I recently visted a small bore match at my local range and have a interest in trying it . I understand that just showing up at the next match with a rifle and ask questions would be a start but I would kind of like to see a beginners guide of equipment and how to shoot this . I have shot from the bench mostly the last few years and will need alot of practice for the off hand , this club shoots with no slings or jackets allowed .
I have a few quality rimfire rifles , single shots and magazine feed in the safe to choose from along with a variety of scopes .
Thanks In advance for the help

I would say get your self a NRA rule book and then check out thier site for a good book on position shooting tubbs is a good start...Then pick out your best bolt action and a variable scope so you can set it at the power you are most comfortable with now get a brick of rounds and head out to the practice range with your swingers and let fly. A shooting vest is allowed so get one of them too. What club are you shooting out of ? and what rife are you thinking of using...

I will be shooting out of Westend gun club in So. Ca. , I have a anschutz match 54, winchester 52b ,Cz 453, kimber 82g and a Mossberg 44us in the safe to choose from . I understand it would be a little different for each person but generally what would be the most magnification used on a variable scope ? and what is the generally prefered trigger pull weight ?
Thanks

Most clubs will let you "run what you brung" for a match or two. I wouldn't be overly concerned just yet about details.....but since you asked: weight of the rifle and trigger weight are the two issues that are most often and easiest addressed on most rifles. Hunting Rifle class guns can't weigh over 8.5 pounds and the trigger must be at least 2 pounds. To simplify things, many shoot one rifle in Hunting Rifle and the Smallbore class.
You will probably find your ability to handle more magnification growing during the first few months, so for the time being just use what you got and experiment with magnifications. The CZ 453 sounds good to get started with.

smokin54 wrote:I will be shooting out of Westend gun club in So. Ca.
Thanks

That puts you out more or less in my neck of the woods. The Apple Valley Gun Club (Victorville) has a rimfire silhouette match the 3rd Sunday of the month. They are pretty relaxed as far as equipment goes... just shoot whatever you have handy and are comfortable with. Would be glad to have you out shooting with us.

[quote=That puts you out more or less in my neck of the woods. The Apple Valley Gun Club (Victorville) has a rimfire silhouette match the 3rd Sunday of the month. They are pretty relaxed as far as equipment goes... just shoot whatever you have handy and are comfortable with. Would be glad to have you out shooting with us.[/quote]


what time to you start your match out there in Victorville?
how much is the match and do u shoot 2)40rd matches?
thanks just might make it up there

Just my opinion. I would use the cz. Unless you still have the set trigger in it. If so I would use the 54. From what I've read the set trigger would only let you shoot standard.

Heavy guns are easier to start with for the novice, there much easier to hold offhand for a newbie.

hahahunter.... PM to ya.

smokin54 wrote:I recently visted a small bore match at my local range and have a interest in trying it . I understand that just showing up at the next match with a rifle and ask questions would be a start but I would kind of like to see a beginners guide of equipment and how to shoot this . I have shot from the bench mostly the last few years and will need alot of practice for the off hand , this club shoots with no slings or jackets allowed .
I have a few quality rimfire rifles , single shots and magazine feed in the safe to choose from along with a variety of scopes .
Thanks In advance for the help

Since you all ready have the equipment, you are lucky! I joined our club last winter with indoor. We have 4, AAA shooters that gave me beginners advice. They even let me shoot their expensive gear the first night I showed up to introduce myself and convey I was interested to partake. I also looked and read information on the internet. Everything is on the internet to learn about the sport. All kinds of advise. Good luck and have fun like I am. Hoping to make class A this coming weekend. We have regular matches once a week and just now have begun to practice couple times a week on the swingers.

Nice to see new shooters entering the sport. Just a little bit of advise for a new shooter, start with a scope magnification around 10X and record elevation settings for the givin distances of, Chckens 40 meters, pigs 60 meters,Turkeys 77 meters,and Rams 100 meters. Go have fun!!!!
Brett

I just started this year in the spring, with the last match of the year being next month

what i have learned so far:

1. technique is the most important thing, getting your hold, stance, and breathing correct and consistant.
2. zeroing in and keeping a data book at the appropriate distances is crucial, try to find an optic that has adjustable turrets on it.
3. i've used both the target dot and mildot reticles at matches, i like both, prefer the target dot style.
4. obviously an accurate rifle with matched ammo to it that is consistant at all the distances (check rulebook)
5. an adjustable trigger helps GREATLY!!!! (check rulebook)
6. usually like high magnification, but in this game shooting off hand, low powers work for me better. i found using 6x on chickens, 8x on pigs and turkeys, and 12x power on rams helps me with not overcompensating for "wobble"
7. practicing short range with bb gun actually helped me with shooting form.

don't worry about the score. if you get 10 out of 40 your doing good just starting. shooting prone i can hit 40 out of 40 easily. the sport humbles yo quickly. the main thing is to have fun, and it's very easy to do with this sport. the people and the attitudes are great, and the type of shooting you do enhances all your rifleman skills. WARNING:it is easy to get hooked on this quickly.

Top Predator, you are fast learner, and thank you for reminding us that it is important to have fun.

Great post.

Innocent Mary

That is the best thing about this sport. there are so many things that can go wrong and go right at the same time, (and me being as anal as i am) i thought i would get frustrated, however i'm addicted to the reaction of the target, the ping of the metal, and comraderary of the shooters. i am more of a tactical guy, and smallbore silhoutte has reminded me of the joy of shooting. so far my best score is 15 in a 40 round relay, and thats fine with me. maybe next year i'll be able to suck the fun out of it, but for now i'm having a blast

takes me back to a time where you can spend a day with a brick of .22 and some soda cans and truly have a good time.

anyhow, i tell everyone that asks what i like about it, that of all the rifle training i've had this is possibly the best, and i really try to promote it as much as possible. i may even be taking over the administration of the matches at our range next year.

another word of advice to the original poster b-4 i hijack this too far is to go with basic equipment (or even borrow some). once the addiction sets in, you can get all the fancy stuff later. can't get any easier scoring, if you knock it down it's a hit and if it stands it's a miss. study, remember, and listen to the range commands and keep safety in mind at all times; this and as long as your equipment is within the rules, all you have to do is shoot....