Picking a squad?

796 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Will46r, 6 d ago

Maxcat

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

I went and watched a steel match this past Sunday. I'm glad I went to one before signing up for my first. I've signed up for a mini-match next Wednesday and my registration shows approved, and it looks like I'm supposed to pick a squad. Very few entries as of right now. Is there an etiquette to picking a squad? Are there squads out there that would not appreciate a first timer putting my name in a squad? Will I just be assigned one if I don't pick one? I also did pick a division (RFRO) but have no idea on what class so I left it blank. Am I overthinking this and should just show up?

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eflyguy

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Show up.

Fellow shooters are, for the most part, friendly folk.

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bubbat

· #3 · 10 mo ago

Just show up, they will put you on a squad with more experienced shooters who will be glad to help you with any questions and give you advice. At least that's how it is our local matches.

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lasnyder

· #4 · 10 mo ago

it helps to make a good impression on the Range Officers at your first match....after 20 years of 3 gun, with the rifle exposed (chamber flagged) on the downward slanting gun cart rail,...after some initial interaction with Range Officers, I finally conceded, and now to come to the line with the rifle bagged... be sure to have a chamber flag, and no magazine in the mag well....have enough magazines loaded to shoot 5 strings of fire... I would suggest having a separate transport for the magazine separate from the gun bag....lay the gun bag so that the zipper, is accessible to your strong hand... be deliberate in your handling of the rifle, don't unzip until the "make ready" command, and you visibly look down range...take your time... show clear... chamber flag, and zip up first so painters can go down range... then police up your magazines.... regards Les.... have fun

if you switch to a rim fire pistol division, I'd suggest some way to mark the pistol case, so that you always place the pistol in the case so the pistol muzzle is down range, chamber flag... I use an inexpensive Midway pistol case for my MK IV and have 6 magazines... I orient the case with both zipper pulls indicating the muzzle direction, with the magazine pouches up...I remove the pistol, remove the chamber flag.. check the dot... then open the velcro flap for magazines after everything else is completed...then load ...

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Maxcat

Discussion Starter · #5 · 10 mo ago

Thanks to everyone who replied. Some really great information here.

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BrianK

· #6 · 24 d ago

Maxcat said:
Thanks to everyone who replied. Some really great information here.

So don't leave us hanging. How did you like it?

I bet you were impressed with the help you got from your fellow competitors. Am I right?

FWIW, chamber flags... after years of using actual chamber flags now I just use a hi-vis cable tie from Home Depot. Much easier to get into the .22 chamber. I did put an blaze orange "idiot flag" on it that says "remove before firing" just because I like the absurdity of it. I've often wondered how many noticed it, kept silent, and wondered how anyone could shoot it with the cable tie in place.

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lasnyder

· #7 · 24 d ago

around here those that like to shoot together, will be on the squad list early...I'm relatively new so like to squad with shooters of approximately the same skill level, though a mentoring M or GM can help you with target order, and offer procedural hints, and that is not as intuitive as it looks...one problem shooting with those a couple of classes above you is to get into the "go fast" mode.... I'd suggest you shoot at the most comfortable speed you have to hit the targets with only one shot for the first match.... to get a classification you will need a USPSA or SC membership number so when the scores are submitted, your times will be compared to the peak times for the stages you shoot...classifications are based on percentages you shoot of the peak time...remember that the peak times are for (4) runs...if you are able, it is always welcoming when a new shooter paints their share of the targets... enjoy and be safe with your gun handling... you are not going to win the Cadillac the first time out... regards Les L747

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Maxcat

Discussion Starter · #8 · 24 d ago

BrianK said:
So don't leave us hanging. How did you like it?

I bet you were impressed with the help you got from your fellow competitors. Am I right?

FWIW, chamber flags... after years of using actual chamber flags now I just use a hi-vis cable tie from Home Depot. Much easier to get into the .22 chamber. I did put an blaze orange "idiot flag" on it that says "remove before firing" just because I like the absurdity of it. I've often wondered how many noticed it, kept silent, and wondered how anyone could shoot it with the cable tie in place.

