Upcoming Competition - WIRC Postal Matches

Hi Everyone!

Like I said in the last few news briefs and at the range we will begin shooting our WIRC Postal targets in a few weeks.

First - What exactly is the Western Intercollegiate Rifle Conference (WIRC), and what is a "Postal"?

• The WIRC is the collegiate rifle conference that we participate in.  The WIRC consists of us and 13 other member teams from around the "midwest".
• A "Postal" match is a competition where we shoot the targets at our home range and then mail the targets into the match coordinator for scoring.
• The other type of competition we participate in is a "Shoulder to shoulder" match.  This is we either travel to someone else's range, or they travel to ours and we all shoot our targets in the same range.

The WIRC is a set of targets due at the end of every month and runs from October through February.  It consists of 20 shots in Prone, Standing and Kneeling (also referred to as a 3x20) Smallbore + 60 shots AirRifle.  We typically shoot postal targets for our October - January scores.   For February we travel to another school and shoot the finals / championship match in a shoulder to shoulder competition.  The host school this year has not been chosen yet, but the February competition on the weekend of February 25-27, 2022.

I strongly urge everyone to participate regardless of your ability at this point.  Not only are there awards for being the shooter with the highest score, but there are also handicap awards and awards for being the most improved.   BUT - you need to shoot all 5 matches to qualify for any awards.  I realize that a lot of you won't have the smallbore skill set necessary.  There's three ways we can handle this.   (Note: This is assuming we won't be allowed to have any additional range time).

• Use the next two range times and get ready.  Shoot the entire competition (Air & SB) on the 26th.
• Get a super high level overview of Smallbore 3 position next practice, shoot the competition on the 19th and 26th.
• Schedule time outside of our range times.  Get a high level dry-firing only introduction at a location off campus.

The only cost to participate in the postal portion is whatever your ammunition cost is.  For the travel competition in February, there will be a small travel cost.

Because this is a monthly competition and we need to mail our targets in, I will need everyone's targets shot by the last range day of the month.  Please plan to spend about 2-3 hours/night to shoot the targets and it will probably take two nights.  It can be done in one night but it will take all 4 hours.  If you want to do it in one night, plan to show up right at 6, and leave at 10.

Because this is a competition it must be shot under competition rules.  The big one being - once you start the Smallbore or AirRifle portion, you must complete it.   Failure to complete the course of fire after starting it will yield a "DNF" (Did Not Fire) for any remaining targets.  (Example: If you show up and shoot prone and standing but leave before keeling is shot, kneeling cannot be shot at a later time.)

1. Show up to the range.
2. Check in with me and let me know if you will be shooting Air Rifle, Smallbore, or both that evening.
3. You will be assigned a firing point.
4. Get your equipment and get set up.  I'll be getting your match targets ready.
5. At some point I will give you the match targets.  From there a timer starts.
6. At another point in time you will start firing.  Once you start you will have X minutes to shoot.  This X will include all prep and target change times.

This is going to be new to almost everyone.  It's been about 1.5 years since we've last shot a competition so things will be a little bit rusty.  I apologize in advance.  The first set of targets will be a bit hectic, but that's to be expected.  Everyone will be learning how things work.

If you are interested in participating in the *POSTAL* portion, please let me know.

If you have any questions about the above, please let me know.

Thanks,
Zach