TRNinTX

We go to Dallas in the morning to pick BJ up at DFW. He will be home for two weeks for Christmas Exodus. Can't wait to see him and have time to talk.

Thanks Seiichi. I looked everywhere but there.

Anyone heard news on Steel Challenge Nationals? I tried to go the their website and it is not there anymore.

This is Kaitlyn with her Aunt Lucie's Colt Govt. .380

DAA 2009 USPSA Nationals

Sean, I know where your coming from. My son left for Ft. Benning & OSUT two weeks ago. We were able to speak with him on Thursday before he went "downrange" to start his BCT yesterday. We probably will not talk to him until Christmas. You are proud, scared and many other emotions. Congratulations on raising a son who will serve.

A little edit to help you out And that's from a "G-Man"

News is just coming across that there was a mass shooting at Ft. Hood, TX. So far 7 killed and 12 wounded. Pray for our soldiers.

Thanks everyone. I talked with BJ for just a minute last night. He is still in Reception Battalion this week. He is bored and ready to get started. He goes downrange for the start of training on Friday and we probably will not hear from him except by mail for two or three weeks after he starts.

BJ's wife, Lucie, his Mom & I went to the Shreveport MEPS yesterday and watched him take the oath. What a proud moment for all of us! We did get to spend several hours with him at the airport while waiting for his flight to Atlanta. Lucie heard from him late last night that he had arrived on post safely. We are fortunate that we will get to see him at Christmas about the halfway point of his training. Lucie just came in the door and said she got a 4 1/2 min phone call this evening. BJ is doing great, but he has only gotten about an hour sleep on the plane since yesterday at 5 am.

OSUT @ Fort Benning

BJ called a little while ago and said his ship date just got moved up to next Thursday. I'm very proud of him but we will miss him.

You mean a "STIg"

BJ, You know I've been off of the computer the last couple of days due to the teaching schedule. I've been waiting for you to announce your decision to comment on line. Your Mom & I are incredibly proud of you and we are incredibly scared for you. We both know you will make a great soldier, just give us some time to get used to the idea. Thanks to everyone for their support. When word got out at Steel Challenge about BJ's decision the out pouring of support from the shooting community was incredible. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

1. BJ Norris - 69.00 2. Billy Abbate - 73.76 3. Dave Sevigny - 73.92 4. Todd Jarrett - 75.33 5. Jerry Miculek - 76.81 6. Jesse Abbate - 77.95 7. Mark Ipstein - 80.39 8. Kay Miculek - 82.93 9. John Allchin - 82.95 10. Phil Strader - 84.41 - Irons

Jim, The wives have already been told we are eating tacos at least once!

With the economy the way it is and ammo/components hard to come by, I just wondered what kind of turnout there will be in Piru this year. We are driving out on the 7th & 8th and will have a couple of extra days on the practice range. BJ's wife and my wife are both coming this year to watch him shoot. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Paul, Come on down! We would love to have you full time. Tim

The boys and I were doing a First Shots one Saturday at the local indoor range. We got the students out on the range where we were only using about five of the ten lanes. One Rambo started enganging two of the ladies that were waiting for there turn to shoot. He was giving them the rundown on .40 and .45 hollowpoints that would expand to twice there size, then he came out with the "most tactical" statement I have ever heard: "You see this bullet here with the shiny case (nickel), I put it in the clip first so when I see it flip out of the gun I know it's time to reload. We told him to leave our students alone!

The results shown are only 1st day. I know BJ & Dave S. have both shot The Practical on Wed. and The Mover yesterday. They are slotted to shoot The Barricade and then go head to head on The Plates today.

You don't think the bad guy knew where the armed student was going to be sitting do you? Front and Center every damn time.

MATCH RESULTS are up.

I saw this yesterday and immediately sat down and wrote my two senators and congressman. Everyone should send a letter to have this decision reversed.

From the Steel Challenge Rule Book: SCORING METHODS: Steel Challenge events may be scored by “Impact” (Electronically wired stop plates) or “Sound” (sound-actuated shot timers). 1. “Impact” stop plates use an electrical switch to stop the elapsed time. (Not used for rimfire events.) 2. “Sound” scoring uses conventional (USPSA-type) shot timers that “hear” each shot. The competitor’s elapsed time stops with the last shot fired. Note: Impact-rigged stop plates will respond to 120 power factor ammunition (bullet weightXvelocity/1,000 = “power factor”). An ultra light load or edger might not stop the timer. However, each stage will have a backup sound timer, which will be used each time there is not an impact stoppage. The back up timer will be gang wired, and begins on the same initial start signal. A set “factor” for bullet travel time to the stop plate plus the reaction time of typical hardware will be added to the sound timer to approximate the same time (based on an 800 FPS bullet speed). Stage Distance To Stop Plate Sound-to-Impact Correction Pendulum 30 feet .04 per run X4 = .16 Roundabout 30 feet .04 X 4 = .16 Showdown 36 feet .07 X 4 = .28 Five To Go 27 feet (actual) .04 X 4 = .16 Speed Option 107 feet (actual) .16 X 3 = .48 Smoke & Hope 42 feet .07 X 4 = .28 Outer Limits 54 feet .10 X 4 = .40 Accelerator 45 feet .08 X 4 = .32 This gives you a good idea why bullet velocity becomes important with a wired stop plate.

My Dillon range bag is always used as my carry-on, even on the flight to Bali and I have never been stopped at security. But be sure to check every nook & cranny, then turn the bag upside down and shake it to make sure there are no loose rounds. We don't use a TSA lock (everyone has a key to one of those), just have a cell # on the top of the case in the event that the case needs to be opened. Different carriers have different rules about ammo and guns in the same bag and the ticket agents usually don't have a clue what their own rules are. It is best not to argue, just do what they ask. TSA is more likely to check the bags with ammo than the bag with the guns. The x-ray can't see through the lead in the ammo. We have found that if you act like you know what you're doing that the ticket agents will follow your advice when they are not sure. The really nice thing is when you fly out of a small airport like our's and the TSA agent asks "Where are you shooting this time?" :-)