Can't find a match?

I don't post much but another thread got me to pondering. There has been plenty of talk about how hard it is to find matches, at least in some areas. I'm sure all the long-time Bullseye shooters know this stuff, but for those trying to get into Bullseye and can't find a match here is a solution:

Start your own match.

We like to think of things as being complex and really hard, but starting a Bullseye match doesn't have to be. If you've been to even one match you have a general idea of how a match progresses, the rule book gives you a lot of specific info to fill in the blanks, and there are plenty of folks on this forum willing to answer questions. A few of those folks come across as a little snarky toward us newbies but don't worry about that - most really want to help.

We started four years ago with 25 yard static targets, a stopwatch, and an air horn to start and stop the shooting. Find 3 or 4 guys willing to try shooting with one hand and you have a Bullseye match. Fill out a form on NRA's website and you have your own sanctioned match, where you can get classified and everything.

We've built up the facility considerably since then, still trying to figure out how to build participation but we have legit matches every month...

Awesome to hear! Maybe try for one of those NRA range fund/grants.

https://rangeservices.nra.org/funding-grants/

Nice work; thanks for doing it.

Thank you for your work!

I appreciate the kind words but the real point is that I didn't do anything all that special, and I'm not all that bright so if I can do it anyone can. The facility being built up to a pretty nice bullseye range has more to do with the other folks in the club that decided they liked bullseye and wanted a nice place.

We see photos of a "real" match and think a bullseye range has to have a covered firing line with benches, turning targets, 25 and 50 yard lines, a PA system, etc. Truth is those things are nice but not necessary at all. Running a big match is probably a chore, but a small club match isn't all that hard. Follow the rules, let your friends laugh at you a little when you mess up...it works out.

Pretty much any range in the country could be hosting bullseye matches...

It really is that easy, I agree. Only problem is, you need a range, or at least a range that will cooperate with you. Someday, I hope, I'll win the Lotto.....

TexasShooter wrote:I appreciate the kind words but the real point is that I didn't do anything all that special, and I'm not all that bright so if I can do it anyone can.

Maybe so, but it's a lot easier to bitch on the Web about "how hard can it be to ...?" than it is to actually do the work that you and all of the rest of the match runners across the country do. And we have too much of the former and not enough of the latter. 

So I'll say "thank you" again.

Mike38 wrote:It really is that easy, I agree. Only problem is, you need a range, or at least a range that will cooperate with you. Someday, I hope, I'll win the Lotto.....

That's the position I'm in. Waiting for a lotto win or a miracle that results in the Rifle Club reopening.

The only ones at my range interested in score or group size seem to be me and two "old guys into that bullseye stuff" that I have yet to meet because they go to the range on retirement hours. Maybe I'll bump into them if I go one afternoon when I'm on vacation.

The range ownership doesn't seem terribly receptive to organised activities. I might be able to get something informal organised, but haven't bumped into anyone else that is looking at score or precision yet.

TexasShooter:

Congratulations and Thank You!  It takes some effort and all of us appreciate anyone that will start and put on matches.  If I can be of any assistance with programs, scoring software, write ups, or just general match questions; please feel free to contact me any time.

THANK YOU!

CR

Before starting a match night, I've been considering starting a marksmanship program night.

Either the NRA one (https://mqp.nra.org/) or the Shooting Federation of Canada RTS Program (http://sfc-ftc.ca/en/shortcuts/for_shooters/shooting_programs/rts_program.html).

I think all I'd need really is to invest in a supply of regulation targets and space on the bulletin board outside the range doors.

Still don't know how receptive the range owners would be to the idea though.

For me, I offered to call a match next fall.  As an introvert, it isn't exactly in my wheelhouse but I wanted the guy who always calls our matches to get to shoot one for a change.

Aprilian wrote:For me, I offered to call a match next fall.  As an introvert, it isn't exactly in my wheelhouse but I wanted the guy who always calls our matches to get to shoot one for a change.

We don't do it for the 2700 just because I don't want to add anything to an already long day, but for anything shorter we can run 2 relays. For slow fire I call the line and there is plenty of time for me to shoot, so it's still one relay. For timed and rapid I call the first relay, then shoot the 2nd relay while someone else calls the line. Everyone gets to shoot and it really doesn't add much time overall.

I can't begin to describe what a big deal this is. I called the match for a looooong time before I finally got to shoot and really appreciate the guy that volunteered to help out. Don't worry about it being in your wheelhouse - I think you'll find out that no one cares about that, and will tolerate all kinds of mistakes as long as they get to shoot. Way to step up!

TexasShooter wrote:Don't worry about it being in your wheelhouse - I think you'll find out that no one cares about that, and will tolerate all kinds of mistakes as long as they get to shoot. Way to step up!

Truth. I have been a range officer longer than I've been a shooter. I used to call NMCs for the Stark County Pistol League when I was maybe 10 years old. You should, of course, have a responsible adult on the firing line to act as a safety officer, but I was the automated range commands before those were a thing

This is really great!  And, for me, very timely.  My club, with a history going back to 1935, was based on bullseye shooting.  We are NRA affiliated and CMP affiliated. I've been a member for almost 20 years.  We used to send a member team to Camp Perry every year.  Not anymore!

In just that last couple years it has really fallen into the hands of the local "spray n pray" shoot-the-bad-guy nonsense.  This has mostly been due to apathy.
I have already begun an initiative to get my club back.
The info here gives me one more tool.

Thank you!

Jim

Texas State Championship is in Midland this year, I can't wait to come check out your range.