Truthfully, as far as ammo, I didn't have time for ammo testing, and I'm not sure I'm a good enough shooter to really be able to tell what is best. Ron sent me some Eley Red Box that shot well in the rifle. I bought a couple of bricks of Black Box that Bob Collins said was shooting pretty well. It was the closest to the velocity of the stuff that Ron had sent me.
When I first shot it, I really didn't like it, but then, I won my second match, so I liked it. Frankly, at my stage of noviceness (novicenicity?), I think that my technique and ability to read the flags is way more of a concern than the ammo. Obviously, I will buy as good ammo as I can afford, but I need to work on shooting more than I will worry about ammo, just yet. I think it is more of a factor amongst the good, experienced shooters than beginners like me.
The gator bag isn't bad, at all. I was scared to order the taller one when I read the possible filled weight, but I wish I had now. I ended up cutting a 1/4 inch piece of plywood in the shape of the bottom of the bag to give me a little extra height. Of course, I don't have to walk half a mile to the range, either
I was finally able to pick up a Leupy with a dot, so after the last match I changed that. It is really hard for me to find the intersection of the crosshairs quickly, and I think the dot might help. I hope to get to shoot some green monsters this month to try it out.
Another thing I need is tripod bases for the windflags. It's hard to pound in the posts here in New England.
Aside from trigger techniques, I think the one most valuable technique that I was able to develop this year, was using both eyes open and being able to look through the scope and also be able to see the wind flags besides. That finally all came together at my last match and I felt very good about it.