I agree that it has much to do with what the rules are. I’ve been to matches where Peep Sights and Spotting Optics were not allowed. But you could have your buddy act as a Spotter.
I’ve never been involved in any serious Competitive Shooting events or Championships. Just club members getting together once per month and the occasional Rendezvous. Most of the time it’s five shots and not five shots on paper. I’ve had to watch for folks leaning on the shooting benches and remind them that the match is “unsupported”. Most of our clubs allow peep sights, especially for our older shooters. One group welcomes inlines as long as it’s with open sights and solid lead projectiles. Another considers themselves “Traditional”, so none are allowed. Then there are revolvers and folks are told they can only load one shot at a time.
Occasionally, we shoot Clangers (Metal Targets) for a score. It’s on the Honor System. It never occurred to me that folks would cheat. It’s the same when we put up a target that has say, three shots. If you hit it on the first try, 30-points, second, 20, and third, 10. I’m going to a Trail Walk this weekend. We keep our own scores but none are turned in.
Most places I go would allow someone to sit in a chair and shoot unsupported if they could no longer stand for a long period of time. We want folks to still be able to do what they love and will help them any way we can to stay in the game.
A few years back and in another state, we had a couple who had finally been banned from every Rendezvous in the state because they kept winning all the prizes. They each shot the same model rifle and Trade Gun. One rifle was sighted in for close shots and the other for distance. One Trade Gun was set up for shot and the other for ball. Is this cheating? Apparently, most of the clubs thought so.
I used to be all about winning and had a really bad day if I didn’t. Finally, the light bulb went on and I realized that I was sucking all the fun out of the sport. I started concentrating on the camaraderie and just having a good time. If I won, it was the icing on the cake.
This thread has made me think about the rules of each club I shoot with and how well I understand them, or maybe not.
On another note, one of my other hobbies is Metal Detecting. I went on a Special Hunt with a club and one of their Officers found a ring in the park we were hunting. The regular outing was at the beach later in the month. This same guy showed me that same ring as if he had just found it!
I guess some folks have such sorry egos that they must win or be the Top Dog no matter what!
Walt