PRS Talk How much gear should be allowed?

[MountainHunter]

I'm probably gonna catch some shit for this but here's a video of my goofy ass shooting the tire scramble stage at Altus. Targets were at 306 and 450. Luckily the one stage my buddy video'd me on I happened to clean.

Other than possibly clipping a pump pillow on your belt I'm not sure there's any gear that could have benefitted someone and still allowed them to get all shots off in time.

Flame away hahaha

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I'm probably gonna catch some shit for this but here's a video of my goofy ass shooting the tire scramble stage at Altus. Targets were at 306 and 450. Luckily the one stage my buddy video'd me on I happened to clean.

Other than possibly clipping a pump pillow on your belt I'm not sure there's any gear that could have benefitted someone and still allowed them to get all shots off in time.

Flame away hahaha

By the way, all the faux-Hawaiian shirts in your crew for day 2 were hilarious. Yours with the Mk18 was probably my favorite.

 

[Dthomas3523]

I’m pretty sure all the gear is why I can’t shoot 90-100%. ?


Seriously though, I’ve decided I’ll worry with what other people use when I’m good enough to clean a match.

 

[Rob01]

I'm probably gonna catch some shit for this but here's a video of my goofy ass shooting the tire scramble stage at Altus. Targets were at 306 and 450. Luckily the one stage my buddy video'd me on I happened to clean.

Other than possibly clipping a pump pillow on your belt I'm not sure there's any gear that could have benefitted someone and still allowed them to get all shots off in time.

Flame away hahaha

Not an attack or anything but a question, why do you always grab your scope bell to move?

 

[MountainHunter]

Not an attack or anything but a question, why do you always grab your scope bell to move?

Honestly I’m not exactly sure. I think I started doing it when practicing the PRS barricade skills stage trying to be efficient. It started by moving the bag and rifle as a unit but now I think I’m doing it sub subconsciously.

What’s your thoughts on it? I’m always open to changing my habits.

 

[Rob01]

I usually either just hold the grip of the rifle and move or sometimes scoop it up in front of the mag if I have my game changer attached. Just feel like better control than having to reach up and out to the front of the scope and when setting down you have a little more control. Do it how you feel best though. I was just wondering.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Since I run a chassis with a pistol grip, I either grab the chassis with my off hand right in front of the mag well, or use the grip and lever the butt into my right hip when moving.

 

[MountainHunter]

By the way, all the faux-Hawaiian shirts in your crew for day 2 were hilarious. Yours with the Mk18 was probably my favorite.

Hahaha we had a great time, none of us shot particularly well but it was a super fun match. We're all spread out across the country so it was great to get to hang out for the weekend.

I usually either just hold the grip of the rifle and move or sometimes scoop it up in front of the mag if I have my game changer attached. Just feel like better control than having to reach up and out to the front of the scope and when setting down you have a little more control. Do it how you feel best though. I was just wondering.

I'll probably screw around with my transitions this weekend now that you've brought it up. You can see by my shooting grip in the video that my thumb is always sitting over the top of my index finger and not wrapped around the stock so I don't naturally feel like I want to grab a handful of stock with my right hand to move it around. I rely entirely on my support side hand to manipulate the stock when in shooting position.

I'm glad you brought it up though, I might change things up after I practice. I'm running a 3.6-18 Mark 5 right now and I'm almost starting to thing that might be an unnecessary stress on that lightweight scope.

 

[Rob01]

Do what works best for you. I just mentioned it as it looked awkward and a little tough for smoother movement transition. If you weren't going to grab the grip then try scooping up in front of mag. Makes picking up and setting down a little more controlled and shorter more ergo movement from the grip to the front of mag area. If it doesn't work then go back to the scope if it worked for you.

 

[Mxridr]

Just become more efficient with your gear and buy more barrels and bullets.

 

[The Durk]

After competing in my first match this weekend, two bags, a bipod, and sling will do for 99% of most shooters. Barricade bags help big time, and a good small sized rear bag for any possible prone shots. I really can't say I'd want to waste my time setting up a tripod, not to mention they really wanted to be clear that the match would be shot "as intended by the match director."

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

After competing in my first match this weekend, two bags, a bipod, and sling will do for 99% of most shooters. Barricade bags help big time, and a good small sized rear bag for any possible prone shots. I really can't say I'd want to waste my time setting up a tripod, not to mention they really wanted to be clear that the match would be shot "as intended by the match director."

Every time I have seen a stage where a tripod was actually no-kidding required, the MD provided one (usually several) of them at the stage for shooters to use, and they gave shooters a few minutes to mess around with one before they shot the stage. Being able to practice on one does help, but it's definitely not something I think most shooters need to be in a hurry to rush out and buy.

