You can tap an enormous source of information shooting F class / Service / Match Rifle / Palma cause rain or shine they shoot varying conditions. Half the battle is getting started. Sure some clubs are a bit of clique especially to an outsider.
Shooting the F Class league with any rifle will be a learning experience. Do not let other people's equipment daunt you. Yeah, some have $5K tied up in a gun and optics.
There are many people shooting Savages with decent less expensive glass out there ie Sightron scopes.
But, do not let that intimidate you. Learn to drive your gun. Build your skills!
Not every trip to the range is going dead calm and 65 degrees. Not every hunting trip will be in ideal weather.
Erud, a board member here, is a very accomplished "sling shooter". He has blog about the regional shoots.
There is a North Dakota boy that stumbled into MN that is pretty good too... out in the western part of the state
Some MN F Class Shooters own or share national records. Sling shooters are on the US Palma Team.
This state is home some very good shooters.....not posers like most. Real honest to goodness shooters!
They were all in your shoes at one time or another. Usually, at the March Weapons Collectors show at the MN Fairgrounds the big clubs have booths.
MN has some nice ranges 3 are all within decent driving distance of the metro
ERSC at Elk River 600yd range
Northstar Rifle Club at Red Wing (okay a bit north of Red Wing) 600yd range
Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club at Harris 1000yd range
United Sportsman my bad it is
Northwester Gun Club up near Duluth 500yd range