The regional director of the south eastWho did you check with? I believe I did check and probably higher up the food chain.
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Interesting.Funny Chris is here, we have the Excel Data from Sheldon that outlines all the information regarding these matches over the years - the actual numbers not the, I shoot it and have fun, bullshit
The numbers are MICROSCOPIC today, the people that shoot at least 3 matches a year is tiny... less than 1000 people, in most cases less than 500 people.
Analyzing the numbers you can see they fucked it up royally, look at the number not the anecdotes
Every year I review these numbers, you can see people moving from 200th place to 100th place and when you ask them what they did to move up the leaderboard they tell you , Nothing, went to a match with no pros or very few registered members guys went from 200th place to 100th place and all they did was shoot match with no pros
Interesting.
Is that data limited to PRS Members?
Or does it include people who shoot PRS Matches but never become PRS Members?
-Stan
Thank you!Sheldon's data is limited to folks who shoot a minimum of 3 pro-series (2-day) matches during the year. It doesn't count anyone who isn't a PRS member (their scores are not tracked by PRS), members who only shoot 1-2 pro-series matches, or any regional or rimfire series participation regardless of membership status.
Why move out the people that shoot to have fun? Has match attendance overall decreased?Funny Chris is here, we have the Excel Data from Sheldon that outlines all the information regarding these matches over the years - the actual numbers not the, I shoot it and have fun, bullshit
The numbers are MICROSCOPIC today, the people that shoot at least 3 matches a year is tiny... less than 1000 people, in most cases less than 500 people.
Analyzing the numbers you can see they fucked it up royally, look at the number not the anecdotes
Every year I review these numbers, you can see people moving from 200th place to 100th place and when you ask them what they did to move up the leaderboard they tell you , Nothing, went to a match with no pros or very few registered members guys went from 200th place to 100th place and all they did was shoot match with no pros
I shoot PRS in the Southeast. Mid pack competitor. All the PRS matches in Georgia were 90 -100+ shooters per event (one days and two days). I shot one SC one day match near end of season and it was full too. Shot one 2 day PRS event in Alabama and it was full. All these matches had plenty of "Pros" - the one days and the two days. Not seeing an issue.Funny Chris is here, we have the Excel Data from Sheldon that outlines all the information regarding these matches over the years - the actual numbers not the, I shoot it and have fun, bullshit
The numbers are MICROSCOPIC today, the people that shoot at least 3 matches a year is tiny... less than 1000 people, in most cases less than 500 people.
Analyzing the numbers you can see they fucked it up royally, look at the number not the anecdotes
Every year I review these numbers, you can see people moving from 200th place to 100th place and when you ask them what they did to move up the leaderboard they tell you , Nothing, went to a match with no pros or very few registered members guys went from 200th place to 100th place and all they did was shoot match with no pros
I respectfully disagree. I am nobody, a mid pack shooter competing for fun, learn, improve. I shot 6 one day PRS events in 2023, 2 two day PRS events, and 5 one day PRS22 events. I had plenty of buddies out there with me. I missed multiple 2023 events hunting or I would have more.And it's tiny, it's more smoke and mirrors than actual statistics because the same people do the same thing over and over again
The top guys will shoot 10+ matches while the majority shoot 1 or 2, the location is bigger metric, like having a the right bowling alley in your home town vs guys who drive.
Overall they show about 5000 shooter, or what should be 5000 shooters, its 3-5x overinflated because of the repetition by members, guys who shoot more than 10 matches are in the top 50, where after #75 it drops like a rock what matches people shoot. So you have 50 guys stacking the numbers to be up in the front, and the rest fall off like a rock and they require the 1x people to fill in the gaps
I just don't see the allure of looking at these numbers, does this mean prs will die soon? I show up to matches and always have a great time shooting. Getting away from work and eyes through an optic with a gun is therapeutic.Look at the stats last year vs this year see where guys jump the line now because the overall numbers fall, 200th to 100th is a fact of the statistics, people dropping out and picking and choosing matches different than before
I don't really know what the PRS can do to limit this. Guys who have the means will shoot more matches. Unless the rules change to average of all matches with min 3, it will continue. It's good for the sport guys shoot a ton of matches. It makes it worth all the effort to the MDs who put out significant financial risk to host these matches. Alot of matches are still selling out and most of the ones they aren't are either in low density populations or towards end of season when kids go back to school and hunting season starts.And it's tiny, it's more smoke and mirrors than actual statistics because the same people do the same thing over and over again
The top guys will shoot 10+ matches while the majority shoot 1 or 2, the location is bigger metric, like having a the right bowling alley in your home town vs guys who drive.
