Some of your comments really resonated with me. I am not a match director or even a competitor, but although it’s not at nearly the same level of complexity, I design exercises for training and many of the things you mentioned are relevant to making a training exercise useful and worth the time and ammunition. I believe a big part of that is trying to ensure that the shooters believe they did something worthwhile, and were also not presented with situations and requirements that were impossible to succeed at. In particular, I really detest the philosophy of, “Ha! Let’s see how they do this; it’s really going to mess with their minds.” If it’s something they need to think about and possibly even be prepared for, that’s one thing, but if it’s just to boost the ego of the designer, that’s another. In addition I have always tried to think of new ways of doing things; the goals may be the same, but it’s important to keep the interest up by not always doing things the same way. Even though much of what you mentioned was relevant to what I already try to do, you gave me some other things to think about as well. As always, thank you for taking the time to provide your thoughts.
Love it. You didn't mention ROs though. A good MD takes care of his/her ROs. Keep them fed, dry, hydrated. And while I don't expect to walk the prize table and take a rifle or optic, it's nice to get more than a sticker or water bottle.
Great Video Mike. As someone that just started a range and wanting to start having a few matches a year at our new facility this was some great insight.
This is a great video of a topic that isn't as sexy, but underlies the longevity and quality of this discipline. One thing I always come back to is ROs need to be experienced with spotting, knowing the difference between a hit and a miss. That can be hard with 6mms at 650yds and farther. Also, keeping steel unpainted before a match so there aren't any advantages to first shooters on the stages, other than lighting conditions.
Really like this vid. Our MD (monthly) used to do some kind of off the wall stages that, for new shooters, you're like wtf? He has since evolved and the matches are more enjoyable. Challenging enough but not so hard you say f this. That said, to me the people that quit because "Oh this match was bs" are the people that quit most things because it doesn't go their way. Not all of us will be pros. I think people need to be realistic about their skill level and turn down their ego a bit. So far I haven't ran into a MD I didn't like but my experience is limited. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to that to begin with. I'm there to shoot and enjoy the experience. If I bomb a stage I take notes and try to incorporate it into my training. It's a learning experience. And absolutely, people, if you walk the prize table take the time to thank the sponsor. It's no effort on your part to drop a email or throw the name out on social media. If not for them shooting sports wouldn't be where they're at today.
Nice info.. I wish there were more "local" NRL Hunter matches to get us new folks started. Living on the wrong coast for most of these matches is prohibitive and as a new person wanting to validate skills for that maybe once in lifetime draw, I think this would awesome.
Growing the sport: What would you tell the enthusiast on a budget? Years ago, I used to tell students "get whatever you can afford". Problem was guys would drop it all on a couple "pieces of the puzzle" and burn out "because life". In stark contrast to my then belief, I met a guy who ran a really rough, heavily used Mosin in 54R. Among my concerns about his gear, was the bolt was loose; was held closed with his thumb while firing. Then I witnessed his shot performance in awe. Ever play "golf ball soccer" to weed out false bravado? Rules: 1. Start past 100 via driver. 2. 1 round per turn 3. Ball stops, turn is over 4. Cross goal on your side 5. Goal 400 yds+
Reliable Rifle in a decent cartridge. 6.5 Creedmoor is a good start, but 6mms rule the roost. Biggest thing is you need factory ammo before you get into reloading. Mag-fed is preferred so you can get through stages easily. There are a lot of great chassis rifles with mags. SIG Cross and MDT chassis systems are plentiful. Savage, Bergara, and Ruger have great price points that won't break the bank as well. Solid, appropriate optics for the discipline. Vortex PST Gen II is an affordable starting point. Rifle/Optic/Rings/mount need to be set up properly, leveled, with correct torque specs. Bubble level. Dope cards, charts that you can see while you shoot without having to get off the rifle. Arm board types are good. You'll want a good set of shooting bags, at least 2 initially, a small and a large one. As you work through different stages, you'll start to see how many bags you'll want. Quality bipod. Harris is OK to start with. Laser Range Finder. SIG and Vortex have some affordable units. Electronic Ear Pro or low profile ear protection. Small pack. If you have friends that shoot PRS/NRL, they'll have gear to loan you to see if you like it before you dive in, so don't feel like you have to blow a bunch of money up front. Tripods and other tools come into play the more you get into it. Hope that helps! (I've been shooting Long Range since 1995.)
Yep, cater to the new and midpack shooter. Couldn't agree more. Facilitate the fun factor. That's what will grow the sport.
Some of your comments really resonated with me. I am not a match director or even a competitor, but although it’s not at nearly the same level of complexity, I design exercises for training and many of the things you mentioned are relevant to making a training exercise useful and worth the time and ammunition. I believe a big part of that is trying to ensure that the shooters believe they did something worthwhile, and were also not presented with situations and requirements that were impossible to succeed at. In particular, I really detest the philosophy of, “Ha! Let’s see how they do this; it’s really going to mess with their minds.” If it’s something they need to think about and possibly even be prepared for, that’s one thing, but if it’s just to boost the ego of the designer, that’s another.
