quote:

Originally posted by Instructor:
I attended Perry last year and first time I witnessed competitors using optics on Serv. rifles. Spoke with few of them and most said that their scores were about the same other than it helped them on Off Hand. Some were using NF scopes, but most were using the Leupold scopes.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeBurke:
A little background on my shooting experience. I started shooting NRA High power in 1994. I made XTC Master shooting a match rifle in December 11, 1996 and my Long Range Master Classification September 07, 1998. I have been to Perry 4 times and have shot some decent scores over the years.

Around 2002 I slowed down quite a bit on my shooting. I would shoot at the most 8 or 10 matches a year, some years maybe one or two. This year I decided to start shooting again. I had a Colt H-Bar lower with an original M-K II trigger setup for service rifle. I ordered WOA upper for optics and a Leupold scope which I have since upgraded to a Nightforce. It is my goal to make NRA High Master and to become Distinguished.

In the past two months I have shot 1 leg match, I was First Leather by 2 points, 2 XTC matches at 200 yards, and one 80 shot XTC match. I have averaged Master class scores in these matches. Some scores have been great included cleaning some rapids, offhand has been horrible due to lack of practice. I even shot a 198 with 11 at a 200 yard reduced slow fire prone. Those reduced targets can be tough, just more forgiving on wind calls.

I have also shot several midrange matches at 600 yards with mixed results. I have seen very little vertical stringing, most of my points have been lost to wind.

There have been several posts about scopes and high power. These are my findings based on my experiences.

Building a solid position, proper sling use, a proper natural point of aim, good trigger control, good breathing techniques or in other words all the fundamentals of shooting are still important when shooting with a scope. The scope will NOT make up for any improper technique. In fact using a scope can worsen your score if you do not follow basic rifle practices. As an example with a 4.5 power scope at 600 yards the rifle will settle in with some movement noticeable. As the crosshair settles on the X-Ring I find myself struggling with trigger control as I can see movement that you will not see without optics. It tends to make me want to rush and pull through the first stage without stopping on the second stage.

Offhand:

I would prefer to shoot offhand without a scope. I was looking at some old scores I could average 95% back in the day without optics. Eventually I will be there with optics I just need to practice.

Sitting:

I like the Nightforce in sitting. It has a 10 minute circle as part of the reticle. As long as the black of the SR-1 target is within the circle you will shoot a 10 or an X. My problem is I try to refine the sight picture too much and end up dropping some 9s. I feel I am or will shoot better with the scope.

Prone rapid

For me this is where the scope starts to help. Seeing the target and crosshair clearly helps. With 70 seconds on the clock you can really refine your sight picture. I have cleaned this target with the scope and have shot some small groups off center due to position. On the 80 shot match I shot my first string was an 88 (would have been a 98 or 99 centered up), low right, bad position. I did not change windage or elevation and cleaned the second string. Again a scope will not make up for bad positions, mental mistakes, or just plain stupidity.

Slow Fire Prone

I really like the scope back here. My eyes are tired and that little post can be blurry on the front of a iron sighted rifle. The scope is sharp and clear as is the target. I have even picked up mirage changes through the scope, an added benefit.

The future:

I believe all records will fall to scoped rifles within the next 2 to 3 years if not sooner. All of the winners will be shooting scopes, and good scopes either March or Nightforce. I also believe eventually the NRA will change classification requirements or target sizes to compensate for the optics.

Again this my opinion having shot with and without optics. I am anxious to see how I will feel in a year.