Thoughts on Competitive Shooting — Top Guns Talk
At the Berger Southwest Nationals we had a chance to meet with many friends, including past and current champions. Here are some of the interesting comments from some top F-Class and Sling Shooters.
James Crofts talks wind with Erik Cortina at the Berger SWN. At Wednesday’s 600-yard match, James topped the F-TR field while Eric won the F-Open Division.
James Crofts
“The thing that has helped my shooting the most this past year was not fretting so much about the ammo — getting out of the reloading room. I’m putting more focus on shooting the gun and calling the wind. What advice would I give other shooters? Buy high-quality gear and cry once. For example, the Nightforce competition scope — it’s a great scope and we do use the full 55 power at times.”
Erik Cortina
“I shot a .284 Shehane today with 180gr Scenars. I’m glad I had that BC working for me, even at 600 yards. Do 6mm Dashers have a place in F-Open? Not on a day like today. If I was able to hold a 10 with my .284, the Dasher guys were over in the nine ring. If I shot a 9, they might shoot an 8. When conditions are tough, you want the heavy bullet.”
Larry Bartholome
“What trends do I see in F-Open? Well, for 600 yards, maybe more guys will start using the Dasher, now that Norma Dasher brass will be available thanks to Shiraz. Personally, for mid-range I’m shooting a .284 Shehane with 180 Bergers. I’ll stick with my 7mm/270 WSM for 800 [and longer].”
John Whidden
“It’s good to see so many old friends here. But I can’t say Ben Avery has been friendly today. This certainly gives me a chance to practice my wind calling — that should come in handy later this year at the Fullbore world championships at Camp Perry. On the business front we’re expanding our range of cartridge dies. I know a lot of guys at this match are now using our dies. That makes me proud.”
Carl Bernosky
“What with the back surgery, I haven’t had a sling on in nearly two years. Today was tough — my rifle felt like a log. The Southwest Nationals is a great match mind you, but it’s all on the ground and I miss standing up… I like to shoot standing.”
Mid Tompkins
“Electronic targets, you want electronic targets? That would change the whole game. Sure I can see my own shot locations on a monitor, but what about the other guys’ shots? I learn a lot looking at where other shooters’ shots end up [displayed by the shot markers]. Take that away and things are completely different. Looking at shots from other shooters on the line is a big part of the game today.”
cannot agree with Mid more, I have seen days when half the line was waiting for someone to shoot so a wind read could be made, BD
Mid has a great point when it comes to electronic targets. Nice to see the f class get so popular with the guys that cant shoot from position anymore.
In theory with electronic targets, if the spectators can see everyone’s targets, it should certainly be possible for the shooters to see them as well. It’s just a matter of adding the functionality to the software.
(disclaimer – I own an e-target company).
The game today consists of being able to see shots on any of the other targets on the range that you care to look at. Unless we want to change that part of our game, then e-targets must come to fit our way of shooting, rather than us bending our shooting game.
It sounds like Mid does not realize that at least one of the e-target vendors (my company) ALREADY supports exactly what he is asking for – the ability to see the shot fall on the other targets on the range. I also think at least one of the Australian e-target companies (either Hex or OzScore) either support this now or are working on this. As an e-target designer I can say that this is a straightforward feature to expect from an e-target system.
– Daniel (Silver Mountain Targets)
Thanks Danial
It takes some mind wrapping to get more shooters to grasp the full scope and potential of these things. It will Happen.