Nobody warned me

[Feez]

Nobody warned me that this sport would suck me in like this!  I've been a shooter for something like 25 years.  Hunting, plinking, reloading, tinkering etc.  So.... I moved to a different area, joined the local shooting club, not even knowing they held 500 meter silhouette matches.  To me it was just a place to shoot.  So I'm up there shooting one day and some guy starts telling me about the matches.  When he gets to the "offhand" part, I take another glance at the ram, can't even see it with a naked eye, and think "yea right".  So a week later another guy looks at my Remington 700, 270 and says "hey that would be perfect for the hunter class".  He talked till I promised to come to the next match and watch.  After I agreed to watch he said "and bring that rifle too".  Well I wasn't brave enough to bring it, so I watched.  
The next 30 DAYS I spent researching, reloading, reading this board, playing with the Sierra ballistics program and practicing offhand with a 22lr.
So the next match I show up with the gun.  A different guy became my coach.  He asked what bullet and velocity etc.  Then, rolling his eyes and tapping on his chin, he spits out the clicks I need for all the ranges! ...... I SPENT A MONTH COMING UP WITH THOSE EXACT NUMBERS!!
(I just realized this is getting long)

I shot a 9 out of 40 and I'm hooked.

(Waiting for you to quit laughing)
 :lol:
Those 40 shots taught me more than I already knew.  
I hit at least 1 of each animal.  My most excellent spotter told me one went through the ram's horn.  I had 3 or 4 just off the turkey's breast, so I moved left a little and hit 2.  Learned to TRUST the spotter.  And I had at least 3 go bang when I was trying to take up slack in the trigger.
I can't wait till the next match.  I ordered more bullets and powder than I have used in my 25 year career and I adjusted the trigger.

Ok, I'll be honest, my spotter told me one bounced off the ground and got a pig.

You know what's so amazing about this sport?  The people.  I have never been around so many people that are genuinely trying to help you beat them.  I used to race motocross and I know what cut throat is.

[ajj]

Sounds like a natural. 9/40 is 9 more than I hit my first match and I was hooked too.

[nomad]

Feez, a couple of things that you absolutely need to know:

1. Don't get too enamoured of the 'old coach' just because he gave you some sight settings -- on average, the differences from one round to another in this game aren't all that much.

2. NEVER trust the spotter!
When you hit he'll try to steal your glory and tell everyone that it was only because he steered you into perfect center.
When you miss, he'll swear he gave you perfect information and you just yanked the trigger.

LEARN THIS: Misses are ALWAYS the spotter's fault. Hits are due solely to your excellent marksmanship, rock-steady hold and iron nerves!

An example: I could tell you 'bout how I spotted for a terrible shooter a couple of weeks ago and talked him into a 37/40......Oh! never mind, being new, you wouldn't understand the effort that took on my part!  :-D

Sheeeeeeeeeeez -- how ya gotta lead these rookies along so people don't take advantage of them!!!!!!!!!!  :wink: