Recommendations for 1st competition?

[SP0One]

I've been into shooting for the last 5 years or so but have never attempted any formal type of competition and very interested in doing so. Does anyone have any recommendations for a novice shooter trying to get their feet in the door in this world? Any help would be appreciated.

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]

[coelacanth]

In today's market if you have enough ammunition and/or components to be able to compete and still have enough of a reserve to cover emergencies you are very fortunate - or very forward thinking.   

[Brlux]

I have done the Tuesday night steel challenge competition at RIo a few times and find it very fun and eye opening. Moving and having to remember the proper sequence of targets to hit is a whole different thing for casually standing and shooting a target.

[Bill Poole]

I just saw this post!

The formal shooting sports are like the ball sports there are 100 different styles and they differ as much as ping pong differs from Rugby.

I classify the shooting sports into two major "personalities": Precision/Bullseye and Dynamic/Action/practical

basically the first you are scored on accuracy - how close you are to the center, usually with generous time limits.
the second, you are scored on speed - a timer from the beep till your last shot, usually with generous target size.

The first includes the classic NRA/CMP shoots like Bullseye Pistol, High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle and all the olympic rifle pistol events fit into the first. Paper targets with a circular aiming black and scoring rings.
The second includes all the things we call "practical" shooting: Pistol, 2-gun, 3-gun, Pistol Cal Carbine, cowboy action, icore, etc.
NRL/PRS "precision" grew out of practical, so there are huge time pressures but tiny targets and your score is hit count, not time. so it combines both.

Other hit-count events like Metallic Silhouette I'd put in the "precision" column.

The shotgun sports (trap/skeet/sporting clays) are different still since the target moves, but they are hit-count not time.

I'd recommend you go watch a bunch of matches and youtube videos. Check the websites for the 2 clubs (https://phoenixrodandgun.org/, https://www.rsscaz.com/ and the landless clubs that use Ben Averyhttps://www.azgfd.com/Shooting/BASF/ such as http://www.desertsharpshooters.com/ ) and see what's going on this weekend (or this evening)

figure out what appeals to your personality (I'm slow, so I like the precision stuff) what equipment you have (some shoots like IDPA are perfect for what you likely have, other events such as F-class, USPSA, benchrest, the top competitors have really optimized the equipment needs.) Some of the clubs have loaner guns available.

Some clubs have beginner's classes, PRGC bullseye pistol is this weekend, 19-Sep, not sure if there's still time to sign up or not. Rio runs CMP style high power clinics.

I have a website with a lot of info about the NRA/CMP/Olympic precision sports:
http://arizona-rifleshooting.com/

I've tried almost everything. I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have

shoot good, welcome to the sport!

Poole

[ArizonaGunOwners.com]