What I Learned at Extreme Benchrest 2018

@john_in_ma, I understand that, thanks. However, I think he'd shoot fast no matter the condition. Case in point was day 2 when we shot in the rain, he shot fast but didn't do that well. If he'd have waited even ten minutes things cleared up and everyone else shot a better score... But I think he's only 18, so he'll get even better and learn patience.

@john_in_ma, I understand that, thanks. However, I think he'd shoot fast no matter the condition. Case in point was day 2 when we shot in the rain, he shot fast but didn't do that well. If he'd have waited even ten minutes things cleared up and everyone else shot a better score... But I think he's only 18, so he'll get even better and learn patience.

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Yes thanks Mike I have learned from this year. Thanks for being a pal

And I'm 19

Having never shot EBR, but watched for the past couple years, I believe that, yes, a good quality gun is an absolute requirement. However, with the wind and other weather conditions (rain in Arizona??) it's more about the shooter's practice and skill with the gun, combined with ability to judge conditions, and sometimes, willingness to take "Close" is good enough without getting mentally upset and throwing the game.

That's the great thing, it's probably only 25% gun, 75% skill and mental ability to hold it together.

Hi Centercut this is Stan, I was shooting in lane 3 in the finals (we talked about how challenging the wind was that day). The young man (Dakota) that won the sportsman class was shooting next to me in lane 4. He took almost all of the 30 minutes to shoot his card. You are absolutely correct about taking sighters to make sure of the wind. As you know, the maddening thing about this venue is the wind frequently shifts and can change just as you are taking your shot. I think once you have the wind doping figured out you can’t wait to make the shot.

Hi Stan, I agree. I had 20 shots in the red and 5 in the 4 or 5 rings. That'll mess up your score right quick! Dakota is a very good shooter and learns quickly from his mistakes. Second 75 yard card he ripped off all his shots quickly, and had a so-so score ( I was lane 35 and he was 36). Good to know he learned from that in the finals. The awesome thing was that if you put his score in with all the Pro's, he comes in second, ONE point from the winner. And his equipment was good, but nothing factory or special, or even super expensive. I'm sure we'll see him next year in the winner's circle. The wind is pretty much like it always is in SOCAL, east of San Diego and Temecula, so I didn't think it was unusual, I just didn't have the patience...

Mike

Mike, I live in the country outside of Hollister (50 miles south of San Jose, CA) and we get 5-15 mph winds starting about 12 noon every day. What got me at EBR was changing downdrafts and the wind shifting 180® within seconds (at times it was like an eggbeater). I think I need to take my time with sighters and then take the shot without delay.

Stan

Something I learned a while back, and got better at it at EBR was shooting with both eyes open. I can see the flags with the left eye while sighting the scope. But I failed to check the alignment of my flags through the scope before the match. Two of the flags were too far right to see with the left eye. That caused me to have a delay between seeing what the flag was doing and taking the shot. And the difference can be a 180º shift in wind. We live, we learn.



Crusher

Also take twice as many pellets as you think you might need. I had the same issue and rushed. I shot well but should have finished better. I ended up with only 3 pellets left at the end. Limited me on the number of sighters I could have taken in the finals and forced shots I could have otherwise avoided.