Competitive Shooting - Ask Me Anything

Studentofthegun said:
DPRC has a 2 gun Rimfire match that is a ton of fun. Great group of folks there that are very welcoming. Not unusual to see a whole family there shooting together.

DPRC - 2-Gun Rimfire

dprc.wildapricot.org
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Thanks. I have moved almost 100 miles away. Otherwise I would be all over that.
 
Supermatch said:
Can anyone comment on typical distances for IDPA or USPSA matches? Found some reduced practice targets I can print off at home, would like to gauge my “a zone” speed and accuracy just for fun, but have no idea what distances they’re normally shot at. Local indoor range goes up to 25 yds.
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All depends on the the range. Our match I can stretch out to 35ish yards but usually 25-30 would be our longer shots.
 
Wolffy said:
All depends on the the range. Our match I can stretch out to 35ish yards but usually 25-30 would be our longer shots.
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Thanks. The print at home targets are 1/3 size, so I'll give them a go at 8-10 yards. I see a lot of "-3" in my future!
 
Studentofthegun said:
DPRC has a 2 gun Rimfire match that is a ton of fun. Great group of folks there that are very welcoming. Not unusual to see a whole family there shooting together.

DPRC - 2-Gun Rimfire

dprc.wildapricot.org
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What would be a good great rifle for a rimfire 2 gun match? The Winchester Wildcat is calling to me since it is so cheap.
 
ChickenHawk said:
What would be a good great rifle for a rimfire 2 gun match? The Winchester Wildcat is calling to me since it is so cheap.
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That would work just fine. It looks like it takes the 10 round rotary magazines. So long as you have five magazines you are good to go.
 
Even if you only have 3 mags people are willing to load a few for you. Sometimes my friends will load 7 or 8 rounds , or put one in backwards for me as a favor. Just kidding. Come on out itsahoot !😉
 
Studentofthegun said:
That would work just fine. It looks like it takes the 10 round rotary magazines. So long as you have five magazines you are good to go.
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I think they can use the BX-25 magazines. Seems to be a good enough reason to pick one up. I'm still trying to get my wife i to shooting since she said she is willing.
 
How many rounds used on the average per uspsa match? Are there trainers local to mecklenburg county to get us ready?
 
loosegrip said:
How many rounds used on the average per uspsa match? Are there trainers local to mecklenburg county to get us ready?
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Bring 250 rounds for the average 6-7 stage local match. 200 can cut it, but I have seen folks run out when “disaster” strikes.

The maximum round count for a USPSA stage is 32 required. However, stages are usually shorter courses (12-24 rounds), and one stage should be a “classifier,” which usually only requires 6-12 rounds.

You will usually shoot 120-150 rounds in a match, depending on whether you miss steel targets or take make-up shots. Bringing a couple extra boxes covers you for reshoots (just in case a prop is not properly reset or malfunctions—not common, but possible).
 
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Ever wonder if there's a competition for antiques? Like Civil War antiques? Can I shoot Civil War artillery live fire? Is there such a thing as musket competition? Does anyone shoot cap n ball revolvers in competition? Go ahead and ask.
 
loosegrip said:
How many rounds used on the average per uspsa match? Are there trainers local to mecklenburg county to get us ready?
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www.spectrain.us

2-Day Level-Up Performance Pistol | Spectrain

This course is great for anyone wanting to get faster, and more accurate in any practical shooting context. This is not a "competition course" in the sense that will not spend a bunch of time going over competition rules, divisions, or skills that are totally competition specific. We will...
www.spectrain.us www.spectrain.us
www.fortitudeconsulting.org

Fortitude Consulting

Fortitude Consulting is dedicated to providing our clients with training which will enhance their overall firearms and personal protection skill sets.
www.fortitudeconsulting.org www.fortitudeconsulting.org
or over in Sanford: https://www.goshootoutdoors.com/our-instructors
 
Glad to stumble across this thread. I’ll start off by saying I didn’t read the whole thread so if there is a relevant post that already covers my questions, please point me that direction.

I’ve been a gun hobbyiest for a decade plus but mostly from a hd/sd standpoint, some social clay shooting here and there, and recently tinkering with some builds to scratch my mechanically-inclined itch.

Most of my “training” has been traditional bench rest rifle shooting, 10-15 yard standing pistol shooting, and aforementioned clay shooting.

