March 11, 2023. There are many competitive shooting disciplines for centerfire rifles, including High Power, F Class, silhouette, short-range and long-range benchrest, as well as PRS (tactical). On any given weekend in the USA, there will be more “fun matches” than F-Class, registered benchesrest, and PRS events.
Harold Seagroves’ 3-time Hickory Ground Hog Match Winner RifleAt clubs all across the country, varmint fun shots (also known “groundhog matches”) have been growing in popularity every year. These matches are usually shot from the bench and involve paper targets, clay targets, steel “critter”, silhouettes, or a combination of paper targets and reactive targets. These matches are popular because you can shoot a variety of rifles and you don’t need to spend a lot to have fun. Rules are inclusive. Your rifle doesn’t have to be two ounces heavier than the others. The match fees are usually returned to shooters in cash prizes. The camaraderie is very high.
Forum member Danny Reever explained why groundhog matches are so appealing: “We don’t have a governing body or have to pay $50 per year to participate in matches. Although the rules may vary from one club to another, you can adapt. Your rifle or pistol must be built to conform to the rules of the clubs that you shoot. There is still a class that you can compete in if your rifle doesn’t conform to the rules. If your factory rifle does not conform to the rules, it may shoot in a custom category. If your custom rifle is not light enough to shoot in Light Custom (17 pounds or less), it can be shot in heavy custom class. Bring your F-Class or tactical rifle out to see if there is a class that you can shoot it. You can’t shoot in a club if you don’t agree with its rules. It’s not a big deal. There are no National records or Hall of Fame points. Only individual range records. The Hickory Ground Hog Shoot is a great place to shoot big matches with huge prizes. Many clubs also offer fun matches during the week that you can shoot for pure fun. The best thing about shooting in relaxed settings is that you don’t have time limitations and can shoot at any yardage. There is always a chance, because this sport isn’t over until every shot is fired. The host club receives all the entry money. However, a lot of the cash is returned to the shooters through prizes. Junior shooters often shoot at a reduced rate or for free. This reduces the financial burden on the family, which is a good thing in these difficult economic times. Low entry costs encourage young men to participate even if they don’t have $4000 rifles or the money.
There aren’t many wind flags to shoot at or to put up and take away. It is okay to have a few flags on the range, but it is still a varmint match. There are no pits to slow down the pace or spot shots. You are just as blind as everyone else if you can’t see your hits through the scope of your rifle or spotting scope. It’s what makes it exciting and sometimes frustrating. Bill Slattery holds the range record at my club. He shot a 147 with a 22BR 13 month ago. This was on a target with an 1.250 ten-ring at 200/300/500m. This record will be a lasting one. It shows that groundhog matches are a relaxed environment. Groundhog Matches shooters don’t judge other shooting disciplines or organizations. Some of us even cross over to compete in registered benchrest matches. We live too short so live and let live! So just have fun! “Fellow Forum members chimed:FdShuster “I have competed in our local groundhog matches for several decades now, have introduced many others to them, they all enjoy them and, most importantly, we continue to learn from them. Distances can be as close as 100 meters (with a 5/8?) 10 rings) up to 500 meters. With a 2? 10 ring. Wind, mirage and bullet trajectories all make them challenging. Unlike shooting for group, which can be anywhere on paper, they must be small in this game. There are three classes: Custom, Factory, and Hunter. Any rifle can fit in. Danny is right about the friendly attitudes. I’ve seen competitors go out the way to help someone else with a problem. “Mike C. “In Texas, we shoot at clay pigeons from 400 yards. We attach clay pigeons to target boards in three sizes: 60mm, 90mm and 108mm. You have 10 chances to break 8 clays. The time limit is seven minutes. These matches have been very popular. The Aggregate score of three of our matches in Utopia and San Angelo was used to award the Shooter of the Year Award. “40X Guy”: “After finishing my first year of groundhog matches, I would have to say that the average Joe can grab his Swift or his 25-06 or his 22-250 and rip some holes in papers. Everyone is having a great time, and it’s a group of like-minded people who all have shot chucks at one point or another. Even if you don’t win the match, you can still look at your target and say “darn, that chuck target has five hole in him at 400 yards and is dead” as well as the guy shooting a custom bench gun. Everyone fits in and everyone, 8 to 80, has a lot of fun! It’s addictive and will make you want to spend your hard-earned money!
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