Match problem for you guys to solve

[boats]

We need to expand our smallbore capacity. Some constraints, First shot can't go off until 9 am. Need to be finished about noon or 12:30 latest to clear range for another match @ 1 pm, that one needs to be complete in good light year round. Later than 1 finish is not a good option

Smallbore we run two matches now single relay. 12 shooters can shoot two matches in a morning, trouble is we are getting over 12 for matches and they all want to shoot two matches. Plenty of time sighting at 9 first record shot at 9:30 takes about 1 h 15 or 20 min to shoot one match always over by Noon range clear by 12:30

The shooting house is just over 80 feet wide. We have firing positions for 12 shooters with positions marked Chicken Pig Turkey Ram 3 times colour coded by wood animals above the positions. This is just over minimum for NRA rules

Rails set 30 animals wide with plenty of room, (same range is used for Hunters Pistol and Cowboy which have larger targets) It's not wide enough to set 60 smallbore targets. Now we run one set of 10 for each shooter on each rail. Set, shoot 5 stand down for 1 minute in position then shoot 5 more. Make the range safe competitors go down range and re-set.

If we have two relay matches, Shoot 5 & 5 then shooter coming off the line re-sets for the 2nd Relay shooter we can double capacity to 24 per match, But it's going to take more time, Anybody shooting two relay matches have any idea of how long it takes.

Don't need to double number of shooters just handle more than 12, How about 2 60 shot matches single match per shooter space available on the 2nd match. ?

All advice considered.

Boats


________________________________________

[Byron]

Boats:

You have 3 choices to solve your problem.

1. More target setters that hustle will make it possible to run 2 relays in 3 hours.

2. Move you start time up by 1 hour.

3. Third and best option would be to add a second rail to double your capacity. Shot both relays then reset.

Byron

[Jetmugg]

Not 100% sure I followed correctly with respect to your setup, but could you set 15 targets for each shooter ( 2 shooters at each station, totaling 30 targets at each animal)? 8 shooters on the line at a time... Wouldn't that allow you to shoot 60 shot matches for each shooter? (i.e. shoot 5, stand down, shoot 5, stand down, shoot 5, reset targets) I think that would allow you to run 2 relays, and each shooter would get a 60 shot match. I know, that's not as much fun as 2 x 40 shot matches, but might work as a compromise.

SteveM.

[boats]

It's confusing To clarifly match is one thing the whole 40 or 60 shots, String of animals another either 10 or 15 same target, relays within a match is yet another. We don't run 2 relays now everybody is on the same one

60 shot match with 15 animals set per positon 2 relay format is the option I am leaning toward. If so we can still use our 12 positon lay out. Rails and width of the range between side berms can hold 45 animals wide with good seperation. That would give two 60 shot matches. Allowing 24 shooters total, limiting to one match per competitor guranteed, 2nd match for any competitor space avalable.

Afraid more time is not an option, I push for fast re-set however you don't want a shooter to run back from the Rams then shoot Chickens soon as they are back on the firing line. Two relay match would get around that. 1st Relay Re set what they shot, 2nd relay is on the line preparing there gear. Rifles racked with open bolt indicators until all setters are back and down range is clear.

Still would like to see how long a 40 shot match takes with 24 shooters 12 on the line at a time two relays. Anybody running that format ?

Boats

[Byron]

PeEll runs 4 relays.

It starts the same time as yours and they are done by 1:30 most of the time. They use 4 target setters that run hard. You should be able to run a relay in around 1 hour and 15 minutes easy. Most clubs take tips for the setters but make sure they are paid well. Some clubs change the relays using OBI's before they send out the setters to speed up the process.

Byron
Give me a call if you have any questions
425-301-0977

[GTKF]

We typically run 2 relays (sometimes 3), 12 shooters per relay shooting 10 animals then shooters reset for next relay. Start at 9:30 and with 2 relays will finish at 11:30. Since run an 80 shot match we do it twice and finish about 2:00 with a 1/2 hr break

[boats]

Thanks guys, good suggestions but guess there is no good way to get what we need in the time we have, half a day. We are pretty fast re-setters now, paid setters would be nice, not a lot faster though. We can't alter the range for any sort of auto setting rig. It's used for other silhouette matches too. I am going to try a two relay 60 shot match that will accomidate 24 shooters.

One idea that did come up is keep our 12 shooter two match format. Then run a 3 shooter "blitz" match for the overflow. Set all 120 targets then the 3 shooters Shoot CPTR in turn with no reset, brief stand down in postion between banks of animals. Will put the watch on it and see how long it takes.

Boats

[CZforlife]

Hey at least your bringing in a good crowd, cant say the same all the way down here. Scoped rifles we have 6 on a good day and only about 3-4 that are really serious about it. We have the time to do two relays just not enough people.

[durant7]

Invest in resetable targets. Pull the cable and poof, your 5 animals are back up! Makes things go REAL fast!

[Steve Tapp]

Try calling the cease fire early if everyone is finished shooting that string of 5. Also the rules provide for a 30 second break between strings which could be shortened if the shooters will go along. We usually only take about 1 hr to get in a 40 round match setting,done by the shooters,
after every 10 shots. The string /rope activated target resetting really speeds things up and can be set up to be portable. Maybe the next ,1P.M., match could be understanding and move back their time slot to accomidate your needs. Good Luck, Steve Tapp

[Jerry G]

If you hurry you can do 10 shots and reset in 15 minutes. 1 hour for a relay can be done if people don't screw around much. Stacking targets and adding firing positions would be an easy solution.

[boats]

Again thanks all. Am going to run one two relay 60 shot match this month. Set 30 critters on each rail, that will give us 16 shooter match capacity. We may be able to get 45 animals on a rail allowing 12 on the firing line Will try that after we see if the 60 shot format works well. Shooting positons are fixed at 12 no more width avalable. See how it goes. One thing that's happining is shooters are paying attention to time and not draging there feet on re-sets make the line safe etc. I think we can run a 40 in 1 hour, we take under 1 hour 30' now and I don't call the line fast. Just want to do it without barking orders out like a drill seargent. Had enough of that.

On the re-settables, my expernce with them was not real good some years ago. Blocked the range for other matches lots of complication. However are they a real option for a Sanctioned match ? Can't see NRA would allow a re-settable for records slams etc. But never asked either.

1 pm is not negeoatable afternoon club match lever actions and single shots on swingers is much more popular than Regulation silhouette. Push it Regulation Silhouette looses.

Boats

[Jerry G]

I don't like 60 shot matches but I hope it goes well for you.