Konrad's journal of Highpower Rifle Competition

"Mental Focus. Not Equipment Hocus Pocus."


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The 2013 Season

Date Location Standing Sitting Rapid
Prone
Slow
Prone
Aggregate
April 14 Bonfield 98-1 96-1 89-0 195-3 478-5 95.6%
April 28 Bonfield 97-2 99-5 100-5 199-9 495-21 99.0%
May 11 Bonfield 197-11 199-8 200-7 200-13 796-39 99.5%
May 18 Racine 190-2 200-9 198-9 198-11 786-31 98.3%
May 25 Lodi 96-2 100-9 99-5 195-9 490-25 98.0%
May 26 Lodi 183-3 197-6 198-6 393-16 971-31 97.1%
June 1 Milan 196-7 200-9 197-4 199-7 792-27 99.0%
June 9 Bonfield 96-1 100-5 98-3 199-11 493-20 98.6%
June 16 Racine 191-4 198-8 198-4 190-4 777-20 97.1%
July 14 Bonfield 96-0 99-3 97-0 199-7 491-10 98.2%
July 20 Van Meter 96-1 99-3 100-3 98-6 393-13 98.3%
July 20 Van Meter 95-1 99-3 97-3 197-6 488-13 97.6%
July 21 Van Meter 191-4 200-11 193-4 196-4 780-23 97.5%
July 29 Camp Perry 92-2 - 99-2 94-0 285-4 95.0%
July 30 Camp Perry 98-3 99-1 99-3 192-6 488-13 97.6%
August 1 Camp Perry 98-2 100-5 97-3 188-3 483-13 96.6%
August 4 Camp Perry 94-1 100-4 100-8 195-6 489-19 97.8%
August 5 Camp Perry 95-3 99-2 99-4 197-12 490-21 98.0%
August 7 Camp Perry 194-7 199-10 198-8 196-9 787-34 98.4%
August 8 Camp Perry 192-6 198-4 195-5 196-6 781-21 97.6%
August 9 Camp Perry 187-6 193-7 194-3 196-3 770-19 96.3%
August 31 Milan 190-2 199-10 199-8 198-4 786-24 98.3%
September 8 Bonfield 98-3 99-5 98-4 198-7 493-19 98.6%
September 21 Bonfield 193-3 199-5 199-10 197-10 788-28 98.5%
September 22 Bonfield 196-7 200-12 195-10 198-9 789-38 98.6%
October 6 Bonfield 196-5 199-8 200-8 199-10 794-31 99.3%



I skipped smallbore this season as it seemed like it was becoming too much work for the enjoyment I was getting out of it. The offseason actually felt good and I really got away from working on my shooting. Even my reloading was left until the last minute before the season started.

Towards the beginning of spring I was able to find enough time and motivation for some standing dry-firing. The sessions weren't very long but I was able to feel my way back into some kind of position. I didn't really bother with the sling-supported positions but that seems to be the case every year.

The weather this spring has been pretty bad with cold temperatures and rain. This morning was pretty chilly but got warmer as the day went on. I felt very detached from my shooting and really didn't get into it as much as I could have.

Offhand: 98-1
Sitting: 96-1
Rapid Prone: 89-0
Slow Prone: 195-3
Aggregate: 478-5

We had light rain right before the match so the air had a chill to it with some haze and temperatures in the 50's. The most significant part was the heavy overcast which made things dark through the aperture. One thing I couldn't get over was how easy the performance came today. Not easy in a way that I was detached from my shooting. I was still focused on what I was doing and executing consciously. But easy in a way that I didn't feel like I had to struggle for the scores.

Offhand: 97-2
Sitting: 99-5
Rapid Prone: 100-5
Slow Prone: 199-9
Aggregate: 495-21

It was a chilly and overcast morning as I set up my computer, printer, and the rest of my stuff to take registrations and hand out squadding. While a coat may not have been needed, a heavy sweatshirt certainly was. I missed shooting last week because I thought the match was going to be rained out so I was eager to get going today. My expectation was for a good score provided the conditions cooperated.

