Shooting competitions

[ivanwi11iams]

Flipping heck, I just watched a few shooting competitions on YouTube, and it is making me want to go out now to sign up!

I'm not skilled at all for that. But, it was simply that impressive. I guess it is time for me to make going to the range, and learning to shoot better, a 'full time' hobby.

I'll certainly be visiting the range this weekend!

Do you, You or YOU compete? Was it difficult to get into?

 

[rwsmith]

Good luck!

If I needed a serious hobby I might do the same. As it is you have my admiration.

 

[walkin jack]

I've never been interested in competing. I might have had some success when I (and my eyes) were a lot younger but I never had the time. I love to watch competitive shooting but when I'm shooting I'm doing it for the recoil and gun smoke....and to get rid of some pent up hostilities.

I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to shoot well and if I were to get involved in competition I'd pro'lly drive myself crazy. It would be a mistake for me to take something that gives me pleasure and helps me unwind and turn it into another source of stress. Lord only knows I have enough of that to deal with..........

 

[Bkreutz]

Flipping heck, I just watched a few shooting competitions on YouTube, and it is making me want to go out now to sign up!

I'm not skilled at all for that. But, it was simply that impressive. I guess it is time for me to make going to the range, and learning to shoot better, a 'full time' hobby.

I'll certainly be visiting the range this weekend!

Do you, You or YOU compete? Was it difficult to get into?

I compete in various matches, makes for more interesting shooting than standing in a stall at a range and shooting at one target (I still do that too though ). There are a wide range of matches that you can take part in. There are the local unsanctioned variety, they usually take place at a shooting range and are often a weekly thing. Then there are the sanctioned events which are normally a monthly match per club/range. Two of the sanctioning bodies for action pistol are IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) which is the US component of IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) Sounds like too many letters, but it's all fun. You can get as involved as you want. I had to realize that there is no way I'm going to compete with a 20 something sprinting from shooting position to shooting position so I don't get bothered with comparing the scores. I shoot 2 sometimes 3 matches a week in nicer weather (I don't stand in the rain shooting anymore, well, not very often) I'm retired and this is my retirement activity. All the sanctioning organizations have Senior and Super Senior classifications and I've found that all (well, almost all) participants are a good bunch of people to hang out with.

Welcome to USPSA.org - Home of the United States Practical Shooting Association
IDPA - Welcome!

These websites will give you contact info in your area, get in touch and go to a match. You might find yourself a new hobby.

 

[686_was_my_first]

Doesn't hurt to ask

Naviwilliams,
Do not know what part of Atlanta you live in, but be sure to ask if there are any USPSA or IDPA matches held at the range you visit this weekend.

There are IDPA matches every Tuesday evening at Sandy Springs Gun Club (Sandy Springs Gun Club And Range) and every Monday evening at Sharp Shooters in Roswell (https://www.sharpshootersusa.com/Home_Page.html)

It has been a year or so since I shot USPSA with the North Atlanta Action Shooters(North Atlanta Action Shooters) at Bullseye in Cumming. Used to be every Sunday evening, but I think the schedule has change. There is a monthy USPSA match at Riverbend (http://rbgc.org/USPSA/USPSA.htm). Bring about 300 rounds and lunch.

For me, it is fun to compete. Golf was not working out as I had hoped.

To answer your questions:
Yes, I compete. Not as much as i did or as i want.
No, it was not hard to get into. First time shooters will attend an orientation concerng safety and rules. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

Be prepared to assist with building the stages, marking the targets and other housekeeping items that are required to run the matches.

Feel to to PM me if you have any questions.

Later,
glen

 

[EQGuy]

Yes I compete. I shot my first rifle match in 1968. I was permanent party at the concrete paver equipment operators course at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. One cold February day as we were chipping concrete from steel forms with a hammer and chisel our sargent in charge walked in and stated that he needed 2 volunteers to try out for the rifle team. I jumped at the chance as anything had to be better than what I was doing. Long story short they got 2 volunteers from each outfit on the base and taught us to shoot the National Match Course using NM M-14's. We shot the NM course twice a day during the week and once on Saturday morning. I made the team and we shot the 5th Army matches in Fort Riley that summer. I made the 5th Army team and shot with them for a while. I had a great time and learned to shoot.

About 30 years ago I got a DCM Garand and started shooting local matches. I made it to sharpshooter shooting the Garand and then I put together a bolt rifle and jumped from sharpshooter to master.

About 20 years ago I started shooting metallic silhouette and that has been my main game ever since. I quit shooting 4 years ago because of surgeries I had but just got back into the game last year and I am having a ball doing it. I will be shooting the state smallbore silhouette championship next weekend and I am looking forward to it.

