Interested in shooting a Forum Postal Match?

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

Who here would be interested in participating in a Forum Postal Match?

Before anyone gets too excited, I need to state upfront that I have floated this concept with Handejector, and received his blessings, with the understanding that it be known in advance that the Forum will not be associated with this Postal Match, and that the administration of it falls solely on me!

What I am proposing, is (initially) a rimfire postal match, fired at 50 feet. This Postal Match would be made up of 6 monthly sets of targets. Upon completion of the course of fire (described below), the targets would be signed by the shooter and a witness, marked for the month of submission and the division, and mailed (unscored) to me. You would provide your own targets. These can be purchased online.

Divisions: this Postal Match would have 4 divisions:
1) semi-auto iron sights
2) semi-auto any sights
3) revolver iron sights
4) revolver any sights

Pistols: any 22 caliber rimfire handgun.

Course of fire:
2 B2 (50' slow fire targets), 5 shots per target, time of 5 minutes per target
2 B3 (50' timed/rapid fire targets), 5 shots per target, time of 20 seconds per target
2 B3 (50' tied/rapid fire targets), 5 shots per target, time of 10 seconds per target

All shooting would be one-handed.

With the exception of not using NRA classifications, NRA rules would apply.

Awards (per division)
First place - plaque (minimum of 10 entries)
Second place - medal (minimum of 15 entries)
Third place - medal (minimum of 20 entries)
Additional medals awarded for each additional 5 entries

Entry fee: $10 per division entered, which covers the 6 months of matches
Unexpended entry fees (after purchase and mailing of awards) to be donated to the Forum in the Memory of Our Absent Members

Time-line:

Registration submitted by April 30
April targets postmarked by May 10th
May targets postmarked by June 10th
June (dark month, I will be working the NRA National Matches in July and August)
July targets postmarked by August 10th
August targets postmarked by September 10th
September targets postmarked by October 10th
October targets postmarked by November 10th

Monthly scores will be posted as quickly as humanly possible.
Awards should be mailed by the end of November.
An accounting of all entry fee expenditures will be posted with the final results.

Please Note: understanding how money is tight and time is a precious commodity, you may shoot and submit targets over fewer than 6 shooting sessions. Just make sure to indicate which targets are for which months!

Second PLEASE NOTE: I am not looking to generate a profit, I will be donating my time in order to promote this Precision Pistol Postal Match!

I will announce whether this Postal Match will occur at the end of March.

[ISCS Yoda]

So funny! Everyone votes both!!!!

I don't know if I can shoot a handgun one-handed anymore but I'd try!

[lrrifleman]

@ISCS Yoda: that first vote for both was mine. However, being an NRA Referee, by the rules I'm not permitted to shoot a match that I officiate. So the Forum Postal won't be seeing me throw lead!

[Shotguncoach]

I’m in for all of the following (the poll implies more options than the message):

Rimfire revolver open sights
Rimfire semi-auto open sights

Centerfire revolver open sights
Centerfire semi-auto open sights

[lrrifleman]

Yes, the poll does infer more choices than the message. I'm using this poll to guage interest in a possible centerfire postal. I'd rather start with the Rimfire postal first, and take it from there.

For example, if we have 40 people that choose to participate, that would require me to score 240 targets a month for 6 months, and maintain the records.

Additionally, I figured that rimfire ammo is less expensive, and with (if you listen to the internet) potential ammo shortages and significant price increases, a rimfire postal has a greater likelihood of success.

[Krogen]

This is a great idea! We shoot a winter IERPA postal at one of my clubs. It finishes up in March, so this could be a good follow-on. I bet I could snag a few of the guys to shoot your postal.

Two comments: Slow fire is usually done in 1 10 shot string, 10 minutes. Two 5 shot, 5 minutes strings is completely do-able but atypical.

Our indoor 50 ft range is limited to rimfire. Others' may be too. You'd likely lose participation if you went centerfire.

I like your plan to donate the proceeds to the forum.

[pasound]

I posted a like, but my shaky hands haven't been able to shoot one handed in nearly 10 years. At this point, I will enjoy the results and observe.

[glenwolde]

Not one handed. Thanks anyway.

This is why NRA Bullseye/Precision is a dying sport. One handed is out of style. Nobody wants to put in the effort to learn to shoot one-handed precision when it doesn't have a practical application across other shooting sports.

I'm a non-tactical shooter. I shoot for precision, but not with one hand. Two-handed precision would at least be a more useful skill for other disciplines. There is no other pistol discipline that's primarily one-handed.