 

[Alpine 338]

So, honest question here. Take emotions and personal feelings out of the equation. What makes one piece of gear acceptable, and not another piece of gear?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

So, honest question here. Take emotions and personal feelings out of the equation. What makes one piece of gear acceptable, and not another piece of gear?

While there is some stuff that I will make fun of my friends for using (moreso because I see them use it and fail on a regular basis), the only gear that should be unacceptable is whatever the MD says is not allowed for their particular stage/match. Some of the stuff I see people using at matches I personally think is pretty silly (tac tables, tripods on every damn stage, even when it really doesn't work, etc), but it's all fair game until the MD says otherwise.

 

[Alpine 338]

I would've thought you'd have a better tripod ?

I thought a picture of $125 Tripod would be less traumatic to the Snowflakes who are horrified that someone uses a $1000 tripod.

 

[Alpine 338]

While there is some stuff that I will make fun of my friends for using (moreso because I see them use it and fail on a regular basis), the only gear that should be unacceptable is whatever the MD says is not allowed for their particular stage/match. Some of the stuff I see people using at matches I personally think is pretty silly (tac tables, tripods on every damn stage, even when it really doesn't work, etc), but it's all fair game until the MD says otherwise.

So if people fail at using them, what's the big deal in letting them use them? You could say the same thing thing about a positional bag. I've shot off of a PRS barricade without a bag under the forearm, where as others took the time to move a bag to each of the four positions, taking up valuable time, and timing out, isn't that considering failing?

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

So if people fail at using them, what's the big deal in letting them use them? You could say the same thing thing about a positional bag. I've shot off of a PRS barricade without a bag under the forearm, where as others took the time to move a bag to each of the four positions, taking up valuable time, and timing out, isn't that considering failing?

If it's my friends failing at using them, I will give them shit for it just because they're my friends, and I don't want to see them failing at a match. Outside of that, I honestly don't care what other people use for gear. I think it's silly to see someone pull out a tripod, 3 bags, and a folding chair on a stage, but if they think that's going to help... more power to them.

The poorness of your tripod offends me ???

How about a RRS TFC-33 with an Anvil on top of it?

 

[sobrbiker883]

Skills for what? I shoot matches these days just to shoot.

List the skills that go into making hits with a rifle at unknown distances from wonky positions along with all the other terrain/environmental variables that any particular match location may present.
Those.

 

[aljones_315]

mpguy308, post: 7569980, member: 124673"]
@Yoteski @RoterJager I was thinking about the tripod thing last night. I am going to allow them, but make them start with it completely collapsed.
[/QUOTE] start with it completly collapsed why bother that seems to single people out more than designing a stage and limiting gear on that perticular stage

 

[Mormegil87]

@aljones_315 Why would it be singling people out? It's the shooters choice to use a tripod. Don't want to deploy it on the clock, don't use a tripod.

 

[Mxridr]

Match directors are now making competitors deploy on the clock. I used worry about all the gaming and gear. Who cares! Shoot more and become more efficient with the gear you have.

 

[Alpine 338]

I don't think so. A rifle and its accessories are tools. You pick the right tools for the right job.

 

[Sheldon N]

Is this too gadgety and gamey?

Nah, it just says "I bought the wrong chassis that doesn't take the weight kit".

I saw the same idea at a match last year, but I think he used a steel weight instead of tungsten. He had a proof carbon barrel on the gun....

 

[dgheriani]

Nah, it just says "I bought the wrong chassis that doesn't take the weight kit".

I saw the same idea at a match last year, but I think he used a steel weight instead of tungsten. He had a proof carbon barrel on the gun....

That was Ken with the man-bun. Super nice dude but some interesting ideas/misconceptions. I'm pretty sure he kept that weight on to shoot the unsupported standing/kneeling/seated/prone stage. He was shooting a 16" or so barrel at Tac-Supply a couple years back cause "Applied Ballistics said that shorter barrels were more accurate"... Scott walked by and said something along the lines of "speed is accuracy at distance", haha.

 

[elmuzzlebreak]

The amount of gear ultimately falls down to the match directors but I do like what mammoth did. Bring whatever bag or how ever many bags you want but your ass is carrying it for the course. If you want to eliminate the amount of bags/gear eliminate buggies.

 

[Sheldon N]

That was Ken with the man-bun. Super nice dude but some interesting ideas/misconceptions. I'm pretty sure he kept that weight on to shoot the unsupported standing/kneeling/seated/prone stage. He was shooting a 16" or so barrel at Tac-Supply a couple years back cause "Applied Ballistics said that shorter barrels were more accurate"... Scott walked by and said something along the lines of "speed is accuracy at distance", haha.