In addition I have always tried to think of new ways of doing things; the goals may be the same, but it’s important to keep the interest up by not always doing things the same way. Even though much of what you mentioned was relevant to what I already try to do, you gave me some other things to think about as well. As always, thank you for taking the time to provide your thoughts.
Thank you!
Great insight !!.....Thanks fer sharing !!
Hard like. Also glad Mike made it after the "x days without cleaning someone's gear" post
😂😂😂
Love it. You didn't mention ROs though. A good MD takes care of his/her ROs. Keep them fed, dry, hydrated. And while I don't expect to walk the prize table and take a rifle or optic, it's nice to get more than a sticker or water bottle.
Great Video Mike. As someone that just started a range and wanting to start having a few matches a year at our new facility this was some great insight.
This is a great video of a topic that isn't as sexy, but underlies the longevity and quality of this discipline.
One thing I always come back to is ROs need to be experienced with spotting, knowing the difference between a hit and a miss. That can be hard with 6mms at 650yds and farther.
Also, keeping steel unpainted before a match so there aren't any advantages to first shooters on the stages, other than lighting conditions.
Really like this vid. Our MD (monthly) used to do some kind of off the wall stages that, for new shooters, you're like wtf? He has since evolved and the matches are more enjoyable. Challenging enough but not so hard you say f this. That said, to me the people that quit because "Oh this match was bs" are the people that quit most things because it doesn't go their way. Not all of us will be pros. I think people need to be realistic about their skill level and turn down their ego a bit. So far I haven't ran into a MD I didn't like but my experience is limited. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to that to begin with. I'm there to shoot and enjoy the experience. If I bomb a stage I take notes and try to incorporate it into my training. It's a learning experience. And absolutely, people, if you walk the prize table take the time to thank the sponsor. It's no effort on your part to drop a email or throw the name out on social media. If not for them shooting sports wouldn't be where they're at today.
Long Rant with the Lilys
(Send this directly to the MDs that need it)
Nice info.. I wish there were more "local" NRL Hunter matches to get us new folks started. Living on the wrong coast for most of these matches is prohibitive and as a new person wanting to validate skills for that maybe once in lifetime draw, I think this would awesome.
Growing the sport:
What would you tell the enthusiast on a budget?
Years ago, I used to tell students "get whatever you can afford". Problem was guys would drop it all on a couple "pieces of the puzzle" and burn out "because life". In stark contrast to my then belief, I met a guy who ran a really rough, heavily used Mosin in 54R. Among my concerns about his gear, was the bolt was loose; was held closed with his thumb while firing. Then I witnessed his shot performance in awe.
Ever play "golf ball soccer" to weed out false bravado?
Rules:
1. Start past 100 via driver.
2. 1 round per turn
3. Ball stops, turn is over
4. Cross goal on your side
5. Goal 400 yds+
What?
@@Rexwagon1 1st part is a question.
2nd part is an anecdotal example as to what changed my previous belief on gear.
Good stuff.
What do you consider "minimum kit" for PRS?
Past that, what order to aquire kit?
Reliable Rifle in a decent cartridge. 6.5 Creedmoor is a good start, but 6mms rule the roost. Biggest thing is you need factory ammo before you get into reloading.
Mag-fed is preferred so you can get through stages easily. There are a lot of great chassis rifles with mags. SIG Cross and MDT chassis systems are plentiful. Savage, Bergara, and Ruger have great price points that won't break the bank as well.
Solid, appropriate optics for the discipline. Vortex PST Gen II is an affordable starting point.
Rifle/Optic/Rings/mount need to be set up properly, leveled, with correct torque specs.
Bubble level.
Dope cards, charts that you can see while you shoot without having to get off the rifle. Arm board types are good.
You'll want a good set of shooting bags, at least 2 initially, a small and a large one. As you work through different stages, you'll start to see how many bags you'll want.
Quality bipod. Harris is OK to start with.
Laser Range Finder. SIG and Vortex have some affordable units.
Electronic Ear Pro or low profile ear protection.
Small pack. If you have friends that shoot PRS/NRL, they'll have gear to loan you to see if you like it before you dive in, so don't feel like you have to blow a bunch of money up front.
Tripods and other tools come into play the more you get into it.
Hope that helps! (I've been shooting Long Range since 1995.)
@@LRRPFco52 EXCELLENT! THANK YOU
@@charlesc6954 Good headgear to protect yourself from the sun, long sleeve shirts, loose-fitting hiker style clothes, good hiking boots as well.
👍 🇺🇲