Different Types of Matches in the Carolinas

FlatFender

FlatFender

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I think for the folks just wanting to dip their toes into competitive shooting, maybe it would be a good resource to have a list of the different types of matches that are available, how they work, type of guns used, etc, so they can narrow down the different types of matches they might want to shoot.

I can cover the action pistol type matches in the next comment.

JBoyette I saw you have a thread about F-Class, would you be interested in making a reply telling the basics about what it is/how it works? I literally know nothing about it.

JimP42 Could you tell us about the rimfire stuff? Aren't you also into some benchrest or something?

Any bullseye shooters that can write a little about that?

How about the competitive shotgunners? A good post about skeet/trap/sporting clays would probably be beneficial.
 
Action Pistol type matches:

There are a few different sanctioning bodies for action pistol type matches, USPSA, IDPA, NRA Action Pistol, ZSA, and outlaw matches that run under their own rules.

Generally, most any off the shelf handgun will work in an action pistol match. They all have different divisions where the gun might fit, but for the most part if you've got something off the shelf or with only basic modifications (sights, trigger, etc) you'll be fine.

These types of matches usually have several courses of fire that you'll shoot in a match. Round count is generally under 200 for a match, but some get a little larger than that from time to time.

You'll want a holster for your pistol. A regular kydex belt holster is the best option. No crossdraw, no small of back, no shoulder rigs, no pocket holster, and no AIWB (with a couple exceptions). You'll also probably want a couple of magazine pouches. If you're just getting ready to shoot your first match, and you have a mag pouch that came with your gun, use that before you go buy anything. If you don't have anything, I'd either pick up something super cheap, or see if you can borrow a mag pouch from someone at the match. Don't go drop a bunch of money on support gear before you shoot a match, because you'll buy the wrong stuff and waste money.

In action pistol matches, you will be presented with a stage, and possibly some shooting challenges. You might be required to interact with obstacles, shoot through ports, maybe shoot into/out of vehicles, etc.

Here's an example of a USPSA match I shot a while back:
[video=youtube_share;qUyAISSd25o]https://youtu.be/qUyAISSd25o[/video]
 
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We have a couple of rimfire matches at DPRC in Mebane - Precision and 2-Gun.

The Precision Rimfire match is a slower pace than the action shooting matches - 2 or 3 stages with 5 minutes to take 20 shots at 20 targets. Simple right? They are sort of small and far way though... Right now we are shooting at 50/90 yards, until Range 0 opens back up and we have 50/100/150 yards again. See the match page link above for details. Knocking the little steel targets you can barely see without a scope off the racks is addictive. If you have a scoped 22, find your zero for 50/90 or 50/100/150 and come try it out. If you are more into tactical long range shooting, there is a division (unsurprisingly called Tactical) where the shooting positions and props change every month and you can shoot like the centerfire precision rifle matches (except not as far). Wind on a subsonic 22LR at 100 or 150 yards can be a challenge. Only takes 1-1.5 hours since we shoot it relay style with start times 10AM - ~2PM every second Sunday, March thru December. The email to use to get on the email list for match registration is on the match web page.

Cmercaldo is the 2-gun match director and I'm sure he'll chime in too, but this is a rifle/pistol match shooting steel very fast, VERY fast in some cases, but there are all skill levels there. Each stage is either rifle or pistol, and 5-7 targets with a 10 round magazine. You shoot each stage 5 times and drop the worst score, so bring 5 mags for each gun if you have them. Your choice of iron sights or optics. Every second Saturday, basically using NSSF Rimfire rules. Lots more info is on the match page linked above. Definitely worth a try if you never have tried it.

Both of the rimfire matches are very welcoming and very doable (and safe) for kids and new shooters so come out and bring your family. The immediate feedback of shooting steel plates makes it a lot of fun and a great way to introduce new shooters to competition and to meet lots of great people on the range.

Other rimfire opportunities are around - you can shoot rimfire in some of the area Steel Challenge (or steel challenge style), USPSA rifle, and other action matches.

Bullseye shooting is 25 and 50 yards with pistols (22, or 22, any centerfire, and 45) on paper, shooting strong hand only. Some slow and some rapid fire. I'm not a big bullseye shooter, but I have tried it out (excuse to buy a couple more pistols, another caliber, and more reloading equipment!) and it's fun too. Plus, it's a good way to work on the fundamentals of sight picture and trigger control, and learn what you and your pistol are capable of. Around here, there are matches at DPRC and at the Wake county (indoor) range in Holly Springs most months.

I haven't done any "real" benchrest shooting. I'm sure there must be someone doing that around here but I'm not familiar with it.

An intro to the area centerfire precision long range matches would be great.

Someone should do a rundown of the various action matches at Wake, CGGR, Sir Walter, Woody's, and others also.

And I'll put in a plug for Lucas' calendar of matches at Triangle Tactical as well. It's a great resource to find a match when you get one of those rare free days coming up. Or a good way to book up all your weekends and some other days with shooting so that you have no free days!
 
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There are three local clubs who entertain us by hosting a competition called Buffalo Match. The Buffalo Match is shot with rifles of a period from about 1850 until the turn of the century. We use single shots and lever actions chambered for the cartridges for that period. The 45-70 seems to be well represented and some other numbers on both sides of the 45/70. The 45-60 is represented by a handful of rifles as is the 45-90 and the 45-110. A few of us(me) shoot the 38-55. 38 caliber is the minimum to be used in a match.
Depending on the club you are given some time to sight in before the match officially begins. Piedmont Handgunners shoots the 3rd and 5th Sundays. Practice begins at 10:00AM and, normally, the real thing starts at noon. PHA fires 20 rounds in two strings at 200 yards. All contestants shoot ten rounds each and then we start over again with 10 rounds each
All three clubs shoot from the bench but off "sticks". Rifle cannot contact anything but sticks and shooter. OK to have fist under the butt stock.

