Any active forums on competition?

[In Over My Head]

Is anyone aware of any active forums dealing primarily with NMLRA-style competition? (Inquiring minds want to know.)

After a few visits to Friendship I'm impressed that there is some very high order competition going on with some very high order equipment. But I don't see much discussion of this anywhere.

 

Is anyone aware of any active forums dealing primarily with NMLRA-style competition? (Inquiring minds want to know.)

A forum just for "NMLRA-style competition"? :shocked2:

 

[In Over My Head]

Well... yeah.

Am I wrong in my impression that the many different forms of competition and classifications of guns at the Nationals are far more specialized and complex than many of the other matches going on around the country?

Where can I find rich discussion of the equipment and mindset of 'chunk gun', 'bench gun' etc.?

Or discussion of the matches themselves... the scores, competitors, equipment, controversies?

 

Where can I find rich discussion of the equipment and mindset of 'chunk gun', 'bench gun' etc.?

Or discussion of the matches themselves... the scores, competitors, equipment, controversies?

Why not start your "rich discussion" here?

What do you want to "discuss"?

 

[Claude Mathis]

Where can I find rich discussion of the equipment and mindset of 'chunk gun', 'bench gun' etc.?

Or discussion of the matches themselves... the scores, competitors, equipment, controversies?

Why not start your "rich discussion" here?

What do you want to "discuss"?

CHeale, if you do, please post it in "Public Events - Clubs - Ranges".

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The problem is that a good bit of the NMLRA competition involves guns that do not fall under the "traditional" requirement for this forum. Yes there are some traditional. There are folks here who want nothing to do with that style of shooting. Unlike many I prefer paper matches over woodswalks, silly wets and hunting anyday. I reccently heard of some guys who have bench rest 100 yd front loader pistol matches. That would be something I could have fun with.

 

[jethro224]

Am I wrong in my impression that the many different forms of competition and classifications of guns at the Nationals are far more specialized and complex than many of the other matches going on around the country?

You are not wrong. However, many of these "more specialized and complex" classifications of guns do not fit the traditional focus of this forum. Many do.
Please keep forum rule number 28 in mind. "Do not post links to sites that contain Muzzleloading Forums."
Perhaps you could find something on a Google(etc.) search.

Where can I find rich discussion of the equipment and mindset of 'chunk gun', 'bench gun' etc.?

So long as your discussion is about traditional chunk guns, bench guns, etc., you could start topics in the specific section of this forum for the ignition type that you are interested in.

Or discussion of the matches themselves... the scores, competitors, equipment, controversies?

Like Claude said, "Public Events - Clubs _ Ranges"

 

[FishDFly]

For the most part the top shooters at Friendship and Phoenix do not post on websites, they are older folks and for the most part are not into posting/computers.

It is not they are rude or secretive, but computers/posting is not their main interest. One of the top pistol shooters at Friendship hates to type, if I want to hear from him, I have to call him.

One of the top Texas shooters does post here and shares information.

Most top shooters are really nice folks, they just are not typists.

 

[fleener]

Richard, I think that were are plenty of top shooters that frequent web forums. Postings might be low due to the number of "internet experts and internet top shots" that have an opinion on everything.

Fleener

 

[FishDFly]

You are correct, the top pistol shooters do not come here for what you say.

A person can learn a lot from them if a person will listen. They have taught me well.

 

[FishDFly]

Is anyone aware of any active forums dealing primarily with NMLRA-style competition? (Inquiring minds want to know.)

After a few visits to Friendship I'm impressed that there is some very high order competition going on with some very high order equipment. But I don't see much discussion of this anywhere.

I am a pistol shooter and cannot help with rifles.

For pistol shooting the best book is "The Pistol Shooters Treasury" by Gil Hebard, it was written by modern pistols shooters but the principles apply.

Mike Luma of the NMLRA has written the best M/L pistol articles there are.

Best source of information is the NMLRA.

If you want to shoot competition, dry fire, dry fire, etc and shoot in matches all you can, matches is where you learn and from folks who are winners.

To answer your question, no. There was a section here years ago about accuracy shooting but it was dropped.

 

[In Over My Head]

Thanks everyone.

I was directed by PM to a site that has subforums for most of the different muzzleloading disciplines. It's a good bunch of shooters but hasn't reached critical mass yet as an active forum.

A quick Google of Muzzleloading Target should find it for you.

It was not for me to start a robust discussion of the target shooting disciplines. I am just getting my feet wet and need to find content to read.

 

[FishDFly]

Sad, put M/L shooting is slowly dying.

Even sadder is the number of folks who shoot competition is shrinking.

I did talk with one of the top pistol shooters in Friendship and he said a "youngster" slipped in late in the June shoot and knocked the top shooters out of the running and he has been back to the Weiner shoot and did very well.

There could be a bright spot out there.

Order Ned Roberts Book, you can learn from it. There is a lot of information in it that you cannot learn on the internet.

There are no real secrets, it is all about consistency.

There have been many rifle matches won with a T/C stocked rifle with a G/M barrel. Weigh your balls and do not weigh your powder, that is a waste of time.

Dry fire, dry fire, and handle your rifle daily.
Shoot all the matches you can find.

Repeat the above.

It is all about being consistent, there are no secrets.

In all honesty, you can not be a internet reader and become a top shooter, you have to work at it.

One of the top rifle shooters was going through a divorce, to keep himself out of trouble each day after work he would shoot 2 National Aggs and then shoot matches on Saturday and Sunday.

He was a winner.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Out our way there seems to be increased BP activity, not decreased. We implemented the NRA Qualification Program, and our local club has over half of the Country's NRA Distinguished Experts, myself being one of them. There's much more to competition than just the NMLRA Nationals. Often local clubs affiliated with the NMLRA hold quality Shoots.

