I don't necessarily agree. First, shooters need to understand that rather a rifle costs $2k, $1k, or $600, you first have to learn to shoot it accurately. You can't shoot 10 or 15 times a year, even with a $10,000 rifle and expect to get the rifle's full potential. Its not going to happen.

Second, in the short time I've attended the matches at Friendship, you see new shooters come for the first time and learn, then come back the next year and shoot much higher scores. Its not because they traded in their $600 rifle for a $2k rifle, its because they enjoyed the match so much, learned, practiced more and became more confident. It gives them something to strive towards.

I totally agree with Grouse on the Mountaineer too. I darn near bought one and still may. Give me one of those rifles, allow me put the scope of my choice on top it, a month to get used to the rifle and develop my personal load, and I'll shoot it no less than my Ultimate. I've already done exactly that with Encore platform rifles.

Although I'm probably wrong speaking for/about someone else, but hand Bestill a CVA Wolf or T/C Impact and watch what he can get out of either. You'll never believe what he could do with either of those rifles, and unless someone actually witnessed him doing it, they'd swear it couldn't have been with either of the mentioned rifles. He's a top shot, period.
Speaking of Bestill, he's also one of the reasons that I want to continue to attend the match at Friendship. Why? Its because he gives me the initiative to try and improve myself. He makes me a better shooter and makes me strive for more confidence in myself. I really don't think he realizes how his shooting inspires others to become better.

So like all things new and first starting out, not only will rules change, but IMO more people will be willing to attend. Rifle classifications will change. If we let the first time play out, things WILL change in the future. Asking for things to be completely perfect immediately, is a very tall task. We should all be extremely thankful that an organization is willing to try, which in turn, may give other states and organizations the initiative to start. You have to start somewhere........