Raton Championship

[Kevin Alexander]

I have a couple of Raton questions. I plan on attending for the first time in 2016, depending on the dates for their silhouette match championship, and how my cataract surgery goes. I have only shot 5 silhouette matches in 2015. I plan on shooting 8 to 10 matches in 2016, hopefully a couple regional matches.
I have no spotter to shoot with, and I myself know nothing about reading wind and mirage to be an excellent spotter for someone else. I just know where to tell them the bullet strikes are at.
Does it offend the serious veteran shooter when someone like me shows up at Raton?
Do I even need to show up and try to shoot there in 2016, or wait a few years?

I would like to learn on reading wind and mirage. I assume it just takes time and practice.

Thanks.

[Cody Smith]

Go now! No one will be offended, in fact more than likely you will get tired of folks trying to help you. It is definitely nice going with someone you have shot with before, but if you can't make arrangements before the match director will find someone for you to shoot with. Where are you from? Surely we can find someone for you to shoot with.

take care, Cody Smith

[Don McDowell]

Kevin, just to echo what Cody said, if it fits your schedule then go. They will squad you with someone, it might be a former champion or contender , or it may just be a normal shooter that is there by his/herself. Either way it's a grand learning experience.
Yes it's best to go with someone that you've shot with and sort of speak the same language. If your are married, would your wife want to be your spotter, she can do that without being entered to shoot. (of course as a wise man once told me, it can sure complicate things when your sleeping with your spotter and the wind and mirage aren't treating you well...)
Of course attending your close by shoots and cultivating a shooting pardner is always a good thing, and the more you go the better you'll get at being able to pick up the subtle stuff in the wind and mirage. You being able to do a good job of spotting will go along way toward folks welcoming you and shooting with you.

[mherth]

That is an excellent post Kevin that captures the situation that many of us find ourselves in. I know I'd like to participate in some of the Raton or regional matches but feel unqualified. I do enjoy the local gong matches and learning the basics of reading wind, etc but finding a regular shooting partner is problematic.

[Cody Smith]

Fellas, if we were talking in person, you would see the smile on my face and the jest in my tone of voice. You bunch of sissie babies!!! For the life of me, I can't figure out what there is to lose? No one is going to judge you or laugh at you! You will probably become a better shooter with the experience and you will more than likely make multiple new friends. The only thing you have to have to be qualified is a legal gun and load and a basic understanding of range rules, which anyone will gladly and patiently explain to you. After I finally gathered up the nerve to go, I was sorry I hadn't started going earlier. I can just about guarantee you will enjoy yourself. Look me up if you go, if you have any questions or just want to visit.
take care and good luck, Cody

[Don McDowell]

Well said Cody.

[kokomokid]

Go have a good time. Make sure your gun will pass as they are quite strict.
Get there a day early and shoot a little to get settled in.

[desert deuce]

Yessir, and if you live below 4,000 feet elevation you might want to arrive two days early and the range, if I recall correctly, is around 6,200 feet in elevation and I can tell the difference as I live at 4,000. It is also easy to get dehydrated if it is warm, the wind is blowing and the humidity is low. Best to hydrate the night before and stay hydrated all day long, and, beer won't do it.

Spotting, well you just have to do it to learn how. Folks like Don and Cody are all over the place and you will learn more that week than you will all year anywhere else. You could call it intensive immersion in the Black Powder Arts.

Rifle must weigh no more than 12 pounds 2 ounces.