Chabot Bolt Gun - Lessons learned

[Irish Gunner]

Prior to today I have never shot a match and it was definitely a learning experience and I went for the fun more than the score and fully expected a last place finish. I wasn't disappointed.

The 91/30 is not on par with the M1903's that I was up against. Simply put I had 20 rounds down range going into the day and am now up to 78. None of the initial 20 were at 200 yards so it took me a while to get the idea of where I was hitting (or mostly missing). I certainly need more practice with my particular rifle. A lot of my misses were just of the scoring ring low/right, but I didn't know that until after the relay.

I shot my entire relay without understanding what the scoring marks meant. I would recommend that a newbie be in the pit first. I actually thought that the red marker meant I missed the target completely.

I will continue to practice with the Mosin and may yet try again to better my score. The next match is in December. As for my score 85 (1V), second to last was either 210 or 211 and the winner was 242/250.

Most importantly, I got one more thing checked off my CMP eligibility list. I sense a Garand in my future....

[captain_chau]

I don't know if they still do it but they used to let some of the competitors practice on the 200 yard range on Thursdays and they definitively open it up on Fridays! it's a good time to go out there and learn the basics ! btw are you hand loading or using surplus ammo in the matches? most of the guys at theses matches use hand loads so they are usually more accurate... well that and it depends in the condition of your rifle and your fundamentals!

[bronsht]

Irish,
The 200 yd line is open to the public every Friday from 10am to about noon or so with the same rules as the public line. John will give you a chit if you wish to go to the public line. You have to resign in there but do not have to pay a second time unless you forget to bring your target with you (otherwise you pay another 50 cents).

Sight in on the public line at the 50yd line and then move over to the 100 yard line.
bronsht

[Irish Gunner]

I don't know if they still do it but they used to let some of the competitors practice on the 200 yard range on Thursdays and they definitively open it up on Fridays! it's a good time to go out there and learn the basics ! btw are you hand loading or using surplus ammo in the matches? most of the guys at theses matches use hand loads so they are usually more accurate... well that and it depends in the condition of your rifle and your fundamentals!

Oh, I was definitely outclassed and you are correct in the understanding that most of the other guys do handload. I used cheap (non-corrosive) Russian made (MFS I think). I have never shot positions before, just bench rest so I am sure that my fundamentals sucked. Nonetheless it was a fun experience and it only cost me $15 for the practice. I will absolutely get more experience at my local range at 50, 100 and 200 yards before the next attempt.

Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking it. I had a blast and mostly wanted to establish my personal baseline. That and check off a CMP requirement. All the other guys were understanding and helpful for the newbie. I would recommend it to anyone just for the experience. I don't think my rifle with commercial loads could ever compete with the serious competitors and there were a few of them.

[captain_chau]

200 yards is fun but since I'm headed to Davis in September the 1000 yard range is even better ;D, but start shooting prone and standing too! with standing , the recoil on the sucker isn't as bad!

[pro-nra]

If you want more practice, we are having our first for the year long range match at Sac Valley. A little further distance than the 200 yards you just shot. We start at 300 then move to 500, 600 and end up at 800 yards all prone with rest.

Shooting surplus Russian ammo ain't going to do it against a finely crafted handloaded ammo using SMK bullets. In addition, from my observation here at Sac Valley on past matches the following rifles are always routinely at the top 3 finishers: 1903, 03-A3, 1917, K31 and M96. I'm not saying if you are not shooting the above mentioned rifles you will not win. What I'm saying is your chances increase with these rifles but ultimately it is the shooter. Just my $0.20.

[bruceflinch]

Late May is a Garand and Military Match @ USI in Concord. Join the Diablo club May 3rd & you're good to go! Garand is in the AM & Military Match in the PM. Both shoot @ 200 yds.

I was looking forward to your match today, but needed to shot a High Power Match @ USI today. Don't think my shoulder would have handled another 50 rounds of Military today, as we shot Military @ Sac Valley yesterday. My 308 is a lot more Shoulder-Friendly..

