Blueridge

I am trying to find documentation on how trophies are awarded in matches. Secifically how many competitior are needed in a Division, Classification, and Category to award the different trophy places (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc...). I tried to search for same on the board, after looking through the blue rule book, but was unable to locate same. I thought that I had seen a USPSA document that provided this information, but I cannot remember where now. Anyone know where I can find such information?

I don't understand the question. That may be because I shoot revolver though. 1) shoot until empty. 2) reload. 3) repeat until stage is finished. Works for me. Ninety-Nine percent of the time at least. Those errant "clicks" have been a problem occasionally.

I suggest that you get more practice in with the S&W M&P 40c that you have. I have found that the whole idea that long shots require a long sight radius is more a mental thing than a physical one. I use a Ruger Alaskan revolver in competition (USPSA & IDPA), and while it took some practice I can make the longer shots that are required on some stages. It has barrel that is 2 1/2 inches long, and a sight radius of approximately 4 inches. It all comes down to being able to steady your hold for those shots. The shorter the barrel, the more unforgiving the shots are in reference to errant movement.

I use a Blade - Tech Sting Ray Belt (SRB) Holster for my revolver. I compete (Yes I said compete) with a Ruger Alaskan loaded with .45 Colt. I was able to call Blade Tech and get one made for the revolver, as it is not one of the ones listed on their website. Along with that I got two double and one single speedloader pouches. The SRB is also legal for IDPA. One of the best purchases that I have made as far as shooting gear.

Any word on why the match was not used for classification?

I sent my application in Tuesday, and am now working in more time in my schedule for practicing with my rifle. Now to find some rifle matches so that I can get in some "on the clock" time. It will be an experience that is for sure.

I started into shooting sports with Cowboy Action Shooting in 2005, and added IDPA and USPSA the years following that. It is quite a bit of fun, but I have had to decide between the three sports (along with my fencing competitions), and SASS has taken a back burner unfortunately.

Thanks to the certificate for a free entry I received at the Memphis Charity Challenge (thanks Hopalong) I will be trying my hand at this match. I had been thinking about trying a rifle/carbine match, but had not made a firm decision to participate in one until I obtained the certificate. I look forward to this match, and the challenge.

I am sure that I can do better than last time, and I am sure that I could do worse. Either way I want another shot at the Polish Plate Rack. Bring it on!!!

I shoot lead in practice and matches. I am not interested in keeping up with lead and jacketed bullets. USPSA, IDPA, and CAS are not precision shooting matches, and I get the accuracy that I need from my lead bullets. But hey, I am the guy who shoots a Ruger Alaskan (stock, no modifications) loaded with .45 Colt 250gr LRNFP ammunition. The bullets go where I point them, and most of the time where I am aiming. If you want the opinion of someone that is more particular about their firearm and ammo, then I am not your guy. I read about people talking about how much smoke they are getting from "this powder and that bullet", but I cannot say that I notice smoke when I am shooting stages. I have looked at videos of my shooting and see the amount of smoke that is there when I am shooting (and it's there), but I never recall seeing the smoke during my actual shooting of the stages. I have wondered why I don't notice the smoke, but I came to the conclusion that it's not important to me when I am shooting. Therefore it does not register consciously when I am shooting.

Open loud???? When??? I have yet to see an open gun louder than my Ruger Alaskan shooting .45 Colt. Oh and my bullets hit harder. . I reload and use 250gr LRNFP bullets over 5.8 to 6.0 gr of Titegroup, which runs 170 to 177 power factor. Don't get me wrong as I enjoy watching OTHER PEOPLE shoot open, but I have no interest to shoot it myself. Revolver division is the most fun to me. I considered changing in the first year that I shot revolver due to lack of other revolver shooters, but decided that it was just as much fun to try and beat single stack, production, and limited 10 competitors. Also I had to be "my own man" at matches because I rarely had other revolver shooters in my squad. I had to figure out how to approach stages in a way that worked best for me, as listening to the auto shooters (who generally never shot revolver in competition) did little to help. Being able to participate in the 2009 Memphis Charity Challenge was a blast. It was the first match that I am aware of that was for revolver shooters. The fun of having 70+ revolver shooters, including 7 GM's, was a great experience. I will be going to the 2010 Memphis Charity Challenge this next November.