Rowan Wildlife Club shoots 100 and 200 yards. Durham Rifle and Pistol Club shoots 100-200-and 300 yards. I believe you need around 60 rounds plus sighters.at DRP. Lead bullets only and gas checks are allowed. They have categories that include the lever gun, single shots, and also black powder. Scopes of the period are allowed.
All three clubs/matches are ran with a tight rein always re-enforcing safety. DRP and requires chamber flags. Don't know about Rowan but I would take 'em.

Spectators are more than welcome. Hang around and make puppy eyes and we may let you shoot some if we have left over ammo. Most all of us load on the mild side and I don't know of any that will disable the arm for the weekend. Those big ol' 45-70s weigh so much they don't kick. Depending on the load, my light 6.5#s Marlin lever gun can be a little uncomfortable if you hold it wrong.

If you need to contact me use one of these.







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Here's a photo from the Precision match at DPRC.
vmmj81N.jpg
 
FarpinDar;n19290 said:
Here's a photo from the Precision match at DPRC.
Click to expand...
If you right click and select view photo in new tab you can zoom in.
 
Dont forget Steel Challenge and the Pro Am falling steel matches.
I will get more info and add this afternoon.
 
Here's a video from the DPRC 2 Gun Rimfire Match:

[video=youtube_share;PWb_acxYWis]https://youtu.be/PWb_acxYWis[/video]
 
Pro Am match

[video=youtube_share;dM1mcrJyqjM]https://youtu.be/dM1mcrJyqjM[/video]

steel challenge

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kDfn3AXH3xM[/video]
 
JimP42 said it great DPRC 2-Gun Rimfire is a very fast pased all steel match. Based off of NSSF Rimfire Challenge running the same rules.
Normally 5 to 6 stages, with 5 strings per stage.
11 rounds in gun per string.
We will have 2 big matches this year, June and December.
You can find plenty of info on our webpage or bookface page.
 
Buccaneer Gun Club near Wilmington has regularly scheduled matches that are open to the public. These matches include IDPA, NRA Action Pistol, 22 benchrest, large bore pistol, Cowboy Action Shooting, Wild Bunch, Cowboy Fast Draw, trap, skeet, 5 stand, and occasionally one or two more. The newsletter at www.buccaneergunclub.org gives the schedule of the matches.
 
My main shooting sport at present is cowboy action; I've been shooting it for seven years now. The largest sanctioning organization is the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS). We use Old West style guns and dress more or less like 19th Century folk but it's not a historical reenactment. There is another organization called NCOWS that puts more emphasis on historical accuracy.

Cowboy action is a multigun sport; we use two single action revolvers, a pistol caliber lever action or pump action rifle, and a shotgun (most shoot a side-by-side, the other choices are a Winchester 1897 pump and the Winchester 1887 lever action shotgun). Pistol cartridges between .32 and .45 caliber are legal (the most popular chambering is .38 Special with .45 Colt in second place). Shotguns are minimum 20 gauge with 12 gauge being the most popular.

We shoot steel targets and lead bullets are required. The targets are typically large enough and close enough to allow new shooters to hit them but being a timed sport, speed is very important. There is some movement but typically we move to the guns rather than with loaded guns in hand. We keep the movement reasonable for older shooters or folks with mobility issues.

Cowboy shooters have the reputation of being friendly and that has been true in my experience. Most clubs are actively seeking new shooters.

I shoot matches at my "home" club in Greenville and regularly shoot the Belton monthly matches. I have shot matches in Western NC, in Columbia and Summerville and in North Georgia. Match and club info is available at www.carolinacowboys.us and www.sassnet.com.
 
A word about the two newest disciplines at the Greenville Gun Club: Three Gun and Pistol Caliber Carbine. I am not a regular Three Gun shooter but I have tried it a few times. Three Gun matches started up about two years ago in Greenville and the match is very popular. There are some very accomplished shooters in the sport but I have found the shooters to be pretty friendly and welcoming.

In 2017 the GGC will hold Three Gun matches on the second Sanday of every other month, beginning in February.

Some Three Gun matches (including GGC) have recognized a Pistol Caliber Carbine class; GGC has created a PCC match (not multigun) that will be held on the 5th Sundays.

I am am a relative newby to Three Gun but it (obviously) requires three guns: rifle (the AR15 rules), pistol (most folks shoot a high capacity 9mm) and shotgun (mostly semiautos with long mag tubes). There are at least three different sets of rules for Three Gun, and some clubs are "outlaw" and have their own rules. Depending on what classes are recognized at the club, you might run (on the rifle) iron sights, a nonmagnified optic, or a scope. Class requirements may dictate optics on the pistol and shotgun and other equipment choices.

Range layout also has an effect on the way the match is run. In our club we have limited space so the longest rifle shot has been about 70 yards, with most of our targets being closer in action pistol bays. Another club in my area has rifle targets at 200 yards.

Three Gun seems to be well established in South Carolina now after several years of matches that seemed to appear and then shut down.

I'm sure that an active competitor could chime in and add more firsthand knowledge about the sport.
 
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