Train Ups, and getting rid of the excuses. Get out and shoot! 
We have all been there at some point. Watching the videos and pictures popping up on your social media feeds, searching YouTube, waiting for someone in the background to call out “IMPACT!” All the while thinking to ourselves “Man that looks like fun,” and then the excuses start rolling into our brains because it’s new to us, we don’t know what to expect and let’s face it, it’s just down right intimidating thinking about showing up to a Precision Rifle Match and shooting next to some of these people we are watching.
Pikes Peak Precision Rifle Club has started to help overcome these factors and get new shooters some exposure to the sport as well as tons of advice and pointers to help new people looking to get into PRS shooting comfortable and most of all excited about shooting matches.
The (now annual) Pikes Peak Precision Rifle Train Up is something that started in 2018 and the club decided to do it again in November 2019. 8-12 of some of the best PRS shooters in the Front Range area of Colorado volunteer their time, equipment and knowledge for a day on the range. The range is set up exactly how you may find it showing up to a match. Tank traps, rooftops, tires, barrels, steel as far as you can see and further and some amazing rifles out for display and demo. For the $30-$50 entry fee this is one of the best ways you can get some great exposure to the sport.
You don’t have an $8,000 rifle set up chambered in the newest and hottest caliber? That’s ok! Bring that old Rem 700 .308 Win. Bring a .223 gas gun. Now some of you are thinking “Well I have been shooting my whole life and I think I’m pretty good.” I was in that boat as well. But I decided to eat my slice of humble pie and go check it out. Wow, was I wrong. I promise you are going to learn more than you could imagine regardless of what you are shooting or how much experience you may have in other shooting disciplines
Each instructor takes on a “stage” to explain, demo and teach how to shoot. They walk you through the barricade, your targets, positions, timing and probably most importantly for some new shooters, getting your DOPE. Every stage the instructors work with you individually and help you learn as much as possible that day. They let you use their gear to shoot stages if needed. Shooting bags, tripods, spotting scopes and even their personal rifles sometimes.
The best part about it is every single one of them genuinely wants to be there and enjoys doing it. These instructors are basically giving you the tips and tricks of the trade that it took them years and thousands of dollars to figure out and they are happy about it. This to me is what the shooting sports industry is all about. Passing on the knowledge you have, getting more people involved in shooting and having a great time doing it.
I had the pleasure of shooting with a brand-new shooter to PRS very recently at a regional match and he had some great things to say about his experience on the club FB page afterwards.
“I just wanted to say thank you for an awesome match and all the help I got today. It was pretty intimidating for me to get out there at first, but everyone there today made it an inviting and welcoming experience. I learned way more than I expected and had more fun shooting today than I’ve had in a long time. Thank you all for the great first experience! I’m definitely going to be coming more!”
“Ps. I wanted to also give a big thank you to everyone in my group for letting me borrow all the equipment needed, the advice and being super welcoming to new shooters.” Tim S.
But the Train up has already happened this year, or the club that’s near me doesn’t have a train up day you’re thinking. That’s ok too. Get out to a local/regional match with a rifle, about 100 rounds and some DOPE for your rifle if you have it. Let the Match Director know you are new to PRS and you will most likely have an experienced shooter or shooters helping you out the rest of the day. And also offering up some of their gear for you to use and try throughout the day. Ask questions, listen and watch how people are shooting a stage. This gives you all the ammo you need when you get back to your range to start practicing. One of the most impressive things I have experienced in the PRS world is that the people are willing to help new shooters at the drop of a hat.
Tim Robinson- POI Sr Reviewer