Looking back over my life it would be fair to say that I'm someone who likes to win. I don't just mean in games, contests and competitions but also at life in general. I've done a some winning here and there too, you know, coming first at things, however over the years winning has taken on different meanings depending on what the concept is applied to. 

I can't *come in first place in my relationship with my wife Faith for instance*, but I still feel like a winner just by being in such a productive and enjoyable relationship. Coming second in a shooting competition isn't winning either is it, however I may get the *winning feeling* depending on the circumstances in which I came second...And so *winning* means different things. I'd say the same goes for most of us.

The only thing I do competitively these days is shooting. I've not shot in a rifle competition for a little while preferring to focus more on handgun events. It hasn't been through lack of interest, more just the lack of time. I'm rectifying that soon though as I have accepted an invitation to shoot competitively at an event that has been running for 40 years and the opportunity to shoot at this event is a much sought-after opportunity.  

The event is a three-gun *practical* shoot which means it involves handgun, rifle and shotgun combined. The *practical* nature of the event means that the competitor is required to run and gun, shoot on the move, transition between shooting positions and shoot off barricades, free hand and fixed-positions. It's run in a scrubland setting including creeks, bush trails, open country, mountains and with targets at varying distances. This event rewards mobility, speed, accuracy and solid tactics combined. *Run and gun* shooting is exciting, dynamic, bloody difficult and a whole lot of fun! 

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On the June long I'll head out to the event, some 300 kilometres from home, camp out and shoot against competitors from all over Australia. 

June is the middle of winter here and the event is renowned for being cold, often wet and usually muddy. Sounds miserable, but for me it's all part of the challenge I'll face. I've shot in many different types of environmental conditions from extreme cold, heat, rain, wind, dust, sand and the like...Not snow. The principles are typically the same but each condition brings a different challenge, as will this event. 

It won't be all serious though with the evenings designated as *campfire time*. Most of the competitors and their families will hang around together, tell lies, and just sort of hang out. That's one of the elements I like the most. 

I have some preparation to make before the event, mainly equipment-related. The ranges we will be shooting out to are not very far, maybe **50 - 300 metres** or so with the rifles, **80-100 metres** with shotgun and **4-50 metres** with the handguns so nothing too difficult. It's all about speed and accuracy! 

I think I have most scenario's covered although I need to work on transitioning between firearms, reloading technique and process during stages, which will happen whilst running, and a few other matters. It's not much different to other events I've competed in although the addition of the two extra firearms makes it more complicated.

Dropping magazines into the mud is cool when you're in the military and there's an endless supply but when they're my magazines and I have to re-use them over and over...Not so good, so I have to work something out there. A magazine full of mud isn't going to work very well. 

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*I'm possibly using this rifle on the event weekend, but am not 100% certain as there may be better (sponsored) options, as below. This is one of my favourite rifles. I've had this one custom cerakoted (ceramic paint) which doesn't make it shoot any better, just makes it look better than the basic black firearm it was.*

I also have some issues with my shotgun which is a simple under and over double barrelled 12 gauge. It's accurate sure, but in a stage involving 20 targets it will require a lot of reloading so I need to work out a system that is safe and fast. The handgun is cool because I carry 6 magazines, (60 rounds) and can dump a mag and reload in under a second. The rifle is a bit of an issue but I have a few 10 round magazines so I it's more about mag-changing at the right time, efficiently, than anything else. 

I'm not sure if I'll do any video at the shoot. I may wear my GoPro but I'm a bit reluctant to post much actual footage of shooting...Sends the wrong message and opens up opportunities for nut-cases to have a go I guess. I'll probably post about it though so if you're interested keep an eye out.

**How did I start this post? Oh yeah, *"winning"*.**

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I don't give a shit about winning this event. *I won't win it actually, not the whole thing overall anyway*. I know that. You see I will be shooting within a division categorised by the weapon systems I have. There will be shooters with straight-pull, lever action and pump action rifles and shotguns with high-capacity magazines set up purely for events like this. My shotgun is simply a field gun designed for hunting. My rifle is a long range sharp-shooter in bolt action designed to shoot out to over 1600 metres so again, not set up for this sort of competition. I may shoot the  ***<a href="http://www.warwickfirearms.com.au/products/recreation-and-hunting/wfa1-bolt-action-rifle/">WFA 1</a>*** though, however I will need to get some trigger time on it first. (I've had a sponsor offer me the rifle system so will possibly take them up on it if I can get familiar with the rifle in time.) You can see the WFA 1 in the configuration I would shoot it in if I went down that track...Which I think I will. (P.s., no, this isn't a semi/full-automatic. It is a bolt action (straight-pull) single shot rifle with a magazine. ***<a href="https://www.rebelgunworks.com.au/products/warwick-firearms-wfa1-223-14-24084?variant=21348254974029">srce</a>***

So I'll just shoot in my division, against similar weapon systems, and will finish first, last or somewhere in between. I don't really care. It's about the fun. 

OK, nah fuck it, you *know* I want to win right? My division at the very least. I mean why compete without the desire to win? I don't get that, never did. So I'll prepare to the best of my ability and perform to that level at the event as well. Sure, things might go wrong and if they do I'll overcome, adapt and adjust around them but no matter what, I know I'll be as ready as I can be and will give one hundred percent...To the event and the campfire socialising and bullshit story-telling as well. 

I'm looking forward to the shoot as amongst the many competitors will be several mates and as *most people will know there is nothing sweeter than kicking your mate's asses!* Seriously, that shit is gold! 

*Slow is smooth, smooth is fast...* &#128514;	

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**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_** 
Hit me up on Discord: @galenkp#9209