My father and I spent a few years shooting NRA Bullseye Pistol competition, and plinked a couple times with powder burning rifles, but decided late last fall to move over to airguns after I got hooked watching YouTube videos of airgun shooting and what these awesome rifles can do, particularly relative to precision shooting at long distances. I even got my wife involved in shooting with us a few months ago in an effort to spend more time doing things together. So, the three of us, after very little time truly practicing together at this, decided to jump in with both feet and go try a big formal 100 yard benchrest competition. This year's Pyramyd Air Cup was only a 3.5 hour drive away, so we figured what the heck. Thought I'd post some thoughts and things learned by a few airgun newcomers...
1) First and foremost... if you enjoy shooting airguns, and you go to one of these big competitions, you will have a BLAST! Like the slogan says... JUST DO IT!
2) You will learn from others. A LOT. I didn't meet anyone who didn't talk with me and share knowledge, and everyone is willing to help you learn and improve.
3) Wind is CRAZY! We all try to find those calm mornings or evenings to get time without wind affecting things so we can see what kind of groups our guns can shoot. Well, that's fine for tuning and gun evaluation, and needs to be done, but 100 yard Benchrest shooting is about reading the wind, so PRACTICE in the wind, as much as possible.
4) The YouTube personalities are real people. Most of us place the "YouTube Celebrities" on pedestals of admiration. For a lot of us newcomers to this sport, they are often times the ones who introduced us to airguns, and we follow their exploits with a passion. If you are blessed with the ability to meet some of these folks, you will be amazed at how down to earth and approachable they are. I realize socializing with fans is often times a part of their sponsorship duties, but it's how they do this that is so impressive to me. These guys spend half of their time posing for selfies with fans, and don't show one bit of hesitation doing it.
This was a GREAT family activity. If you get the chance to shoot a competition with a family member, do it. It will be quality time spent together. You might even get them hooked on airguns like you. My dad even ordered another rifle while we were there so my mother can start shooting with us. So… we went with three shooters, and came home with four. Kind of.
All in all, we had a fantastic time, and we WILL do it again.
Also want to commend Tyler and his crew from Pyramyd Air for a GREAT event, at a GREAT venue. I can see this event getting better and better every year.
A few pics just for fun…
Dad getting ready for Group A, Heat 1. Talk about a lucky draw... check out who he got to shoot next to... Dad and I had a SERIOUS talk about how important it is to NOT crossfire on the target next to you!
My wife getting to be part of the recorded memories...
Only her 6th or 7th time shooting an airgun, and only about 3 of them at 100 yards before getting here. She didn't even get to use the practice range before her heat started. I didn't think her 347 for two rounds was that bad. I think she has potential. When she starts out-shooting me, I going to tell people I taught her everything she knows. She developed a real admiration for Abby over the weekend.
I could find hundreds of words to describe this guy... but if I have to pick one... humble. One of the nicest guys I ever met.
Now where the heck was I while my wife was off getting a selfie with this young man??? Also one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Believe it or not, she said she recognized Matt because he was always in a video playing on my computer when she walked into my office when I was supposed to be working. That can't be right...
Bad camera position, but a shot of our camping neighbor Ken Hicks, and Harley. Yet another great person to meet if you ever get the chance.
My favorite group shot.
Enjoyed having dinner with Stephen & Tiffany from Kraford and Lypt. This young man makes some of the finest Impact accessories to be found, and takes customer service to a whole new level.
Congratulations to one FINE group of shooters!
1) First and foremost... if you enjoy shooting airguns, and you go to one of these big competitions, you will have a BLAST! Like the slogan says... JUST DO IT!
2) You will learn from others. A LOT. I didn't meet anyone who didn't talk with me and share knowledge, and everyone is willing to help you learn and improve.
3) Wind is CRAZY! We all try to find those calm mornings or evenings to get time without wind affecting things so we can see what kind of groups our guns can shoot. Well, that's fine for tuning and gun evaluation, and needs to be done, but 100 yard Benchrest shooting is about reading the wind, so PRACTICE in the wind, as much as possible.
4) The YouTube personalities are real people. Most of us place the "YouTube Celebrities" on pedestals of admiration. For a lot of us newcomers to this sport, they are often times the ones who introduced us to airguns, and we follow their exploits with a passion. If you are blessed with the ability to meet some of these folks, you will be amazed at how down to earth and approachable they are. I realize socializing with fans is often times a part of their sponsorship duties, but it's how they do this that is so impressive to me. These guys spend half of their time posing for selfies with fans, and don't show one bit of hesitation doing it.
This was a GREAT family activity. If you get the chance to shoot a competition with a family member, do it. It will be quality time spent together. You might even get them hooked on airguns like you. My dad even ordered another rifle while we were there so my mother can start shooting with us. So… we went with three shooters, and came home with four. Kind of.
All in all, we had a fantastic time, and we WILL do it again.
Also want to commend Tyler and his crew from Pyramyd Air for a GREAT event, at a GREAT venue. I can see this event getting better and better every year.
A few pics just for fun…
Dad getting ready for Group A, Heat 1. Talk about a lucky draw... check out who he got to shoot next to... Dad and I had a SERIOUS talk about how important it is to NOT crossfire on the target next to you!
My wife getting to be part of the recorded memories...
Only her 6th or 7th time shooting an airgun, and only about 3 of them at 100 yards before getting here. She didn't even get to use the practice range before her heat started. I didn't think her 347 for two rounds was that bad. I think she has potential. When she starts out-shooting me, I going to tell people I taught her everything she knows. She developed a real admiration for Abby over the weekend.
I could find hundreds of words to describe this guy... but if I have to pick one... humble. One of the nicest guys I ever met.
Now where the heck was I while my wife was off getting a selfie with this young man??? Also one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Believe it or not, she said she recognized Matt because he was always in a video playing on my computer when she walked into my office when I was supposed to be working. That can't be right...
Bad camera position, but a shot of our camping neighbor Ken Hicks, and Harley. Yet another great person to meet if you ever get the chance.
My favorite group shot.
Enjoyed having dinner with Stephen & Tiffany from Kraford and Lypt. This young man makes some of the finest Impact accessories to be found, and takes customer service to a whole new level.
Congratulations to one FINE group of shooters!