I had been making it out frequently but with career change Wednesday nights are off the table. I probably haven't been to the range at all in 2 months. My last steel challenge was with my FN502 which I did not enjoy at all. Need to move the red dot back to the Ruger. When I make it back out to a competition though I'll be bringing out the 15-22.

Everyone is great where I go. Wednesday's are very laid back and friendly. I guess I was accepted into the group since I was getting ragged on.

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Will46r

· #9 · 8 d ago

We shoot as a family (8 people) and there's usually only room for the RSO and 1 other shooter after we squad up online lol People are friendly at our club and there's more than a few family units that shoot together; although not as large as us. The GM's in the club are just friendly if not more friendly than new shooters.

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DaveInDenver

· #10 · 8 d ago

Maxcat said:
...
My last steel challenge was with my FN502 which I did not enjoy at all.
...

What did you not like about your 502?
I have a 502 on hold with the intent of joining a Steel Challenge group.

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Maxcat

Discussion Starter · #11 · 7 d ago

DaveInDenver said:
What did you not like about your 502?
I have a 502 on hold with the intent of joining a Steel Challenge group.

The gun is fine, no malfunctions or problems. I hadn't really practiced with it. I moved my Venom onto it and really struggled to find the dot. Just wasn't fun was frustrating.

Not excuses but analysis. I wear progressive glasses and have an astigmatism. The Venom has a relatively small window and the red dot mounts at a different level than my Mark IV Lite. I just struggled. Should not have changed guns without practicing more with the FN. I really like the gun and one advantage over the Mark IV is the larger mags and being able to shoot several strings without reloading as much. The 502 should work fine for you, I had a bad night.

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lasnyder

· #12 · 7 d ago

a pitch for a MKIV....at some point in time, you may be troubled with reliability, and
being able to quickly access the chamber and bolt face for cleaning, lube, inspection is an advantage of the MKIV quick take down... additionally the Ruger MK series are heavily supported in the aftermarket rim fire competition arena....I shoot a thumb forward grip, and this caused a problem with my weak hand rubbing on the slide of my SW M41, and not a problem with the Ruger... Volquartsen trigger upgrade, Striplin forward thumb rest, oversize safety and Tandem Kross grips make for a very stable grip... and by no means a svelte looking pistol the addition of the very large format Holosun 510c presents a dot always centered in the lens...6 magazines with reliability enhancing feed lip massaging according to the TK YouTube video, and green TK springs have produced a very competent pistol package for RFPO... my MKIV will not shoot CCI SV reliably, so it gets a diet of CCI Blazer.. gratuitous picture

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Rick_W

· #13 · 7 d ago

My two cents for squadding - if you surround yourself with mediocre shooters, you'll be a mediocre shooter. With all due respect to new shooters, that's not who you want to watch if you want to become a faster, better shooter (regardless of the discipline you are competing in).

I'll extend that, with respect, to the family of shooters. Unless you are sharing equipment or have specific needs for coaching/assistance, or you just want to shoot as a family and don't care about really competing, I believe you'll all learn more by splitting up some and getting on squads with higher classified/better shooters.

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Will46r

· #14 · 6 d ago

Rick_W said:
My two cents for squadding - if you surround yourself with mediocre shooters, you'll be a mediocre shooter. With all due respect to new shooters, that's not who you want to watch if you want to become a faster, better shooter (regardless of the discipline you are competing in).

I'll extend that, with respect, to the family of shooters. Unless you are sharing equipment or have specific needs for coaching/assistance, or you just want to shoot as a family and don't care about really competing, I believe you'll all learn more by splitting up some and getting on squads with higher classified/better shooters.

Our usual RSO and non-family are both GMs and coach us up. Most advice lately is stuff we work on in the garage and during the week. We have had to share 2 rifles last 2 shoots, hopefully thats corrected this shoot. I would agree with you about improving requires being around vetter shooters, but we're having fun. I can become stupidly competitive, this is reigning me in. lol

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