Offhand: 197-11
Sitting: 199-8
Rapid Prone: 200-7
Slow Prone: 200-13
Aggregate: 796-39


Our spring continues to have temperatures lower than normal. While the day started with some overcast the sun broke through but didn't really warm the air until the match was over. The breeze was in our faces for most of the day but so was the sun. The range faces east so the morning's stages had a lot of brightness which made the target difficult to see.

Offhand: 190-2
Sitting: 200-9
Rapid Prone: 198-9
Slow Prone: 198-11
Aggregate: 786-31

Team match this morning and it was chilly. We are almost into June and the weather feels like March.

Offhand: 96-2
Sitting: 100-9
Rapid Prone: 99-5
Slow Prone: 195-9
Aggregate: 490-25

Despite the morning's cool temperatures at least the sky was clear. Today was a little warmer than yesterday with rain forecast for the afternoon. We almost got the whole match in but it started raining for the final relay.

Slow Prone: 195-9
Slow Prone: 198-7
Rapid Prone: 198-6
Offhand: 183-3
Sitting: 197-6
Aggregate: 971-31

Today was our state highpower championship. I had been practicing some standing this week because I felt that if I could get through that stage I was shooting well enough in the others to do fine. The sky was overcast and we actually had a little breeze in the morning where usually it is pretty calm. The biggest distraction though was all the gnats. Because of the wet spring lots of these things were flying around and they seemed to prefer the firing lines.

Offhand: 196-7
Sitting: 200-9
Rapid Prone: 197-4
Slow Prone: 199-7
Aggregate: 792-27


My allergies were letting know they were there today. It was also the first match of the year where I could just wear a t-shirt. Rain had been moving through the area but we stayed dry.

Offhand: 96-2
Sitting: 100-5
Rapid Prone: 98-3
Slow Prone: 199-11
Aggregate: 493-20

It had rained the night before and there was still a lot of moisture in the air and grass. This made for humid conditions but otherwise it was a very nice day to shoot. I probably should have brought more water with me as I wasn't feeling very good by the end of the day.

Offhand: 191-4
Sitting: 198-8
Rapid Prone: 198-4
Slow Prone: 190-4
Aggregate: 777-20
I have mixed feelings about the month long break we have at the end of June and beginning of July. If I really wanted to I could find matches to shoot but I kind of like being able to focus on other things. On the other hand getting back to shooting today almost felt foreign. It was a warm day with a lot of humidity and not much breeze. I should have hydrated more but I almost forgot what its like to be on a rifle range.
Offhand: 96-0
Sitting: 99-3
Rapid Prone: 97-0
Slow Prone: 199-7
Aggregate: 491-10
Temperatures weren't as high today as they have been in the past for this tournament. It was still warm though, with plenty of moisture in the air. This morning's team match would be 10 shots in each of the 4 stages.
Offhand: 96-1
Sitting: 99-3
Rapid Prone: 100-3
Slow Prone: 98-6
Aggregate: 393-13

The Leg matches that I shoot are getting few and far between. It is good to remember how to stand up for rapid fires and confirm the routine for doing so.
Offhand: 95-1
Sitting: 99-3
Rapid Prone: 97-3
Slow Prone: 197-6
Aggregate: 488-13

Today would be cooler than yesterday but wetter. Some thunderstorms were moving through the area and we were rained on a couple of times. Despite this we were able to get through the match without any major delays.
Offhand: 191-4
Sitting: 200-11
Rapid Prone: 193-4
Slow Prone: 196-4
Aggregate: 780-23

This is a pretty busy time of year for me. I drive back from Van Meter, run a Leg match and Regional, and then drive to Camp Perry. All of this while I'm making sure I have all my stuff packed for two weeks of shooting and staying in a hut. I don't know what this year's Nationals will hold. My scores started strong but have dropped off since June. I'll just have to try my best and trust my experience.

