Like Papa said, you just have to go to a match and do it. You can use any traditional rifle, so if you've got one you already have the means to start. Before you sink a bunch of money and work into it you'll want to be sure it's the sport for you. All you need is your rifle and a block of wood (could be a piece of log, boards nailed together or a piece of timber). Just don't cut or carve any grooves in the top. You might want a pad or blanket or tarp to lie down on (definitely needed in damp or wet weather). A spotting scope or at least a good pair of field glasses for when you're shooting your practice group. Some matches are held at ranges without loading benches (such as the York Shoot), so unless you want to load out of your pouch you'll need a table for a range box. You can shoot without all these things, but you'll find they make things a lot easier and more comfortable.
Shaders for your sights are not necessary but definitely recommended. If you can make a cant block for your rifle, it will stabilize it and keep it level as well as protect the stock while lying across the chunk. Make the height of your chunk high enough that you will comfortable while shooting prone. If you're shooting an offhand gun you'll find that the chunk will probably need to be higher than when using most chunk guns. These are often built with less drop in the stock. Be sure to make your sighter target in a shape and color that will work well with the sights on your gun. You will want to see it clearly. You also need to sight the gun to hit in a place that won't tear the sighter up.
Learn to read the light and wind and know how much drift you can expect from your rifle at 60 yards with varying winds. That's not always easy. I still mis-read it a lot. Light changes are even harder for me. Mirages are common and can surely ruin your day.
Keep your loading procedure consistent. I recommend weighing your balls and using only those within a 10th of a grain of each other. I usually average 13 to 16 balls in a 10 shot match. (3 to 6 to shoot for group + 10 score) Some allow more variation, but I want to take out as many variables as I can. I have enough to worry about with me and the weather and other things. Be consistent in how you lie down and hold your rifle. That includes how you position your feet, elbows and how your cheek touches the stock.
Watch other shooters, especially those who consistently shoot well. Ask questions when you can, just don't interrupt when they're shooting (unless they invite you to). Take your time. You generally have between 20 to 30 minutes to get a group shot in. Once the shooting starts for score, each match lasts as long as it takes for everyone to get their shot off. (At Friendship they have a different set-up, but this is how it's done at all the matches I've shot at.) This works well because sometimes you just have to wait for the wind to change or a cloud to pass over. Still, you can't wait all day.
There are a lot of little things that each shooter does to improve his chances, but some things that work for one guy may not work for the next. It takes time and experience with the gun you use to see what load is best in certain conditions and what position is best for you when shooting prone. Even ground conditions will affect these things.
This style of shooting can be extremely frustrating at times. But being that way only makes it sweeter when you get that first spider or win that first match. Then you feel like you've done something. It's a different animal. I can't wait for Spring myself.
:thumbsup:
