For Friday the Thirteenth — How to avoid train wrecks in competition

October 13th, 2020For Friday the 13, How to Avoid Train Crashes in CompetitionToday it is Friday the 13. If you are superstitious, you might want to avoid climbing ladders or playing the stock exchange today. Most of these “bad luck” incidents are the result of a failure to anticipate a problem. If you encounter a serious, critical issue at a shooting event, such as a. A “train wreck” can ruin your weekend. Bryan Litz, Ballistics Guru, talks about how to avoid “train wrecks”, even if you’re shooting on Friday 13th. How to Avoid “Train Wrecks”, In CompetitionYou must avoid any major mistakes that could ruin your day or match. Bryan Litz, a former F-TR National Mid-Range & Long Range Champion, talks about “Train Wrecks” in this article. Bryan Litz explains how to avoid “train wrecks” (such as equipment failures), which can ruin an entire match. Urban Dictionary “Train Wrecks” Definition: “A complete @#$&! Disaster… the type that makes you shake your head.Bryan Litz, Applied Ballistics LLC.Success at long-range competitions depends on many factors. Competitors are often detail-oriented and focus on the little things that could give them an advantage. Consistency is a universal principle of successful shooting. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for shooters to lose sight of the bigger picture. The shooter who has the highest average score over a period of time, and often without winning a single match, is the tournament champion. You can win tournaments even if your performance is not stellar, but you cannot win a tournament if it’s a train wreck. Train wrecks are defined differently by different shooters. Train wrecks can be anything from a miss to a 3/4-MOA change in wind zero, depending on what kind of shooting you do. Below is a list with suggestions for avoiding common Shooting Match Train Crashes. Cross-Firing. Cross-firing is the fastest and most common method to ruin your score (and any hope of winning a competition) by destroying it. You can improve your odds by being aware of your target numbers on each shot. Sling shooters should establish their Natural Point of Aim and ensure that it does not shift during the course of your fire. You’ll automatically return to your target if you do this correctly, without having to check each time. This is something you should do anyway, but the chance of a cross-fire is an additional incentive to pay attention to this fundamental. Pay attention to the way the rifle recoils and where the crosshairs land when shooting F-Class. If your crosshairs are always to the right, adjust your bipod or hold. Or, simply move backwards each time you shoot. Also, consider your scope. If you run your scope at super high magnification, the number board may not be visible in the scope’s field of view. This can increase the risk of cross firing. Equipment Failure. Equipment failures can be many and varied. They range from loose sight fasteners to broken bipods to barrels with a high round count that suddenly “go South” (to name a few). Mechanical components can fail. It is best to think about the critical failure points, monitor wear on these parts, and keep spares available. An ounce of preventative action can save a train wreck. If you run hot loads, ask yourself if that extra 20 fps will be worth blowing up 10 bullets (10 points), sticking the bolt (DNF), and worse, injuring yourself or someone else. [Editor’s note: The 2016 F-Class Nationals use electronic targets, so pit duties will not be required. The following advice is applicable to matches with conventional targets. 3. Scoring/Pit Malfunction. It’s a good idea to do things to ensure you receive fair treatment from your pit puller and scorer, even if it has nothing to do with your shooting technique. Try to get the other people on your target to recognize you as the shooter they are pulling for. It’s best to refrain from telling Obama jokes if you know your scorer is a Democrat before you record. It may not be wise to shoot too quickly if your pit worker is elderly. This could result in a missed shot (by the pit worker) or a need to call for a score. Slowing down by a second or so between shots could prevent a five-minute delay, and possibly an undeserved missed shot. Wind Issues. Many trains are derailed by tricky winds. There’s much to be said about wind strategies. Here’s a tip on how to handle a worst-case scenario. You don’t need to start the fire immediately when you hear “Commence Fire”. Wait if the wind is blowing a sailor’s hat when your time begins. You have 30 minutes to fire a string of slow long-range fire. If you hurry, you might only need 10 minutes with average pit service. You have three times more time than you need. Let everyone else go through the storm, and then look for a time window that is not as adverse. This is a risk. Conditions could worsen if you wait. Here is where judgement comes into play. You have many options to manage your time. Keep an eye on the clock. Saving rounds in slow fire matches is a costly, embarrassing train wreck. Be mindful of your physical health. Most shooters will alter their normal habits of eating, sleeping, drinking alcohol, etc., when traveling to shooting matches. These disruptions can have a negative impact on your body, your ability to shoot or even think clearly. You might as well plan for daily train wrecks if you’re used a job that keeps you indoors and eats salads in air-conditioned breaks, and then travel to a rifle match where you have to be on your feet in 90-degree heat, drink beer, and eat greasy food. Arrive the night before the match, and you can get a good sleep. Never lose sight of the bigger picture. Remember, all the little enhancements can’t make up for one big train wreck! Remember that all the little improvements can’t compensate for a big train wreck.Similar posts:Tags Bryan Litz, F Class, Friday 13th. Mental Game. Reloading. Train Wrecks. Wind Reading.