EBR... It's almost here! WOOHOO!
I’ve had a few guys PM me about what they should bring and what they could expect. I’ve said basically the same thing to all of them... sunscreen, sunglasses, water, a hat, and an outgoing attitude will get you really far and you’ll have a great time!
It goes without saying but, bring enough clothes for the amount of time you’ll be staying. It can be a bit brisk in the mornings so, bring something for keeping warm. It’s rare but, it does rain from time to time in AZ. So, I think a cheap disposable emergency rain poncho would be good to have. If you don’t use it, you could just stick it in your glovebox afterwards! Hopefully you’re staying somewhere with a pool. Bring a bathing suit. Bring a camera to take pictures to post on AGN!
Competition preparedness and basic layout of the days - I like to show up early. So, I’ll probably stop by AoA on the 5th to drool over guns and buy stuff. Oops! I mean register early. When you register, you'll receive a gift bag of SWAG and dog tags. Don't lose your dog tags! They tell you what heat and what bench you'll be shooting at. If you don't understand how to read them, ask one of the AoA guys, they're always happy to help out.
The 6th is a day for sighting in, getting used to how the range rules work, registration, Extreme Big Bore Competition, the exciting new American Field Target competition, looking at the raffle prizes, the shooters meeting (4:15) and chatting it up with fellow airgunners. This is a busy day with lots of folks coming and going. If you’ve got Powder burners you’d like to bring to shoot, the rest of the range is open for that. There will be food, drink, and bathrooms available at the event.
One rule to keep in mind is DON’T TOUCH YOUR RIFLES UNLESS THE RANGE IS HOT! Don’t take them out of the case, don’t air them up, don’t show them off... Don’t touch them.
Also, please remember to give the competitors some space during and just before their competitions. Some of these guys have traveled half the globe and spent tens of thousands of rounds on top of days worth of time preparing to come compete against some of the best in the world. Everyone is friendly and happy to be there talking about the sport they love. But if someone is practicing and looking very focused, maybe give them a little space and wait until they air up or something.
The 7th is a full competition day and late registration. I’ve seen a few guys bring carts to move shooting stuff from their car to the benches. Every year I see them walk by and think to myself that I should have brought one (Maybe this year, I’ll remember). Speed Silo - You’ll get about 5 min to setup before the count down. 3-2-1-Fire! I think there is a 2 or 3 minute time limit and then you’ll have to stop shooting, clear your gun, open the action, and step away from the bench. If you mistakenly have left a round in your rifle, let someone know and they’ll clear you to send it downrange. The range will then be called COLD. Don’t touch your rifles! Don’t even approach your bench without asking first. The targets get reset by the Boy Scouts of America. Once the range is clear, it will be called HOT and you’ll get another few minutes to air up and settle in for the next round. 3 qualifier rounds total. Then the next group of shooters will go. EBR 75 card 1 - Again, you’ll get about 5 minutes for setup and air up. Again, you’ll get a countdown 3-2-1-Fire! Then it’s 30 minutes (IIRC) to shoot at your own pace. I believe they call out 10, 5, and 1 minute left.
The 8th is another full competition day with Keynote Speakers in the evening. The 25m benchrest is held very much like the 75. Time for setup, 3,2,1 - time for shooting, time for breakdown and the next group to set up, and the targets to be changed. The 75 Card 2 again, will be much the same. Pistols is also held this day. I have never participated in this so, I cannot say what to expect. Then, it’s Keynote Speaker time. You’d be surprised at how fast this 2hr gap, between the end of the 75yd competition and beginning of Keynote, slips away. Especially, If you end up chatting with fellow airgunners at the range. Keynote is really cool. You don't really know who is going to be speaking. And, sometimes, they don’t really know what they’re going to be saying! LOL! Regardless, it’s something to see and hear. I remember one year that Ted spoke. He explained about setting up a scope camera correctly and instantly solved a major issue I was having! Last year, our Forum owner Michael was up there talking about this great new forum called AGN! Then there was Rossi from American Airgunner who put up a very animated talk that was quite fun to listen to. And finally Tony Belas of Daystate giving a talk about the history of air rifles and Daystate.
The 9th and final day brings the final rounds for Extreme Big Bore, Speed Silo, and EBR which is moved out to 100 yards! This is an exciting day both for the finalists that have made it that far, and for the spectators watching and rooting for your favorite competitors as they go for the win!!! EBR Final ends at 1:30 but this great event isn’t over yet! 2:30 starts the Awards presentation as well as the tremendous raffle giveaway! Have a drink, dinner, and chat with old and new friends you’ve made over the past few days as the winners receive their awards and thousands of $$$ worth of raffle prizes are handed out. Just don’t drink and drive! I'd bring something a little nicer to wear for this occasion.
