I sighted in my 10/22 on Sat at the Sycamore Il range, and it turns out there is a match there this coming Sat. The trouble is my scope took a dump. It was an old BSA contender that the cross hairs went to X hairs. Having no real cash I chose an NcStar Patriot which isn't great, but with any luck I'll be able to hit a couple. Not looking to win or place, just have some fun. I talked to one gentleman there (whose name escapes me) and he was just a helpful as you guys are on the forum! So, besides getting better optics, any thoughts?
Looking forward to it!
Cheers,
chriso

yes, learn to love the game, and the scores will take care of themselves. Good Shooting!!!

If the guys at the Sycamore range are anything like the guys I shoot with... bring your sense of humor. There is no shortage of poking fun at one another at our silo shoots.

Don't forget your lunch, water and sunscreen.

Other than that, have some fun!! Everything else will fall in place as you go/learn. Cheers man!! You are in for a good time!

Have fun...because it is, no matter how bad it may seem with scope problems.....it is only a game. Look forward to seeing you at a match.

Innocent Mary

phuphuphnik wrote:I sighted in my 10/22 on Sat at the Sycamore Il range, and it turns out there is a match there this coming Sat. The trouble is my scope took a dump. It was an old BSA contender that the cross hairs went to X hairs. Having no real cash I chose an NcStar Patriot which isn't great, but with any luck I'll be able to hit a couple. Not looking to win or place, just have some fun. I talked to one gentleman there (whose name escapes me) and he was just a helpful as you guys are on the forum! So, besides getting better optics, any thoughts?
Looking forward to it!
Cheers,
chriso

Hey Snuffleupagus....I mean pumpernickel....Oh heck!...Chris! (only kidding of course!)

It was me that you were talking with out at Sycamore. It was great talking to you and I'm looking forward to seeing again Saturday morning. I'm not familiar with the scope that you chose but the rotated crosshairs in your BSA wasn't going to get the job done. So pretty much anything should work better for now. It's good to have a scope with good optics and repeatable adjustments and if your new scope doesn't work out then you can save up for something else down the road sometime if you decide to continue with silhouette. I know how it is to be shooting on a tight budget, I'm doing it myself. Kids are pricey little buggers aren't they? I have 3 and I'm finding out that they only get more expensive as they get older. Your little girl is adorable by the way! Keep her interested in shooting! Hopefully it'll be something she'll enjoy for the rest of her life.

I would consider Saturday's match a learning day. I wouldn't be too concerned about your scores the first time out. Just use this match to get the lay of the land. My first match (last year) I shot terrible but I've been steadily improving ever since. Like I said at the range, I would get there a little early (8:30ish) so you can zero the new scope, find your settings on the swingers at the various distances (write them down), and then maybe take some practice shots if time permits. We'll be shooting a 80 shot match so I would bring at least 100 rounds of ammo. You may even want to bring more since you need to zero the scope. I would bring at least 2 mags for your rifle. If you don't have 2 let me know and I'll bring a couple of mine from my 10-22. Oh...and the match fee is $5.00 by the way. I'll be glad to offer any assistance that I can and I'm sure the other guys will be glad to help too. In the mean time, if you have any other questions or need anything, you're welcome to send me a PM here. Otherwise, we'll see you Saturday.

Trent, the sunscreen was a good suggestion but with the rainy weather we've had in the Chicago area lately, I doubt it'll be necessary.

Regards,

Pat (Daddio!)

Daddio....amen to expesnive little buggers, especially when they start shooting, but there is nothing more pleasing than having your child beat you. Thanks for welcoming the newbie to the great sport...keep spoon feeding he'll be addicted too.

Innocent Mary

I'm also a newbie (on the west coast; 3 matches under my belt) and I'd second the advice of just going out, jumping into the water and having fun. For me, it's about trying to improve, setting realistic goals (I work on one thing at a time: reproduceable stance, shot pace, breathing, etc.) and did I say having fun? With different classes, you are only going to compete with people of similar skill levels, so it really doesn't matter how good some people are or how many you might miss. I compete in a number of different smallbore and/or air disciplines (rifle and pistol) and find this one to be one of the more enjoyable. It is also the only one where I can (on occasion) laugh at myself for a miss.

Tom

What there is no rule that says you can't use a X reticle is there? NC Star is cheap to be sure but I bought one of their reflex red dot sights for my Walther P22 and it works just fine. Have fun and the rest will take care of itself.


Dee

Thanks for the kind words folks! I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Got a sitter for the wee one, and my older daughter'll be there again. She's in training to be my spotter. I was hitting a 75 foot smallbore target at 50 yards offhand the other day, so I might be able to get a chicken or two. If I take my score too seriously I'll just do what I used to do with golf, go bowling and swap the scores. I can bowl a solid 250 after 9 holes!
cheers!
chriso

As far as your scores go, dont even think about them. The more you shoot the better they will get.

CZforlife wrote:As far as your scores go, dont even think about them. The more you shoot the better they will get.

Don't know how they sight in where you shoot, but an easy, inexpensive way to do it is to buy a "Bingo" marker (a daubing sort of magic marker that leaves 3/4" or 1'" circles, and get yourself a largish sheet of plain cardboard..... daub little "bingo" circles all over the cardboard, and then prop or tie the cardboard up at the distance of the chickens, and sight in on one of the markers....set your scope at zero there....then carry the cardboard out to the pigs, mark the setting, and so on..... And "Bingo!" You've got your zeros!