes open.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Shoot both eyes open. It takes a little practice but it'll start feeling very natural and is much easier for eye strain.

 

[Dr59860]

Ive tried this before when hunting and had a hell of a time adjusting

 

[Jefe's Dope]

You have to practice, practice, practice. Sit at your dinning room table behind your scope using both eyes.

Make sure your dominant eye is behind the scope. If not, it's even more difficult. I'm left eye dominant and right handed. Been working on it for years. Still have to work at it. If you're not cross dominant then it's much easier when you make the transition. It really is a better way to shoot and why I work so hard at it.

An eye patch can help too. Blocks the vision but allows you to practice keeping both eyes open. Then transition to no eye patch.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Dominant Eye Test: How To Find Your Dominant Eye

http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/dominant-eye-test.htm

 

[MarkCO]

I am left handed, but right eye dominant. Lucky to have had a guy who knew what he was doing when I was 10 and taught me to shoot from the weak side because vision is so important. Felt natural after a few months.

 

[Dr59860]

Dominant Eye Test: How To Find Your Dominant Eye

http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/dominant-eye-test.htm

interesting result

 

[CShooter92]

I am fully expecting to get my ass handed to me on the scoreboard. Since I haven't really shot much long range in the past, I'm just hoping I can make some hits out past 600 yards.

Generally I don't get eyestrain but who knows, I've never shot a full day match either. I generally shoot with 2 eyes open or at least my left eye slightly squinted. Competitive trap shooting will make you break the one-eyed shooting habit pretty fast!

 

[308pirate]

Ive tried this before when hunting and had a hell of a time adjusting

You need to keep working at it. I used to need a translucent eye patch over my left lens when shooting clays (I am right eye dominant)

Nothing is harder than to train the brain to ignore a 3 ft long object in its immediate field of view while trying to focus with both eyes on a 4" flying disk 20 - 50 yards away (sporting clays, trap, skeet); yet I was able to do it. My scores took a dive at first but you have to swallow your ego and keep with the program.

This guy has a drill that helped me immensely to become a two-eyed shotgun shooter and it carried over into shooting scoped rifles.