Allgoodhits

I think I have shot there. Down in a valley, and the mover had had steel cage, similar to Reinholt's range, for the mover target man. Never will forget it. I shot a 1910 there missing a #&*@^$+ PLATE!

Where is Chambersburg? Near Pittsburgh? or Harrisburg? Jack Just north of Hagerstown, MD on I-81. My recal is that it's the first Chambersburg exit going north, on Wayne Road. The Range address is 1620 Cider Press Road, Chambersburg, PA and it's only a mile and half or so off the interstate at the exit. I "think" it is exit 14, but it definitely is Wayne Rd. Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans are visible from the exit. MJ

George Martin, President of the CPRC, asked that I post this for him. Here's the Chambersburg Pistol and Rifle Club's 2012 match schedule. Jan. 15 Fun Steel Feb. 19 Fun Steel March 18 Action Pistol April 15 Action Pistol May 6 Action Pistol June 10 NRA Approved Action Pistol July 21 NRA Regional Championship Action Pistol July 22 NRA Keystone Cup Championship Action Pistol Aug. 12 Action Pistol Aug. 26 Fun Steel club shoot Sept. 9 Action Pistol Oct. 14 Action Pistol the odd stuff Nov. 11 Fun Steel Plate rack mania Email antiquebears@comcast.net Phone (717)263-4429 evenings Thanks , George Martin

You should budget 12-15 minutes per event, but it should go quicker than that. Each event is only about a minute of actual shooting time. Hold ups are people coming to the line without what they need to shoot the entire COF. Such as sufficient magazines, speedloaders or loading blocks to shoot 48 rds and eye and ear protection etc. Also, target change out can consume time if not organized. Do not score on the frames, that takes too much time too. Do have a scoring area close by. The next relay can be shooting while the previous relay targets are scored. If you can shoot multiple lanes of shooters then obviously this adds to number of shooters per hour that can get through the event. Whether you shoot multiple shooters per par set is dependent on spacing and hearing ability. If a fun match then slight overs don't matter, but if "overs" count, then you may be best to run each shooter with a separate par time. Just shoot one string (par setting)for each shooter, before changing the setting for the next par time strings, and repeat. This will save time too. Last, if your facility will permit multiple shooters, shooting more than one event at a time, this saves a lot of time. Of course you need for space, berms, targets, frames and RO's for that too. MJ

If you like the M&P and you are very comfortable with it, shoot it. The Cup is not about the greater number of best shots, so much as it is the fewest number of worst shots or errors. You likely will make fewer errors with a platform that you like and are comfortable with. As Kevin said, there are only 24 shots required greater than 25 yds and the ten ring is 8" in diameter. Last, I am pretty sure that you may have adjustable sights on the M&P (production) provided the slide does not have to be modified to install them, i.e. must fit factory cut dovetail etc. Adjustable sights are no longer needed once they have been adjusted to your load and eyes! You may be able to get your "fixed" sights to shoot where you want them. MJ

Excellent! Thanks for stepping up with the walk to back up the talk. MJ

Virginia shoots rimfire at their matches. The Rules, Chuck, are the same sans the power factor requiurement. Also, the plates may be replaced with 1/4" thick for RF. At the VA Matches, I often do iron man: I shoot three guns. Usually Open CF, Metallic or Production CF and Open, or Metallic or Production RF. Yep, 576 rounds in competition in a day. Then repeat the next day! I have two Open RF's, a S&W Revolver and a Ruger MK11. My Metallic RF is a Ruger MK11 w/Volquartsen barrel, and my Production RF is a S&W 617. Holsters can be a bit of a problem with the open and metallic Ruger, as some of the trigger guard lock type holsters, "may" engage the trigger when holstered "if" the safety is not ON. Narrowing the trigger should solve this, as the trigger is as wide as the guard! MJ

