I have friends that compete and are great guys. I have found very few competitors with Bad attitudes In all the different competitions I have been involved In from archery, shotguns, pistols, rifles, fishing tournaments, and things like golf."BUT" they all have their little secrets that they will not share with anyone. Some will throw out tidbits of misinformation just having fun, and if you believe it, it's your problem, But that doesn't make them bad or have a bad attitude It just makes them competitive.
Most members are very open on this web site and will share there ideas and opinions with nothing to gain but the chance of helping someone else. Sometimes we also receive a large dose of venom for having an opinion or some experience with the subject from some, but for the most part we are very lucky to have such a diverse group. Some web sites are so venomous and adversarial that in addition to the fact that they are not interesting to most, they don't offer and constructive information, just criticism.
So not all shooters/competitors are bad, they just don't share information like we do.
J E CUSTOM
That has not been my experience with NBRSA LR BR. People usually share all they know. While we are always trying new stuff and may not share what we are trying until we see that it works, no one has ever given me wrong info.
In fact, almost any of the 12-16 shooters we get for a routine match can win, and our results are mixed enough that no one really dominates everything. Then again, we compete for group agg, score agg, small single group, small single score; for both Light Gun and Heavy Gun classes. There is an overall match winner but I think most of us care more about group agg.
One of the guys I shoot with all the time is something like an 18 time NBRSA Long Range Hall of Fame shooter. The winningest one of us all. On matches in White City I get to tune at distance the day prior and he is usually there as well. After I shoot my test targets I'll take them to him for his opinion. Almost without question he tells me to test again. And yes, I have placed above him several times. He's also handed me my hind end quite a bit as well.
I think the reason is we need more people to shoot with us and they way we get more people to shoot is by helping them be successful. Also, if I tell my friend about a new thing I found that works, and he uses it and does well, I am happy for him.
Also, LR BR is slave to the conditions. It's only in those rare good conditions that the excessive stuff we do matters. On an average day, average loading skills coupled with picking and shooting in a good micro condition will win the day.
Accurate Shooter is where most of the BR types hang out and it too is a great site.
Sorry to be an LR BR advertisement, but it is a great shooting sport! Also, we don't have to lay on our bellies when we shoot.......