While it would be interesting to watch I think it would be way more interesting to bring an appropriate rifle (for UL or Factory) and shoot. You'll learn a heck of a lot more that way and you'll have a much better idea of whether or not it's for you.

 

While it would be interesting to watch I think it would be way more interesting to bring a appropriate rifle (for UL or Factory) and shoot. You'll learn a heck of a lot more that way and you'll have a much better idea of whether or not it's for you.

I agree completely. I must say though, this is a dangerous path he's following. I went to a match "just to watch" and in half a second, Keith...linekin on here, had me set up and shooting. I liked the sport and the people so much that now, I am about 7k poorer and that total is climbing fast.😏

 

Take you rifle and stuff and just shoot it. You will have a ball. Folks will help you out if you tell them this is your first time. Forget you score. Time for that later.

 

Mr. Nephew,

I see you're in Iowa; there are two clubs that hold ARA matches in Iowa. Have you looked on the ARA homepage? If you live close to one of the other bordering states you could get some windshield time to Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota or Illinois.

good luck!

 

Shoot the match. IMO, watching others shoot is boring.

 

Like others already said PLEASE take a rifle and shoot, it will be way better experience. I announced loudly and proudly "this is my first match, and also my first match I have ever been to" and the guys could not have been more welcoming, helpful and supportive. The ONLY way you will be disappointed is if you don't bring a rifle and shoot your first match, trust me, just go and shoot.

 

Ditto to what the others are saying! I went to a match once, to watch...I'll never do it again!!!

 

I will add this, I am not sure which club you are looking at going to, but even so I would almost be willing to bet that if you called the match director during the week they would make sure that you had competitive equipment ready for you to shoot waiting. Everyone else here is correct, you need to go shoot the match or you will wish that you had. Some of the best people I have met in life have came from the RFBR community.

 

A year ago I was in your position....never had heard of BR shooting. Found there was a BR range just 7 miles from my home. They were holding an ARA comp similar to what you are considering. I went and told the group I had never shot BR. One member offered to loan me one of his rifles and stuff to try it. In my case, since I didn't know BR and the difference between what equipment constituted Factory Class and what constituted Unlimited Class I did just watch......what a rabbit hole

fle
I decided to try Factory Class, bought a rifle, some cheap ammo and borrowed a rear bag. in the past 6 months I have invested 4x more in accessories and ammo then I had in the rifle. Am practicing weekly and have been 'forced' to buy professional wind flags after scoring badly after my first ARA competion.

Am taking medication to keep from considering the Unlimited Class.

PS....avoid becoming friends with the Unlimited Class shooters...they will try to sell you their older stuff so they can afford to by new stuff......regardless as to how well the old stuff performs......new stuff 'must be better' 🙃

Run, run for your life pocket book.

Having made a joke of all of the above, I have met no one who has been a jerk. I have gotten nothing but positive help and even some equpment from them to the point (in one instance...blind pig...acorn) beat my mentors.

 

I like you am trying to spend with the mantra "buy once, cry once" but I already failed....I guess I will have two set ups....Caldwell BR and Protektor rear, and then a Caldwell turret with PQP mechanical rear.....I will A/B them see which one is better for me, and try to swap or sell the other. Definitely a 1st world problem, but I am not complaining.

 

BR rabbit hole....."That's no ordinary rabbit"

 

BR rabbit hole....."Run away, run away"

 

ARA rabbits live in caves not holes.

 

bettysnephew, I’m going to my first ARA match this weekend also (probably the same one as you, in Sioux City)
Bring your rifle along & shoot, we’ll have fun being the newbys!

 

Yeah, just shoot and have fun. My club hosts monthly ara matches. I shot two, one with air rifle, the other with a position rifle. A couple shooters at our matches are ridiculously good. I gave it a go for the experience, to find out if I liked it, without a competitive mindset. It was fun, but not something I’d spend the time and money required to be competitive.

 

The match I will be attending is at North Linn Fish and Game Club in Central City. I live in Cedar Rapids so Sioux City is quite a jaunt from home. I do not own a rifle that would be even close to competitive in either class so will not be shooting by personal choice. The only saving grace is that this club only holds one match a year so if I choose to get involved I have a year to acquire something that will be a reasonable firearm. My very old Remington 513 pencil barrel with Weaver 4 power scope, no bipod and lack of bag would not be worthy of putting any rounds through on the bench. So in reality I will be looking at equipment options primarily in factory class but plan to attend the next day to see what the really expensive stuff looks like.
Thanks for all the advice!

 

The match I will be attending is at North Linn Fish and Game Club in Central City. I live in Cedar Rapids so Sioux City is quite a jaunt from home. I do not own a rifle that would be even close to competitive in either class so will not be shooting by personal choice. The only saving grace is that this club only holds one match a year so if I choose to get involved I have a year to acquire something that will be a reasonable firearm. My very old Remington 513 pencil barrel with Weaver 4 power scope, no bipod and lack of bag would not be worthy of putting any rounds through on the bench. So in reality I will be looking at equipment options primarily in factory class but plan to attend the next day to see what the really expensive stuff looks like.
Thanks for all the advice!

Here is the schedule for that club.

 

What's the reasoning to shoot 5 Factory targets but only 4 UL?
We shoot 5 Factory or UL at ERGC.

 

Five or six cards in a match would make me blind in my shooting eye. I also wonder why so many cards?

 

Going to Prairie Station for Saturday matches. 6 card morning and 6 card afternoon. Woohoo!!!

 

Not to be Capt. Obvious, but take a pocket notebook and pen.
You might want to scribble down a few things when it comes to gear notes, future contacts, etc.

 

I was once told, "It is only slightly more expensive than collecting Ferrari's".

 

Or maybe even less.., if you don't go off all hog wild...