Starting into highpower on a tight budget? This topic is for you!
BY Dave McGrath
So you’re interested in the sport of High Power but you’re on a budget or you have already participated in a match and were overwhelmed by the expensive equipment the experienced shooters were using. Well this topic is for you!
Too many times a potential national champion never gets started in the sport because of limited funds or worse yet they get started off on the wrong foot by busting their budget on expensive equipment they could have done without leaving no funds for what they need the most, ammunition and practice.
Rifle:
If you already have a rifle, fine, use what you have. If you have yet to purchase a rifle for competitive high power shooting, the rule here is to buy once and cry once. Today in high power, from a competitive standpoint it’s best not to invest in a M1 or a M1A rifle. The initial cost of them followed by the high cost of gunsmith maintenance, availability of parts and the higher cost of ammunition are no longer practical.
Your best rifle to get started with is the AR15 but beware, all AR’s are not created equal. What is common among new shooters is that they purchase a rack grade (basic) AR15 rifle for competition. The prices vary from $750 to $900. If at all possible, try to avoid this. I’ll explain. Soon the shooter finds the rifles sights and the trigger are of battle rifle quality. They can’t get a good target zero and the triggers are heavy, creepy and drag! Then they find that being in a tight sling changes their zeros. A float tube is also needed. To add these options, triggers are in the range of $110 to nearly $300 depending on your taste. A good set of sights would be an additional $100 or more, meaning most rack grade Colt, Bushmaster and aftermarket kit AR’s, have a rear sight base cocked to the left causing a distorted sight picture. Now you need a rear sight pin job. Another $75. The float tube, add another $100. Then the needed gunsmith charges plus shipping. You can do the math!
The alternatives to the latter would be trying to locate a good used AR with all the up-grades at a reasonable cost or just buying a Rock River Arms National Match A2 rifle. Please continue to read, as I’m not deviating from the nature of this topic.
The folks at RRA have done their homework. This rifle has all the bells and whistles and includes a stainless steel Wilson 1 in 8-twist match grade barrel. Your all set right out of the box to the command, commence fire with a rifle capable of winning the National Championship! The price of this rifle, even if you paid retail and who pays retail today, would be much less than what you would now have in your up-graded rack rifle!
Okay, now you have spent more on the rifle than you planned and have little remaining funds for your other shooting needs. Here is how you can get started and compete competitively.
Equipment:
Shooting coat: Nice but not needed. A work jacket with a sweatshirt under it will work.
Shooting glove: Again, nice but not needed. A heavy leather work glove works just fine.
Rifle sling: The GI cotton web sling works great!
Shooting mat: A piece of carpet 36” x 72” works great!
Spotting scope: Yes you need one but there are several inexpensive models that work really well in this sport and the Konus with the angled eye piece is a very good choice.
Scope stand: There are several models in various price ranges. The three-legged types are the most sturdy. You don’t want your scope damaged by falling over. As an alternative to the manufactured types, fabricate one yourself. I have seen many homemade jobs that work fine. A local weld shop can help you out by using scrap metal. However keep your home made equipment within proportion because when you claim your firing point, you own very little real estate.
Shooting pants: A pair of work jeans, the dark blue, heavy, never washed, relaxed fit made by Rustler, available at Wally World work great. They don’t bulk up on your legs when you get into position and the material will help prevent your elbows sliding while in the sitting position.
Shooting stool: You really should have one for carrying your ammo, magazines and resting your rifle butt on in between your shots in off hand. The low cost ones are the type hunter’s use.
Ammo: Your going to have to reload and to cut cost here, good hunting bullets are accurate enough for use at 200 and 300 yards. At least until you have earned your expert classification. Learn the sport first. Work on your positions then move on to the match grade bullets. At 600 yards, you need match grade bullets no matter what your level of shooting.
Cart: If you intend to shoot across the course matches (200-300-600 yards) you should have one to transport all your gear to and from the firing lines. Use your imagination. I have seen a thousand varieties! For example. Appliance dollies with garbage cans lashed to them, Red Rider wagons too. Anything that rolls works!
By now I know what you are probably thinking. I am going to look like a Hobo that couldn’t afford to take the morning balloon to Saskatoon! Not to worry! You’re among high power shooters. The nicest, most helpful and understanding competitors in the shooting sports today. See for yourself and keep this in mind. Very, very few have started into this sport with all that’s needed. For most, myself included, it took several years before we acquired all that we have. No one will laugh at you or think less of you. Up-grade when your budget allows. Now get on the range and have a good time!
In addition to all of the above recommendations try to attend a high power clinic, purchase instructional books/videos, team up with a master or high master competitor for a practice session and learn how to use the sling. Learn the positions. Practice them by dry firing and snapping in at home. Get as much practice on the range as you can. This is what makes a champion shooter. It’s not how you look on the range and your rifle doesn’t have to have the most expensive barrel. You can’t buy points. Remember, this phrase. Front sight focus not equipment hocus-pocus!
I have been a match director for 13 years and a high power competitor for 19 years. For those that have taken my advice, they have become my competition. This year alone, two such individuals that I have worked with went from marksman to master and unclassified to expert!
Good shooting and I hope to someday meet you on the firing line at Camp Perry, Ohio!
Dave McGrath