Also,
Don't worry about the most high tech, highest velocity, highest BC bullet/caliber out there. If you're shooting for fun, camaraderie and to better yourself, stick with something easy to load and doesn't need the stay 1/4 moa accurate or chasing the lands. The high speed/BC 22's and 6mm are flat, light recoiling but also have a shorter barrel life. The 308 works well but needs heavier bullets to have a decent BC but also provides more recoil. The 6.5's are a happy medium; 6.5x47, 6.5 Creemoor and 260 Rem. Cans are nice and hearing safe but don't provide as much recoil taming as a good brake. You might notice I mention recoil several times. We competitors are not worried about our shoulders but rather, the ability to watch for your impacts; hit or miss, so we can adjust our POA for the next 9 follow-up shots. You NEED to see that first impact so you can adjust fire. Otherwise you might just be throwing more shots out to miss after your first miss.
