Tips for Camp Perry Newbie

First topic message reminder :

So I'm going to Perry this year for the first time and I'm looking for some advice from the regulars.  So far I'm registered for the NRA matches but not the CMP events. Can/ should I do both?  My next question is do any of you guys use a checklist for gear and equipment? There will be quite a few guys from our winter league attending and I've heard about every horror story there is.  I guess I'm mostly looking for tips & suggestions to make the experience as smooth as possible, stuff like how to get my gear to & from the ranges or any other advice you guys can provide.

Thanks
Dieselguy624

Remember not to bring your stapler and pasters.  Won't need those.

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:Keep in mind that the only score that the other guy is worried about is his...until you beat him.  Go there to shoot your match and have a good time.
Don't worry about screwing up, every one has some kind of problem and I've never been to a match where they didn't help everyone get thru.

the first vintage Springfield match I shot,, 
had the 03 sighted in, had put a lot of rounds downrange practicing, and even shot a few local matches to get used to the bolt, 
had my 200 yrd zero, and had the rear sight locked down, 

pulled the gun out the sleeve, and the rear sight elevator was loose as a goose,,

talk about panic,,  some cussing, and then realized I had my PJ Ohare rear sight micrometer still set to the right setting, 

so all was not lost, 

rattled me a bit tho, and I'll use that as an excuse for why I only got a bronze,,,,

rreid wrote:

Headtap wrote:After ten years of wanting to go, I am finally going this year. have gone to three in state matches and my scores suck swamp water. I belong to a range, I practice on the official NRA 75 feet slow fire targets. When I practice, I get 85 to 87 out of 100 on slowfire. At competition, I get like 51 to 55/100. My 22, which has never jammed on me, jammed and messed up my score. Most of it was mental, but I can’t figure out what I did wrong. I ate a breakfast, kept hydrated, concentrated on my breating and trigger control, but I seem to get nervous. I don’t want to look like a retard at Camp Perry. What hints do you have to battle stage fright?

For my first trip to Camp Perry, I set a goal to shoot all of my shots on my own target and within the allotted time.

I think this will be my goal as well just get all my shots on paper (mine) within the time required.
 
I did register for SAFS and the afternoon .22 & Service pistol matches, gonna need to spend some time with the irons. Question regarding the M9 EIC match; Are the M9s & Ammo provided as part of the SAFS?

Picked up a Coleman folding wagon for a reasonable price so I'll give that a try. Next is to work up a ZERO 185 JSWC load for the long line.  I have no experience at 50yds so it'll be an adventure for sure!

Pat

M9 and ammo provided.
They were the range instructors guns surprisingly accurate.

Listen, and shoot well you'll earn your first 6 EIC pts.
25 yd only also.

james r chapman wrote:Listen, and shoot well you'll earn your first 6 EIC pts.
25 yd only also.

M9 is only worth 4 points, still a good thing.

Yep, my bad.
Regardless, easiest points your likely to earn.

One thing I have seen happen to a  lot shooters at Perry is when they have an alibi. When the alibi happens they raise their hand and have it checked. Their problem comes when it is their time to refire. They are already a little shook up and nervous about the alibi, now they have to unload their magazine and reload with 5 rounds. Their mind is yelling at them....

“Hey this is the National Championships and everybody on the line whether shooting, helping, or just watching is WAITING ON YOU!!! HURRY UP DUMMY!!!!! “

This puts a lot of pressure or you. 

Have at least 3 magiznes, Keep a spare magazine loaded just for an alibi round. I typically use  2 magazines during a match and one loaded spare. (some use a lot more, I just don’t like having to carry more weight in my gun box). With the loaded spare you are ready. When the tower saids refire shooters load all you have to do is grab the mag, slap it in the gun and prepare for the targets to turn.

This gives you more time to get you mind focused on shooting, you already have stress from the refire and you don’t need to add more thinking that you have to hurry up because everybody is waiting on you.

Yes, they will give you enough time to load and get ready....but try and convince that gray matter between your ears that nobody is rushing you.

Hydrate!  Living in Florida and having spent some time in very hot climates with the Army you would think I knew better... but I didn't.   The Range Safety Officers were great, the National Guard medics were on top of things....it was embarrassing and unnecessary, and I had the honor of scoring a 125 or so for the Center Fire Match.  It seems the NRA posts the score cards you turn in even if you don't complete the entire 900 match.  Hydrate!

Well its almost time to start loading the truck! Definitely exited but a little apprehensive, I think we'll have a blast. Thanks to everyone for the tips & info!

Dieselguy624

Well we survived! It was awesome, frustrating, and we had a blast!!  I shot just ok but had just about every kind of equipment failure, alibi, ammo problem you name it.  I learned a ton and will be better prepared next time for sure.  The folks I shot with were fantastic and put up with my dumbass mistakes.  We took the SAFS class and shot the M9 match & the .22 & service EIC matches on Saturday.  The CMP events were definitely not as well organized as the NRA portion of the week.  I'm definitely looking forward to the next time but it'll be a couple years I think.

Again thanks to everyone for all the great advice!

Pat

Is it allowed to fold a large rectangle of clear plastic over the target? At those ranges it probably wouldn't obscure the target.

I THINK.....that under some weather conditions they can be bagged, but ALL of them need to be bagged.
You area not allowed to do anything that can make your target appear different than the others.
I remember one shooter getting a "friendly" warning after he drop the lower right corner in the mud for the third time.

in 2017, they provided clear plastic bags to put over, and shoot thru, the targets.
difficult to score that way. the plastic hole doesn't line up with the bullet hole! lol