Czechnologist
Concerned Citizen
- Mar 9, 2016
- 6,531
Last Sunday, I invited a fellow-MDS'er to come shoot MPC's monthly .22 silhouette match (aka Critters) with me here in Frederick. I'd been wanting to try it for a while, even though my set-up isn't exactly the greatest for standing, unsupported shooting.
Some perspective with help from my lovely assistant: they're 1/5th scale steel silhouette targets engaged from a standing, unsupported shooting position at 15 meters (chickens), 20 meters (pigs), 30 meters (turkeys), and 40 meters (rams). Ten targets each. You get 4 minutes and ten rounds to shoot all 10 targets off the rack. Floppers are a 5 second penalty.
The day before the match, I went out to the range and took a few practice shots to see if I could even hit them with my Anschutz 1710. I had previously only been shooting off a bench and a bipod since it's mainly set-up for long range hunting and plinking. I didn't have any problems with my zero but, oh man, it is one heavy beast to hold steady for 10 consecutive shots at those little targets.
OTOH, Cowpokey's Anschutz 1712 was much better suited, and his scores reflected that. I did OK for my very first Critters Match but, clearly, this match is best shot with a lightweight carbine and a lower powered optic. Fun as heck, though! There were a few 10/22's, a CZ 457 Scout (with iron sights!) and a couple of Savages in addition to our Anschutz's. Heat was brutal. By the third relay, I felt like I was melting and sat-out the 4th relay to cool-off.