LMG--I treat my practice just as I would a match, except that I don't put a timer on the shot string. I lay down and shoot enough sighters--usually 4 to 6--to get on, and then fire ten for effect. This approximates a silhouette relay.
I may not clean before I shoot my next bank of targets. That depends on the relative humidity, and how hot the barrel has become. I use a hydrometer, remember?
I don't know that the ram at 547 yards is any more or less difficult than the bull at 600. Although the ram is closer, it is an irregular shaped target, and it is harder to get a consistent sight picture on it than it is a round bull. I am not prepared to say which is the harder to hit, but I do know you have more vertical to play with on the round target. Another thing--and this is one of the things that makes BPCR tougher in my mind--is that the time frame allowed for a BPCR relay is considerably LESS than that allowed for mid and long range. In BPCR silhouette, you often have to shoot through a change in conditions with attendant sight changes, whereas in the paper game, you have the luxury of waiting out an unfavorable condition, in most cases.
I do not agree with Mr. Garbe's assertion that we would just hold our own with the old timers as far as accuracy is concerned, but he may be right in one sense. I think that there were men in the old days that were, as a whole, better marksmen than most of us today. The rifle and black powder was an integral part of the culture then, and more men shot and knew about shooting than is presently the case.
I think that on the whole, what with CNC machining and the like, that our rifles are very good, at least the better ones. I am convinced beyond any doubt, that our ammunition today, at least that of the top shooters, is more accurate than the ammo of yesterday. I think our best shots, with their best rifles would win most heads up competitions if a time warp situation were possible. I would put Garbe, Butch Ulsher, Steve Brooks, Dave Gullo, Kelley Roos, Chuck Brockway and Al Sledge up against shooters from any era and expect them to be a winning team. There are a lot of other guys you never heard of that will make these men dig deep, as well.
Look on page 269 of Seller's book, "Sharps Firearms". There is a picture of noted Denver gunsmith and target shooter J.P. Lower standing beside a target he shot in 1882. It is 50 shots, offhand. Mr. Lower and Carlos Gove were both noted for shooting for wagers as high as $1000. That's a lot of money, even now. I am surprised at how BIG the group is and that they considered it noteworthy enough to take a picture of it. I know of at least a half dozen guys that shoot better than that offhand on the chicken in the club matches in this area.
Anyway, it is a fascinating game, and it sure beats golf or fishing! Shoot straight, rdnck.
