Bianchi Cup

[dave williams]

Thinking about heading to the Bianchi Cup in '11. It just looks like fun and a nice road trip for my son and I.

Just have a few questions:

1. How many rounds should I expect to fire in the competition?
2. What is the entry fee?
3. Do you have to be there all three days?
4. Could my 16yr old son compete? He is an experienced shooter, has shot USPSA, GSSF, and informal 3 Gun.
5. Could he and I use the same revolver/auto?
6. Is there a company that sells factory 38/9mm ammo tailored for the Bianchi Cup?
7. I was thinking of using a stock 6" 686 with a Pride-Fowler action red dot. Does this sound like an OK setup?
8. Could we also shoot an auto, like a Glock 34?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave Williams

 

[Bart 44]

Might as well go to source for info. A very quick search found this:

NRA Action Shooting "Bianchi Cup" Champs


Dennis.

 

[dave williams]

Hi Dennis, yes I saw that link, it doesn't answer any of my questions however.

I am hoping some Bianchi Cup veterans can answer my questions.

Thanks,

Dave Williams

 

[CALREB]

bianchi

well I havent shot there since 80-81 but the course is the same with some rule changes. you need 192 rds to shoot the course,your son can shoot and there are classes for all type of firearms. The new rule and course of fire is pretty complicated so you need to go to the NRA website, and pull up all the info you can and then order a couple of the ACTION Pistol rulebooks,because its really to much info to type in here and then you will know all the true rules/course of fire different weapons /ammo regs etc, it is alot of fun and its a great area you do need to be there all 3 days because of the event schedule.good luck REB

 

[dave williams]

Thanks for the info.

Dave Williams

 

[H Richard]

I do not know about the Bianchi Cup specifically, but from handling scheduling at the Masters over the years, if you are both planning to use the same guns, there will be a conflict where you are both scheduled to shoot at the same time or both need the same gun in overlapping matches and it isn't available. If at all possible each have your own guns and equipment it will avoid a lot of frustration. If you don't be sure to personally contact the match officials "ahead of the match" and explain your needs. I am sure they will go out of their way to assist you, but don't expect miracles.

This is a fun match as a spectator as well as a competitor. There are also side matches that can be entered.

 

[Bart 44]

Hi Dennis, yes I saw that link, it doesn't answer any of my questions however.

I am hoping some Bianchi Cup veterans can answer my questions.

Thanks,

Dave Williams

Yes, after looking at it again I see there's not much information on that site. They could certainly do a better job with it.

Dennis.

 

[calmex]

well I havent shot there since 80-81 but the course is the same with some rule changes. you need 192 rds to shoot the course,your son can shoot and there are classes for all type of firearms. The new rule and course of fire is pretty complicated so you need to go to the NRA website, and pull up all the info you can and then order a couple of the ACTION Pistol rulebooks,because its really to much info to type in here and then you will know all the true rules/course of fire different weapons /ammo regs etc, it is alot of fun and its a great area you do need to be there all 3 days because of the event schedule.good luck REB

I was also in Bianchi '81 and agree with everything CALREB says. They will give you a "shooting schedule" and you will find that you or your son will be shooting each day on all three days, at different times and on different parts of the range. CALREB and I might have been shooting beside each other and never knew it.

 

[45forme]

Thinking about heading to the Bianchi Cup in '11. It just looks like fun and a nice road trip for my son and I.

Just have a few questions:

1. How many rounds should I expect to fire in the competition? 4 courses of 48 rounds.
2. What is the entry fee? ??
3. Do you have to be there all three days? Yes
4. Could my 16yr old son compete? He is an experienced shooter, has shot USPSA, GSSF, and informal 3 Gun. Yes. The first year there was a young girl from Ohio named Heidi Lippmeyer--she was about 14 IIRC. Ray Chapman said, "she has as much business being here as a fart in a whirlwind!" He wanted the match to be only the best of the best---they've loosened up some in the past 31 years.
5. Could he and I use the same revolver/auto? No
6. Is there a company that sells factory 38/9mm ammo tailored for the Bianchi Cup? Not that I know of.
7. I was thinking of using a stock 6" 686 with a Pride-Fowler action red dot. Does this sound like an OK setup? It will be fine if you're a good shooter, of course if you're not good, it won't matter much what you use.
8. Could we also shoot an auto, like a Glock 34? Yes

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave Williams

BTW, here's a photo of the first relay to shoot on the first day of the first Bianchi Cup in 1979. The range was a muddy mess and you can see that the barricades weren't painted yet. The barricade was the first event to start as they were wheelbarrowing mulch onto the other ranges to soak up the rain/mud. You can't see him, but the shooter on the right, behind the judges is Kirk Kirkam. He was the first US IPSC National Champion in 1978. I was the shooter on the left. I like to say that I shot the first round of the first Bianchi Cup but Kirk beat me to the draw by a considerable margin!!

 

[dave williams]

Thanks for the info.

Dave Williams

 

[Dakota Iron]

45forme, Kirk Kirkham shot in the Cactus Match League in Mesa
AZ. for years and was a very serious competitor, he was also had a good natured funny side. Semper Fi

 

[451 Detonics]

To answer the ammo requirements, you will have to make caliber meaning making a power factor. For years I used a 125 JHP at 1050fps. This made the power factor as well as being the right velocity for my mover dot.

Btw...power factor is bullet weight in grains X velocity in fps divided by 1000. So a 120 grain bullet at 1000 fps will just make the required power factor of 120. You don't want to push the lower limit as the test rounds will not be fired from your gun and failure means a DQ.

The 192 rounds is what it takes to shoot but remember they will pull 6 rounds to test fire to make sure you are making caliber, that will be 24 rounds on top of the 192. Also there are side matches and if you shoot the plates clean you will repeat the event till you miss. I never showed up with less that 400 rounds.

You 686 will do nicely but do get in a good bit of practice. You cab use an auto as well. Be sure to talk to the folks when you register and make sure you are in the right class. Safe gun handling is paramount as you will be moving with a hot gun when you change distances on the firing line and all stages are run with the gun starting holstered. Shoot some local matches to get a feel for things, to get classified, and never hesitate to ask for help. Action Pistol is an addicting sport and soon you will be wanting one of these...

my Glenn Custom...