Expert level Shooters all have a few things in common:

1. They practice by shooting local level Matches.
2. They're very consistent in their habits.
3. They use the SAME materials to produce the SAME results!
4. They're comfortable with who & what they ARE. They're not trying to be someone they aren't.
5. They monitor their physical condition and provide themselves refreshment & snacks that stabilize their blood sugar levels during a Match.
6. They don't blame their equipment if they're having an "off day".
7. They don't need the newest accessory or gizmo to be able to score sufficiently high enough to be in the running for the top prizes in a match.
8. Their dedication to the Sport prevents them from hiding "secrets", so they willingly share info and mentor other serious competitors.
9. They bring back-up guns to every Match.
10. They have FUN first & foremost. Ribbons & medals are secondary.


I am one of the best Shooters at (3) local Jersey Clubs. I've never been to a Territorial or to Friendship, but I've seen & done what it takes to do well in that environment.

Good luck to the OP & may he be blessed with open-minded mentors like I was.

Dave
NRA Double Distinguished Expert in Muzzleloading Pistol & Rifle

 

[FishDFly]

Your post is the best I have seen on match shooting, very well done.

 

[FishDFly]

"I am one of the best Shooters at (3) local Jersey Clubs. I've never been to a Territorial or to Friendship, but I've seen & done what it takes to do well in that environment."

Actually shooting in Friendship requires a lot of dedication. The folks do not play there. If you look at the High Master scores there is 1 to 4 points between 1st and 2nd place in a 1,000 point match.

I have been fortunate, I shot in one of the top M/L Clubs in Texas and have shot in multiple Territorials in different states, shot at the State level, shot in Phoenix and Friendship.

Some of the High Masters from Friendship and Phoenix have adopted me and have mentored me. As before there are not secrets but insight, just learning's.

If you shoot your best score ever on a target, plant your rear in a chair for the next relay.

Shoot 2 relays and sit in the chair.

Do not visit wile shooting.

To quote Joseph C. White Jr, "I have been beaten by some of the best pistol shots in world---also by some worst".

What I have learned to be a top pistol shot you have to work at it. I was forced to back off this year due taking care of my Step-mother.

My scores plummeted at Phoenix, I re-bounded at the TMLRA shoot some what. I set my alarm clock and dry fired from 0100 to 0300 each morning. I was not able to live fire at all, but recovered by reading and going back to basics.

If you think you are the best shooter, a youngster is about to clean your plow.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

It's interesting to read your long history of Match attendance. It makes your compliment on my writing carry even more weight, for which I humbly give thanks.

It's very inspiring to hear of a four point spread in a 1,000 point aggregate Match. The larger local club I belong to would yield similar results. There's always just a minute difference in numbers when the tally is complete. The top scorers in each division (revolvers are "Division-B") compete for an annual prize. Often the winner is decided by less than a single point when averaging each competitors' top three scores.

Using the NRA/Winchester Qualification Program as a "Base", we find that Shooters who enter the Program wind-up pulling each other up the ladder towards higher & higher scores. They seem to help each other attain personal-best after personal-best. New Shooters always have something to aspire to & the "Old Guard" is constantly kept on their toes with a solid challenge. Competition, if done right (as we do it) means EVERYBODY wins!

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

A few thoughts about Woods Walks & such:

One of my favorite days mentoring in the Dark Arts came several years ago now. Myself, Long John, Ray & a 14 year old Newbie were squaded together for a Woods Walk. We arrived at the Card Cutting Station & it was my turn to shoot first. So I turned to the other two adults, winked an eye & said "Don't listen to what I'm about to tell the Kid". I demonstrated how to make both the front & back of a playing card disappear thru the rifle sights by moving laterally while shifting my hips. Shooting a card on uneven ground is always a challenge, but my a$$ managed to cash the check my mouth wrote that day. Next up was the Kid & you guessed it, he cut his card too, and so did the two adults. In fact our Squad was the only foursome to accomplish such a feat. One of the adults just smiled when the other thanked me for the "Card Cuttin' Class" during the Woods Walk. See he hadn't ever cut one full-through prior to our being squaded together. He'd get the front or the back of the card, but never a clean cut straight thru.

I came-in 2nd that Match, but nobody that day thought of me as a "Loser"....... That 14 year old was MY responsibility & I was goin' to give him everything I had & hold nuthin' back. That's just the way we roll.......

 

[FishDFly]

My Mentor taught me a long time ago in the past that you are there to shoot against yourself and no one else. Forget those around you and what they are doing.

The best shooters have taught me to post your best target on the wall and leave it there until you shoot a better one. On my wall are 5 National record targets.

They have taught me to keep detailed records of practice and matches.

I started out with a dream and the current wife has allowed me to chase it. My wife decided she was going to become my coach, it worked for a bit and she was "fired", my scores went up after her firing.

I slipped this year, but I took care of family.

I was talking with a fellow in Phoenix and he said he figured that he had 5 years left to be a pistol shooter with his age. I am beginning to think the same to be competitive. I will continue to shoot, no matter were I am on the Board.

Fun is where things are.

 

[fleener]

Prep work is one of the keys to winning in addition to be being a good shot.

You got to have the best equipment you can possibly have. Does not matter how good you can shoot if your equipment limits you. If your load limits you to a MOA of 3 you cant expect to shoot better than that as a matter of routine.

Work up a great load for your rifle and try to eliminate your variables.

I would state that if your are shooting below what is normal for you to not be afraid to look for equipment issues. I have had a front sight fall off a rifle in a match, rear sights loose, screws that were loose. All these things add up.

Fleener