I'll be back to the Memphis Charity Challenge, and with my speedloaders ready for action. It was too good of a match to miss going again. Most of the rest of the matches that I attend will be in NC & SC from the matches that I have seen posted so far. Juggling USPSA, IDPA, SASS, ICORE, and Olympic Style Fencing competitions (while keeping the wife relatively happy) is a full time job along with my full time job!

This is on my list to try this year. Now I just hsave to find the time to get in all the things on my list above it so that I can get to it.

Mec-Gar has always been my choice for magazines. I have 5 (10 round) that I have never had any problems with.

WOW!!!!!! You have quite some skill in leatherwork. How long did it take you to create that?

I don't see it as violating the rule mentioed above. I would have to see it in person to make a definite decision. It looks to me that the support hand/arm is creating "sympathetic tension" which would help stable the primary hand/arm. Now before someone says that would be providing support, understand that creating tension with the support hand would do this no matter where is it. If you are holding/carrying something in your support hand and grip it hard, then your primary hand will "mirror" that about 30% to 40% (if I remember the percentages right from training). Anything your one hand does (gripping, grabbing, grasping,...) the other hand will naturally do to a certain level sympathetically. Thus it would be possible with practice to do what he is showing in the photo when not required to hold something in his support hand while shooting, and hold something in his support hand when required and get the same benefit.

Well I use a Ruger Alaskan (shooting .45 Colt) in USPSA and IDPA competition. It has a 2 1/2" barrel, and shoots just fine. While it took me a little practice to shoot well with it consistently, I have been able to make 30-50 yard shots without much trouble now. I have not really practiced shooting targets beyond those renages with my hanfdguns. For me the big thing was keeping the gun stable (sights aligned) throughout the trigger pull. I used to on occasion get "constructive" comments on how the shorter barrel was detrimental, but I have become good enough now that I get "Wow" comments on my ability to make shots (which is often due to the barrel length and how "hot" my loads are). Especially the long shots on stages. While I have a 2 1/2" barrel the sight radius is 4 3/4", so sighting is not as bad as most people imagine. I do have to load my ammunition "hotter" to make power factor, but I have become accustomed to the loads now. I use 5.6 - 5.8 grains of Titegroup under a 250 grain LRNFP bullet in my loads, and the max load listed in the Hodgdon reloading guide is 6.2 grains. I have used as high as 6.0 grains in competition, but I backed down to find my minimum load to make major. The 5.6 grain load made 167pf at a match, so I upped the load to 5.8 grains for more leeway for temperature variance.

I shoot .45 Colt in USPSA, IDPA, and soon (relatively) ICORE. The .45 ACP and .45 Colt cannot be fired from the same gun (normally), but both can use moonclips, although for the .45 Colt the cylinder has to be cut for them in my experience. I use speedloaders myself, as I have not gotten to the point that I want to have my revolver cut for moonclips. The .45 Colt brass has a much larger capacity and is longer, case overall length 1.580 compared to 1.200 for .45 ACP. Using the new Hodgdon's 2010 Reloading guide, using titegroup powder and a 230gr LRN bullet here are the max powder charges. .45 Colt 6.5gr (velocity:934fps) .45 ACP 4.8gr (velocity: 855fps) I hope that helps answer some of your questions.

Congrats to him. I am sure that he worked hard to attain it.

Not that it will help my classification, but it will be nice to get "credit" for the match and classifier.

That will be great. I can try and get some "practice" on it before next November. Now I just have to find the time to make it up there.

I am up for seeing the Polish Plate Rack again at the Memphis Charity Challenge. (I REALLY can't believe I typed that)

I am marking it on my calendar, and will be there to represent the speedloader special category contingent. My Ruger Alaskan will once again strike fear into the steel targets!

For me reloading is necessary, as I shoot .45 Colt in IDPA, USPSA, CAS, and soon ICORE. With the exception of CAS, I have not found .45 Colt loaded in a manner for competition shooting. I took the meaning of "better" to be for the specific needs of the shooter. Factory ammunition is fine for shooting in general, but I think that each shooter can best reload for their specific needs. Thus providing an improvement on the outcome of the ammunition for themselves. Better for me not only deals with the how the ammunition functions, but what you get for the cost. If I reloaded ammunition that functions no better than factory, but it cost 1/4 as much, I would still consider it to be better.

Thanks for the stage diagrams. It was a great match and I look forward to next year.