blaster113 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Just wondering how many majors the average self sponsored shooter like me attends each year. In 2011 I shot Area 1, the Open and Limited Nationals, and Area 2. This year I only made it to Area 1 and the Limited Nationals. Its damn expensive for me just to make it to the nearest matches in Areas 1 and 2 cause I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Crossing my fingers but I'd like to shoot Area 1 (if I can get in), Limited Nationals (same, if can get a slot) and Area 2 next year. also curious how many majors the sponsored shooters attend. Its a given that the top GM's probably shoot every single Area match, but I realize there's different levels of sponsorship. I'm so jealous of you guys who can load their shit, jump into their own personal car and drive to a match even if its several hours away. Hate flying but love shooting in different places (especially Las Vegas ), and the whole major match thing. wish I started shooting majors earlier. Edited October 24, 2012 by blaster113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38SuperDub Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I did 9 this year. Next year I'm going to find the 4-5 baddest majors and do those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norther Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hawaii and Alaska have the same travel problems. I went to the SS Nats this year, my first and only major match. Next year, if I can get in, I plan to hit the SS Nats, revolver nats, and A1. I'm going to start working them (starting with area 1) to help with the bills a little, and to get into the sport more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdphotoguy Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) I shot 3 this year, would have been 4, but had to drop out of 1. Probably do the same number next year and like bsdubois00, will be very selective on those 3 or 4, as it's not cheap. Edited October 24, 2012 by jdphotoguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) I did 9 this year. Next year I'm going to find the 4-5 baddest majors and do those. Wow, 9! I'd love to do that much. Told my wife I'm going to hit every single Area match the year after I retire, don't care how much its going to cost. the thought of working the matches crossed my mind, but don't have my confidence up yet as I just got my RO certification. way too new as an RO to work a major. Edited October 24, 2012 by blaster113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dover0020 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I shot 7 this past year. I hope to shoot about the same amount this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remoandiris Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 the thought of working the matches crossed my mind, but don't have my confidence up yet as I just got my RO certification. way too new as an RO to work a major. Nonsense. You won't be on the stage alone. Usually at least one other experienced RO or CRO will be there with you. If you wait to get the experience, you will never get the experience. Working a major is a very good way to build on the class. Yes, you will make mistakes, but the experienced guys and RM you work with will help you learn from them. At an area match I worked last year I had a CRO who worked several Nats try to convince me he was right and I was wrong. Well, he was wrong, not me. Just saying even experienced ROs/CROs make mistakes and need to listen to other's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Taliani Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 This year I shot: Ohio State Sectional (also worked) Western PA Sectional (also worked) Area 5 Indiana State Sectional Indiana Production/Single Stack/Revolver (This coming weekend) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avezorak Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I usually do a couple per year. I shot Space City and Area 4 in 2011 and Doubletap and TX Limited this year. Probably doing TX Open, Doubletap and Space City next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 the thought of working the matches crossed my mind, but don't have my confidence up yet as I just got my RO certification. way too new as an RO to work a major. You're not too new. The RM's at major matches are smart. They won't just throw you out there and see what happens. They'll pair you up with more experienced people. I got RO-certified the same month I started shooting uspsa (last march), and worked LPR nationals this year. While I tried to RO a bunch at local matches, I still felt pretty green at the start of the nats. But our stage had 4 RO's, one of whom is a certified rangemaster, another who has worked a zillion nationals, and I learned a lot pretty fast, and got to apply it right away. The 2nd day I got to run the timer for the production supersquad. I would STRONGLY encourage you to sign up to RO at a major. Not only will you save some money, but you'll learn the right way, from the most experienced people in the business. It will help your shooting and your RO-ing tremendously. I would say it should be a priority for a new RO to work a major match as soon as possible, before you forget stuff, or learn bad habits. There's no better way to gain *correct* experience. In response to the original question, as a recreational shooter hoping to make B and then A, I plan on shooting 2-3 majors a year the next couple years. Right now only planning on going to matches I can drive to, and planning to RO the matches where I can, both to keep expenses down, and to learn, and to give back to the sport. All my life I've enjoyed the benefits of other people's volunteer work (racing bicycles and motorcycles). The great thing about shooting is you can often help out *and* compete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhop Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 9 so far. I will plan better for next year and try to get in a couple more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 11 between IDPA, USPSA and Bianchi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 11 between IDPA, USPSA and Bianchi. Adding IDPA 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 One!!! Man you guys are lucky to be shooting that many majors, must be fun, but expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Between the cost of the matches getting redickulous $ 150 for a state match is crazy! Then traval ( gas food ans room ) we must be outta our heads? I end up dropping $500 plus per match easy. Edited October 24, 2012 by a matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38SuperDub Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I decided a long time ago - shooting 9 - 10 majors a year is still cheaper than a wife :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Very smart man u are.. And I'm in deep with an 8 yr old girl. She is worth it. But that expense makes shooting look like darts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I shot 9 this year. Past years I have shot anywhere from 8-10, so 9 is a good average for me. This year I shot 5 State matches (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Alabama, and W. PA), 2 Areas (A5 & A6) 1 Open Nationals, and 1 other (Sparta Open). The ability to drive to a major match certainly helps defray the cost, since airline tickets are expensive and you can't split the cost with anyone else, but obviously that depends on where you live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawboy Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I shot three: Oregon Open, Idaho Open, Golden Bullet. Next year I plan to shoot: SS Nationals, WSSSC, Area 1, Oregon Open, Idaho Open. That is going to strain the budget considerably! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Between the cost of the matches getting redickulous $ 150 for a state match is crazy! Then traval ( gas food ans room ) we must be outta our heads? I end up dropping $500 plus per match easy. Up until earlier this year I had been racing dirtbikes for the previous 10-11 years. Shooting is so much cheaper it's not even funny. Even cheaperer if I work the match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a matt Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) I raced for 17 years MX & SX, a few (five)wrist surgeries later I had to hang up my helmet. A gun cost as much as a CR 450. About the same, if you can get tru a season with one bike. less hospital visits. Edited October 24, 2012 by a matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) The travel expense is the biggest limiting factor in how many majors I make it to. Plus I hate flying so I look for Level III matches in the West half of the US. Airline tickets are a minimum of $400-500 round trip to the West Coast/Vegas, and that increases the further east you go. Then you have hotel and rental car costs, etc. add in the match fee and the cost of practice ammo and it gets real expensive. my goal is to make it to at least 3 a year. Edited October 24, 2012 by blaster113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Stoeger Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 I did 9 majors this year, I would like to step it up next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HI5-O Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Same boat as blaster113. I'd like to do three at year but can get by with two. This year all I'll be doing (have done) are Area 1 and Open Nationals. Next year, looking to do Area 1; Area 2; Double Tap and Open Nationals. Alternate would be an area match in the middle of the US so my wife can tag along to someplace we have never been to. Costs add up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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