The guys at AoA have spent a lot of time polishing this event to run smoothly. The showroom is closed during the weekend, because the entire staff is involved in putting this event on. Be sure to thank them if you get a chance! On the 10th, go home... Although, I would highly recommend setting aside some time to stop by AoA before you leave. You never know who might be there, and you can get another chance to drool over the showroom guns!
Here is the itinerary...
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
12:00pm to 5:00pm – Registration at Airguns of Arizona
Thursday, October 6, 2016
7:00am to 4:00pm – Registration at Rio Salado Shooting Range
7:00am to 1:00pm – American Field Target Sight In at High Power Range
8:00am to 4:00pm – Field Target at Field Target Course
9:00am to 4:00pm – Sight In both 25 and 75 Small Bore Range
12:00pm to 4:00pm – Extreme Big Bore Competition at High Power Range
4:15pm to 5:00pm – Shooters Meeting at Small Bore Range
Friday, October 7, 2016
8:00am to 10:00am – Late Registration
8:30am to 12:00pm – Speed Silhouette Small Bore Range
12:30pm to 5:00 pm – Extreme Benchrest Card 1 (75 Yard) Small Bore Range
Saturday, October 8, 2016
7:30am to 12:30pm – 25-Meter Benchrest at Small Bore Range
1:00pm to 5:30pm – Extreme Benchrest Card 2 (75 Yard) Small Bore Range
9:00am to 4:00pm – 10m Indoor Pistol Shoot at Rio Salado Shooting Range
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Keynote Speakers at Las Sendas Club House
Sunday, October 9, 2016
8:00am to 11:00am – Extreme Big Bore Competition at High Power Range
11:00am to 12:00am – Outdoor Speed Silhouette Finals at Small Bore Range
12:30pm to 1:30pm – Extreme Benchrest Finals (100 Yard) Small Bore Range
2:30pm to 5:30pm – Awards / Cocktail Lounge / RAFFLE at Las Sendas Club House
I hope this is helpful to those attending or thinking about attending. Drop me a + accuracy if you think it was helpful!
Happy Shooting!
Tom
I’ve had a few guys PM me about what they should bring and what they could expect. I’ve said basically the same thing to all of them... sunscreen, sunglasses, water, a hat, and an outgoing attitude will get you really far and you’ll have a great time!
It goes without saying but, bring enough clothes for the amount of time you’ll be staying. It can be a bit brisk in the mornings so, bring something for keeping warm. It’s rare but, it does rain from time to time in AZ. So, I think a cheap disposable emergency rain poncho would be good to have. If you don’t use it, you could just stick it in your glovebox afterwards! Hopefully you’re staying somewhere with a pool. Bring a bathing suit. Bring a camera to take pictures to post on AGN!
Competition preparedness and basic layout of the days - I like to show up early. So, I’ll probably stop by AoA on the 5th to drool over guns and buy stuff. Oops! I mean register early. When you register, you'll receive a gift bag of SWAG and dog tags. Don't lose your dog tags! They tell you what heat and what bench you'll be shooting at. If you don't understand how to read them, ask one of the AoA guys, they're always happy to help out.
The 6th is a day for sighting in, getting used to how the range rules work, registration, Extreme Big Bore Competition, the exciting new American Field Target competition, looking at the raffle prizes, the shooters meeting (4:15) and chatting it up with fellow airgunners. This is a busy day with lots of folks coming and going. If you’ve got Powder burners you’d like to bring to shoot, the rest of the range is open for that. There will be food, drink, and bathrooms available at the event.
One rule to keep in mind is DON’T TOUCH YOUR RIFLES UNLESS THE RANGE IS HOT! Don’t take them out of the case, don’t air them up, don’t show them off... Don’t touch them.
Also, please remember to give the competitors some space during and just before their competitions. Some of these guys have traveled half the globe and spent tens of thousands of rounds on top of days worth of time preparing to come compete against some of the best in the world. Everyone is friendly and happy to be there talking about the sport they love. But if someone is practicing and looking very focused, maybe give them a little space and wait until they air up or something.
