I basically quit shooting IBS matches 5 or 6 years ago. I decided to focus on IR 50/50, sold my CF rifles and replaced them with RF rifles. Since then, there have been a number of new faces show up at those matches. Some of we older folks, not so much any more but new people, some who just decided to try it. Some of them started with 6 PPC's and a couple have stuck with them. I don't think the caliber is the issue, there is plenty more for a new shooter to learn to deal with other than the caliber.
Looking back, it has amazed me all the new shooters in the North and South Carolina area. A new big range and chezam, a bunch of new shooters I had never heard of. I think and don't know for sure but it appears to me that Score Shooting is growing. As I said, I haven't really been interested in a long time until recently and may go back at it a bit more.
If there were UBR matches close to me I would likely try one, I have nothing against them but also see nothing wrong with IBS or NBRSA Score matches. A game is a game and if one decides to play, they are in for whatever the rules say. At the end of the day, the person with the best equipment, with the best memory for conditions and has put some time into shooting is likely to win. I just don't see UBR as a do all end all. It's a game like the others.I don't see it as a fairness issue and never have. I need 3 more IBS Agg patches to make 100. I doubt I will live long enough to luck into them
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Pete