I know but I didn't want to out him, lol. Lord knows I've done my own fair share of silly stuff. This sport's a learning experience for everyone.

 

[dgheriani]

I know but I didn't want to out him, lol. Lord knows I've done my own fair share of silly stuff. This sport's a learning experience for everyone.

Haha, yup. We all started somewhere.

I don't see him as being the kinda guy who would get butthurt about me outing him but I probably shoulda thought about that first, haha, whoops

 

[Rant Durden]

All the gear in the world won't make me any better, but once I learn how to use it...
That said, I do like the idea of a "run what ya brung" type class.

 

[Dthomas3523]

So, honest question here. Take emotions and personal feelings out of the equation. What makes one piece of gear acceptable, and not another piece of gear?

IMO, anything that is “designed” to take the shooter out of the equation.

Not something someone figured out how to game or make work for free recoil, but something specifically designed.

At the moment. This would only include some barricade blocks and such.

I’m the future, I think you will see more and more products that attempt to take the shooter off the gun. That’s perfectly fine for other purposes, but for PRS style comps, it will need to be on the not allowed rule.

 

[generalzip]

I don't really have any issues with people using whatever they want so long as they carry it. I do kind of see an issue with the tripods simply because:

1. Most are expensive as shit and precludes some from using/owning them. It's one thing to borrow a bag for a stage. It's another to borrow someones $1000 carbon fiber tripod when you scratch it all up. If the MD provides it then this solves that issue.

2. I think you should have to deploy the tripod from the stowed position at the start of the stage. This adds a practical element to it (shooter identifies target and has to make a shot at t=0) and also would eliminate the tripod from many stages as a practical tool within the time limits. It also would make people more proficient with their gear (tripod)

That said, it's a game and honestly I could care less what people use. I do this to have fun. Sure, I like to win, but I give this hobby a healthy dose of perspective from time to time. I think some folks could benefit from the same.

 

[Dthomas3523]

It’s kinda ironic. We (as a community) bitch more about tripods than anything. Yet tripod stages (except for the top shooters) tend to be the lowest scoring stages at matches. ?‍

 

[Sheldon N]

No need for a tripod guys... go shoot with the basic gear you got and don't worry about what the other shooters do.

I have one of those fancy tripods, lugged it around the match all last weekend and let everyone in my squad use it (for spotting). Didn't use it for shooting at all.

 

[generalzip]

No need for a tripod guys... go shoot with the basic gear you got and don't worry about what the other shooters do.

I have one of those fancy tripods, lugged it around the match all last weekend and let everyone in my squad use it (for spotting). Didn't use it for shooting at all.

Same. I bring the tripod with binos or spotter on them to every stage. Never actually used it when shooting. I have however used another shooters tripod in "tac table" fashion twice before. It definitely gave an advantage.

 

[Sheldon N]

Same. I bring the tripod with binos or spotter on them to every stage. Never actually used it when shooting. I have however used another shooters tripod in "tac table" fashion twice before. It definitely gave an advantage.

Guys in my squad used a "tac table" setup on a tank trap stage. Burned a bunch of time and one guy ND'd and took a DQ because he was trying to jostle into position with the rear bag.

Agree that a properly set-up Tac table with two bags can turn a barricade into almost a prone stage. But as a general rule you don't need them. I have a tac table in my bag if I want to use it, haven't pulled it out during a match in forever.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

It’s kinda ironic. We (as a community) bitch more about tripods than anything. Yet tripod stages (except for the top shooters) tend to be the lowest scoring stages at matches. ?‍

I think there's an argument to be made about tripod-required stages, as having one to practice with definitely lets you have a leg up over people that can't practice with one when you get a stage like that. I think some of it can be mitigated by giving shooters a chance to get behind the tripod and set up on it before they go on the clock (and this is what I have seen done at almost every match with a tripod or shooting stick required stage), but there's still a handicap for people not used to it. I actually shot the tripod stage at the AI match with my bipod and long leg extensions in the front, and a pair of bags in the back, because it was what I had practiced on. That said, I now own a RRS tripod with an Anvil on top, and I have been putting in time on it specifically so I can effectively use it next time a tripod-required stage comes along.

As for the people that use a tripod every chance they get - hey, let 'em do it. It's rare that I see someone like that that actually excels with it, to be honest. They seem to be far more headache than they are worth, and it always amuses me to see someone toss their tripod to the side in the middle of a stage when they realize it isn't helping.

