G'Day All,
As a SSAA BR shooter looking for something different, I decided to shoot FO with my .223 (built as a FS), dropped a Jewel HVR into it set at about 4oz and run either 75amaxes or 80gn SMK. I've had a ball and learnt a lot along the way.
Your right though, traditionalists do not like shooters from left field who front up and start shooting reasonably well. Its all a bit non-conformist and something they cannot control or perhaps understand. I've seen the nonsense down sth first hand, so I tend not to worry about it, its not my problem but those who create the fuss who have the problem. As more shooters find out about the challenge of shooting 1/2moa out to 1000yds and how cheaply you can start, especially through forums like this, they will come. We just have to perservere and keep spreading the FO word as loudly and as far reaching as we can. Like any good pioneering missionary we will get ambushed or set upon......sh*t happens just dont let 'em wreck your enjoyment along the way.
After the last shoot I attended I asked if it were possible to shoot regularly at the club concerned and was (surprisingly and pleasantly) cordially invited to shoot with the club and even have FO targets available to shoot on. Given the invite, I'll definately shoot there when shiftwork allows and go with an open mind to learn as much as I can about LR shooting, while maybe pushing the FO discipline along a bit. It may be a coming together of minds.......time will tell.
As to being a lefty, I too have shot RH rifles off my left shoulder for many years in BR, varminting and FO. It is imho one of the fastest ways to shoot, so all you RH shooters listen up and start looking for a LH rifle.
Think about it; you can see the loading port which is crucial to eye hand co-ordination for smooth feeding the next round into the chamber, your trigger hand controls the rifle at all times, your other hand operates the opens bolt and reloads the rifle. I use the trigger hand thumb to flick the open bolt forward (pushing along the bolt centreline to avoid binding) and the other hand locks it closed. The only thing faster for me is my left handed, right load port, left eject BAT BR rifle!
Anyway keep spreading the gospel that is FO and do not be deterred! More importantly, just have fun; anyone having fun just has to be onto a good thing, right?
Cheerio Ned
) and had a good result in the Pro Cal Fly this year. Before the new scope, the rifle had cost me all of 2 grand. I've beaten shooters whos action was worth more than my whole setup on a regular basis. You don't need the best of everything to be competitive, though it is nice to have.
