Rifle at AFA

Shawn

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
164
From what I am aware, all three big SA's have a D1 precision smallbore team but I have not seen a single thread concerning rifle at the academies.

I've shot competitively since the age of 8, starting out with BB-gun and then moving up to Sporter air rifle when I turned 15 (Sporter = gun~ $500; no equipment besides glove). I further honed in on my shooting ability when I joined my school's JROTC marksmanship team. However, we only shoot 3-Position sporter air rifle, not precision. Consequently, I have little experience with precision air rifle or smallbore.

My scores in 3P sit around 545 (3x20), or a 272/273 (3x10). I've achieved national distinction in several postals/matches. This past weekend I went to a state match and talked with a man whose son is attending the USMA. He informed me that the USMA does not even consider sporter scores and thus has no weight on ones application. I was counting on my marksmanship ability to weigh in on my overall application (if that is even possible) but from what it looks like, my chances on going to the AFA to shoot is slim. While my desire to shoot in college is strong, my desire to become an officer is stronger... so my priorities are straight:thumb:

It should go without saying that the transition from sporter to precision is, for the most part, painless -- scores should only rise. But if it comes down to it, I will immediately start shooting precision (I have the gear and access to rifles) so I can toss it into my application this upcoming fall. But my question is: are my scores even decent enough to be considered as-is? If anyone could give me some insight on what I should be doing, that would be fantastic. My apologies for the lengthy post.

Thanks in advance:thumb:
Shawn
Class of 2016
 
Contact the coach via the academy sports website. Pretty sure USAFA has a similar process to USNA. There are links for prospective athletes to make contact with coaches. Good luck.
 
I've filled out the questionaire and e-mailed the coach so I'll see where that goes. Thanks for the quick responses.
 
I have been recruited to the rifle team for class of 2015. Can't wait to start! It definitely helped me get into the academy as well, since some of my SAT scores were slightly low.

I know that they have the rifles at the academy but they do not have the leather outfits. Or at least not very good ones, apparently.

Like others have said, definitely talk to coach Meili. She is awesome and will definitely get you all sorted out. I don't think they ever contacted me after I filled out the questionaire, though. I had to find other means to get into contact.
 
It's nice to hear from someone else who shoots. Congratulations on being recruited TAGG. Maybe I'll be shooting alongside of you in a couple of years :thumb:

Anyways, were you in my same boat, or are you a precision shooter? Either way, what is your score range? I just need a baseline to aim for :smile:

Thanks
 
How many that shoot competitively come in with no experience (as far as competition is concerned). My son loves shooting and hunting and has extensive experience as far as use of rifle (he has little pistol experience). I believe this might be something he may enjoy, but was wondering about the level of experience and if it is something he can grow into.

(He's got it in his blood....my dad shot competitively...M-1... I can remember him loading his custom rounds and having boxes upon boxes of medals and trophies. He always said he did it for the challenge and they could have kept the hardware. His biggest thrill was outscoring the Marine Corps champion in the early 70's....)
 
Have you guys heard about the Combat Shooting Team (CST) at the Academy? It sounds like you're more interested in precision small-bore shooting, but the CST looks/sounds pretty awesome to me.

Here is a youtube video explaining it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHdiQ24OiBA

For a while I couldn't find any info on it, but after talking to some USAFA friends of mine I finally found one who had the email address for the cadet in charge, so it does still exist!
 
@ evilleramsfan -- From my experience, I doubt precision shooting is something that your son could move right into at an academy, or at any college for that matter. I'm nearly certain shooting athletes have prior experience. It is, after all, a division 1 sport (just like football, baseball, etc. etc). However, now would be the time to start practicing if precision small-bore is something that would interest him (I assume class of 2016?). It's pretty late in the game to start an entirely new sport, but you still have 6-9 months until applications and forms are due, so that leaves a small window to practice, get decent, and hopefully score high. It would require an insane amount of commitment (we're talking HOURS each day) not to mention the cost of targets, equipment, rifle(s) AND will probably result in lengthy drives to competitions. But hey, if its something that you're willing to do, why not?:thumb:

@ wind -- Looks fascinating, it's something I'll definatly look into if I get into the academy. Thanks for sharing.
 
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No problem, it's more up my alley because I own/shoot large bore rifles and I like tactical shooting better than small-bore precision shooting.
 
Shawn- He is a candidate for 2015. As far as getting right in and shooting competition immediately, no...I know the quality of the shooters. I was wondering if the opportunity was there (if he were interested) where he could practice and work his way into it (such as an EC). Do they offer different degrees of competitive shooting? Obviously, there is the Division 1 team, but is there also a chance for those less experienced to hone their abilities?
 
I'm in the same boat as you... I just don't know :) haha. There may be in fact club teams, so that might be something to research. :thumb:
 
It's nice to hear from someone else who shoots. Congratulations on being recruited TAGG. Maybe I'll be shooting alongside of you in a couple of years :thumb:

Anyways, were you in my same boat, or are you a precision shooter? Either way, what is your score range? I just need a baseline to aim for :smile:

Thanks

Haha, that would be awesome!

I have been doing the precision air rifle with all of the leather, slings, boots, and other gadgets for about three years now. However, I have no smallbore experience. Another male who was recruited is going in with only smallbore experience and no air rifle. We are both going to begin doing the other once we get there. Don't know if that helps.
 
Haha, that would be awesome!

I have been doing the precision air rifle with all of the leather, slings, boots, and other gadgets for about three years now. However, I have no smallbore experience. Another male who was recruited is going in with only smallbore experience and no air rifle. We are both going to begin doing the other once we get there. Don't know if that helps.

So it sounds like I need to be moving into precision asap.

Do you shoot 3P precision air?

And what are you scores like in individual positions?

Thanks:thumb:
 
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So it sounds like I need to be moving into precision asap.

Do you shoot 3P precision air?

And what are you scores like in individual positions?

Thanks:thumb:

I do shoot 3P precision air. I am part of the JROTC team as well. We happened to be able to get our hands on some donated leather gear and the expensive non-daisy rifles so we got pretty lucky.

40 Shots standing I usually shoot about a 388. That is what the academy really looked at the most for me, I think.

3P School Matches;
95 Standing
97 Kneeling
98 Prone

But the scores that got reported to the academy were mostly my standing, since that is all they really want for Air Rifle. You don't have to really work on kneeling or prone, unless you want the extra practice for smallbore. During practices I usually averaged between a 94 and a 98 in standing.
 
I do shoot 3P precision air. I am part of the JROTC team as well. We happened to be able to get our hands on some donated leather gear and the expensive non-daisy rifles so we got pretty lucky.

40 Shots standing I usually shoot about a 388. That is what the academy really looked at the most for me, I think.

3P School Matches;
95 Standing
97 Kneeling
98 Prone

But the scores that got reported to the academy were mostly my standing, since that is all they really want for Air Rifle. You don't have to really work on kneeling or prone, unless you want the extra practice for smallbore. During practices I usually averaged between a 94 and a 98 in standing.

Awesome, that helps tremendously. Thanks :biggrin:
 
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