No need for a tripod guys... go shoot with the basic gear you got and don't worry about what the other shooters do.

I have one of those fancy tripods, lugged it around the match all last weekend and let everyone in my squad use it (for spotting). Didn't use it for shooting at all.

That's what my old Manfrotto got used for (and hanging a brass collection bag off of it), and same with my RRS. I don't see the appeal of using a tripod for a rear support on every. Single. Damn. Stage. that some people seem to see, but hey... let them run what makes them happy.

 

[Sheldon N]

They seem to be far more headache than they are worth, and it always amuses me to see someone toss their tripod to the side in the middle of a stage when they realize it isn't helping.

Happens SOOOO often. Lololol.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Happens SOOOO often. Lololol.

It's even better when you see two or more people sharing one. The first shoots the stage, tosses it half way, the second guy takes it up to the stage... and tosses it half way through. Even better when a large rear bag would have been faster and easier (see: Cable spool stage at the AI match. Everyone that cleaned it used a front and rear bag, and nothing else), but they insist on the tripod.

I loff when it happens.

 

[Mxridr]

Tripods are just a piece of our game. You don’t need an rrs either. One of our best shooters uses a pig tripod and smashes with it.

 

[Sheldon N]

One of the matches I shoot provides the shooter with an obstacle the prevents you from shooting prone or sitting. And you can't touch the obstacle. You can use any gear you want, but you have to carry it all day long and you have to deploy all gear from a stowed backpack position. To include scope caps and bipods. You don't have to use a tripod but you have to use something unless you want to free-gun from a raw-dog kneeling or standing position.

I find those type of matches a bit ironic since they essentially force the use of a tripod, and once you do that you absolutely have an advantage with a nicer tripod.

We have a few field matches up here like that. Extremely "practical" in that they are natural terrain, grass fields, no obstacles to shoot off of. Or if there's a prone stage it's placed on an off angle downslope. So everyone just spends the whole match shooting off their RRS.

I suppose that's practical if the end goal is to improve your ability to shoot from a tripod away from any sort of match setting. But as a sport I find the unique challenges of varying man-made and natural obstacles in PRS style matches more enjoyable.

A good example is the recent Idaho NRL match. If you see the photos from that venue it was all rocks/boulders with a few man made obstacles. Absolutely needed to shoot with a bag, but you didn't need a tripod.

 

[Mormegil87]

It’s kinda ironic. We (as a community) bitch more about tripods than anything. Yet tripod stages (except for the top shooters) tend to be the lowest scoring stages at matches. ?‍

This.

Not only that, tripods have been used in "practical" application for quite some time.

 

[dgheriani]

I find those type of matches a bit ironic since they essentially force the use of a tripod, and once you do that you absolutely have an advantage with a nicer tripod.

We have a few field matches up here like that. Extremely "practical" in that they are natural terrain, grass fields, no obstacles to shoot off of. Or if there's a prone stage it's placed on an off angle downslope. So everyone just spends the whole match shooting off their RRS.

I suppose that's practical if the end goal is to improve your ability to shoot from a tripod away from any sort of match setting. But as a sport I find the unique challenges of varying man-made and natural obstacles in PRS style matches more enjoyable.

A good example is the recent Idaho NRL match. If you see the photos from that venue it was all rocks/boulders with a few man made obstacles. Absolutely needed to shoot with a bag, but you didn't need a tripod.

Having just shot the Idaho NRL match, yeah, all bags. Only time I shot off a tripod was on the tripod stage with a sponsor supplied tripod. Used my tripod on every stage for my spotter and LRF, haha, as usual.

I actually like Carl's matches the best, the terrain is kinda similar to where I live and I really like it only being natural terrain. Sure, you shoot pretty much every stage off a tripod but you have to be practiced at deploying it under time constraints and I carry mine to hunt anyways. I like that you have to do everything from target id, to ranging, to building a position and shooting on the clock.

You going to Karstetter?

 

[Sheldon N]

You going to Karstetter?

I won't be at Karstetter but I'm planning to shoot Carl's PRS match in Oregon in June. I'm guessing that will have a lot of his style in it with natural terrain and practical scenarios. Plus a new venue for everyone to check out!

 

[dgheriani]

I won't be at Karstetter but I'm planning to shoot Carl's PRS match in Oregon in June. I'm guessing that will have a lot of his style in it with natural terrain and practical scenarios. Plus a new venue for everyone to check out!

Nice, I'm going to try and make it there as well. Trying to keep it to only 1 2-day match a month and already shooting SHC at the end of June but gonna try and make that one happen any ways.