I also shoot a winter league indoor at 50 feet with an Anschultz 2013 match rifle. We shot our last match last week. The only down side is my neck has been bothering me lately and I have a hard time shooting prone. I had an MRI Thursday to see what is going on there. I am hoping it is not anything serious as I am really having a good time competing again.

 

[brucev]

Flipping heck, I just watched a few shooting competitions on YouTube, and it is making me want to go out now to sign up!

I'm not skilled at all for that. But, it was simply that impressive. I guess it is time for me to make going to the range, and learning to shoot better, a 'full time' hobby.

I'll certainly be visiting the range this weekend!

Do you, You or YOU compete? Was it difficult to get into?

I've been shooting local vintage military rifle matches since 2004. It's fun. I've done well with just plain Jane issue 1903 and 1903-A3 and M-1 Garand rifles. I shoot Greek HXP from the CMP in the M-1. I shoot cast bullet handloads in the 03 and 03-A3.

This coming weekend I will try my hand at a local pistol match. It will be draw and fire on some sort of humanoid target. As I am a pastor, I have no duty rig, so I'm going to simply use a Russell holster and my six inch 686 w/ nice 158 gr. handloads. I have been practicing the drawing part. I'll just have to watch the moving sections at the match and try to remember what to do. It should be fun. If I can remember how to move at each section I should be able to get good hits. The only part that may give me trouble is the reloads as I will be loading loose ammunition, haven't found a speed loader for the L-frame. If I can not mess up I may have enough time to do the reload and fire. We'll see! Try it! You'll probably like it!

 

[manyguns]

If it is pistol matches you are looking at I suggest IDPA. It is as user friendly as any of the national based sports. Equipment is not critical & there are lots of folks who don't take the completion very seriously. It will give you a reason to improve your skills and meet new people.

 

[H Richard]

I've been competing for over 30 years. Small-bore rifle, High power rifle, IHMSA Silhouette, USPSA, Trap, Skeet, Bullseye, PPC. I still shoot Bullseye (indoor rimfire) and Trap and Skeet. The best is to find a club near you and visit and see what competitions they do and do you like them (the competitions and the club). If you don't enjoy either you won't last. I hope you handload, as you will need to to compete.

 

[Grayfox]

I shoot IDPA some. I'm too old and worn old to ever hope to be a serious competitor. But I still do it for two reasons. First its probably the closest thing you're gonna get to real world practice for those of us who carry a concealed weapon. Second is that its just plain fun!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Yup, yup and yup! I've shot IPSC, SASS, PPC, steel, bowling pin and three gun match's. First off pick your poison and then check with people who shoot it or visit the body's web site and make sure you have the minimum rules approved equipment and check the safety rules before you show up on match day. Then show up and have fun! You will find that the vast majority of folk are friendly and helpful, willing to give the new guy or gal all the help they need to get through their first match. Let the RO's know that this is your first time and they will take care of you. Don't let being nervous keep you away, for everyone gets match nerves when they step up to the line, you just get better at handling them as you get experience.

Above all, follow the safety rules and have fun! Oh yeah, it helps to be able to laugh at yourself now and again.

 

[Bkreutz]

I shoot 3 of the pistol disciplines. They are different enough to make it interesting. Monthly I shoot 1 IDPA match, 1 steel challenge match, 2 USPSA matches. Additionally I shoot a weekly club match that is non affiliated and a combination of the 3 I already mentioned. The all have a different "feel".

IDPA is the closest to concealed carry and is centered around a scenario. The movement, actions, and shots are very proscribed. The typical instructions read something like: "Starting from P1, draw and shoot T1 3 times while moving forward to P2, at P2 retrieve your baby (doll) in your weak hand and engage T2 with strong hand only while retreating to cover". Any deviation incurs a procedural penalty. This is how all the stages and strings of fire are described.

In USPSA the instructions will typically read "From the start box, engage the targets as they become visible". It's up to the shooter to figure out how they are going to go through the course. The only restriction is that there are boundaries to the shooting area. The common name for this is "Run and Gun"! .

Steel challenge is much easier on the feet, for all stages except one, the shooter stands in the shooting box, at the buzzer engages each steel (4) and then the stop plate. Then the shooter repeats this 4 more times and the best 4 times are added together to score the stage. Steel is a bit easier on us older folk because it isn't a foot race with 20 somethings, but it's the fastest (and most volume) of shooting of the 3. Try them all and pick the one you like the best (or do all 3 like I do)

 

[Tony C.]

