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Rainier Arms Pro Shooter: Tim Ramberg [Interview]

Want to shoot better? Rainier Arms' sponsored shooter Tim Ramberg has some great advice for practice drills, competition day nerves, and his go-to gear.
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    Recently we had the chance to speak with Tim Ramberg, team captain for Rainier Arms’ Shooting Team. Tim had some great advice for new shooters and shooters new to multi-gun competition!

    Can you brag about your background and shooting accomplishments so far?

    Answer:

    I don’t know that I would use the word “brag” but there are definitely some accomplishments that I’m proud of and that have been rewarding:
    • Rainier Arms Shooting Team Captain
    • USPSA Grand Master and Chief Range Officer
    • Overall win on Stage 2 at USPSA Multigun Nationals in 2017
    • 2017 Seekins Precision High Desert 3 Gun Championship – 1st Place – Open Division
    • 2017 NW Multigun Challenge – 1st Place – Open Division
    • 2017 Multigun Performance Challenge – 1st Place – Open Division
    • 2017 WA State USPSA Championship – 1st Place – PCC Division
    • 2017 NW Safe PCC Crusade – 1st Place
    • 2017 Seekins Precision Team Match w/Evan & JP – 1st Place

    How did you first get into competitive shooting?

    Answer:

    I was first introduced to it while visiting some out of town relatives. After a little more research I went and watched a local ‘Friday Night’ match. Nick, one of the best USPSA ‘Open Division’ shooters in the country, was there and it blew my mind. I was like: “I want to do that!” After several years of just shooting USPSA pistol matches, a good friend convinced me to try multi-gun. In 2014, I shot my first multi-gun match…three guns were three times the fun!

    What % is the gear…and what % is the shooter?

    Answer:

    This is an interesting question. In general, I would say it’s 75% the shooter but with one major caveat: the gear MUST be reliable. I don’t care how good of a shooter you are…if your gear isn’t reliable you won’t be successful. Once you have the right, reliable gear you can master it and use it to your advantage. This is more apparent in multi-gun than pistol only competitions. Example: a rifle target at 350 yards in the middle of a field course -> if you have the right length mag to monopod off in tac or for open the right combination of bags/bipod you can quickly build a quality position and neutralize the target on your first shot!

    What’re some of your go-to guns & gear?

    Answer:

    My Rainier Arms rifles and my JPL Precision custom 2011 race guns! I bought my first rifle from Rainier Arms (prior to having any sponsorship relationship) during one of the ‘panics.’ They didn’t inflate their prices and they were very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful to someone that, at the time, literally knew nothing about AR-15s! Reliable and accurate…couldn’t ask for more! John at JPL Precision is a great local gunsmith! He is my go-to for anything 2011 race gun related. He’s always happy to answer any questions and I’ve learned a ton from him.
    Tim Ramberg JPL 2011
    Tim Ramberg’s JPL 2011
    I highly value the great pistols he has built for me and really appreciate his support.

    How much do you practice at home and on the range?

    Answer:

    It’s probably about 80% home, 20% range for me. I try to get at least 30 minutes of dry fire in every day. There is so much time to be saved chasing perfection of movement and manipulation in dry fire.

    Any specific drills to help our readers?

    Answer:

    My favorite live-fire drill is a triangle drill (perhaps someone else has a proper name for it but…) Setup: 3 static plates 5 yards apart 15-20 yards away 2 boxes, 5 yards apart, 1 box centered behind them (triangle) 9 rounds Drill: Start standing in any box. Move toward another box. Fire one shot upon entry. Move toward next box. Fire one shot upon entry. Move toward the original box. Fire one shot upon entry. Only one shot per box. Stop. Advance to next box. Restart. Timed. Focus: Position Entry/Exit, Movement, Accuracy

    Any competition match day tips?

    Answer:

    Relax, have fun, and shoot your game! Don’t think “I’m gonna go fast” or “I’m gonna be slow”. Keep it simple. See the required sight picture for every shot and execute it.

    What advice would you give yourself when you first started competing?

    Answer:

    Don’t wait so long to try your first multi-gun match!

    Favorite movie with guns?

    Answer:

    The Matrix! Matrix

    If you EDC, what do you carry?

    Answer:

    Springfield XDS .45 though I won a Sig P365 earlier this year and can’t wait to try it!
    $499
    at Brownells

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    What’s the most unique stage you’ve ever shot?

    Answer:

    MGM Ironman Zip Line! One of a kind! Tim Ramberg - Zip Line

    Parting Shots

    A big thank you to Tim Ramberg and to Rainier Arms for making this interview happen! If you’re interested in learning more or seeing more of Tim’s shooting, check out his YouTube Channel and his Instagram! More interviews with more professional shooters are coming soon! Got anything you’d like to ask them? Let us know in the comments!

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    2 Leave a Reply

    • DDD

      "... if you have the right length mag to monopod off in tac or for open the right combination of bags/bipod you can quickly build a quality position and neutralize the target on your first shot!"
      What does all that Mean?

      July 19, 2018 12:34 pm
      • David

        In the "Tac" or "Tactical" divisions of competitive shooting, bipods and other supports are normally now allowed. So, for that division, it helps to have a magazine that is the right length to monopod off of to stabilize your shooting.

        However, in the "Open" division, almost anything gear wise is allowed - including sandbags and bipods. Using those are much more stable for a long-range shot.

        July 19, 2018 1:50 pm
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