Boulderado

Hello All: Here are my thoughts, worth about 2 cents, on why we are seeing a change in the Heavy Metal/He-Man pistol rules ... Rather simple actually, especially if you take a few moments to read the USPSA's provisional Single Stack Division rules and compare them with the new pistol requirements for H-M at the 2007 SMM3G for example. The set of rules are almost identical with the exception of allowing 9mm or anything smaller that .40 to be used. I'd certainly like to use my wide body Para or STI/SVI .45 rather than my single stack simply because it is easier to do mag changes. But if everyone has to use a single stack then the field might be a bit more level? From my humble experience the competitive difference between a single stack .40 and a single stack .45, both limited to 8 round mags and the having the same power factor in H-M is probably not going to decide who will win the Class/Division/Category. What will decide is how well you shoot that 8 round SS .40 or .45 and how fast you load and shoot your 12 ga and how quickly you can put those Iron sighted .308 projectiles on the targets. All that said, if I'm lucky enough to get into SMM3G 2007 I'll be shooting my .45 SS in H-M with a 10mm as a backup 'cause I got one... and they'll let me shoot H-M as a Super senior :-) Best regards to all, Darrell Humphrey

Less talk and more MOR PORN please ..... Best to All, Darrell Humphrey

I shot the USPSA RENO MOR match a few years back with a .308 Ruger 77 bolt gun and Burris 10 power scope. I was also a spectator at the Albany MOR match this year. I also participate in the MOR and long range rifle matches that Eddie Rhodes puts on once a month in Pueblo, CO. I hope that gives me a little credibility ...? Anyhow here is my thinking on the matter: If you are going to have matches like the Reno affair with targets out to 700 yards you might be able to get good hits with hunting rifle, but what is really going to hurt you is your optics. Most hunting scopes DO NOT have the 70 to 100 minutes of angle for windage and elevation adjustment ranges to be able to get the gun on a 700 to 1200 yard target no matter what the caliber. Hence, competitors will have to pop for a nice chunk of change to get a proper scope. If you hold the range to no grater than 500 meters most .308 hunting type rifles and $500.00 hunting scopes should be somewhat competitive amongst themselves. So my point is that if you want to have Long Range MOR matches (700-1200 yareds) like they do once a month in Raton and also down in New Mexico, you're going to have to spend some serious coin on a scope at the very least. I'm saving up for one :-) getting back to Patrick's original question paraphrased as: Why not auto rifles in MOR? I've shot a Heavy Metal BAR-10 and a DPMS LR-308 in matches against MOR's and AR's with scopes and Bipods out to 400 meters. I think it is quite challeging and have since put a scope on the DPMS gun. BUT! When I shoot I'm classed as Heavy Metal and the MOR's are classed as MOR and the .223 guys are classed as tactical. So, what are my recomendations for autos in MOR (perhaps better called Long Range)? I like Kurt's Idea of a power factor for auto rifles ... MAJOR (320 PF) would be my choice. the autos would have to be in a different class Auto vs. MOR. Naturally the autos would most likely always win overall because of their shot to shot speed and large cap mags. Never-the-less, if USPSA wanted to do it it would be simple to do. I also like Kurt's idea of small targets to simulate greater range and generally make the targest more challenging. Our Military is using SR-25's and Bolt guns for LR work. I don't think the bolt gun is going to the fossil bin anytime soon, but the SR-25's are sue going to give them some very real world competition among the troops who use them. What say you ...? Best to All, Darrell

Received and installed the Nordic Tube and Racker on my M2 yesterday. This is quality beyond Benelli's factory stuff. Highly recommended. Cannot wait for the machined Aluminium Barrel Clamps (won't slip) and and the 2 row shell holders for your belt that are in the works! Quality personified! Best To All, Darrell

The Ultimate Low Cost MOR starter rifle... CZ with import HQ in Missouri has a Model called the 550 Varmit. It comes in .308 win and 22-250. It is based on a Mauser action. the really nice part is that the action and medium heavy barrel is bedded in an H-S Precision Kevlar stock and it has drop free detachable mags that come in 4 and 10 round capacities for about $48.00 ea. for the 10 rounders. To get a Remmy or any other rifel up to these specs you are gong to have to spend a ton more. Chech out www.CZusa.com and your local dealer for prics that shoud be be in the $700.-800 range plus some mags. My 550 .308 Varmit shoots 1 hole groups at 100 yards with handloaded 155 Palma bullets. Scopes for USPSA MOR and really long range, 1000 yard shooting .... I think one of the most critical factors in the selection a scope is the range of adjustment or the Elevation and to a slightly lesser degree the range of windage adjustment. Why is this important? Most hunting scopes for example, will not let you crank in enough elevation to get a 168 grain .308 win bullet out to 700-1,000 yards! Go to the manufacurer's web sites for the scopes that you are interested in and check the scope's specifications. you'll want to have 80 to 100 and over MOA of adjustment range. certain Leupold Tactical and LR scopes have this as do the Night Force models. Happy scope hunting .. Darrell

