After attending the majority of last years sihouette matches and shooting just for the fun of it I decided to get a book and become classified for shooting at some of this years bigger matches for the first time.

It was a beautiful day out at the range with light winds and I got my first chance to really see the mirage effect in action since it rained for a few days prior and there was lots of water evaporating off as the sun kicked up.

Anyway I somehow managed to shoot a 21/40 in Standard rifle to put me into AA Class by one point. For Hunter class with the same rifle (CZ 452) I ended up with a 17/40 to make A class.

So I am now officially a classified sihouette shooter and will get my airgun classifications soon as well. I really do enjoy this sport and how it gives you something to shoot for (pun intended) personally as target goals.

One thing I did notice was the sandbagger principle in effect with some folks saying they didn't want to move up before the bigger matches. I do not quite understand this mindset as it seems to be counter productive to upping your skills and abilities. Personally I want to make my way to Master and if all I ever do is compete against people with less ability than me I am not likely to improve much if at all. But if I try my best each time and strive to beat the best I know it will improve my game much quicker. So I just assume in AAA and AA there will be LOTS of sandbaggers only putting up their best scores at big matches to stretch out the time their allowed to shoot before moving up.


Dee

Congrats on making the plunge into silhouette. I don't know how many shooters out there are "sandbaggers," but I don't worry about it. Sandbaggers do it because they are more concerned with how they perform agains others and are trying to get an advantage against a group of shooters in one class, whereas shooters like you are more concerned with improving their own skills, and primarily strive to better their own performance at each match, regardless of how the rest of the field performs.

It really represents two ways of looking at the competition side of our sport. On the one hand, it is about performing better than the shooters in your class. On the other is about out performing your own past performances.

That's the way I see it. And since I am more like you, and really just want to improve on my own best scores, I see it as a positive result of my hard work and efforts when I get bumped up to a higher rating/class, not as a bad thing that will limit my ability to win my class at the next match. It's really just two different approaches to the competition: Man vs. Man (or woman), Man vs. Self. Both are valid approaches, so pick one and play accordingly. It's all fun either way.

Dee - Congratulations on taking the plunge! I've played quite a few gun games and for me Silhouette is one of the most challenging. It's great to see a new shooter dive in. Most folks today do not seek challenges - they just buy stuff.

As for the sandbaggers, I think AZ has that pretty well covered. I figure I have enough trouble hitting my own targets to be worrying about what other folks are doing/not doing!

That CZ-452 is a heck of good gun and will take you far. Good luck on your journey to Master class!

I couldn't believe when I first heard it. The two book method. If a SB is shooting good he pulls out one score book with the good scores in it and if he isn't shooting so good the other book comes out! Those kind of people are pretty few, so don't let that kind of thing bother you. Just concentrate on what you have to do!

Jim Beckley wrote:I couldn't believe when I first heard it. The two book method. If a SB is shooting good he pulls out one score book with the good scores in it and if he isn't shooting so good the other book comes out! Those kind of people are pretty few, so don't let that kind of thing bother you. Just concentrate on what you have to do!

Wouldn't the NRA catch that (the one shooter having two books)... Oh wait a miniute lost my head there for a second.

So thats what the second book they sold me is for.

I am not worried about the sandbaggers as they still have to shoot come match time just like everyone else. Ironic they are called sandbaggers in a offhand shooting sport, what do they call benchrest sandbaggers?

Thanks for the input all. This is definetely my kind of shooting versus all the off a bench, 3-P, etc. For the first time this weekend I never used bags to check my sights when I got to the range. In the past I was always checking off a bench right before and not getting my offhand warmed up. But this time I did all that at home the night before and left it alone, every last shot I took was offhand the whole day.

Can't wait to start up the Airgun matches as well. Speaking of jumping in I am even the Statistician of Record on the NRA paperwork Well time to go smack a few of my new airgun swingers.


Dee

For some, gaming the system is part of the game, some just want to make a splash at one of the big events, and some (like me!) are just thrilled when they shoot their class. May I get so good that sand bagging becomes a possibility!

Those that truly manipulate the system make a reputation for themselves and their clubs that I don't want and wouldn't inflict on my friends. It's sad when someone thinks so well of themself and so little of others that they'd do these things.

Any game will be "gamed," in some way shape or form if its at all possible it will be tried by someone eventually. Didn't mean to get into a sandbagger tangent just something I noticed and while none of the shooters I would say is really bagging it I just don't follow the logic.