There has been much discussion about NRA AP, what is broken, what is right across the various gun divisions, COF's and the like. For me it comes down to several things. As Kim said, NRA is perceived as hard. Yes it is hard to run with the big dogs, but isn't it also hard to run with the big dogs in IDPA, USPSA, Bullseye and PPC? Certainly it is. All of our shooting games are domintaed by the few big dogs. I think NRA AP lacks the excitement that "most" want out of shooting today. Bullesye and PPC also lack that excitement to the shooters of today. Keep in mind many of the younger shooters, unlike me, grew up on video games! There are so many "things" going on in IDPA and USPSA that are stimulating to the participant. The COF, the props, the movement, no shoots and on and on. Maybe worth mentioning is that at an IDPA or USPSA type shoot, one can "look good" as they go through the COF, yet when the results are posted, the performance may not have been so good. I think this plays a role in the fun, as the participant is having fun, just shooting. Og course the big dogs or those in the hunt may be keeping track of their performance as they shoot the stages. In NRA AP, unfortunately the score from event to event is well planted in your mind, even though it shouldn't be. The season. The NRA AP program was sprung from the Bianchi Cup. The BC was a totally separate stand alone match held the week before Memorial Day. My first was 1981. When the NRA took over, they kept the date the same. Perhaps, by agreement perhaps due to conflicts with other NRA competitions. Many forget, the NRA runs many different shooting disciplines through out the year in addition to Bianchi. The BC is the National Championship, yet it is held early in the season. For many the BC is the first match of the year. Some feel depending on how they do at Bianchi may determine what they do the rest of the year. For me, the rest of the year is so much better. I seem to find gremlins in Columbia that leave me alone elsewhere. After the Nationals, the remainder of the season may be anticlimatic for many. In other words the regular season follows the nationals, instead of the other way around. Changing dates have been discussed, but there are many logistical reasons why doing such would be a problem. All things considered the NRA has kept it alive. Had they not stepped up with support, money and promotion it would have died a decade ago. Tom Hughes and company have brought some new life into it, so let's build on the new life and set aside the other parts. Personally, I think NRA AP is an outstanding blend of accuracy and speed. Learn to shoot AP well, and you likely can hold your own at a BE, PPC or IDPA match whereas those others may not crossover as well going to Bianchi. Cheers, MJ

Andy Rayland recently moved to Cheyene, WY. He found a Club not too far (Wyoming, not too far)from him. Try Andy, at arayland@optimum.net . The range guy is Dan Mika dmika@rawlins-wyoming.com Hope this helps you. MJ

Strive for the "center area" of the target, period. Your personal hold (wobble) ability, equipment and ammo quaility minus errors will dictate whether your clusters or groups are 8's, 10's or X's. As your groups get smaller, minus errors, the score will rise. Work on the best sight picture and trigger control you can get in tha mount of time you have to get it. "Let" the gun shoot and you will have all shots within your wobble ability. Try to "make" the gun shoot, and you may have an X or you may have a 5 or a miss. Working the trigger patiently, increases your odds for a round shot group. An erradic shot group likely indicates you are trying too hard. A 1918-145X will beat a 1905-191X everytime. Eliminate errors (real bad shots) and the rest will take care of itself as your ability, equipment and experience build. We all have a tendency to wrongly shoot for a score, better than the last one we fired. Instead, shoot for the best round group you can do centered on the targets scoring areas. You can't do better than that. The score then is secondary to your thoughts, yet the result will be the best you can do, since you can not possibly do better than you can do. MJ

