BPiatt

Clipped from hopalong's post..........Tactical Division they should have limited the Mags to 20 rounds max that would help even things out just a little as everyone would be in the same boat as far as round management goes. Now there's an idea that could make the major guns worth shooting. Course design is the factor why nobody uses major. In IPSC the speed factor is too important, making recoil and reloading a major gun a hinderance. Mystery Mtn./ DPMS tri-gun challenge scoring where 2 hits on target is all you want isn't the place to use major because any hole in paper counts the same. For the five times I won SOF, every year I contemplated shooting major. Now I regret never trying it. Their courses didn't have enough paper targets to make it worth while. Many of their stages were steel only so it didn't matter what you hit it with. If you had a match with mainly paper targets, perferably at distance, with stage round counts that didn't hinder the 20 round major magazines, and a point scoring system (like ipsc/sof... not the 2hit neutralize system) then the .308's would be a viable choice. The thing is, nobody will hold a match like that. *** time will tell.... the 6.8 spc may change all this. Bruce

The military load is a Sierra 77gr. matchking. I'm not sure you're going to find a plastic tip bullet in 77 - 75 gr. range. Black Hills offers the same loading as the military.

In case you didn't know, not all collapsable stocks are the same dimensions. The "CAR" have a smaller butt area that contacts your shoulder, than the M4 stocks. The Car is also square to the barrel line while the "M4" stocks are at a slight angle. Another thing to consider is the plastic vs. metal. While the alum may be stronger, I can tell you first hand that the metal stocks are CCCOLD in the winter. Ever stick your tounge to an ice cube??? Jumped a little when that doctors stethescope hits your chest??? Try putting a 20 degree F piece of aluminum on your cheek and hold it there for a while.

You can round off the entrance to the magazine tube but BE CAREFUL. Don't do too much, especailly to the sides because you will allow the round to skip over the intercepter latch. Another thing to watch for is the lip at the end of the tube. The lip keep the follower from coming out. Don't remove the lip, just round the edges, top and bottom.

You get what you pay for, when it comes to shotgun ammo. Top of line target ammo cost a lot more than Walmart game loads. The reason is mostly due to the shot charge used. The cheap ammo has cheap shot. Not perfectly round, little dimples on it, soft lead that will deform upon firing. Top of the line target ammo or hunting ammo has Extra Hard shot that will deform less upon firing... thus keeping a tighter pattern. There is even nickle plated shot, that resists deformation during firing also. I wouldn't worry too much about it... choke to what you think you'll need and run whatever ammo you have. If the match allows, I run a tactical #4 buck at the far targets. Estate Cartridge makes a 3 dram 22 pellet (1 1/8 oz.) #4 buckshot load that is perfect for steel targets. It's hard to tell the recoil between birdshot and this stuff.

You can also compare two bolts using simple micrometer. If you can pick from a few bolts, find one with the same dimensions as yours. I've only found 1 or 2 thousanths between the 5 or 6 bolts I've measured. 1. measure the length of the locking lugs. 2. measure the depth of the bolt face. 3. subtract the numbers and you have a number you can compare with. Remember, the bolt locks on the back of the lugs. Bruce Bruce.

I think I have a simple solution in making the targets more valuable. As far as I can figure, this is a 'score card' issue, not a computer program issue. Correct me if I'm wrong.... If the EZ score is based on each 'A' hit scores 5 points and we currently have a box on the score card to indicate this, how about making the following change. If you want a specific target to score 10 points, print the score card with two boxes for that specific target. You hit the steel, check two boxes, thus making the target 10 points. The scorer/stats add up the checked boxes, like we do now, and the problem is solved. If you want to score a miss for the 10 point target and want the penalty 10 points, a normal miss penalty box would work. If you want the penalty 20 points, TWO miss boxes. Sounds like it would work to me. Bruce Piatt

earlier in this thread, someone mentioned the cost of range equipment needed to run an AP match. Turning targets are not necessary. Just run the courses with a timer and static targets. A moving target system is available from Action Target for a little under $400 and can run on a car battery. Barricades can be the same ones used for IPSC matches. If you don't want to build a shrouded/ winged gun.. shoot metallic sight division with just about any gun you own. The rules never required you to hold the barricade or go prone. There was talk to have a separate class for IPSC open guns, steel challenge guns etc... Come and shoot Bianchi and your other shooting sports will improve....... Bruce

Hello all, I just wanted to drop my 2 cents into the mix to hopefully to get you all to lighten up and have fun. I'm feeling like an "old salty dog" here. I've been shooting USPSA since the early 80's (member # A-1529) and have been to over 20 Nationals, both pistol and 3-gun... top 16 in every one of them, bar one, lucky enough to win a 3-gun too. Back when I first started, the rule book was a little thinner than what it is now. There weren't as many problems back then either. Much like many of the other 3-gun match rules. Walk up to the stage .... listen to the walk thru.... and do what it says. You should get 'dinged' with a penalty if you don't.. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? At least that's how I've kept it fun for myself. I hope you can too. See you on the range. Bruce Piatt