I’m currently in the process of dropping some lbs, focusing on my health, and being more active. competition shooting seems like a new hobby that could fall in line with my interests while encouraging me to continue to improve my fitness and marksmanship. I have no clue where to start. I’m somewhat familiar with 3 gun matches, pistol matches, etc. but haven’t the first clue about where to start.

Would appreciate any feedback into what “square one” might be for someone in my shoes!
 
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Down near Charlotte you've got options. There's IDPA at CPRC. There's USPSA at Lake Norman. There's Steel Challenge at Mecklenburg Wildlife. Probably a lot of other stuff. You can go shoot a USPSA match or an IDPA match generally without having to become a member of anything (either the gun club where the match is held, or the organization). For either, you can just bring your carry gun in your normal carry holster with a couple of spare mags. You don't need anything fancy. Your main goal at your first couple of matches is to be safe and not get DQ'd, it doesn't matter how you place, so your gear doesn't make any difference. People will welcome you and be happy to answer any questions.
 
PisgahPlinker said:
Would appreciate any feedback into what “square one” might be for someone in my shoes!
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I forgot to say, in my previous reply, that it would help if you signed up for an account in practiscore. It's free. Oftentimes, you need a practiscore account to register for a match.
 
Dave951 said:
Ever wonder if there's a competition for antiques? Like Civil War antiques? Can I shoot Civil War artillery live fire? Is there such a thing as musket competition? Does anyone shoot cap n ball revolvers in competition? Go ahead and ask.
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I would be interested to see if there is a match that allows you to use old military surplus (bolt action or semi). Seems like it would be fun to run around with those very just target shooting.
 
Skipping around in this thread it appears to be mostly pistol competitions, unless I missed something, I have done IDPA, steel matches and bowing pin shoots many years ago, all fun. The past 7 years I have been into 600-1000 yard F-class competitions. Plan on retiring and moving to N.C. in the near future. Have looked at a few ranges websites but a lot seem to be geared towards benchrest, PRS or just steel plinking. Looking for clubs that sponsor NRA sanctioned events. Thanks Dave
 
gloom said:
Which Steel Challenge division would a Ruger Charger .22LR with red dot fall under if any? Held two-handed like a rifle without a stock.

(Bonus questions: Would a sling help? I see that slings are legal in rimfire rifle and PCC divisions. What advantages or disadvantages would there be for a first-time competitor using a Charger just to try out competition?)

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Uh that is an interesting one.

I think it would be tough to be in the rifle competition without being able to shoulder it. It would put you at a disadvantage.

It would be kinda awkward shooting it like a pistol with both hands. Bit heavy probably for transitions that way.
 
Studentofthegun said:
Uh that is an interesting one.

I think it would be tough to be in the rifle competition without being able to shoulder it. It would put you at a disadvantage.

It would be kinda awkward shooting it like a pistol with both hands. Bit heavy probably for transitions that way.
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Yeah, at a disadvantage against shouldered rifles, but what about overall compared to standard pistols and firearms without optics? If this is a recipe for an awkward experience and finishing dead last, I guess I should give up on it. (Asking for another person to encourage him to give it a go without investing in equipment.)
 
gloom said:
Yeah, at a disadvantage against shouldered rifles, but what about overall compared to standard pistols and firearms without optics? If this is a recipe for an awkward experience and finishing dead last, I guess I should give up on it. (Asking for another person to encourage him to give it a go without investing in equipment.)
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Depends on where you're going to shoot.

If you are going to CGGR, let me know and I will sign up so I can bring you a rifle to shoot. Or your buddy a rifle to shoot. Or a pistol. So long as we're talking rimfire divisions. Equipment is not an issue if you're shooting any rimfire matching (speed, not precision) my in my area of operations.

He can use the Charger with a sling and shoot in the rifle division. Probably. But I would check with the match director first to make sure that is okay with them. They should let you, but best to double check.

If the picture is indicative of what he has, I think he will need some sort of red dot.

Where you place doesn't really matter. So long as you're safe and having fun. Most of the squads you get on around here in Steel Challenge or Rimfire Challenge are really nice and will be very encouraging and supportive. They're just happy you showed up.
 
Studentofthegun said:
Depends on where you're going to shoot.

If you are going to CGGR, let me know and I will sign up so I can bring you a rifle to shoot. Or your buddy a rifle to shoot. Or a pistol. So long as we're talking rimfire divisions. Equipment is not an issue if you're shooting any rimfire matching (speed, not precision) my in my area of operations.

He can use the Charger with a sling and shoot in the rifle division. Probably. But I would check with the match director first to make sure that is okay with them. They should let you, but best to double check.

