peteinct

I have had a similar year and although everyone is different I believe Neomet speaks truth. For me, I shoot best when I'm in an empty mind state,( not my usual empty headed state) and thoughts of well anything really get in the way. So thinking I should win this round or this guy is out of my league or I really sucked the last round or whatever just get in the way. I like to shoot well and would prefer to shoot well and lose then shoot crappy and win. That is just me. . Doing anything at a very high level takes effort and commitment. I haven't put in the effort to take my shooting to the next level, how can I be upset that I haven't improved? Some prefer winning, but as a previous poster said, you can only control your own efforts not the results of them. I hope for the transcendent moments when I AM the front sight and time is slow and the plates are falling down almost by magic. That's why I shoot and I don't want anything to get in the way of that. Pete

HI, I'm also from CT. Welcome. I have been so disgusted with our new laws and restrictions that I couldn't raise up any enthusiasm for shooting. I have just started again. Where do you go to shoot? there aren't slot of us on this board. Pete

Here is a picture of my cleaned up area. I was able to find the boxes at Wal mart for a buck a piece. Pete

Thanks for the replies fellas, I am going to look into the pencil boxes. I think that will work great. I 'm trying to have dedicated range bags but I shoot many different types of matches so I would need too many bags. I have tried to have a range( practice) bag and a competition bag but the cost of doubling everything esp. ear protection makes me wince. If I have to fiddle around before a match anyway i mkght as well just go with one bag. As for containers I drink maxwell house coffee just to have the square blue plastic tins to keep my empty brass in. I will post a picture once my area doesn't look like a bomb went off in it. Thanks. Pete

Hi everyone, I'm curious how people organize and store their shooting stuff such as magazines and such at home. I keep my magazines loose in a drawer in a canvas bag which isn't ideal. The only magazine storage rack Ive seen online were a shelf under a pistol rack. Does anyone have a solution? My shooting stuff is threatening to overgrow its space esp. since I started reloading. I have a lot of junk hanging around loose and would like to see how others organize it. I don't want to end up on that Hoarders show! Thanks. Pete

I also use WST for a 45 load. However I dont chrono mine so I can tell you the power factor. The most accurate load for my S+W 1911 is 4.4 grains of WST under a 200 grain precision LRN bullet. It doesn't have much knockdown power but is very quick when shooting plates. To shoot pins I need to add more powder, I'm slowly adding more each batch. I have some that are 4.9 grains and work well but thatis top end according to some sources. the higher loads aren't as accurate for me. Pete

Everyone,I'm heading to PA tommorow to compete at the PSA shootout plate match on thursday. The forecast is for scattered showers. Does anyone have any ideas or tips for bad weather shooting? Ive shot in the rain before but it was at a local match and we just kept going once the rain started. We were like drowned rats at the end. I'll bring my raincoat, extra dry socks, and some shop towels to dry stuff. Would it be worthwhile to bring a waterproof case like an ammo can or tool box to use rather than my normal bag? If anyone has anything to share even if its just a story I would appreciate it. Thanks, Pete

Shooting all day thursday stock revolver then stock auto. I guess I have to start practicing. I'll head down Wed. and stay overnight. Any good hotels? Friday, saturday, and sunday am slots are full. Pete

Thanks for the replies. Youre right what I meant to say was between morning and afternoon sessions I could shoot the side match. I think I'm going to go to PA. It should be fun. Pete

How does the timing work out? I was at walls of steel in RI and I was able to fit in the 22 runs in between stages. Is this possible in PA? I would like to complete the match in a day dure to travel distance. Thanks, Pete

LB, My club the mattabassett rifle and pistol club just posted its plate shoot schedule. We'll start in March and everyone is welcome. The Sprague club has been friendly to me when I've been there and they have pin shoots or idpa every sunday. I went shooting last week for practice and it was sad to see how far I regressed. Pete

I thought I had read here that uspca gets its dues from the club and idpa from the shooter. If you join a group, club or whatever shouldn't you follow their rules? pete

