otasan56
US Veteran
I use my S&W 629 6-inch revolver loaded with 215 gr wadcutter bullets at 1200 FPS. This load works well to push the three-pound bowling pins back the required three feet. These matches are in NH.
Bowling Pin Shooting
- Thread starter otasan56
- Start date
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S&WIowegan
US Veteran
Congrats on finding pin matches to shoot. In Iowa, they have gone the way of the DODO bird. I was speaking to a fellow last night who moved here from CT 3 years ago. He said he shot pin matches there with hot-loaded 38 Super hollow points.
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Excellent! I didn't know anyone shot bowling pins any more. If I ever find such a match I'll use my Model 25 loaded with standard .45 Colt - that should work. I think.
Bob R
US Veteran
I know my 25-5 loaded with a 255gr hardcast SWC pushing about 900 ft/sec hits those pins with authority. 
bob
bob
We're doing our first bowling pin shoot at our local club, Franklin Targeteers, N.H. on 10-16. Just for fun this time, next year maybe more formal matches for prizes. I'll be using my Norinco 1911 with 200 grain SWC. There seems to be only 1 or 2 guys that have ever done it before among us. Is there a formal format that should be followed? We're going with 3 tables , 5 pins each. First one to clean the table wins that heat. Any handgun, any sights, load only 6 rounds, no magnums. Reload as necessary but I think that if you have to reload you already lost. Any comments or ideas?
Comrad
Member
Around my little slice of heaven bowling alleys are disappearing rapidly and the more that close the less available pins to shoot. Wonder if they will just make some just to shoot?
Our local Bowling alley was Berra and Rizzuto, owned and run by the players in the 60's. Hard to believe now but in those days players needed a winter gig to pay the bills. Sadly both are now gone and so is their old bowling alley.
Our local Bowling alley was Berra and Rizzuto, owned and run by the players in the 60's. Hard to believe now but in those days players needed a winter gig to pay the bills. Sadly both are now gone and so is their old bowling alley.
I did a lot of pins, 25+ years ago. It's gone along with the smoke filled low ventilation ranges. Steel plate matches are around though. No mess to clean up.
Hang-Fire Hank
Member
BAD RICOCHETS
Otasan56:
I took part in a couple indoor pin matches. Shot a medium load 41 Mag thru my 8 3/8" model 57 using my cast bullets. There were ricochets at every match. The last get-together I went to had a bullet whizzing/whining back towards the crowd behind the shooter. No more for me!
About that same time (early-mid 80s), we stopped using them in Cowboy Action Shooting for the same reason. Seemed like such a good idea too!
As Comrad said, the old style bowling houses are about gone. Now colored strobe lights & wild masking unit colors are the rage for the young set. I was raised in that industry (Dad was a lane mgr.) & miss the smell of beer bottles, cigarette/cigar smoke, & lacquered lanes & settes.
Oops, sorry! Old Guy here pouring over old memories.
Hank M.
Otasan56:
I took part in a couple indoor pin matches. Shot a medium load 41 Mag thru my 8 3/8" model 57 using my cast bullets. There were ricochets at every match. The last get-together I went to had a bullet whizzing/whining back towards the crowd behind the shooter. No more for me!
About that same time (early-mid 80s), we stopped using them in Cowboy Action Shooting for the same reason. Seemed like such a good idea too!
As Comrad said, the old style bowling houses are about gone. Now colored strobe lights & wild masking unit colors are the rage for the young set. I was raised in that industry (Dad was a lane mgr.) & miss the smell of beer bottles, cigarette/cigar smoke, & lacquered lanes & settes.
Oops, sorry! Old Guy here pouring over old memories.
Hank M.
My club still runs a monthly pin match.
Difference is that these pins are at 25 yards, on a deep table.
Have to clear them off. 1 shot preferred.
I use a 240 coated SWC loaded to 960 FPS on my 629-4:
Difference is that these pins are at 25 yards, on a deep table.
Have to clear them off. 1 shot preferred.
I use a 240 coated SWC loaded to 960 FPS on my 629-4:
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
The first indoor pin match I shot was also my last. One guy showed up with a Desert Eagle 44 Mag. He destroyed the pins which caused the organizers to run out. But, we also regularly got hit by 240 gr Bounce-backs and that aint fun. I was in the money with every gun I shot but I didn't go back.
Collo Rosso
Member
My club started (re-started actually) bowling pin matches again about 2 years ago. So far this year we've had 3 and the July match was a rain out. Spring match drew 28 shooters.
One table, 5 pins and your timed from the buzzer till the last pin hits the ground. Four rounds and lowest total time wins. Draw from a holster, unlimited rounds and reloading. Break it down by semi-auto, DA revolver and SA revolver. SA revolver can bring 2 guns to the line.
I won the September match with a Sig 1911 shooting 230gr. hardball. Lots of fun and we're bugging the guy that puts these matches together to have a December match. The weather here is usually nice that time of year.
One table, 5 pins and your timed from the buzzer till the last pin hits the ground. Four rounds and lowest total time wins. Draw from a holster, unlimited rounds and reloading. Break it down by semi-auto, DA revolver and SA revolver. SA revolver can bring 2 guns to the line.
I won the September match with a Sig 1911 shooting 230gr. hardball. Lots of fun and we're bugging the guy that puts these matches together to have a December match. The weather here is usually nice that time of year.
USARMYSPEC4
Member
Last time I shot a pin match was in the mid 90's. I used my 4516-1 with 230 grain round nose reloads. worked well for me.
Now it's steel plates with my 986. I'm having fun with that though.
Now it's steel plates with my 986. I'm having fun with that though.
