Getting back in after a really long break / Walther KK500?

[Thomas_K]

Thanks for all the reading and good advice you've already provided.

I haven't shot seriously in 10 years+ I'm going to be 35 pretty quick.

I was pretty damn good as a kid and consistently in the top while in the Marines.
I'm strongly considering getting back in but I'm a little on the fence. If I do it then I'd like to really try to compete.

1) 20/20 eyes no issue there
2) 35, getting old? Does it matter?
3) I'm mostly in Austin. Any local suggestions?
4) Money.. I'm ok with the KK500, thinking what else I'll need to spend / 20 cents a round maybe?


If I decide to commit I could grab a Walther KK500. I should probably try one out or at least hold one to see first but it looks amazing from what I've read.
The big question for me is electronic trigger or not? Are there any competitions that it would be prohibited? I'm looking at 3 position and or prone 50m and likely not anything else.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

Thomas

[1813benny]

There are no smallbore competitions at which an electronic trigger is illegal. Between the electronic and mechanical, personally I would go with the mechanical setup. E-triggers, while around for some time, are still rather rare. I have been competing in smallbore prone and 3-position for over 30 years and I can remember seeing and handling ONE (1) over that entire period.

35 years old and good eyes....go for it!

If you are getting back into it, you will need a coat, glove, sling, mat and a spotting scope setup at a minimum. If you are thinking 3-p also, add in a set of pants, boots, boot trees, offhand stand and kneeling roll.

Not sure how much is in the Austin area. Lived just north of Houston for several years and the smallbore prone/3-position was lacking, but they are now running some matches in that area.
Regards
ken

[Jack S]

Thomas,

We actually have a strong smallbore program here in Houston. We shoot 3P, Prone, and Silhouette! Here is the 2017 match bulletin for our 3P program.

Come out and join us!

Jack Shada

[1813benny]

Jack,
I am happy to hear that a smallbore prone & position program at Bayou Rifles is picking up and running matches, etc.

Best Regards
ken

PS - not intending to hijack the thread!

[RobB]

35 - Definitely not too old. I left it close to 35 years after shooting at University (UK) before picking up a rifle again 4.5 years ago. I'm now 50. Some of the top county level shooters in the UK are 65+.

KK-500 - I've had one since last May. Mechanical trigger. Love it and my averages, especially at 50m have gone up. I haven't tried the electronic trigger so can only comment on the mechanical, it's perfect for me. I've had no regrets replacing my Anschutz 1813 with it. My son now shoots the 1813. The loading port is much closer and allows your right elbow to stay in place to reload. No tilting over to get the next round in.

Make sure you get a jacket that fits well.

[gwsb]

35? Really that old? You have no chance yet.

When Mike Anti was 40 he won Silver in the 04 Athens Olympics and finished 9th in 08. Lones Wigger won Gold in 300 M 3p in the 72 Munich Olympics at 35.

While no where near their level I never started shooting well until I was 30. I shot my first national record at 35. You can shoot smallbore ,especially prone, at a championship level into your 60s or even 70s.

[Thomas_K]

Thanks for all the great replies. It's going to be a few months but I think I'll get back in to this.
First stop is going to be Bayou to take a look around. I was hoping for something closer but I could potentially fly from Austin to West Houston Airport which is right next door.

I'm going to dig in to the mechanical vs electrical. I hate things breaking I can't fix myself but it might be the way to go.

I won't bother asking the easy questions I can read up on. Where to get a jacket etc.

Thomas.

[atomicbrh]

This may not be a popular suggestion here on targettalk but I would look into shooting Smallbore and Air Rifle Silhouette before you spend money on the KK500. Reasons are that you have a very nice Silhouette club right there in Austin instead of the need to fly to Houston and one of the top Silhouette rifle builders(Mark Pharr) is also local to you in Round Rock. At 35, Silhouette might fill the desire to shoot in competition that you still have. All standing position in the wind and the quality of the ammo does not have to be quite as good as the ammo needed for prone and 3P. Thus, the ammo will not be as expensive. You are in the middle of Silhouette country. I would take advantage of that.
Here is a link. steelchickens.com

[Thomas_K]

This may not be a popular suggestion here on targettalk but I would look into shooting Smallbore and Air Rifle Silhouette before you spend money on the KK500. Reasons are that you have a very nice Silhouette club right there in Austin instead of the need to fly to Houston and one of the top Silhouette rifle builders(Mark Pharr) is also local to you in Red Rock. At 35, Silhouette might fill the desire to shoot in competition that you still have. All standing position in the wind and the quality of the ammo does not have to be quite as good as the ammo needed for prone and 3P. Thus, the ammo will not be as expensive. You are in the middle of Silhouette country. I would take advantage of that.
Here is a link. steelchickens.com

Thanks, I'll check out steelchickens cutting the commute out and saving money both sound great. I've always been terrible at standing and killed kneeling and prone. That's the big reason I was just going to do prone.
That said, in my city and cheaper I'll give it a shot.

[atomicbrh]

I edited my post changing from "Red Rock" to "Round Rock"; the city just north of Austin. I meant Round Rock.

[atomicbrh]

It was announced this weekend that the Texas State Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Championship will be held in Austin, TX. in 2018. The Texas Championships are always well attended.