Phil, Here's a practice routine that I use early in Bianchi practice if I find myself shooting too fast. Rather than trying to SLOW DOWN, do this. Stand at one distance and shoot a string, say practical 15 yds. 3 shots each target in 6 seconds, all good shots no matter how long it takes. If you go overtime, it's ok. Repeat the string until you make all good shots. Train yourself to do whatever it takes to make the good shots, (sights - trigger).... without the TIME entering the equation. Be sure to use a timer so your brain is monitoring what's happening. Once you can do that, continue. Then with that under your belt, shoot the same course(time) with the same determination to execute good shots but try to SPEED UP without sacrificing accuracy. When accuracy is paramount, keep that as your constant. If you're trying to slow down, with a bad trigger squeeze, you'll still have a bad trigger only slower. I think you're going to like AP. I believe your other shooting will benefit from the discipline you'll be learning here too. I'm jelous.... I want to shoot metallic sights too. Hopefully next year I can do both. Good luck, Bruce Piatt

Hi guys, Everyone getting ready for the cup? I just got back from my 2nd AP match of the season at Topton PA today, using the new ruling. I shot with Doug Koenig who has been doing a lot of practice. His match went great.... shooting a 1920 - 185x Barricade 480 - 48X Practical 480 - 46X Plates 480 - 48X Mover 480 - 43X I shot a Barricade 480 - 45X Practical 480 - 46X Plates 480 - 48X Mover 476 - 38X I got sloppy on the trigger after a bad draw at 25yds. I'll get some practice in before the cup and give Doug a run for the cup. After the match I shot my stock gun and had a great time doing it. First time shooting the gun so a couple of jams from one faulty magazine I culled out. I hope next year they allow us to shoot both guns at the cup. I understand it's up to the committee to allow it. Speak up at the Q&A session or write to Rudy if you're in favor of it. FYI, I proposed that they allow both guns for score/ records/ prizes at a reduced entry for the 2nd gun. So as not to gain an advantage, I suggested mixing up the events/guns each day. I hope to see you in Columbia. Stop by and say hello. Bruce Piatt

I'll be there, Koenig too .... wouldn't miss it. I'm not impressed with the rule change, especially how it occurred but I still love the shooting. Remember, a bad day at range is still better than a good day at work!! Bruce Piatt

Hey guys..... and gals, I now have my aluminum bi-pod feet that I've been using for a couple of years in production and for sale. You can check out the specs at www.brucepiatt.com. Better pictures are in the works as my website has just been completed. They should be available thru Brownells or Dillon soon. My websight is not set up for sales as of yet. Bruce Piatt

You guys are making this a lot harder than what it actually is.... Think of this example.... Forget about wind for a minute and think of this.... What if you were able to push/point your bullet to the side 1/4" as soon as it left the barrel. How much would that bullet be off at say 500 yards..... I'm not getting out my computer to do the math but I can tell you it will be a LOT. Now, push the bullet that same amount at 400 yards. How much would it be off at 500 yards? Make sense? Bruce

I did want to let you know that there is a thing called a "plastic welder". You can have two 5 round mags welded up into a 9 or 10 rounder. I know of one gunsmith who has done this and he told me they are functioning fine. BTW, I have a Saiga 12ga with the short barrel/screw choke barrel and 6 or 7 magazines that I'm not using. Anyone interested? Bruce

On a more positive "rule change" question... For years now the NRA has been preaching at the awards banquet for help in getting more shooters to come to the match. They stated if we don't get more entries, the match may be in jepordy. If you've attended some of the Q&A meetings at the cup, you'll know that many competitors complain of not enough actual shooting at the match. In essence, a lot of "down time" while at the cup. I made the suggestion of allowing competitors to compete in both the Open and Stock division. When first suggested, I was told that I could shoot both. Pay both entry fees but the second entry would only be for "fun", not eligible for the nationla title, prizes, etc. Well of course that make no sense and made these additional suggestions: 1. Allow competitors to shoot both Open and Stock, for Record and prizes. 2. Reduce the 2nd entry fee because the banquet and social event expenses have been paid by the 1st entry. 3. Randomly schedule competitors shooting both classes alternating between stock and open so as not to incurr an advantage. To me this sounds like a "Win - Win" situation for the NRA. My inquiries on this topic this year have not been answered as of this writing. I would be interested in hearing your opinions on this subject and would like to compile a list of people that would consider shooting both classes. Please respond to BPiatt@Peoplepc.com and/or respond via this forum. Thank You Bruce Piatt

I've unofficially heard the same... Iron sights only... no comps. No production #'s needed, no size restrictions... I think it's a good thing. Shoot any iron sight pistol you want. Make any ipsc iron stock gun, PPC gun, IDPA gun legal.. draw shooters from any and all disciplines. Now if they would let us shoot both guns at the cup for score, we'd have more shooting to do and have more paying entries... sign me up. Bruce

This "Bad guns" mentallity has gone so far as rumors that the 2004 Olympics will be the last of the "gun powder" games. After that it will be strictly air guns. rumors, rumors, rumors

Trader and Chuck D. You are right about local matches but you can't wait for the parent organization to get the ball rolling. People who have range access and the time need to hold local matches. Do you run a AP match at your club?