The 7th is a full competition day and late registration. I’ve seen a few guys bring carts to move shooting stuff from their car to the benches. Every year I see them walk by and think to myself that I should have brought one (Maybe this year, I’ll remember). Speed Silo - You’ll get about 5 min to setup before the count down. 3-2-1-Fire! I think there is a 2 or 3 minute time limit and then you’ll have to stop shooting, clear your gun, open the action, and step away from the bench. If you mistakenly have left a round in your rifle, let someone know and they’ll clear you to send it downrange. The range will then be called COLD. Don’t touch your rifles! Don’t even approach your bench without asking first. The targets get reset by the Boy Scouts of America. Once the range is clear, it will be called HOT and you’ll get another few minutes to air up and settle in for the next round. 3 qualifier rounds total. Then the next group of shooters will go. EBR 75 card 1 - Again, you’ll get about 5 minutes for setup and air up. Again, you’ll get a countdown 3-2-1-Fire! Then it’s 30 minutes (IIRC) to shoot at your own pace. I believe they call out 10, 5, and 1 minute left.
The 8th is another full competition day with Keynote Speakers in the evening. The 25m benchrest is held very much like the 75. Time for setup, 3,2,1 - time for shooting, time for breakdown and the next group to set up, and the targets to be changed. The 75 Card 2 again, will be much the same. Pistols is also held this day. I have never participated in this so, I cannot say what to expect. Then, it’s Keynote Speaker time. You’d be surprised at how fast this 2hr gap, between the end of the 75yd competition and beginning of Keynote, slips away. Especially, If you end up chatting with fellow airgunners at the range. Keynote is really cool. You don't really know who is going to be speaking. And, sometimes, they don’t really know what they’re going to be saying! LOL! Regardless, it’s something to see and hear. I remember one year that Ted spoke. He explained about setting up a scope camera correctly and instantly solved a major issue I was having! Last year, our Forum owner Michael was up there talking about this great new forum called AGN! Then there was Rossi from American Airgunner who put up a very animated talk that was quite fun to listen to. And finally Tony Belas of Daystate giving a talk about the history of air rifles and Daystate.
The 9th and final day brings the final rounds for Extreme Big Bore, Speed Silo, and EBR which is moved out to 100 yards! This is an exciting day both for the finalists that have made it that far, and for the spectators watching and rooting for your favorite competitors as they go for the win!!! EBR Final ends at 1:30 but this great event isn’t over yet! 2:30 starts the Awards presentation as well as the tremendous raffle giveaway! Have a drink, dinner, and chat with old and new friends you’ve made over the past few days as the winners receive their awards and thousands of $$$ worth of raffle prizes are handed out. Just don’t drink and drive!
I'd bring something a little nicer to wear for this occasion.The guys at AoA have spent a lot of time polishing this event to run smoothly. The showroom is closed during the weekend, because the entire staff is involved in putting this event on. Be sure to thank them if you get a chance! On the 10th, go home... Although, I would highly recommend setting aside some time to stop by AoA before you leave. You never know who might be there, and you can get another chance to drool over the showroom guns!
Here is the itinerary...
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
12:00pm to 5:00pm – Registration at Airguns of Arizona
Thursday, October 6, 2016
7:00am to 4:00pm – Registration at Rio Salado Shooting Range
7:00am to 1:00pm – American Field Target Sight In at High Power Range
8:00am to 4:00pm – Field Target at Field Target Course
9:00am to 4:00pm – Sight In both 25 and 75 Small Bore Range
12:00pm to 4:00pm – Extreme Big Bore Competition at High Power Range
4:15pm to 5:00pm – Shooters Meeting at Small Bore Range
Friday, October 7, 2016
8:00am to 10:00am – Late Registration
8:30am to 12:00pm – Speed Silhouette Small Bore Range
12:30pm to 5:00 pm – Extreme Benchrest Card 1 (75 Yard) Small Bore Range
Saturday, October 8, 2016
7:30am to 12:30pm – 25-Meter Benchrest at Small Bore Range
1:00pm to 5:30pm – Extreme Benchrest Card 2 (75 Yard) Small Bore Range
9:00am to 4:00pm – 10m Indoor Pistol Shoot at Rio Salado Shooting Range
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Keynote Speakers at Las Sendas Club House
Sunday, October 9, 2016
8:00am to 11:00am – Extreme Big Bore Competition at High Power Range
11:00am to 12:00am – Outdoor Speed Silhouette Finals at Small Bore Range
12:30pm to 1:30pm – Extreme Benchrest Finals (100 Yard) Small Bore Range
2:30pm to 5:30pm – Awards / Cocktail Lounge / RAFFLE at Las Sendas Club House
I hope this is helpful to those attending or thinking about attending. Drop me a + accuracy if you think it was helpful!
Happy Shooting!
Tom
