I'm on the board of directors for our local range. It's had a 300 yd range since we built the first berms for our personal use back in the mid 90's. We finally closed down that 300 yd berm (limited that range to 200 yds), and put in a 500 yd range for our "platinum membership". I've always enjoyed showing up to a match and using inexpensive, but good equipment to beat people who have thousands of dollars invested in their gun
Last time I went with some friends to shoot my first bowling pin match. I took first place running my 45 shield
Among other things, I used to shoot NRA Highpower (service rifle, high master) and had about a grand wrapped up in the gun. I didn't win every match, but the guys who beat me were legit good on a national level, were able to actually make use of the money they spent on their gear, and didn't beat me by much. I have nothing against nice equipment. I'm just naturally hard on things so I have to be careful what I spend money on and why. I think my next rifle will be built on a chassis with a 700 action and use a Remage barrel. I'll probably go with a .223 Wylde chamber to start off with so that I can use AICS mags for hunting prairie dogs with the goal of also adding a 260 AI barrel later for playing around past 500 yds.