There is more going on at the NRA AP than has been brought up here. (Increasing entries, World Match location) Thats food for another forum thread. Let me give you my opinion on the rule change issue here. For the past 5 or more years, the NRA has been preaching at the awards banquet, that entry numbers have to increase or NRA AP will loose support, and ultimately be dropped. With that in mind, you would think that something should be done to draw more shooters to the match. Is more difficult shooting positions the answer? If changes are to be made to OPEN, which has been working fine since the inception of the match, answer me why? For the life of me, I can't imagine why this change has even been brought up. Is the 2003 tie a factor? Once in 20 + years is no big deal. I think it acutally brought some good press to the event. Is the high x count the reason? Make the x-ring 1" or 2" instead of 4", that will settle that issue. They own too many targets to change or it's too big a process to change targets, simply place a target paster in the center of existing targets and call it " Tie breaker hits ". Cost, nothing. You have to remember that there is two classes at the cup. OPEN Division which is basically any gun modification and shooting position goes, and STOCK Division which just underwent equipment rule changes, allows for iron sighted guns and standing everywhere except the 50 yard line. Look at this, a place for everyone and every style to shoot.... If the committee has a few people saying they have difficulty going prone, tell them to shoot in Stock Div. If they want to shoot their OPEN gun, nobody is forcing them to go prone. OPEN Division is freestyle.... you can stand, shoot Creedmore, sitting, on your back, on you side, as long as it's safe, you can shoot it. I think Freestyle is a big factor in drawing competitors to Action Pistol. Each year at the Cup, the NRA holds an open forum discussion so that competitors can voice their concerns about how the AP program and the Bianchi Cup is handled. I've attended many of these meetings and have never heard anyone bring up requests for changes in OPEN division positions. If the proposed rule changes are allowed to occur, I believe it will drastically hurt the AP program in whole. Think about who it's going to hurt. Will it really make a difference in the top 20 shooters? I would wager not. Is it going to hurt Doug or I, I don't think so, in fact I consistently outshoot him on the mover so it will probably help me but I'm still against this change. Why, because it's going to hurt the middle of the road shooters, that shoot respectable scores in OPEN, because they can go prone. Now they'll have to stand, probably resulting in more of a gap between themselves and the winner, leaving the match dejected. Or worse yet, new shooters try it at home and decide it's too hard and never come to the Cup at all, sticking with whatever discipline they shoot now. Is that what is needed to increase entries? Is that what is needed to make Action Pistol grow? This change has not been finalized. November's committee meeting will decide the outcome. Even then, the Action Pistol Committee has to submit rule change requests to the Competion Rules & Programs Committee for finalization. I urge you all to voice your concerns to both committees. Check the NRA website for addresses. Here are the committee members: Action Pistol Committee: Philip Hemphill, Chairman Clinton, Mississippi Todd Rathner, VP Tuscson, Arizona Carles Cotton Friendswood, Texas Jerry Danuser Fulton, Missouri Don Golembieski Mesa, Arizona Tim Pawol Pittsburgh, PA Harold Schroeder Lancaster, NY Rudy DuFour, Sect. Fairfax, VA Competition Rules & Programs Committee Edie Reynolds, Chairman Raleigh, NC M.S. Gilchrist, Sect. Fairfax, VA Sincerely, Bruce Piatt

FYI - Checked with John Amidon and confirmed the following. "Sight system" must remain the same for the entire match.

Thanks for the help... Bruce

Can someone help with this local debate? Example: Limited shotgun USPSA match. Can someone change a barrel between stages? Normal bead sight for the 'shot' stages and a iron sight barrel for 'slug' stage. I've found a rule stating you can't change guns but nothing mentions barrels.

I just put an Arrondondo mag well on my gun.. I haven't gotten to the range but I've been running around the house doing loads.... sure makes it easier on the run. I found it doesn't help the front to back errors but the side to side errors are fixed instantly. Bruce P.

The rifle I use at work (Police) is a DPMS 16" barrel w/ the long gas system and sight radius. It's a standard catologed item. www.dpmsinc.com Same length as a CAR/M4 but better sight radius and softer recoil with the long gas system. I think you'll like it. Bruce P.