Foxing rifle for a comp

[Mark Jones]

Hi, just wondering what competitions I could enter with my Tikka .243. its in a custom stock but other than that totally standard with a niteforce scope. Can you use a sound moderator and balistic tips in comps? I presume homeloads are o.k. sorry for the ignorance but never shot rifle in a comp ever and would love to have a go. Anywhare local to Swindon that holds them, I presume you couldn't just enter one without being a club member.

 

Thanks, Mark

[triggersqueezer]

243 will be a great calibre to start with so will the scope.you can use a sound mod but when it gets hot it will give off mirage and mess with your scope picture.i would advise no mod.home loads are cool (if safe) but ballistic tips are not.thats about as much help as i can be but others should help more.

mike

[gbal]

Mark,you should be able to shoot and enjoy-as with tiggersqueezer's general view.

Really it's down to local club competition 'rules' what is allowed-very variable,and often you can shoot even if technically innbreach of some minor rule (eg moderator/brake)-you just don't get a prize!

Up a level,you might not qualify for 'factory rifle'-replaced stock-but as above-it's a category meant to encourage non specilised basic entry level. And out to say 4/500 yards a 243 even wih slow twist can be fine-a Nightforce helps.A fast twist 243 is a different cartridgehe good times with115 g bullets,and will be rewarding to 1000y-but won't podium (nor will anything much 'ordinary'-the specialists tend to dominate.But they don't have a monopoly on 'enjoyment' or personal saisfaction.)

 

See it all in context-most of us started where you are-and there is no compulsion to move on-I shoot my 50 year old Sako 243 more than my podium compatibles....it's not quite so good even at 500y,but rings gongs,not quite as often-but I like it (for the good times).

:-)

look around for some clubs,try it all out...ENJOY!

 

gbal

[Mark Jones]

Thanks for the advice, are there seasons for rifle comps or do they run all year round, how many bullets do you use and what are the entry fees?

Thanks

Mark

[gbal]

Mark,

You'll have guessed this is a bit of 'how long is a piece of string' question (but see below)

 

There are competitions throughout the year-in 'league' ' format,though would be involved-only a few locations do them.( Contact Bisley for some examples).

But local clubs can really put on any competitions they have facilities for and are legal-facilities obviously vary a lot,from 100y 'gallery' ranges,to wide open spaces in Wales-and most relevantly-those in between.

 

If you are not so doing,follow up the current thread on here "1000y Bench Rest"-Laurie's post has 'typical' costs and ammo needs.....but both do vary ...you wont get off 20,maybe half that in a club'mad minute' fun comp;but you might need 200 for a two day 'practical' comp (field gongs 1-800y from rough positions...._

100y Bench Rest Factory class (a 1/2 moa 243 would not embarass) needs about 50 rounds (warm up,then 5x5 matches,each allowing several wind check shots too... so 25absolute minimum to count)

Mostly,it's a full day-butt duty/targets to change and scoreturn taking in squads/relays etc but it's a source of informative banterand advice too when not directly shooting.

That is'national level playing field' stuff-most small clubs modify to suit facilities and members,typically with more modest equipment,but no less fun;probably where you want to get started,but try/observe a more serious comp too if ambitious.(try carrying the cutting edge gear too-you might want to retain your 243 for the local shoots-I did!) :-)

 

gbal