Since somebody brought up the subject of shooting vests I thought I would mentioned that at the HP Nationals competitors meeting somebody asked Greg and the members of the Silhouette Committee why they were letting people shoot with tight heavy canvas and leather vests. His answer was that if somebody protested those people wearing the tight vests he would check them but did not offer to do anything about it without an official protest from somebody.

I myself couldn't care less how tight anybody wants to wear their vest but putting the burden on us to protest others only creates animosity, if they are not going to enforce the rule then they should remove it from the book other wise the people wearing the heavy canvas or leather vests should go through technical inspection and like they have done it in past Nationals, tags should be placed on the straps so they can't be adjusted afterwards.

I agree. Why have a rule when its not enforced. It would seem that from the rest of the talk in the forums, I chose a fine Nationals to miss. I may have to make my first big match a winnie match.

I've seen that at one of the big matches, too, but as you said I wasn't going to officially protest and create any animosity. With me being a pretty new shooter, there was absolutely no way that I would protest the long-time master shooters. I like having a set of rules that everyone abides by without other people having to call them on it. It keeps arguments to a minimum and lets everyone know that everything about the match is fair, which keeps enthusiasm for the match up.

One way that a seasoned shooter might be approached and I have tried this with positive results is to quietly approach the shooter if you are on speaking terms or introduce yourself . Suggest to them that their behaviour, in this case 'vest tightness' may not be good form as an example for younger impressionable beginners who we are trying to encourage in the sport. It doesn't set the best example.

We all look to our top shooters and seasoned shooters as leaders in the sport and they should act to deserve the acknowledgement. Unfortunately there are always individuals who try to hedge the rules.

Lone Ringer,
The vests were a sore point with me also, but your points are well taken. Either enforce the rules or remove them, I refer you to some of the issues I'm bringing up on my Run the Numbers topic.

Koldkut,
Winnie is a match to make if you can only make one big one per year. What I have seen of the northern version of Winnie aka Missoula appears to be very interesting although having the prizes that are awarded at Winnie are hard to beat. The match is run by promotion professionals, eh Ducky????


Mary

I don't mean to stir up any mess on this, HOWEVER...Many people do not even know the rule, NOR understand it. Please forgive me if you know this, I don't mean to insult anyone, just stating the rule then my opinion....

3.12 Clothing

The vests that I am referring to had straps that were clearly straining and I would be very surprised if they could be closed over a 2" PVC pipe in addition to the body of the person in them, even if the pipe could be... strategically placed, for lack of a better term. As I said, I am no competition for the shooters I observed this condition on and had no interest in causing animosity. I have heard of higher class shooters protesting lower class shooters' equipment before and wondered why they made a big deal out of something that wasn't even in their class, so I left it to those that the shooters I observed would be competing against to protest if they really wanted to. I personally don't think having the vest tighter would help all that much and very well might do nothing more than make the vest uncomfortable to wear (especially in hot weather), but if we are going to have a set of rules that we all agree to abide by, then we should all abide by them.

As for having to have the pipe passed through the vest, the rule says that the pipe has to be passed through the vest in the rule that you posted.
[quote]3.12 Clothing

So, if a vest is good for several points, how many is a too tight vest good for?

Let's be happy shooters and not worry about all the little stuff. I don't shoot silhouette for the big prize money.

Mary, we are on the same page and I agree with the issues you bring up on your Run the Numbers topic.

Jerry, I am not sure how many points the loose or tight vest is good for but I am like you and don't care.

I told the person (a friend of mine) that brought the issue up at the competitors meeting to not worry about it and to just concentrate on his own shooting. He is an accomplished shooter but was shooting about 10 points below his ability on the first day of HP.

I am on the page as far as the rules go for natonals or any other competition. Beyond thatI would have to take another, more stringent, view.

Kittyh

I bought one of those vests right before the match. I did notice a difference in my wiggle but very little. I didnt notice a difference in my scores, but I need more time under the vest to see.

I could care less how tight you have your vest unless your a woman. LOL

Kevin,
Having shot position I am aware of what form fitting "jackets" will do for helping stay in a position and support the shooter. In any case I have never seen a shooting vest or jacket that was extremely complimentary to the figure of a fine looking female......
Lone Ringers comments are correct, if a person feels the need to take advantage of rules and push them to the extremes then they have other problems. It is more important to concentrait on my own performance and abilities. I am a very competitive person but enjoying the comraderie beats the trophies any day.

Mary

Oh Mary, I knew you would comment on that. I agree that the social aspect of shooting is more than half of it. The other half is improving yourself and your game. Trophies are important but not what makes me want to participate, but I sure do like looking at the one I got in Raton. Besides all that I bought a vest cause I think it will help and I like shooting stuff.

Kevin

Kevin,
You look fine in the new vest and it will help..it may take a few times to adjust yourself to a new piece of equipment but soon it will be an extension of your shooting equipment.

Mary