If the picture is indicative of what he has, I think he will need some sort of red dot.
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Ah, thanks for the offer. I'm in NC, but the other poor soul is in NJ. Yeah, a red dot is what I had in mind. Maybe a single-point sling to push forward against.

(I have a Ruger Mark IV, a S&W 15-22, and a Marlin 795 that is basically "retired" due to magazine cost and an out of spec rail.)
 
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gloom said:
Ah, thanks for the offer. I'm in NC, but the other poor soul is in NJ. Yeah, a red dot is what I had in mind. Maybe a single-point slight be push forward against.

(I have a Ruger Mark IV, a S&W 15-22, and a Marlin 795 that is basically "retired" due to magazine cost and an out of spec rail.)
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The Rimfire Family is large. I think I might know someone up there in NJ. At Old Bridge? Something like that, there used to be a NJ State level 2 gun rimfire match.

You've got all the stuff you need to shoot in Steel Challenge or Rimfire.
 
Studentofthegun said:
The Rimfire Family is large. I think I might know someone up there in NJ. At Old Bridge? Something like that, there used to be a NJ State level 2 gun rimfire match.

You've got all the stuff you need to shoot in Steel Challenge or Rimfire.
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I guess they're about 60 miles south of Old Bridge in Burlington County. BTW, I was just reading that the Charger is likely illegal in NJ!
 
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gloom said:
I guess they're about 60 miles south of Old Bridge in Burlington County. BTW, I was just reading that the Charger is likely illegal in NJ!
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I wouldn't show up with it given the pistol brace ruling and so forth. In fact, I have not gone up there and shot that match personally because of the NJ gun laws. Simply wasn't worth the hassle to me. That's a pretty long drive too.
 
Is it true that if you don’t use it, you lose it?
 
Studentofthegun said:
I wouldn't show up with it given the pistol brace ruling and so forth. In fact, I have not gone up there and shot that match personally because of the NJ gun laws. Simply wasn't worth the hassle to me. That's a pretty long drive too.
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I heard that a person showing to compete can't even buy ammo in NJ without a FOID card! Also that there is a legal issue in regard to even sharing ammo with a person without a FOID card.
 
Is there any huge disadvantage to running a 28" shotgun with tube, versus a 24" for a middle of the pack shooter like myself?

Thanks in advance.
 
GregB said:
Is there any huge disadvantage to running a 28" shotgun with tube, versus a 24" for a middle of the pack shooter like myself?

Thanks in advance.
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What sport?

If you're talking a clays sport, then swinging balance is everything, and that's personal to the shooter. More length usually means more mass and a smoother swing.

If you're talking a practical sport like 3-gun or something similar, the biggest advantage is mag capacity... the maximum legal amount for a given division. Shotgun reloads, depending on method and accessories used, can be a big time suck and an opportunity to fumble. Barrel length is usually a non-issue; the mag tube is usually as long or longer.
 
JRV said:
What sport?

If you're talking a clays sport, then swinging balance is everything, and that's personal to the shooter. More length usually means more mass and a smoother swing.

If you're talking a practical sport like 3-gun or something similar, the biggest advantage is mag capacity... the maximum legal amount for a given division. Shotgun reloads, depending on method and accessories used, can be a big time suck and an opportunity to fumble. Barrel length is usually a non-issue; the mag tube is usually as long or longer.
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I've heard and can imagine that stock length goes along with barrel length. Shorter stock for run and gun.

(I was looking into a Tristar semi-auto combo setup that only comes in 20ga. Comes with a short stock and a long stock, 24" barrel, and a 2" barrel extension. I figure it /might/ work for clays and for 3-gun if I ever try that. Unless I'd basically have something that is less optimal for either one!)
 
Recommend an affordable/budget optic for my M1a1 Socom. I finally found the stripper clip guide insert that lets me mount a red dot:).
 
GregB said:
Recommend an affordable/budget optic for my M1a1 Socom. I finally found the stripper clip guide insert that lets me mount a red dot:).
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What type of mount? Got pics?

And do you have a preference on open emitters versus tubes?
 
I was leaning toward the Vortex Venom 3 MOA, as I think that's the optic that some models came with. I'm trying to be as "cheap" as possible and still get something that will hold up to 308 recoil. Didn't know if there were better options than the Vortex now that it's been a few years since the rifle/optic combo was released. Will be used for the occasional 3 gun match, locally.
 
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