Overall they show about 5000 shooter, or what should be 5000 shooters, its 3-5x overinflated because of the repetition by members, guys who shoot more than 10 matches are in the top 50, where after #75 it drops like a rock what matches people shoot. So you have 50 guys stacking the numbers to be up in the front, and the rest fall off like a rock and they require the 1x people to fill in the gaps
Archery is an Olympic sport and has a worldwide following. It can be shot from todlers to old people. The cost is small fraction to get the equipment needed and the coat to practice is almost free. The cost to compete other than travel is almost free. My best bud is a pro shooter and I've been to Vegas world's a few times, am buddies with a team usa outdoor guy.One I would consider is Archery here in the US they are huge and foster growth and education, with the inclusion of the .22 series and events it can be nearly an exact model in many ways.
I mean come on, they don’t even have a standardized Officiating class, like a PRS Official is not there to rule. Why aren’t ROs standardized with an education system. Have one documented PRS RO to show and run the rest that are spun up.
Instead they defer any fault by avoiding responsibility- it’s always the other guys fault. We don’t do that, but they’ll rule on it.
It’s easier to shutdown comment and slide away, under a cloud of threats.
Sheldon's data is limited to folks who shoot a minimum of 3 pro-series (2-day) matches during the year. It doesn't count anyone who isn't a PRS member (their scores are not tracked by PRS), members who only shoot 1-2 pro-series matches, or any regional or rimfire series participation regardless of membership status.
What shooting sport behaves as you think PRS should @Lowlight?
Or, what organization should PRS model their behavior after?
-Stan
Just a quick clarification, the spreadsheet data includes both PRS members and non-PRS members, anyone who shot a 2 day Pro-Series match. It's based on a cut paste of the results which includes everyone even if they aren't a member.
Ridiculous... But I'll still be there! Mostly for the food.You are way off for match fee. The first match of 2024, The Leupold Steel Classic has gone up to $325 and there are 20 squads of 12 so far = $80k. Put on a few 2-day matches and some 1-days alongside and the numbers rack up pretty quickly.
Me too. It was the dry January weather this year that persuaded me it’s worth going back.Ridiculous... But I'll still be there! Mostly for the food.![]()
Hahahaha sadist for 2023 into 2024, I see...Me too. It was the dry January weather this year that persuaded me it’s worth going back.
Well said. I am both, and all (Almost) everything people are talking about. Midpacker, Old (Senior), do a ton of matches, have fun, watch a certain group rise, bitch and yet, I still do it, going on year three, not burning out soon.With all due respect to the HMFIC, I’ve seen all this before. IHMSA. People bitched and griped, some said the entire world would line up to shoot if we would go back to the old way, others said, take away my scope and I can’t see the target so I’m quitting. (Think PRS changing rules limiting people to shooting unmodified wooden stocked Remington 700’s built no later than 1985 and using only SFP Leupold VX4’s)
Problem is that it’s hereditary, especially in sports that are hard. And no one on this forum can’t say that the typical PRS style match, isn’t a hard, physically demanding of and requiring a ton of acquired skills. And it’s expensive.
What can be done. Well, we could make it easier for seniors, cause everyone here, if he or she is lucky is gonna be a senior, sooner or later. That was done in IHMSA. Still did not work. However, at least it was tried. (Is this a conflict of itnerest since I am 75 and still like to try my hand at matches?).
Something else; Make it cheaper. Well that’s the real elephant in the room.
Its not the rifles, not the reloading, not even the match fees (though they are rather pricy) its the overall cost combined with the travel. Checked out hotels lately, maybe stopped for fuel; food?
Go to a match that‘s 200 miles away. if your vehicle gets 20mpg it’s 20 gallons at 3+ bucks a gallon. Hotels? For a two day match, we are talking 3 nights at anywhere from a buck and a quarter to a buck and a half. $375 to $450. Food, breakfast and dinner $30 a day. (And that’s if the MD provides lunch) Add at least 200 for match fees, 200 rounds of ammo, it adds up. That’s easily 7 to 8 hundred a 2 day weekend. And folks are griping because more of us don’t attend more than a couple 2 day matches a year.
