2015 NWPRL Finale

The 6.5 Guys were fortunate enough to be invited to compete at the 2015 Northwest Precision Rifle League Finale held at North Central Washington Gun Club. This was an invitation only match where shooters from participating clubs in the PNW were invited based on their performance over the past year.

The match consisted of 12 stages held over two days in a field match environment. With the exception of tripods, there were no equipment restrictions.

In over video, we provide an overview of each stage and share some of our observations. We will further elaborate on our observations and conclusions below and invite other shooters to share their takeaways by posting a comment below.

Strong side not the best side

There were several stages where left handed shooters were at a distinct disadvantage. In our training article we discuss the importance of learning to shoot weak side and the left handed shooter may have done better on certain stages had they elected to do so. However, leaving the comfort of a strong side position for a potentially better result shooting weak side is easier said than done. Looking back at Day 1 Stage #3 (Tank Trap), there was no way to prone out on one of the legs and shoot left handed. A left handed shooter would have to kneel resulting in less steady position. Similarly, Day 1 Stage #6 (Trailer Trash) really favored the right handed shooter.

Strategy

We’re starting to see situations where assuming a position to hit one target might put you in a bad position to hit the other targets. Such was the case on Day 1 Stage #1 (Wheat Field Shooter). If you used a sitting or kneeling position to hit the first target, you could have engaged the remaining targets in a similar manner. However, the remaining targets could have been shot from prone. In some cases it may have been better to take a Hail Mary shot at the first target from kneeling or standing and subsequently assume a prone position for the remainder of the shots.

Equipment

Don’t get too attached to any particular piece of equipment as it may not be allowed. In our case, we spent a lot of time practicing with our HOG Saddles to compensate for the rough an uneven terrain of a field match. We learned during the match briefing that tripods of any type could not be used.

Vehicle Shots

The first time we shot out of a vehicle was at this match. Vehicles show up at matches now and then, but not everybody has access to a junker vehicle that can be shot out of. However, it wouldn’t hurt to do some dry fire practice from your daily driver. Determine what position works for you particularly how you would rest the rifle (bipod on window sill vs rifle on window sill). Determine how the steering wheel can be used for support.

Finding Targets

There were several occasions where we could not find the targets and it gets really difficult if you are zoomed in. We’ve had subsequent discussions with top shooters and many of them try to avoid zooming in and out during a stage – i’ts wasted time. Instead, they stick with a  moderate power that gives them a good field of view. While everybody has their favorite magnification range, 15X seems to be a good compromise allowing for a good field of view and the ability to read the reticle.

While you are waiting to shoot, spend your time looking through your binoculars and going through the course of fire in your mind. When possible, view the targets from the same height that you will be shooting them from.

Mark Your Brass

It’s an extra effort, but if you mark your brass in a distinctive manner you will 1) Find more of it and 2) Avoid mixing your brass up with that of other competitors thereby compromising the integrity of your lot of brass. Ed marked his brass so distinctively that somebody came up to him at the end of the match with some of his brass.

Wobbly Barricades and Props

As illustrated on Day 2 Stage #2 (Connex), most of the barricades and props encountered at matches are a wobbly mess. We built our practice barricades with old world craftsmanship and as a result we’ve become used to shooting from a rock solid position. Our next “To Do” will involve the construction of more wobbly barricades utilizing a piece of 1/2″ plywood. We’re also going to practice utilizing our slings to give us more stability.

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