LB, There aren't alot of us from ct on this site. Welcome. Most of the action shooting around here is IDPA\outlaw idpa style in my opinion. Most of the clubs that run matches close down for the winter but there are some that go year round. Close by the sprauge rod and gun club has a match every Sunday, I make those when I can. I believe Metacon (not sure of the full name) has IDPA once a month all year. Two clubs I know of have plate matches on friday nights in the winter. I think the hartford gun club runs IPSC matches and I know they have had multi gun matches there. They had one as a benefit for the coast guard acadamy shooting team. Google the Northeast Combat Pistol League. Mass has matches and alot of people go to Springfield to the Smith and Wesson range. In the summer more places will have matches but there isn't a website that I know of that collects and shows them all. Pete

Thanks for all the info. I have a lot to study up on. Would I need a different die to seat a full wadcutter as opposed to a semi wadcutter or a fmj? Pete

Tom, The pins need to go back 2 or 3 feet. A 38 isn't realy the right caliber the 45 acp works with a good load but they separate out revolvers as a separate class so I could shoot twice as much in the same day by entering both. I brought my 9mm by accident last week it would knock over the pins but needed extra hits to clear the deadwood. Thanks, Pete

Hi everyone, I am a relatively new reloader and am interested in a 38 or 38+p load for bowling pins to shoot a local match. I have a dillon SDB and a caliber conversion kit in 38 for it. I am currently set up for 45 ACP using winchester super target.. Does anyone have a preferred recipie, bullet, supplier anything? Thanks in advance, Pete

Jack, There are alot of different kinds of matches in CT some even going on through the winter. It depends on where you are as to what matches are close to you. don't wait to start shooting a match most everyone is good and willing to help a new guy.There are not many CT shooters on this board. I live outside of middletown. You may PM me or reply in this thread if you have any questions. Pete

thanks for the replies. I won 155 dollars which more than paid for the match. The lewis system is pure luck. You cant determine ahead of time where the payout points will be so you just shoot your best and let the chips falll where they may. The match was fun I would have shot it again anyway. Pete

Just wanted to brag a little! I collected some dough from the 2011 walls of steel match in RI. I didn't win any divisions but I won some money in all the divisions I competed in. It surprised me that my scores earned a prize but I'll take it. The lewis scoring spreads out the payouts to many participants. I was thinking about just framing the check but expect I'll cash it eventually. Ive won a couple club matches but this is the first time shooting hasn't cost me money! thanks to Wallum lake for puting on an excellent match. pete

I've signed up. pistol andrevolver on ffriday. 90 min. drive. I can't wait. Pete

Two matches for me were about quitting. One was a steel plate match that had to be shot right to left with no exceptions if you missed one you had to try again and hit it before you moved on to the next plate. That was so different than what I was used to( going one direction then going back and knocking down any misses) I did not shooot a single stage without a fault. I felt like quitting but I was eliminated so fast I didn't have the chance to! The other was a man on man plate match with pistol caliber carbine. I am much better with a pistol and the stress fractures in my feet were killing me. I was on my last elimination and was thinking of quitting. However my line officer was a Marine Gunnery Sargent. I could't quit in front of him. So I did my best and kept winning untill I had won out in my class. SO never give up! pete

Crazy Scientist,I bought a Kadet Kit (22 upper) for my CZ 75 which I generally shoot for plate matches. It is accurate enough and reliable enough that I use it for my 22 action matches. Having the same gun really helps my muscle memory toget a consistant draw and first shot. It works with federal ammo not just the expensive stuff. My last pistol purchase was a 22 S+W revolver. I have a ruger markII but the grip angle is a little different and it isn't any more reliable. I think low cost practice is where its at. Once the weather warms up some I try to shoot once a week and that can really add up. Also some club indoor rangrs around here are 22 only. Pete

Hi, I live in East Hampton , not to be confused with the long island East Hampton, outside of Middletown. There is a surprising amount of practical pistol shooting going on around here even at just a club level. I wanted to improve this year practice and shoot more matches but I have fallen short. Sometimes it seems stuff just gets in the way. I like how this site talks about the mental part of shooting because I believe that once you are at a certain level that the mental side of the game is what drives your sucess. pete

Hi All,I enjoy this site and find it really informative. I've lurked here awhile and took the plunge. I shoot in central ct and hope to find other local shooters. Pete

I know there are classes at blue trail in wallingford. There are several competition groups. Some shoot at metacon some at smith and wesson in mass some at rockville and some at Hartford gun club. I'm not sure what type is shot where. My club, mattabassett does plate shoots 2x per month. Pete