I shoot Highpower Rifle Competiton. In my opinion everyone would find their firearm experience enhanced by shooting SOME kind of organized match. There are lots out there to pick from and they are shot everywhere. I've heard rumors that there is still an indoor smallbore range on Manhattan.
Highpower rifle matches are usually 50 or 80 rounds. You shoot 10 shots standing at 200 yards, 10 shots sitting rapid fire at 200, 10 rapid prone at 300, and 20 slow fire prone at 600. I shoot service rifle so its all with an AR15 and open sights. Every shot is worth ten points max, so a perfect score would be 500. (An 80-round 800 point match shoots 20 at every position.)
At our range, you have to shoot in the 480s or above to win.
That's right. 600 yards with a peep sight and front post. You gotta know your elevations and your no-wind zero.
It's fun. Once you learn to shoot standing and then 600 yards you'ld be surprised at the expansion of your shooting conciousness. I think it exceeds 500 years of gunshop BS or 20 years in the military or LEO ranks.
I'm a Distinguished Rifle and High Master Highpower classified shooter. Lately a bunch of us decided to try to get double distinguished- that is, earn a distinguished badge in pistol to go with our rifle. We'll see how that shakes out.
I'm attaching a photo of folks shooting standing at the Panola 200 yard line last month.
Atlantic Fleet Matches
Nice to meet ya.
I'm shooting in the Atlantic Fleet matches at Dam Neck Virginia next week. The only difference is that the long range is 500 versus 600 yards (they don't have a 600 yard line at Dam Neck).
I agree that the experience is illuminating. I learn something new every year (actually, lots of somethings) and I've never met an experienced shooter that wasn't down-right eager to share his experience and knowledge with a newer shooter.
I highly recommend some sort of competition shooting for everyone...even if they only do it rarely as I do.