Diversity Adding Spice to Your Shooting Life.

Prior to the pandemic I was involved in monthly pistol matches and to prepare for such I practiced twice weekly at the range. I also enjoyed shooting rimfire rifle out to 300 yards and once a year participated in a local bullseye target league.

The past two years have changed and added new challenges to enjoying the shooting sports. Ammo prices have gone up to ridiculous levels, availability of said expensive ammo and firearms dropped to bouts of being non existent. This year things have established a new normal, prices are higher than they were two years ago but they have stabilized at a somewhat reasonable point. I decided that the time was right to invest in enough ammunition to feel comfortable participating in a few new forms of competition.

Two months ago I started shooting NRA Action Pistol, which I liken to a combination of the previous USPSA matches and the Bullseye leagues I previously competed in. My local club happens to be one of a few clubs in the country that are set up to run this style of match. The gentlemen who run the matches were super friendly and encouraging so much that I was hooked after my first day. The stages that you shoot are a combination of steel plates, barricades, long distances (15-50 yards) and a moving target that goes side to side across the range.

Having prepared for shooting revolver in USPSA competitions but not having the opportunity to actually partake in a match due to the pandemic closing things down I am getting my chance to compete with my revolver in an upcoming ICORE match here in Pennsylvania. This style match is also similar to the USPSA matches I was used to but is only for revolver shooters. Stages involve multiple targets, shooting from various locations and reloading during every course of fire.

Lastly having started reloading for my centerfire rifle in 2019 I have taken to the long range game of reaching out to 1000 yards with it and have developed handloads for my rifle to deliver accurate shots at that distance. This coming month I'll be in central Pennsylvania for my first long range steel match. The course of fire consists of shooting steel plates at 800, 850, 900 and 1000 yards. The shooter with the most hits takes all the glory.

Never be afraid or nervous about trying new things and new forms of shooting. The groups that host these events want you to participate and will help you safely learn what you need. To start first go to a match nearby that interests you and watch what goes on. You most likely will be ask by someone that day why you're not shooting and will get information about group practices and encouraged to come out to the next match with all your stuff and sign up. Secondly, make sure that you are comfortable with the firearm you have and are confident in its use and competent in the safe handling of your firearm and yourself while at the range.

Happy Safe Shooting!