Yes, I've been shooting in various disciplines over 30 yrs, ISSF samllbore rifle; air rifle; NRA smallbore rifle; high power rifle; bullseye pistol; air pistol...etc. I'm now well into my 60s, still keep busy by going to a few bullseye matches every now and again, and in the winter months shot in the local indoor standard pistol league.

Getting into competitive shooting isn't hard at all, just visit a club when there is a match going on. I'm sure you'll find other shooters will welcome you with open arms and answer any questions you may have.

 

[ACP230]

I started out in Bullseye, added NRA Hunter's Pistol Silhouette, NRA
High-Power Rifle, PPC type, and then shot bowling pin matches for 10 years. Shot steel plates, IDPA, .22 Benchrest, and am now occasionally trying three gun matches. (Should have done them earlier when I was
thinner and more limber. But still fun.)

Some of the best times I've had were shooting bowling pins. Frustrating and enormously entertaining at the same time.
Steel plates are also a lot of fun.

 

[imashooter2]

I shoot USPSA, ICORE, and falling steel and I used to shoot a Steel Challenge clone before I decided to dedicate my limited time to shoot and move games. I also tried IDPA, but didn't like it as much as USPSA or ICORE so I don't shoot it. However if it was the only shoot and move game nearby, I would absolutely shoot it again.

It is my experience that new shooters are broadly welcomed and assisted at every turn as long as they are safe. Look at your local clubs and see what games are available...

 

[jdlii]

I've been involved in high-power rifle competition since 1977 with a break here or there due to school. Shot well enough to qualify as a master in across the course and long range matches. I have shot a few IDPA matches and one three gun match. They are fun but, I prefer high-power.

 

[chief38]

I competed in SASS Cowboy Matches for 20 years and had a great time. The main reason I got out of the sport was because it started out as a bunch of Guys & Gals going out on a Sunday to dress up like Cowboys and to have a good old time. Then some of the "Gamers" took up the sport and were more interested in winning, cheating, working up squib loads, slicking up their guns to the extent of being ridiculous, wearing footwear that helped them run faster, modifying holsters for the extra edge, and using small caliber guns for little or no recoil. They ruined it in my opinion and it rapidly lost its fun value. I had the pleasure of taking first place a bunch of times when everyone was using .45 Colts, unmodified Rifles and Shotguns, standard target loads and had no interest in "cheating up" the game just to win. That is when I hung up my spurs and now just shoot for fun.

I have been asked more than several times by a few different shooting teams to join their club (modern pistols and PPC matches) since I am a pretty fair shot, but for now just want to remain a fun shooter.

It's a shame that some people are so intent on winning that they forget to have fun along the way. I am NOT bragging here, but the funny part is that I was outshooting almost all of the Gamers with my standard loaded bullets, smoothed but unmodified guns and holsters, and slow to run in and uncomfortable Cowboy boots.

Still wear my Stetson occasionally ...................

 

[hangnoose]

SMALL LOCAL RANGES ARE A FAR CRY FROM CAMP PERRY

I went to just look at a bowling pin match last August, thankfully they "FORCED ME TO TRY IT", it's a lot of fun & a far cry from the national finals. More along the lines of shooting pool or playing darts at a bar. A bunch of guys just having fun & busting on each other good naturedly, not taking it or themselves too seriously. There are many different types of competitions and skill levels. I can only speak of bowling pin & steel challenge. Some are quite good & when they get to the level of having sponsors & going to state & national matches of course they take things more seriously than a schlub like me. Go with the intention of having fun & don't worry about times/scores for a while. I'm sure you will enjoy it. I would say the group as a whole are definitely above the average paper punchers at the open range, & they are a great source of tips/ info & are more than happy to teach & help newbies.

 

[Bib]

I shoot IDPA regularly. There's a match within a hour's ride every weekend. What makes it even better is that I almost always travel by motorcycle...two hobbies, one day. I'm a range officer at one of the clubs and help with the setup and teardown too. In exchange I get to shoot for free and keep whatever brass hits the ground in the stage I'm running.

 

[cmort666]

I used to do a LOT of NRA conventional pistol.

I shot in the Cuyahoga County Pistol League, and used to shoot in various 1800s and 2700s.

Between money and working hours, I haven't been able to compete since 2009.

I just got my first decent job since then, so it's possible that I might start shooting the CCPL, or at least shooting 1800s and 2700s again.

Competition is a real test of your fundamental shooting skills and your powers of concentration. You will learn your equipment and yourself VERY well when you compete.