Uhhhh, it’s a sport. Nothing more. Those who confuse it with anything else need a clue.
It’s where you “master” your iron sights.
That’s true.
But some people feel the need to denigrate HP. Based on what, I don’t know. I don’t know anyone who thinks HP is some sort of training for the real thing.
Truth be told, I prefer the prone-only events in both smallbore and highpower. I enjoy the marksmanship sport aspect of them, unburdened by any “tactical” considerations.
When I want to train or practice defensive skills, I do other things and use other firearms.
Any trigger time is good time. Even better is trigger time that rewards sight alignment and trigger control. HP isn’t combat, it’s just good clean fun. Bullseye pistol isn’t combat either, but I just betcha that if you learn to manage your match nerves and hit targets one-handed 50 yards away, it won’t hurt you in combat. Even Mas Ayoob admitted as much not long ago in a gunrag, noting that lots of the Old Masters were bullseye shooters, if for no other reason that action shooting didn’t exist yet.
Shooting in any competition is just fine. Learning to master your irons is good as well. The issue is that too many people associate HP with combat shooting and or tactical training. This just isn’t the case.
The guy that was called Fantasy Power by LAV in the first low light class was also the guy that had the only ND in the class. :rolleyes:
C4
Did he know HE was “THAT GUY?” 
Rmpl
You and I must be running in different HP circles. I’ve been active in the sport since 2003 and have yet to meet someone who seriously thinks so.
I’m sure there are some, but I am also sure they are a small minority.