Matt in TN

Looks like a neat match! What do you consider "long range" (what's the longest shot)? And what are the smallest targets we'll see? Equipment choices could vary depending on thise details -

Yes. Same bullet weight and same velocity (with same powder) will give you the same recoil feel. You may need a slightly different powder charge to get the same velocity out of two different bullets, but that's normal. I use 230gr Speer Gold Dots for my JHP. I've read HSTs are good too -

I know this intellectually, but I too have just reached the point where theoretically, if I do everything right, I COULD win the match. Thanks to the OP for posting this, because until I read it I didn't realize the exact problem. In my head I was good enough to win the match, and when I didn't I was very disappointed (expectations vs reality). However - after reading this I've realized my ego was in my way, and I'm scoring exactly where I need to be scoring right now. I went to a new club last weekend and therefore had no expectations of where I might finish, as I had no idea who I was shooting against or their skill. I was able to focus purely on the process, and it turned out well. Not perfect, and I didn't win the match - but it was a good representation of my current skill. That's all I want. Thanks OP - as usual, it sounds like we are all fighting the same problem, and all thinking we're the only ones having it! Hopefully I can contnue to keep my ego at bay and just focus on the process.

:-)

This. My practice loads are a FMJ version of my carry loads (JHP). Identical velocity and bullet weight. No offense - but I think the guys that say "you won't feel it in a self defense situation" are the same guys that say "shoot slow and accurate and speed will come".

I have different drills for that! Maybe it's just my ego getting in the way, but it seems like I should be winning the close rifle stages since I only have to take one shot per target when everybody else is taking two - so I figured I'd try to practice that a little more. Or is the .308/.223 difference enough that it doesn't matter?

So does this mean I can save money and only buy the 9mm conversion kit, yet load both 9mm and .223 with it? It works great for .45ACP and .308!

Thinking more on it - if the brass expands in diameter to fill the chamber, it makes sense that the length would shrink. That brass has to come from somewhere. Then when you size it down you reduce the diameter, and the brass grows in length. The case wall is usually thinner after firing, so the length is longer than your trim length because you have extra brass from the case wall.

I have found cases shorter than trim length after firing in my FAL. I thought it odd too, but never followed up on it. Curious to hear more -

I shoot a FAL in Heavy Optics, and I've been working on my speed lately. Most "Heavy Metal" rules around here specify one hit ANYWHERE on target neutralizes the target, and I generally spend too much time refining my sight picture and shooting all Alphas. My goal today was to run the "V-Drill" faster and faster until I started to miss targets completely, and then try and learn to shoot comfortably at JUST BELOW that pace. For the record - the actual V-Drill uses 5 targets and you place two shots on each. I only have 3 target stands, and I wanted to drill the single shot per target idea so I modified it a bit. Only problem was that I just couldn't shoot fast enough to miss. I did nine separate runs - slowest time was 2.18 seconds and fastest time was 1.88 seconds. The only time I missed any targets (missed two) it was 1.92 seconds. I did a 1.88 second run two different times, and on one of them not only did I hit all my targets, but I hit the "0-down" (alpha) portion of the target for all five shots. That tells me I'm STILL not shooting fast enough. When I pull the trigger as fast as I can into the berm (no target), I average 0.20 second splits. So in theory I should be doing this drill in about 1 second if I can reach the limits of my trigger pulling speed. Any idea how to get there??? Or is this good enough for now and I should just practice loading my shotgun? Here's one of the 1.88 second runs:

Thanks for your patience with all of my questions - I'm really looking forward to this match!

One more dumb question - this is my first major and I'm trying to understand all the rules up front. How can you have an 8rd max on a stage with 12 scoring hits? Are two targets with a single shot possible/common?

Thanks - more dumb questions then: I've never shot buckshot at a 3-gun match before. What kind of targets should I expect? Are we talking hostage targets with a no-shoot covering most of it so I really have to know my patterns? Or are we talking farther distance paper where you have to get so many pellets in the a-zone to score? Or something else I'm not thinking about at all???

Trying to make sure I don't break this rule by accident - I have a ton of Federal buckshot. Some boxes say "flight control" and some don't, but other than that they look identical. As long as I bring the boxes that don't specifically say "flight control" I'm OK? Or is Federal Copper Plated buckshot known to be a "flight control" brand? Just not allowed under the ruleset we are using.

I like it. I have never understood the HM classes that allow 9 mm pistols - thank you for keeping it .44 and above!

In!

Fantastic - thanks guys!

This will be my first "major", so forgive me if these are stupid questions: What are the typical start and end times each day? I'm a 2 1/2 hr drive away and trying to decide which nights to stay and when to just commute. Are there any night-time festivities I should make a point to attend? Will all the pump gunners be squadded together, or scattered throughout randomly? I'll be shooting a pump and I'd love to watch and learn from my betters if possible, but I have no idea who they are yet or if they'll be open to a new guy tagging along. Is this one of those matches that fills up 3 seconds after registration opens, or can I likely register sometime Sunday afternoon (I know this is a guess at best, but your guess is ten time better than mine!). Thanks in advance -

Please tell me I do not have to look that up in the IPSC rulebook. Section 142.12.niner reads: For all suspected she-males, a "crocodile Dundee" check must be performed by the Match Director under the direct supervision of the Range Master and one CRO. I'd think Chad Francis would be the most experienced CRO for this. Dang - so close! I guess I'd be found out...

If I wear a skirt when I shoot can I get the special Girl and Gun rate and coaching deal? I could use all the help I can get!

Glad I'm not the only whose thought about bringing out the old iron. The Mas-49, Hakim and VZ-52 have been collecting dust lately. I can hear them crying in the dark from here. The old girls would rather be used and abused than ignored. Let them out to play!

Go man, go!

I'm admittedly the oddball, but I prefer the FAL.

I am a licensed mechanical engineer in the natural gas business, and one of the things we struggle with is the actual life span of polyethylene piping. I know they are two completely different polymers, but have you seen any studies on what will happen to a Glock frame after 50 years? 100 years? Is Nylon 6 close enough to their polymer for comparisons? A Glock is my main competition and carry gun, and I have definitely "drank the koolaid", but for pistols to hand down for generations I'm not so sure. For a tool to be discarded or replaced after a finite service life it can't be beat. What that finite life actually is seems to be a big mystery though. Any ideas?

Got all the modified parts Gunkoted and reassembled, and used the function test and zeroing as a chance to play with my new camera some more - works great! There's nothing like big bore rapid fire... http://youtu.be/let_4XMhVdM