Here is some interesting data to concider. PF is simply a mathematical function of two numbers, whereas ME is a measure or work. Consider several cartridge combinations. A 40 gr bullet at 1,880 fps (.22magnum) a 125gr bullet at 1,100 fps (9mm or .38 spl), a 180 gr bullet at 1,000 fps (.40 or .45) and a 230 gr bullet at 855 fps. PF for the 40 gr @ 1,880 fps is 75,200, the ME is 313.89 lb/ft PF for the 125 gr @ 1,100 fps is 137,500, the ME is 335.8 lb/ft PF for the 180 gr @ 1,000 is 180,000, the ME is 399.64 lb/ft PF for the 230 gr @ 855 pfs is 196,650, the ME is only 373.30 lb/ft It would be interesting to graph a variety of loads with a PF chart, then do the same with ME chart, then overlay them to see what happens. PF appears to go up more rapidly with bullet weight increases, and ME (velocity squared in the equation) really jumps as the velocity is increased. As someone mentioned it does not require much to topple a properly set up "bianchi falling plate". I have found that if the 8" plates are pitched properly, and assuming the mechanism permits the plate axle to pivot properly and assuming the plates are flat, then it only takes about 25 ounces to cause them to be off balance, then fall. I have set them up, then taken a trigger pull gauge to see how much it takes to get them to fall. I find that it is about a pound and half of pressure at 12 oclock on the plate center to pull it over. I have found that if I replace plates, I can use a trigger gauge to make the resistance repeateable. I think it is the best way to re-calibrate knockover steel. Calibrate first with what your standard is, then measure the amount it takes to topple. Through out the day, simply measure the resistance. If it hasn't changed, then the calibration has not either. Each rack may vary, the measure result should be constant, once it is set, then measured. MJ

With lead in .45 acp I crimp from .469 - .471. Jackets seem to work well at .471-.473 in my gear. Have you chrono the load which is not accurate our of the gun that is not accurate. Velocity may be worth considering in addition to the crimp, OAL etc. MJ

Northern Virginia Gun Works (NVGW) - Sandy Garrett - Springfield, VA

Tool Guy, Warren Moore, has once again demonstrated his class. He suggests other revo 'smiths without mentioning his own expertise on the subject. I would also add Warren "Tool Guy" Moore to the list of competent revo 'smiths. MJ

See if you can find someone with a barrel tester. Your known good load for you 5" gun should should good in the 6" gun, since they are both the same AET set-up. Or are they? Schuemann has played with 1-16 twist, 1-32 twist and I think he has settled in with 1-24 twist on his AET barrels. Any of these twists should shoot 115's pretty well, assuming all else is good. I load 9mms 1.100" +/- .025" depending on bullets. Doug Carden's advice was sound. MJ

I take it his suggestion to go to .357 bullets was because you advised him that you have already tried .356 diameter? If not, then try the Hornady HAP 9mm bullets. They are .356 and come in 121 or 125 gr. Very good bullets. Also ZERO offers .356 diameter bullets in several weights. Another option is lead bullets. I have excellent success with Precision Bullets (Black Bullets) 125gr .356 diameter. I use them in 9mm, .38 Super and .38 Spl using in the range of 4.0 - 4.5 grains of WST. The lighter charge in the 9mm and the heavier in the .38 Spl. Use caution in all reloading and especially if you are going to try a .357 jacketed bullet in a 9mm with fast powders. Not much case capacity when you seat a 158 gr slug in a 9mm brass. Not sure about that combo - CAREFUL. MJ

Shoot at the speed that "you" need to reach the accuracy level "you" are capable of. Develope the skill to shoot A's then shoot them as fast as "you" can, accepting that a few points will get away from time to time. If too many points are getting away because of speed, slow down. Develope the skill, then let the sights and your physical abilities dictate the speed.