[Irish Gunner]

Late May is a Garand and Military Match @ USI in Concord. Join the Diablo club May 3rd & you're good to go! Garand is in the AM & Military Match in the PM. Both shoot @ 200 yds.

Diablo membership is on my radar, was going to wait until July since that is the start of next annual period. Perhaps I should just do it early. You volunteering to sponsor me? Liz actually told me talk to you.

[Irish Gunner]

If you want more practice, we are having our first for the year long range match at Sac Valley. A little further distance than the 200 yards you just shot. We start at 300 then move to 500, 600 and end up at 800 yards all prone with rest.

Shooting surplus Russian ammo ain't going to do it against a finely crafted handloaded ammo using SMK bullets. In addition, from my observation here at Sac Valley on past matches the following rifles are always routinely at the top 3 finishers: 1903, 03-A3, 1917, K31 and M96. I'm not saying if you are not shooting the above mentioned rifles you will not win. What I'm saying is your chances increase with these rifles but ultimately it is the shooter. Just my $0.20.

Those ranges are bit too far for me now. After my 03-FFL Shows up I am planning on a K31 and would also like to get an 03-A3. I got what I wanted out of the day. A tremendous learning experience.

[SanPedroShooter]

At least you went out. I want to shoot my Garand in a match. I make my own loads, but havent really driven them out past a hundred yards or so... Thats almost point blank...

[Flyin Brian]

Irish, a few years ago a friend of mine took me to my first Chabot match and I had a very similar experience... I was humbled by the competition and eager to learn how to do it. Now when I go I am usually scoring in the middle of the pack and having a lot of fun!!

The other guys there are very helpful and you have to keep in mind they have been doing it a LONG time don't let those high scores intimidate you.

I didn't go today because I am spent from the sac valley match yesterday with Bruce, but I will probably be there next time and also shooting a Mosin.

[Irish Gunner]

I am not at all intimidated. I wanted to push myself. All the other guys were great. I am just getting back into shooting and trying to figure out what I want to do. The only score that mattered to me was my 85. Next time (and there will be a next time) I will be happy with anything over 86 with this rifle.

I will never shoot to win not with the 91/30, I just want to shoot to improve. I have a lot to learn, but at least I have real experience now.

[bruceflinch]

Diablo membership is on my radar, was going to wait until July since that is the start of next annual period. Perhaps I should just do it early. You volunteering to sponsor me? Liz actually told me talk to you.

I'd be glad to sponsor you for the May Match. It's great to practice @ 200 yds. I was humbled again today. But I did have a good time & learned a lot more from my Spotting Buddy.

PM inbound

[17+1]

I am not at all intimidated. I wanted to push myself. All the other guys were great. I am just getting back into shooting and trying to figure out what I want to do. The only score that mattered to me was my 85. Next time (and there will be a next time) I will be happy with anything over 86 with this rifle.

I will never shoot to win not with the 91/30, I just want to shoot to improve. I have a lot to learn, but at least I have real experience now.

Before I started shooting any kind of high power, I was reloading, I was practicing positions at open range, I read a book about sling usage and had a variety of other matches under my belt.

Because of the prep, I was able to shoot sharpshooter my first XTC match. Not great, and there is definitely room for improvement, but I was glad I didn't get laughed off the line. This month I shot my M1 at the Sac Valley 3x600 to a low Expert score... Now I just need to shoot offhand like slow prone.

You should check out the highpower match this coming weekend at Chabot...bring your AR out and clean the targets. Probably easier to use than the Mosin.

[rojocorsa]

I wanted to go, but I was not feeling confident on my abilities. I still need to tighten my groups down with my 1907 sling and work on kneeling and sitting. Maybe after, I can go to one of these things.


Also, after refinishing both my K-31 and No.4 (the rifles I would use to shoot in one of these), I need to see if the POI or anything like that shifted after removing and putting back those stocks. This potential anomaly has been worrying me. If anything, I hope my Enfield will be better than before.