Frankly, everyone attached to this sport ought be Damn Glad, 80% of us even attend any matches every year.
If some people take advantage to run up their rating. it happens, it’s a game and it’s gonna happen. Not good, but people have been ”sorta” cheating like this since games were invented. Want fair? They got a great one in Shreveport, Louisiana, every October.
My solution, everyone quit bitchen. the only way to make this thing live is attend what you can, encourage friends who think they like it, and make under used equipment available to beginners. Its one hell of a lot easier to hit targets with a well balanced, .5 MOA rifle that shoots a 6 or 6.5 anything, tha whacking away at targets with the ole .30-06 in a 1980’s wooden stocked Remington with a 3x9 Leupold.
That’s all I’m gonna say about this, I’m going to bed, crucify me if you must, but like I said, its gonna happen, so sit back and enjoy the ride while its still running.
Gotta ad, that @Sheldon N said much of the same but got posted just before mine.
Very well said and accurate. I have been competing 3 years and I also see 1) smaller targets, 2) more movement, 3) 12 round stages, 4) more complex target arrays all to separate the top from midpack. Coming back for 2024!Since this has become a sidebar commentary on the state of precision rifle competition, I'll give my perspective.
I only track the pro series matches on my spreadsheet because there are WAY too many 1 day centerfire and rimfire matches for me to track.
Looking at my own region there are 3 pro series matches per year within a 6 hour drive. The number of sanctioned and non-sanctioned 1 day centerfire and rimfire matches I could shoot a year in the same radius is probably 40-50. There is a much larger contingent of shooters out there having fun and competing that don't want to incur the cost/effort of a two day match. While there are a good number of attendees who frequent the one day matches, maybe only 1/3 of those will ever attend a two day match.
The number of unique shooters shooting pro-series matches in the US is about 2,000. Based on what I see in my region the estimated number of ~6,000 total unique national competitors seems fairly accurate once you add in rimfire and one-day matches and both PRS members and non-members.
The number of shooters participating in the sport has been fairly constant over the past 5 years looking at pro-series matches. Down a bit from 2019, then back up this year. There are pretty consistently about 700 total shooters attending 3 matches or more in a year, the last 5 years running.
It's a small sport and it's likely always going to be. It's expensive, somewhat high barrier to entry in terms of base level skill required (ie being able to even hit a target at 500 to 1000 yards). Venues are hard to find, match directing is hard work and it's a small group of people who make the sport happen by actually running matches. Match locations are usually not convenient to access, often requiring hours of drive time. I have tons of friends who like shooting guns and who I've invited, but it's a big leap to spend the money and commit the time to actually participate. And on a broader level the long-term winds of societal change aren't going to do any favors to grow the number of people participating in shooting sports.
There is also a high level of commitment to get really good at the sport. Personally I see more shooters getting better and better and putting in real work to get there. Statistically, even the midpack shooters are hitting more targets year over year, and my own perspective is that matches aren't getting easier. I see more small targets than ever at the matches I attend and more expectation that you need to hit all of them if you want to be competitive. I also see an increase in time pressure, more movement and more complexity in stage design. While the top 300 shooters are rising in skill level to be able to do this, it does make it more challenging for new competitors. Hence, why many people enjoy just having fun in the 1 day matches.
Hear me out. Fight Promotions.What shooting sport behaves as you think PRS should @Lowlight?
Or, what organization should PRS model their behavior after?
-Stan
And yet matches are still selling out at a national level. Local participation is higher than ever even with way more matches out there.Hear me out. Fight Promotions.
Current precision rifle formats focus exclusively on tournament style matches, which works, but if you're a midpack shooter, you're competing for... midpack placement. And at that point, are you actually feeling like you're competing with anyone in particular?
Rather than a tournament, I'd love to see things go the route where you pit a shooter against a shooter with identical props and identical ranges, and make it a spectator sport where you make money off the spectators/venue/food sales/side events/local business advertisements, etc. Offer a real prize that's known beforehand, and actually tempting. Have promotion titles to fight for, etc.
Title sponsors could scout out crowd pleasers and talent from regional matches, so that there's a reason to compete in regional tournament style matches.