You may try a bullet with a longer driving band, or possibly a heavier buillet, which will have a longer driving band anyway. You are on the right track it seems. BTW was this a former IPSC gun running 9mm Major? I am not convinced with handgun cartridges the bullet jump or free travel matters that much as compared to other issues, such as quality of bullets, powder choice and quality of the loading process. Consider a revolver, especially with wadcutters, look how much bullet jump is there before they touch rifling. I have not used WSF powder in 9mm, but I have played with it in .38 Super at 4.6 - 4.8 grains. I am told by a pretty knowledgeable smith, shooter and loader that WSF behind a 124ish grain Jacketed is the best combo in 9mm. This load is used in Bullseye CMP matches and is reported to shoot sub 1 inch 50 yd groups in "high quality" Beretta M9s. MJ

Chris, Yes, when shooting prone, if possible, I want my support hand to be as low as possible and hopefully make contact with the ground in order to broaden the base of support. MJ

The Virginia Regional and State Matches at Bedford are some of the best I have ever participated in. Accolades to Alan and his staff for doing such a fine job. The same held true when Kevin was holding the VA matches at Bluefield years past. MJ

RE:Prone Pads, whether for revolver or auto. Height: The pad should only be as high as needed to get under the gun. As Kevin said, the higher it is the less stable. Keep that into consideration. Discomfort is over in less than 15 seconds or so maximum, but one has to be able to see the sight/dot and the target. Width: Should only be as wide as is needed to make it stable. If the suppoert hand can also come into contact witht he ground the better. Also, a wide pad may not rottate or pivot easily. This can be a problem on the plates, and on the practical, if you over rotate, then have to come back. Angle: Keep in mind the angle that is geometrically perfect at 20 or 25 yds, will likely project a sight image that is too "high" at 50 yds. A perfect angle at 50yds will be too low at 25 or 20 yds. The 25yd stage of the practical is a tough one, since it progressively gets more difficult from 1 and 1, 2 and 2 and 3 and 3 due to the time limits. You have to play with that which works best for you. I prefer the truest angle at 25yds, as there is time to fix the others. The best prone pad is your hand, "if" you can work with that, I can't, so some form of prone pad is required. Last, on some events the prone pad can actually get in the way. This would be most common on the barricade, especially if shooting metallic gun, and those that require kneeling or maybe even sitting. I have tried no prone pad, and some as big as a man hole cover. When they are right they are right, but differing terrain can be a huge problem. The bigger the foot print of the prone pad the more difficult it is to shoot with it, "if" the angle on that particular range differ from your set up. MJ

Mark, You'll be fine. You have two weeks to heal! MJ

All is normal on my end. Shooting semi autos this year, open and metallic for the aggregate. As usual [normal] as of right now, I don't have either one of the guns! Practice is over rated anyhow, right? Hopefully will get the open gun tomorrow, and haven't heard on the metallic gun. Looking forward to seeing all the shooters, and welcome back to Irv Stone of Bar Sto, as well as Micky Fowler and Bruce Gray and others. Should be one helluva a tournament. I hope I am not just a spectator. MJ

Well said, Chuck, as many (most) are likely unaware of the ATF factor as it pertains to "point system" and importation rules. As you stated, Rules to go by can be drafted and as you said they don't need to be the size of a phone book. I guess, having a meeting of some of the USPSA, IDPA and NRA people come together to derive a common, sensible criteria for Production, Stock or whatever one wants to call it is never going to happen. I would think, and hope, that a "standard" definition across disciplines would be good the shooters, the match operators, referees and the like, but maybe the manufacturers and parts people like the idea that the shooters need different guns and configurations to meet the not quite parallel Rule structures. MJ

I go with both Bruce Gray and Bruce Piatt, but here's the difference. First, let's assume that one's "equipment" is capable of delivering an X or at a minimum a 10 on demand all the time. Given the statement above as true, then provided that the "shooter" has the ability to deliver a 10 or better on demand then using the par time to the maximum benefit of the shooter is absolutely correct as said by Bruce P. However, if the "equipment can" deliver the 10 on demand, but the "shooter can not", then as Bruce Gray states, and I agree, one's time is better spent learning what they need to see, and they need to do irrespective of the par time. Learn the skills required, then learn to repeat that skill set on demand between the beeps. Once the skill required has been programmed into one's subconscious, then it's just a matter of making it happen more quickly. MJ