Obviously I'm not going to Camp Perry.

[AlHunt]

Originally Posted by glenwolde

Not one handed. Thanks anyway.

This is why NRA Bullseye/Precision is a dying sport. One handed is out of style. Nobody wants to put in the effort to learn to shoot one-handed precision when it doesn't have a practical application across other shooting sports.

I'm a non-tactical shooter. I shoot for precision, but not with one hand. Two-handed precision would at least be a more useful skill for other disciplines. There is no other pistol discipline that's primarily one-handed.

Obviously I'm not going to Camp Perry.

Funny, I've always preferred one handed / off hand shooting for some reason. now that I have a left shoulder injury, probably forever, it's pretty much required.

I'm thinking about this one ...

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

Thanks for the comments.
I'm unable to modify the survey, but if there are at least 25 people interested in each of the postal categories, I could adapt it to 4 major categories: rimfire one-handed, rimfire freestyle (2 hands), centerfire one-handed, and centerfire freestyle.

I realize that slow fire is typically shot as 1 ten shot string. However, I felt that when a centerfire postal was added (which could be soon), it would be easier and fairer to score 5 shot centerfire targets.

[Shotguncoach]

One hand, two hands, strong hand, weak hand, standing, prone, FBI crouch, point shooting….I’ll shoot whatever position/style the group wants. Just don’t make me run.

[Shotguncoach]

To follow along a bit with the thoughts from Glenwolde, a postal match sounds like a boatload of fun but it's also a boatload of work. We might get more participation if the format was a bit less formal.

Several internet firearm sites have had good luck with picture based "matches" done entirely on the forum. A downloadable/printable target is provided, shooters post a picture of their range, their gun, and their finished target. Scoring is on the honor system but must be accompanied by a picture. The "prize" is getting your name at the top of a list and bragging rights until the next match. Not having to deal with mailing targets back and forth allows as many categories as you can think of.....if you want a class for weak-hand Creedmore position 200 yard timed rapid fire with open sights you can have one.

It all depends on whether the goal is to hold an actual match or to get people introduced to a slightly more formal way of shooting and "set the hook".

I'll play either way....

[Grayfox]

IDK. My best shooting days are well behind me. I might give it a try. But actually mailing them in is kinda iffy.

[Engineer1911]

Divisions: this Postal Match would have 4 divisions:
1) semi-auto iron sights
2) semi-auto any sights
3) revolver iron sights
4) revolver any sights

I will shoot #4 when I get a scope mounted on my drilled & tapped revolver. Can some one post a link for buying the correct targets.

EDIT:

Amazon has 50' B2 and B3 targets in 100 count packs for $27 each. I ordered mine, $54 delivered for free by March 1. Let the humiliation begin.

[lrrifleman]

I can tinker with trying to upload the appropriate targets, I would need to work on that.

Photos of fired targets does make the process easier, however, it eliminates the ability to plug close shots. This is something that I would have to think on.

[moosedog]

I'm in. Shooting one handed comes from the concept of point and shoot which is a natural ability we learn stating as children by looking at an object and the pointing to it. Hand-eye coordination.
I love Bullseye.

[gfors]

At age 64, I have never shot competitively, but would love the opportunity to give it a try. I'm sure there are a few guns in my safe that would be up to the task. Since I haven't "given in" to red dots, YET, I would opt for iron sight rimfire and centerfire.
Count me in.

[moosedog]

The United States Revolver Association used to have Postal Matches. Was anyone else a member?
I found my old membership card the other day.

[gfors]

After re-reading some of the other comments, the options you mention in post #10 look appealing.
one hand, two hand...interesting.

[jeffrefrig]

Just asking for a friend: Does anyone know how to get powder burn marks off a piece of paper?
Seriously, it DOES sound interesting. I won't be able to play but good luck to all involved.

[Matt_X]

I've been buying targets from Official NRA Shooting Targets, Speedloaders, Supplies, More as they they sell smaller quantities and have some harder to find stuff.


My 'standard' for practicing has been B-8. The B-2 will certainly be more challenging assuming there is a centerfire comp. I'll have some questions about how to do time if this happens. I assume distance is from forward toe to line.

[Krogen]

Originally Posted by Matt_X

I'll have some questions about how to do time if this happens.

Both clubs where I shoot bullesye use timed turning targets. Without that option, the app at the link below is a good substitute. It can feed speakers or electronic ear protection over Bluetooth.

Bullseye Match app