There are always big shot promotions like UFC, but there are the underdog promoters too - Invicta, Fierce Fighting Championship, etc. Even if a guy isn't good enough to get picked up by a legit promotion like UFC, a shot at a local title belt that you can defend and make a bit of cash on would be an incentive to improve, start a local shooting school/gym based on your achievements, and... grow the sport.
3 years of benchrest barricade with nothing to show for it other than a few local podiums and 50% cert off a prize table that's already been cherry picked, and -$15k wears on people. There are a lot of old timers in my region that don't shoot anymore, despite rocking the "pro" scene prior to 2020, and it looks like most are tired of the drama, tired of running matches for a bunch of whiny b!t#3$, and tired of massive time commitments, especially if you step up to the national level.
My region had a match going on about 4 times a month, and the guys who won the region are the guys who could go to all of them, and get an average score high enough to crowd out other match winners and put it all into the finale. Most of the matches were 30 or under attendance-wise, and the amount of match winners for the season was kind of ridiculous.
Adding to things, beginning as a regional PRS shooter in 2021, I was surprised to learn that the sport almost died in my region, despite having new shooters, because running matches sucks, and MDs would rather shoot than put on a course of fire and get whined at because the tire was bouncy, or there was a sage brush in the way if you took an easy shooting position vs the harder one.
I'm friends with one of the local MDs who ran the finale this year for the region and he made the point that there are so many matches nowadays (he specifically pointed at the sheer number of NRL22 X-matches in Utah in 2023) that have prize tables, that it's getting harder and harder to get prizes for the tables. Any mid pack shooter is going to note that in the last three years, the prize tables are looking more and more meh. Hornady PRC's prize table in 2023 was a lot more sparse than in 2021. NRL's last match at Rifles Only's prize table (2022) was quite a bit more sparse than in 2019.
As the number of shooters grows, what does retention look like? What does match design look like? What rewards are we getting other than "cheap practice", especially if match fees continue to rise along with cost of components? Have we grown the sizes and rewards of shooting in anything other than Open?
But above all - if there's no element of spectatorship, or a way to monetize from anything other than the participants, is it really that much of a sport?
You funny….Want to be Superman, let bullets bounce off your chest better, want to be an all pro NFL quarterback, throw football better, want to be movie starlet, be prettier,Want a crack at good prizes? Shoot better.
You sound like a bitch. Complaing about not be able to get better while feeling entitled to better stuff from prize table. Want to know how Gossett or slade or anyone else with a bullet gets that good? They put in the work. They didn't just wake up one day and magically become amazing shooters. No one wins their first match. Even the best shooters from years past are getting pushed out of the way becuase they do not train and put in the work like the current winners do.You funny….Want to be Superman, let bullets bounce off your chest better, want to be an all pro NFL quarterback, throw football better, want to be movie starlet, be prettier,
So, what amount of practice, working out, buying the best equipment is going to make a fellow or lady PRS or AG Cup Champion? What about you, I seemed to have missed you on the Shooter’s Mindset broadcast this past weekend.
Fact is, not all of us, young and old are going to be shooting as good or better than Ben Gossett or Andy Slade. Its not gonna happen. In fact, looking at a typical bell curve of human abilities, 50%, no matter how hard they try, how much they work, how much they spend are never going to be better mid-pact and many lower.
So, to say, “shoot better” is seriously like saying; “want to be Superman, have bullets bounce off your chest better.”
I am neither bitchin or complaining but the fact is that shoot better wont work if the natural talent is not there. Not everyone has the skills and never will.You sound like a bitch. Complaing about not be able to get better while feeling entitled to better stuff from prize table. Want to know how Gossett or slade or anyone else with a bullet gets that good? They put in the work. They didn't just wake up one day and magically become amazing shooters. No one wins their first match. Even the best shooters from years past are getting pushed out of the way becuase they do not train and put in the work like the current winners do.
It's PRS not the NFL. It doesn't require athletic ability or amazing hand eye coordination or being genetically gifted. You only get better by working harder and paying attention to the details. It's a game of making the least mistakes...not how many lbs you can bench, your 40 time or putting a ball in a hoop.
So yea.....if you want better prizes then shoot better. Outwork the next guy if you want it. You sound pathetic and a defeatist to be honest. With that attitude you will always suck.