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Well I had a great weekend at the SAW, but to be honest I ballsed up the 1500...

I tried Timed and Precision 1 and Advancing Target in .22 for the first time as a warm up - I found the smaller targets quite tricky (compared to center fire), and on T&P1 dropped a lot more points than I do with CF - It didn't help that I forgot to aim off at 15m (the 2 second exposures weren't enough for me to see what was happening), and ended up with 9 of my shots grouped nicely in the 9 ring just below the bull ...

...The Advancing target went OK - That's a lot of fun in .22, and I put in a respectable score for my first attempt.

Then on to the 1500 - I was detailed between two experienced shots, who were very helpful and friendly, which really helped - The first detail went better than expected, and it turned out that 20 seconds is well enough for 12 shots, even when you're fishing mags out of a make-shift pouch...I remembered to aim high, and only dropped 6 points in the first 2 details at 10 and 15m...

...Then back to 25m - I didn't shoot off-hand too badly, but couldn't hold the rifle steady kneeling, and shot the whole detail far too fast; dropping a few out into the 8...the guy next to me showed me a better kneeling position (basically not putting the tip of your elbow on your knee and holding tighter), which was much better in the next detail..

..Then out to 50m - The target looks very small, but the kneeling, sitting and off-hand wasn't a disaster and I managed to make all shots scoring (out of the 7 is a miss), which I was well pleased with...but again, shot too fast and dropped too many unnecessary points...will get a large timer like the other competitors were using...

...The comp continued to go better than I'd expected, and I still hadn't had a miss until we went back to 50m for the second time - I though it had gone really well (didn't see anything go out of the 8)...but when we went to score, it turned out that I'd put 6 of the 50m shots on the next-door target ( ) - the guy who's target I'd shot on was really nice about it, and I just had to take the instant 60 point drop on the chin...

...In the end I scored 1361, which is pretty bad - If I'd kept on my own target it would of been around 1410, which is still not very good - Until you shoot it, it's hard to appreciate the 'X class' scores...out of 150 shots they only drop 10 to 20 points, and 8s and 7s are a disaster for them - That said, I know I can do a lot better and might be able to trouble 'A class' in a year or two...which is now my realistic goal

I have to say as well, that the range officers were great as usual - The RCO I've met before and he was really helpful in answering all my dumb questions, and as it was my first go at the comp I had an RO keeping an eye on me - I made one one error, where I didn't lock the action open once while moving from kneeling to sitting - I noticed myself and locked it open as soon as I was down...the RO let me continue and didn't mention it until the detail was finished; which was good RO'ing...

...So I would say to anyone who isn't sure about competing in a main meeting, to just give it a go...the ROs and other competitors are always helpful and friendly - I would say though that the 1500 may not be the best comp to try first...Timed and precition 1 and 2 (which includes some kneeling and off-hand) or Multi-target would be a good place to start, just to get used to how comps are run and to build confidence.

Roll on the Phoenix! tongueout

its all a learning curve, a lot depends on your mindset as to how you approach it

my first attempt was 1400 exact, I studied the scores afterwards and realised that I needed to accept the car crash scoring at 50m, I had never shot beyond 25m until that event LOL

what I concentrated on was the thrown away points, the wasted ones, ie 25m and shorter, work on your reloading and timing, I have the spare mag to hand, shoot 5 drop the mag, load new one and shoot 7, 20 seconds is a long time when you actually think about it, I like to come up, get my aim and then shoot with a rhythm, it works for me.
doesnt mean it will work for you, but once you find what works your scores will soon climb

I also like to print off the course of fire, laminate it and write any notes on it, it sits on my box and just helps me in case I have a meltdown and forget the COF or panic about what time it is for the stage.

the longer range stuff I really beat myself up over for quite a while, until I accepted that I am not a machine, I dont have the ability of the top guys, so I decided mentally to accept that the 8 ring was my 10, so I concentrated on reducing the "dropped shots" ie 7's

this seemed to take the pressure off me and I found my scores improved as I felt mentally happier, rather than being angry with myself that I couldnt keep them in the 10 at 50m weak shoulder like the guy next to me

my PB in a national is 1463 and I know that I have done better in club matches. I found it was relatively easy to get from 1400 up to 1450-1460, but them last 40-50 are a bitch LOL
Im just starting to get back into competition shooting again and the 1500 is my first match I will be working on, I love it

sounds to me like youve got the bug too :)

I have copied a 1500 target, I reduced it to about 35% I think it is, and with it at 10m I like to practice dry firing and shooting positions. its an extremely rewarding match

youve done the most important bit, thats have a go, welld one and now you just enjoy it and improve :)



when kneeling the advice you were given was right, you dont want ball on ball as in your elbow on your kneecap, I now shoot with elbow into the side crease of my knee, but before I gained weight I used to have rock solid kneeling and sitting positions, arm around the front of the knee back to my other arm and gun rested on side of the arm, now Im a fat sod and cant get my knee that high LOL

I used to spend spare time, ie in between matches etc, watching the 1500 matches, the top guys really have it dialled and I learnt lots of little tips by watching. funny enough as my 1500 scores got better so did my other matches.

going from a SB 1500 target at 50m to a CF T&P1 at 25m was a bit odd :)

What you're saying (and reading back through previous posts) makes even more sense now I've shot the comp - As you say, working on not losing points at 25 and less is a good place to start...I forgot to take a target away, but will get one to practice on...

...and to sort out the timing - I couldn't think which would be the best way to time it before the comp; but know realise that you only need to time the 90 and 165 second details...as these all start kneeling, the other guys were just putting the timer on the ground as they went into position...after I finished the first 50m detail I looked across at the guys timer next to me, and there was over a minute left :roll:

Yes I've definitely got the bug for it, and will try again at the Phoenix (going to try T&P2 with CF as well)...

...and I'd be very happy with a 1463 clapclap

On the subject of 'good advice' - While I was reading through past scores I noticed that a gentleman who posted on this thread is the current GRCF 1500 record holder! tongueout

Theres loads of tips and drills to practise. I was lucky as when i started 1500 matches i was able to shoot with and learn from one of the top shooters who was at the same club.
Simple things like your box on the line so you cant foot fault.
Test and get yourself setup kneeling then stand and dont move your feet. When target face simply drop down placing timer on the box.
My setup is a bit different. I have barricade wings on the stock. Small timer clips to that so its easy to start with my thumb and only requires minimum glance to see the time.
Use the time and dont rush. Like you i used to finish and look around thinking i must have missed a position .
I shoot better quicker than slow but use your time to make the shots count. I have watched the top guys bring the gun down breath and back up as the shot wasnt right. I used to start shaking and think oh bugger best get this shot off before i miss the target .

Haha yes same person as my helper when i started.
Like a friggin robot when he shoots.

We'll done Squirrel, a good starting point and the important thing is to know where you can get back easy points and then work on the hard stuff. I can't shoot off my left shoulder due to really poor eyesight so I'm jealous of those shooting the 1500.


Sent from my boing using "An application"

Thanks Mike.

When I was watching a previous detail, I noticed one chap with a swanky Walther rifle with all the adjustable bits and bobs...when it came to 'off hand' he quickly removed the whole cheek-piece, put his chin on what was left of the stock, and still used the same eye...

...obviously I'm not suggesting you get a different rifle, but it was very interesting to see all the different techniques people were using.

Tony-c wrote:Like a friggin robot when he shoots.

I was shooting with some excellent shots...some of the center-fire targets just had a ragged hole where the X-bull used to be tongueout

I won D Class! :shakeshout:

(and was also dead last...but we won't talk about that )