Originally Posted By Genin:
Yep limited to 10 but so far, hardly anyone shows up so it isn't an issue. It seems there are lots more people who talk alot about shooting than actually using a new venue. I understand that everyone gets into their "groove" with various shooting sports, but I came from a club that has had to consider limiting match attendance as they regularly get 55-75 shooters per match. So I was sort of surprised at the low turnout up here. Nisqually wants to see how it works out first before they put the discipline on the calendar on a regular basis.

Frankly, I think they are going to have a pretty good case for why the discipline shouldn't get the range for a regular range reservation. With such a small turnout, it is really hard to justify such a small group of people hogging the one really good 550 yard range for that much time on a weekend when other members would like to come out and just plink. If attendance doesn't pick up in a month or so, I don't think I will have a very good case for asking them to let me keep getting the range reserved for this discipline.

The club has asked me about multi-gun matches, but I think that is putting the cart before the horse if there aren't even many people showing up for rifle matches. Even at the club there are fellows who see what we are doing and tell me how they would do so great with their Garand, or whatever rifle they have. But when match day comes along, they are no where to be found. Armchair warriors I guess.

I was trying to get another shooting venue available for people over on the wet side of the state, but apparently my efforts were mostly a waste of time as very few people show up. I don't know if it is the distance to the club or what it is, but for whatever reason, not many people show up. The excuses, or reasons why people don't show up are largely irrelevant. Either they show up or they don't. I gave up trying to control other people a long time ago.

Originally Posted By actionshooter:
It takes time to get a match going, Believe it or not, the majority of the real shooters do not read or post on forums. If its a quality match word will get out and the match will fill up. One thing I have noticed is that the dates for your match have conflicted with larger, out of town multigun matches the last couple of months, your loosing a few possible candidates to that.

(RESPONSE): I picked the 3rd Saturday as that was one of the very few range days Nisqually had open, and after asking people who ran some of the other rifle matches in the area, the 3rd saturday was the one with the least conflict. I didn't inquire about multi-gun, or pistol matches as I was only looking into getting another venue for rifle shooters. There are already plenty of short range matches for pistol, shotgun, and some multi-gun. But for rifle matches where ranges go over 200 yards, there is very little available on the wet side (around Puget Sound). That is how I ended up with the 3rd Saturday. On weekends, Nisqually's ranges are taken up about 70% of the weekend days. Members there (understandably) are starting to get upset that the long distance ranges are almost never available on weekends, so I was really pleased that the club would even consider giving me any weekend date.

At the local matches, I have been hearing rumors about upper Nisqually possibly holding 3-gun matches . I don't know if that is this match or another, BUT a 3-gun match will draw the people.

(RESPONSE):After about 6-8 months of working with the board, Nisqually was kind enough to allow me to try starting up a practical rifle discipline. The only money for the match comes from entrance fees, and I'm about $200-300 in the hole trying to get things to get this started. The club hasn't provided any money for the matches, and the only RO's so far are participants who are kind enough to help out.
So far, the people attending have been really great about helping out as they realize this is put on for them to have fun. For now, because the participation is fairly limited, any multi-gun matches are a long way off. Before any multi-gun matches could happen, we would need Nisqually to allow us to use more than one range, shot timers, and different targets. All of those things require money that the club isn't providing so far.

Please don't get me wrong, as I'm very grateful that the board was even willing to take a chance on rifle matches, and I appreciate the support I have received so far. If we do get enough participation, and perhaps if the club decides to put some money toward the discipline, then I would really enjoy multi gun matches. I think multi-gun matches are a ton of fun.
Some people shoot matches every weekend (myself included) and have a scedule. It would really like to try yours out but up till now it has conflicted with other matches .If it were a true multi-gun match it would go to the top of my list and I will bet I could round up a dozen experienced (travel to shoot matches) shooters.
If you want PM me you number and I'll call you.

Just my 2 cents