PA cup observations!

[nomojo65]

Ok thought I would share some of my BR observations. # 1- 5,6 yrs ago top guns shot from sighters “no flags” no need they said. Now almost all the top shot use them or read others.
# 2- almost all during that same time period only shot off bi-pods and a rear bag “if that” now most use a front rest or combination of bi-pod and rear rest to manipulate windage and elevation to a finite degree. This was not needed 5-6yrs ago according to the professionals.
#3- Note: these are just my observations and in no way dictates a winner from middle of the pack. Hell I used a rest and made the most stupid basic rookie mistake I shot 3 shots in a record bull because I didn’t drop down fully (I shoot bottom to top) and make sure I was on a sighter!!! I’ve shot both center fire BR and 25m BR so what does that say…

 

[Solo1]

Well you went ahead and proved it! Your human!!!

 

[Centercut]

Everyone makes stupid mistakes from time to time when shooting.

Pre-Covid, 225 was a great score and good enough to win most competitions. Now it won’t get you in the top 5, or even top 10.

Used to be “just get them inside the paint (8-ring)” would result in a good score. Now to be competitive you need no more than 3 or 4 eights, no sevens (maybe 1), and the rest 9s and 10s.

Scores have gone up since Covid. In 2018 the winning score at EBR was 216 and 206 at RMAC. And in 2019 was 225 at EBR and 224 at RMAC.

To be competitive in the finals now you need to be on the high side of 230 for a top 5 finish. The exception would be howling wind, but finals haven’t seen that for quite a few years.

 

[cahil_2]

It has also gone to teams like Nascar.

 

[Bramezy]

Theres a lot of incentive these days to be better than the rest so a lot of money is being spent on being better. It will continue to progress and people will continue to spend a ton of cash to try and win at the big events. With the amount of prize money im surprised we haven't seen more shooters try and enter.
Its a $$$ race.

 

[manabeknives]

In the pro class...lets say the top 30 ...any of them "independent"? non affiliated with a team?

 

[GerrywithaG]

In the pro class...lets say the top 30 ...any of them "independent"? non affiliated with a team?

My guess would be all of them to some degree from a full ride, to a shirt and ammo. That's why in the near future there will need to be separate championships for sponsored or independent. If they do that,....there will be a flood of VERY talented shooters coming out of powder smallbore where ammo is WAY too expensive if you can find it, and no $$$ just trophiesyear before they finish this year. and a thanks see you next year.

When more of us realize how good these PCP rifles are 22lr will be extinct. Having sold all my powder burning stuff and transitioning to Air, I am in that camp. The best part is most all the equipment transfers right over so intro cost is low...rifle and comprressor and away you go. Not to mention you can practice at home!

The powers that be will need to realize...if they want higher participation numbers.... that unsponsored serious shooters are going to stay home if they have to shoot against factory engineer prepped guns, handpicked barrels, perfect ammo, and all you can eat, I'm all for "belly up" quit whining and shoot your target, but if I'm coming out of pocket for everything and shooting next to a full ride shooter? The first year will be a fun experienee. The next year will be a hard sell.