New Sporter/Hunter Class...is your club promoting it?

[AlanF]

Vicko,

This new class is clearly not going to suit everyone who has a rifle that meets the allowed specs. For example your desire for more emphasis on short range shooting. Many (most?) NRAA affiliated ranges are not set up for shooting closer than 300yds - they've always been for long range shooting. The SSAA ranges have been better set up for 100 to 300, but it seems there are not enough of them. Some NRAA clubs may be prepared to do the work (and it can be substantial) to provide 100 to 300, but this will depend on how important they see the need for building membership.

[scott/r]

The only problem with adding extra targets as you've suggested is that 99% of fullbore ranges don't shoot from one firing point. The targets are stationary and we move back to accommodate the distance that we shoot. So there's no way that we could shoot multiple distances at one time like prs shooters do. And most ranges only have approvals for 100 yrd/m distances between firing points unfortunately.

I didn't say to shoot multiple distances at once
Maybe look to alter the approvals?

To be honest with you, with comments that you may see as shit canning you're style of firearms goes, most of the guys here would only see them as lacking the ability to hold the consistent accuracy that is needed to be competitive, hence the reason why the sporter class scoring system is the same as us t/r shooters.

So.. if most of the guys here just think it's a waste of time because apparently hunters have shit firearms, then just forget about it. No skin off my nose.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you guys are serious about doing something about dropping member numbers via this class (which is what it was introduced for as I understand it) then you will either need to change some things (including some fairly ordinary attitudes towards younger shooters) and make it more viable - or not. I don't have any 'tacticool' firearms by the way... Put yourself in the shoes of a hunter and potential competitor. I can spend a little more on my next hunting outfit and make sure its something that will allow me to compete - at least out to say.. 5 or 600m. And in doing so - improve my skills and see if I want to focus solely on f class competing. But its hard for me to justify a standalone $5k rifle right now for something that I'm not sure if I'm going to commit to yet.

There's a reason that PRS is growing at such a rapid rate. It allows hunters and shooters to practice and refine their skills using in more usable firing positions, at more practical distances. And without the condescension... The more recent comments on this thread has only tipped me further towards setting myself up for PRS, which wasn't my original plan.

Mate, I never said they were a shit firearm. What I was trying to say is that they are not built to do what we do. It'd be no different then me turning up at a prs meeting with my target rifle, complete with peep sights and a sling and telling people that they need to put up a fullbore target for me to shoot on.
The original idea of sporter class was introduce sporting/hunting shooters to our type of target shooting, not to change how we do things.
Scott.

[Vicko]

Ok chaps - no drama. As I said, just thought I’d give you my feedback.

[Jarhead]

Hi All,

First time post. How do I find out about the next comp for this class in NSW?

Regards,

Jarhead
___________________________________
Beretta 680 Special Skeet 12G (1350 fps)
Savage MkII .22 (1040 fps)
1969 Mustang Fastback (227 fps)
Tikka T3 6.5 CM (2660 fps)

The Mustang looks the fastest but it's not.

[scott/r]

Hi All,

First time post. How do I find out about the next comp for this class in NSW?

Regards,

Jarhead
___________________________________
Beretta 680 Special Skeet 12G (1350 fps)
Savage MkII .22 (1040 fps)
1969 Mustang Fastback (227 fps)
Tikka T3 6.5 CM (2660 fps)

The Mustang looks the fastest but it's not.

That all depends on were you are, Jarhead. Most clubs run the sporter class every weekend during their normal course of fire.
Scott.

[robbo1990]

To add some positive we here in western Australia are holding sporters/hunters class in our queens in September. Big step forward for our sport i reckon.

[Happyhour]

I would like to do Hunter class, 2 things can happen if this happens, 1, our aim becomes better at longer distance as there is more practice on a longer range, there for snipping bunnies or pigs at a greater distance becomes a advantage, the other thing is that people like me who really like shooting , can shoot on a better range of more then 200m and can also compete in that class, its abit like GoKarts and F1 cars, both do the same thing, but one is faster and cost alot more, for me hunter class gives me a social experience and enjoyment.

I think more people who would like to do Hunter Class, needs to step up and make it happen.

[Gary Nitro]

yes great discipline for our club to Inverell RSM rifle club has interdicted this over the passed year with great results, few new members and few off us lone time members have also joined in shooting hunter class as well a couple off hunter class shooters now joined the nsw rifle association to . hunter class is a great fun shoot and has helped our menders get more competitive . as well hunter class shooters stepping up shooting constant 50.9 and now looking to get into F open or F standard and FTR shoots and looking to travel away to other club shoots and possibly queens cheers.

[Slides]

There are now usually a handful of people shooting sports hunter ar Lithgow Small Arms Rifle Club with F class, including myself shooting a Lithgow LA105 in 6.5CM, another member with a 105 in 308, a member with a 102, a tikka T3X TAC, the is one member who was shooting a Ruger in 6.5 who had added a foot to his stock and is now shooting F-open.

I shoot either a mauser m18 in 223 or howa 2500 sporter in centre fire field class which the club also runs, another alternative for the genuine sporter weight rifles from 100-300 shooting off hand/seated/prone.