 

Some unusual cool weather for the President's rifle match. I wore my sweatshirt while scoring and on the assembly line and I wished I had another layer. The breeze kept things chilly as well. I was on target 146 on Viale which is probably the highest I have ever been on this range.
Offhand: 92-2
Rapid Prone: 99-2
Slow Prone: 94-0
Aggregate: 285-4

Today we had great weather to shoot. Warmer than yesterday as well as calm for most of the day.
Offhand: 98-3
Sitting: 99-1
Rapid Prone: 99-3
Slow Prone: 192-6
Aggregate: 488-13

After the individual matches it is time to shoot the team matches. Another cool day but sunny and pleasant.
Offhand: 98-2
Sitting: 100-5
Rapid Prone: 97-3
Slow Prone: 188-3
Aggregate: 483-13

We had a breeze blowing across the range this morning. It wasn't all that bad but more than you might expect for early in the morning. It calmed down when we started shooting but was still present for standing.
Offhand: 94-1
Sitting: 100-4
Rapid Prone: 100-8
Slow Prone: 195-6
Aggregate: 489-19

This was the team match and I had an enjoyable day shooting.
Offhand: 95-3
Sitting: 99-2
Rapid Prone: 99-4
Slow Prone: 197-12
Aggregate: 490-21

We had some rain in the forecast and the skies were cloudy. While we stayed pretty dry all day, the overcast sky kept things kind of dark through the sights.
Offhand: 194-7
Sitting: 199-10
Rapid Prone: 198-8

Everyone was really waiting for the forecasted storm to arrive. The morning skies were dark but the rain didn't come until early afternoon. We had to clear the range so I went back to my hut. We came back and shot sitting and 600.
Offhand: 192-6
Sitting: 198-4
Slow Prone: 196-9

The dark and overcast skies have become the theme at Camp Perry this year. We stayed dry today but the wind was pretty strong.
Sitting: 193-7
Rapid Prone: 195-3
Slow Prone: 196-6

The weather finally cleared for my last day at Camp Perry. At this point I am eager to get home especially after not shooting very well.
Offhand: 187-6
Rapid Prone: 194-3
Slow Prone: 196-3
Aggregate: 2338-74

 

This state championship is usually pretty stressful for me. It's a long drive, I have to run the weekend, and try to perform as best as I can. This year I had such a disappointing Camp Perry that I wasn't quite sure how I would do here. Once I start shooting though those thoughts tend to melt away and it is just me and the rifle. Things weren't helped when I arrived at the range and I realized I left my spotting scope and mat at home. Oh, well. I'll just have to mooch off someone else.

Offhand: 190-2
Sitting: 199-10
Rapid Prone: 199-8
Slow Prone: 198-4
Aggregate: 786-24

 

A very pleasant day to shoot. Overcast and not too hot.
Offhand: 98-3
Sitting: 99-5
Rapid Prone: 98-4
Slow Prone: 198-7
Aggregate: 493-19

 

We are getting towards the end of the outdoor shooting season and the weather can sometimes be ugly. But not today as is was very pleasant, sunny, and a great day to shoot.
Offhand: 193-3
Sitting: 199-5
Rapid Prone: 199-10
Slow Prone: 197-10
Aggregate: 788-28

 

Today was even nicer than yesterday. Great weather and blue skies for the team match.
Offhand: 196-7
Sitting: 200-12
Rapid Prone: 195-10
Slow Prone: 196-9
Aggregate: 789-38

 

It had rained overnight and there was plenty of moisture on the range. The cool temperatures reminded me that the season is over and autumn is here.
Offhand: 196-5
Sitting: 199-8
Rapid Prone: 200-8
Slow Prone: 199-10
Aggregate: 794-31

 

End of season reflections

 

 

What I really noticed about this year is where, during the season, I was doing my best shooting. I started off pretty well and shot some good scores all the way into June. Things trailed off a bit once I got into July and I had a lackluster Camp Perry. Once back home though my scores came back up and the performances, while not great, were pretty solid. Statistically, 2013 was my best year ever as far as aggregate scores go. Despite this I wish I could have performed better at the Nationals.