Hello everyone, newer member here. I joined this forum a couple weeks ago and someone local to me reached out and invited me to an N50 benchrest shoot. This hobby really just started as some backyard plinking around with my dad but after looking into the club and pictures I figured it would be a lot of fun to try out. We normally run around shooting trap and protection trap shoots so the rifle/airgun range is something totally new to me. I was looking for a little advice on what you guys normally bring to be prepared. I feel like I am going to be missing something when I show up with my Milwaukee tool bag with a few spare parts, pellets, and my super budget Vevor air compressor. I usually shoot off a bog tripod so I am looking for suggestions for legal ways to shoot off the bench for the Pellet class N50 matches. Thanks for any input!
First N50 match preparation help
- Thread starter Apott05
- Start date
My checklist.
Gun in case
Ammo
Air Tank-fill whip
Rest
Flags
Stool
Tool Bag w/cleaning supplies / chrony/ push pins / etc.
Something to eat and drink.
For your first go, go simply to learn, and enjoy your day.
Ben
Gun in case
Ammo
Air Tank-fill whip
Rest
Flags
Stool
Tool Bag w/cleaning supplies / chrony/ push pins / etc.
Something to eat and drink.
For your first go, go simply to learn, and enjoy your day.
Ben
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Ben provided some excellent advice. We [Meeker Sportsman Club) provide cold bottled water for our shooters during every match. We require ear and eye protections to be worn during a hot range. We provide loaners in case you forget. We also require ECI’s (Empty Chamber Indicator) flags installed in the breech end of the barrel from your gun case to the firing line and back. We also provide loaners if you don’t have one? We provide the targets and push pins to secure them to our target backer boards.
You may clean your rifle bore at the equipment bench if needed?
We have wooden stools at each bench. Many shooters bring their own adjustable drummer’s throne stools because not everyone fits comfortably on our wooden stools.
There are umpteen ways to set up your rifle on the bench. I would suggest not buying anything yet until you attend a match and talk to folks to see what others are using. The simplest method is a front bipod and rear squeeze bag. We have 14 concrete benches under roof and evenly spaced but unfortunately you would not be able to use a floor rested Bog Pod without encroaching on the adjacent bench. I can bring a bipod and rear bag for you to borrow. You just need a picatinny rail on the bottom of your gun and let me know in advance so I can pack that gear for you.
Your Milwaukee bag is step above my Harbor Freight tool bag so you will not be out of place at Meeker
If possible have your highest power scope mounted and zeroed to 50 yards. IMO a 24X is the bare minimum. Some have used 16 and 18 power but more is better IMO. There isn’t time to practice or zero your scope before our matches so be prepared on that. You have 20 minutes to shoot 25 bulls and that is PLENTY of time to tweak your scope on the row of sighter bulls on each target card.
Bring pellets and mags. Heavier pellets are generally used by the more successful shooters. For example, if you have a .22 then set your gun up for 22-28 grain pellets. Heavier pellets buck the wind better. Most shoot .22 caliber at 50Y but we also have a few .25 and .30 shooters too. The guys that have tried .177 only did that once and when they returned they were shooting larger caliber pellets. You can also shoot slugs but that puts you in the Sportsman class. Most who have shot slugs end up returning to the pellet class.
Wear comfortable clothes. We don’t have fashion cops so there’s no need to dress to impress
We often have dew on the grass so water proof or closed toe shoes are a plus.We take safety as priority one. Before the match begins, we take a few minutes to review our club‘s safety rules because we want everyone going home with the same number of holes in them that they arrived with.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of anyone at Meeker. All our shooters are friendly, open and encouraging to new shooters. We ALL started where you are now so there’s no such thing as a dumb question. If you show up and forgot something, there’s a good chance someone can help get you going. During our last shoot the guy next to me blew an O-ring in his fill hose. We took five minutes, replaced the O-ring and got that guy shooting. We are here to help and encourage anyone.
We charge $20 to shoot a three card match for non-members and $15 for club members. Accurate change is appreciated.
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Thanks again for the guidance and pointers. I am pretty excited to check this out but I'm always anxious till I actually get out there and see how its done. I have my rifle setup and shoots 50 yards pretty good for what it is. We will see you out there!
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Igolfat8 is absolutely correct about the friendly and helpful folks at our matches. I’m the guy who needed the o-ring. Everyone jumped in and helped get the situation quickly resolved.Ben provided some excellent advice. We [Meeker Sportsman Club) provide cold bottled water for our shooters during every match. We require ear and eye protections to be worn during a hot range. We provide loaners in case you forget. We also require ECI’s (Empty Chamber Indicator) flags installed in the breech end of the barrel from your gun case to the firing line and back. We also provide loaners if you don’t have one? We provide the targets and push pins to secure them to our target backer boards.
You may clean your rifle bore at the equipment bench if needed?
We have wooden stools at each bench. Many shooters bring their own adjustable drummer’s throne stools because not everyone fits comfortably on our wooden stools.
There are umpteen ways to set up your rifle on the bench. I would suggest not buying anything yet until you attend a match and talk to folks to see what others are using. The simplest method is a front bipod and rear squeeze bag. We have 14 concrete benches under roof and evenly spaced but unfortunately you would not be able to use a floor rested Bog Pod without encroaching on the adjacent bench. I can bring a bipod and rear bag for you to borrow. You just need a picatinny rail on the bottom of your gun and let me know in advance so I can pack that gear for you.
Your Milwaukee bag is step above my Harbor Freight tool bag so you will not be out of place at Meeker
If possible have your highest power scope mounted and zeroed to 50 yards. IMO a 24X is the bare minimum. Some have used 16 and 18 power but more is better IMO. There isn’t time to practice or zero your scope before our matches so be prepared on that. You have 20 minutes to shoot 25 bulls and that is PLENTY of time to tweak your scope on the row of sighter bulls on each target card.
Bring pellets and mags. Heavier pellets are generally used by the more successful shooters. For example, if you have a .22 then set your gun up for 22-28 grain pellets. Heavier pellets buck the wind better. Most shoot .22 caliber at 50Y but we also have a few .25 and .30 shooters too. The guys that have tried .177 only did that once and when they returned they were shooting larger caliber pellets. You can also shoot slugs but that puts you in the Sportsman class. Most who have shot slugs end up returning to the pellet class.
Wear comfortable clothes. We don’t have fashion cops so there’s no need to dress to impress
We take safety as priority one. Before the match begins, we take a few minutes to review our club‘s safety rules because we want everyone going home with the same number of holes in them that they arrived with.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of anyone at Meeker. All our shooters are friendly, open and encouraging to new shooters. We ALL started where you are now so there’s no such thing as a dumb question. If you show up and forgot something, there’s a good chance someone can help get you going. During our last shoot the guy next to me blew an O-ring in his fill hose. We took five minutes, replaced the O-ring and got that guy shooting. We are here to help and encourage anyone.
We charge $20 to shoot a three card match for non-members and $15 for club members. Accurate change is appreciated.
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Excellent recommendations. I can't add to it. Enjoy!
Rules are good to review: https://www.national50.net/rules
Rules are good to review: https://www.national50.net/rules
Upvote 0