I love to compete. When I used to play darts I started out in E league 1/2 way through a season and by the next season I was in B then A the following. It took getting my arse handed to me time and time again by A throwers and learning strategy from them and in no time I was starting to get close to beating them. Then occasionally I would beat them until it got to where it was anyones game.

Something about sports that require good hand eye coordination and a zone like mental state to master have always challenged me. After having shot several matches now and practicing at home I would say comparing Silhouette to darts it is like hitting a Ton Eighty to hit 10 in a row. And the perfect 40/40 is much like throwing a perfect 9 dart 501 game or 6 dart 301 game. I came close to each once in over 5 years of playing but never got perfection but had a great time trying and hitting high points along the way like a Ton Seventy In for an 8 dart finish 301 game and a 11 dart finish 501 game with a Ton sixty seven out.

Ok rambling.. lol Long and short of it is to get better you have to beat better IMO.


Dee

One of the interesting things about sandbaggers is they tend to create a glass ceiling form themselves. I've watched many individuals bag their scores until the big match and then only be able to attain the bagged scores they had before or worse. It can be a very destructive mindset which is counterproductive and inhibiting.

I Googled "sandbagger."........I sure dont ever want to be known as one http://golf.about.com/od/golfterms/g/bldef_sandbag.htm

IMHO this whole discussion of "sandbagging" is pretty weak.

I've NEVER EVER SEEN ANY evidence of this going on. Believe it or not there are a bunch of us shooters who actually don't have the time/discipline/talent/skill/drive to make it to Masters level.

We accept this and muddle through in A, AA, AAA level. We sometimes actually shoot decent scores and love it. Then as often turn in embarassingly low scores then try to keep a 'stiff upper lip'. Heck most clubs have quite a pool of guys like this with me being a 'banner' member.

It is bad enough not to be 'great' and very inconsistent but then to think that someone would consider us as cheaters/sandbaggers is pretty darn had to take.

Pete ("AA" who shoots A scores but sometimes B scores and every once in a while an AA score!) A.

I have no issue with anyone enjoying a sport to whatever level they are happy with and enjoy participating. Also not saying that those that never move up are all sandbagging. I am thinking becoming a Master shooter is not exactly easy by any means unless your just a natural dead eye dick.

Don't want my comment to insight a forum riot It was only an observation not a declaration of guilt. As pointed out you end up lowering your own potential by not shooting up to it anyway and you have to put the score up for the match no matter what.



Dee

Pete,...on a somewhat related subject, several years back I voluntarily moved myself into Master class in both SB & SBHR. I was nearly always winning AAA class both guns at our local matches. I was actually getting to the point of being embarrassed when my name was called to get a prize. I shoot solid AAA both guns and even shot a master score or two. But my conscience was getting the better of me.
I thought to be fair and give the other AAA shooters a chance I should move out of their way. I could not shoot my way to Master even though I tried. So now, I always put myself in the Master class at all of our SB matches. Haven't shot a master score since. Haven't won a prize since. Dont care either. I will have to work harder to win a place in Master. I just like shooting this game......alot. I really like getting together with a great bunch of guys and gals doing what we like to do best.....shooting silhouette.
My other reason for shooting SB is to help stay in shape for my real passion....HP & HPHR. My HP scores are nearly as good as my SB. Getting to AAA in HP took a long time and a lot of ammo. This is an acomplishment I am proud of. Might even get to Master someday....if the wind ever stops blowing in Colorado.

If you have any doubts as to how sandbagging is received in our sport, just show up a one of the larger matches and announce "I'm (your name goes here) and I'm a sandbagger".....Say it several times for effect, and say it loudly....be sure everyone knows....Also be sure to remind everyone when you win the trophy, plaque, prize, whatever, that you actually are a better shooter, but devised this clever scheme to stay down in class to take advantage of those who were too dumb to figure this out....Then report the reaction you get back here...

Kitty

Did I mention I got classified this past weekend?

My celebration is being tarnished by my mere mention of the word sandbagger in passing. Should have just left it at my scores in the 1st post.

Now I am going to look at everyone like a sandbagger cop..

Oh well I shoot for myself and thats why I enjoy it regardless of my scores. Hell I have a great time just shooting without even a score to be kept.


Dee