I run our clubs bowling pin matches which are all head to head. There is usually two formats one where you strictly run on time, and then the head to head matches where the 1st person to clear their table wins.
Either way its an accuracy game where the heavier bullet usually wins the day.. Our matches are broken down in to several divisions, in the .22 RF divisions we shoot pin heads. In center fire we run a Minor, Major, and Magnum division. Minor is 9mm, 38 special and under. Major is 40, 10MM, 45auto, 357, Magnum is 41 mag and up. We do not split up wheel guns and semi auto's.
Typically the best bullet configuration I see is a HP, it tends to grab the pin the best, I actually prefer 200gr HP in my 45 it works for me.
One shot one pin, usually just above the thickest part of the pin is best, you don't want to hit it to low or high, putting a cripple on the table can be costly. Best to clear the pin in one shoot if possible. Go down the line, pin one thru five and then come back to pick up any cripples. So get your rhythm run the table then come back for left overs if needed.
Our head to head tables are set at 15 yards. Most clubs run much closer. In our game as you move forward in the bracket if you have to reload you will get a trip to the lower bracket. Also if you shoot head to head don't look at the other shooters table, focus on yours let the RO call the match you shoot your pins. I've seen more than one person loose a match by peeking at the other table.
The pins can get pretty lumpy and heavy, we always start with minor and work our way up to magnum, if a pin gets to shot up its replaced. By the time we get into the magnum division those pins can be pretty heavy. The other thing with shooting pins is you can get some odd bounces so even a good shooter can be schooled by a bowling pin.
The last thing I tell everyone in the safety briefing is the secret to pin shooting. I will share that with you also. "Shoot fast don't miss"
There now you have it.
Bowling Pin Shooting
Good luck
