Out here in the Midwest we have been shooting a series of benchrest matches for some time. We start about 10:00 in the morning and finish about 1:00 to 2:00 in the afternoon. I have been looking around for something fun to shoot for the guys that want to stay later and shoot some more. Recently I ran across the Long Gong bunch shooting .22 RF at 300 yards, 8" gong, 6" gong, 4" gong. 10 shots in three minutes, looks like great fun! So, I get the bright idea to try this at our air rifle match. We do not have three hundred yards and can only shoot pellets, so I reduced the range to sixty yards and the gongs to 1.25, .75, and .5. Otherwise, the rules are about the same with the exception we did not allow a rear bag rest.
This was the first time shooting this new venture and I think that we will make a few changes, the targets were rather challenging. Each shooter shot three rounds with 27 points available per round a total would be 81 points. Our top shooter scored 27 points, and the low shooter scored 4 points. I think that next month we will allow a rear bag, and I will increase targets sizes to 1.5", 1", and .5".
We did have sight-in period before the match starts and when everyone is happy with their scope setting, we start the match. The time starts with the shooters first shot, they are allowed up to 5 practice shots and then must shoot for score. The shooter must declare when they are going for score and once a record shot is fired they cannot go back to the sighters. The first shot is at the 1.5' gong if that is hit the shooter may move on to the next smaller gong but must declare each shot. I the shooter misses that gong he has to return to the first and hit that again before advancing. You may only advance when you hit the previous gong. You only get three minutes for the 5 practice shots and 10 record shots, you do not have to take any practice shots or might only take a couple, that is up to the shooter. Surprisingly three minutes is plenty of time, most of the shooters completed their relay with a minute and half left on the clock.
I am curious to see what people think of this match. My guys liked it, and we will continue with it and probably tweak the rules as we go.
This was the first time shooting this new venture and I think that we will make a few changes, the targets were rather challenging. Each shooter shot three rounds with 27 points available per round a total would be 81 points. Our top shooter scored 27 points, and the low shooter scored 4 points. I think that next month we will allow a rear bag, and I will increase targets sizes to 1.5", 1", and .5".
We did have sight-in period before the match starts and when everyone is happy with their scope setting, we start the match. The time starts with the shooters first shot, they are allowed up to 5 practice shots and then must shoot for score. The shooter must declare when they are going for score and once a record shot is fired they cannot go back to the sighters. The first shot is at the 1.5' gong if that is hit the shooter may move on to the next smaller gong but must declare each shot. I the shooter misses that gong he has to return to the first and hit that again before advancing. You may only advance when you hit the previous gong. You only get three minutes for the 5 practice shots and 10 record shots, you do not have to take any practice shots or might only take a couple, that is up to the shooter. Surprisingly three minutes is plenty of time, most of the shooters completed their relay with a minute and half left on the clock.
I am curious to see what people think of this match. My guys liked it, and we will continue with it and probably tweak the rules as we go.
