Camp Perry Wisdom

• Go with a shopping list and shop early. Some of the more popular powders, primers and bullets sell out

• Do you sometimes feel like you have enough time to grasp your pistol and other times the caller is rushing you to load and start shooting? You're right. For all the targets except 2 they explain the course of fire:

"The line is clear you may handle your guns. This will be the timed fire string of the national match course, 5 shots in twenty seconds, for your first string of timed fire with 5 rounds load."

EXCEPT for the second TF and RF targets they just say:

"The line is clear you may handle your guns, for your 3rd string of timed fire with 5 rounds load."

There's barely time to pick up the gun and get a grip, much less check alignment and dry fire, but it's better if you are expecting it and ready when the commands start.

• When moving from the 50 to 25 yard lines, get as much ready as possible.

Before closing your box at the 50 yard line:

• • Load magazines and adjust sights to 25 yard zero.

  • Focus the spotting scope to 25 yds (I have marks on my spotting scope for 25 & 50 yard focus).

  • Score your target through the spotting scope as much as possible. don't spend time downrange recording your own scores.

  • Keep the shooting glasses and ear muffs outside the box

When it is time to move to the 25 yard line:

• • Forget about the chair and cart. Carry the box, targets and clipboard to the 25 yard line. I think it takes longer to get the box in and out of the cart than just carrying it. Later, if you have time between strings or if there is a range delay you can get the chair, otherwise leave it back there at 50.

  • Set the box on the table so the scope will be on target. If I align the hinge with the right edge of the bull my scope will be on target. The bull may be a little left or right, but it will be in the field of view.

  • Set the brass catcher in about the right position. If a few pieces of brass get out on the first Timed Fire, don't worry about it.

  • Score targets and get back to the firing line as quickly as possible.

  • Find the proper stance and put on your shooting glasses and ear muffs as the last people are walking back from scoring. Be ready to shoot as soon as boxes are opened.

Old Items that don't really apply anymore, but didn't want to just delete

• When it is wet, put the targets under the bench up-side down so the top gets mushy, but the bottom will still feed into the target carriers and bring a rag to wipe the dew off the table for first relay.

• Go to the NRA store and buy last years t-shirts for $5

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