Heavy Metal Rule Changes For SMM3G ... I think the SMM3G rule makers might be trying to get HM pistols in line with USPSA's Single Stack Rules where you are allowed a single stack 1911 in .45 wih 8 round mags or a .40/10mm cal gun wih 8 round mags wih 165 PF. 9mm caliber guns are also allowed with 10 round mags but are not competitive given USPSA's scoring rules. Anyhow the changes struck me as being Single Stack "friendly." As for the 7.62X51 or larger rifle cartridge requirement and "360" PF (USPSA major rifle PF is 320) I have a feeling that the rule makers are trying to address HM shooters who shoot 110 grain and perhaps lighter bullets on the short courses of fire to be able to go faster. A 110 bullet must go 3,272.72 FPS just to make the 360 PF and yu usually want a margin of safety, so let's say 3,350 or 3,400 FPS ... good luck doing that with a .308 (7.62X51) :-) You can achieve such 110 grain bullet velocties with a 30-06 with a 26 inch barrel ... The .300 WSSM Wildcat might also be able to acheive 3,400 FPS with a 110 Grain bullet because it holds more powder than a .308 case and it is supposed to be more efficient Fat and Short case design. Never the less, a longer barrel than normally used in HM would most likely be required. I'm not sure that this post will be of any real value to anyone who shoots HM and will shoot SMM3G in 2007, but I hope it might add a little to some folks' understanding of the issues and prompts for the changes ... Ultimately I agree with Partick Kelly's post on this topic. Shut up and shoot .. :-) Best to All, Darrell Humphrey "A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when subsituted for insight and understanding." Marshall Mcluhan

I really enjoyed the 3 Gun Nationals there earlier this year. I'll be there like the Current's ... may the creeks stay placid :-) Best Regards, Darrell Humphrey

I have to agree 100% with all of Rigger JJ's comments. I shoot with him at home and he tells it like it is. Flash targets do seem to be more reliable than the Larue's from my observations including this match. I'd also like to add my kudos to the RO's and other Match Staff who were out there in the weather with the shooters on Saturday. As a Super Senior who shoots Heavy Metal, JJ's and Cheryl's comments about category awards by division (Open, TS, TI, HM)really hits home with me. As a 60+ year old, I may not be able to whip Eric Lund in HM, but I can sure give other Super Seniors a run for their money. Let's go back to how it was in 2004/05 with catagory awards in ALL divisions!! Kudos to fellow heavy Metal shooter Eric Lund for HOA!!! Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is the first time an HM shooter took HOA? Hope to see every one at the Rocky Mountain 3 Gun in Raton, NM in August right after the DPMS TriGun and the USPSA 3 Gun Nat's !! Best to all,

Jimmy you crazy cat - you just love to spawn trouble !!! The He-Man Heavy Metal concept can be, to the best of my knowledge, most recently attributed in a very large part to Eddie Rhodes, of Pueblo Colorado. If you don't know who Eddie Rhodes is you have not been shooting 3 Gun for very long. He has won more 3 gun matches than I can even think of ... :-) Best to All, Darrell Humphrey Centennial, Colorado

Hi Bruce, et al .. One thing you sort of left out of your USPSA Heavy Metal (HM) description is the fact that since USPSA treats HM as a CATEGORY rather than a DIVISION a shooter cannot participate as a HM shooter AND as a Junior, Senior, Super Senior, or Woman because USPSA rules state that a shooter can only participate in ONE CATEGORY. USPSA Tactical is a DIVISION. USPSA Heavy Metal is just a category of the Tactical Division if the rifle is scoped or the Limited/Standard Division if the rifle has iron sights. I believe that USPSA would greatly increase participation by Heavy Metal Shooters if HM was a full blown division like it is is at RM3G match, SMM3G match, DPMS Tri-Gun match. Until the USPSA fixes this situation and puts HM on its match applications I believe that HM participation at USPSA major events will remain stunted... Best regards to All, Darrell Humphrey

Heavy Metal ain't broke ... that is, it does not need fixing. The most common rules are 7.62 X 51 (.308 Win)cartridge or bigger and 20 rounds in Mags max, Pistol .44 cal or bigger, 10 rounds max in mags, shotgun 12ga, 8 round magazine max and a 22 inch barrel length limit. USPSA requires Major Power Factor for all HM ammo, I.E. 320 for rifle, 165 Pistol and a who cares 500 something for shotgun (if your loads don't knock down the steel or reach the target ...who cares but you). Changing power factors for He Man/Heavy Metal will not help to "standardize" Heavy Metal, it will only force shooters to create yet another "custom" load. Furthrmore, the ony 3 Gun match I've ever been to thata chronoed ammo was a USPSA match ... no one else seems to care ... If we really want to change something about HM we should change things that will PROMOTE PATICIPATION!!! One thing I can think of that would most likely promote an instant increase in PARTICIPATION is splitting HM into two categories. By allowing Scoped rifles in one category and Iron Sights only in the other. there are just too many good shooters out there, both yuong and old who are either "iron sight disadvantaged" or awfully good actors ... :-) I prefer Iron sights myself. Another thing that would increase participation would be for the USPSA to make HM a full Division and put it on their match applications. Right now its just a category of the Limited/Standard Division, and you cannot enter more thatn one category in a USPSA match. Hence at a USPSA 3 gun match you can enter HM , but you can't also be a Junior, Senior, Super Senior or Woman because those are categories. SMM3Gun has increased participation in HM by allowing pumps and auto shotguns in separate scoring categories up till now. However, that might change for 2006 as the rules for that match are being"reviewed." As the Armed forces start the move back to the .45ACP and is already issuing re-furbed M14's HM has to gain importance in our 3 Gun Games .. If you are really interested in a competitive 1887 Win lever action Shotgun go to Coyote Cap's web site http://www.coyotecap.com/ . He is importing and reworking 1887 clones into competitive shotguns. I have an original Winchester and they are fun to shoot. But, unless you are an exceptional person who has become a maniac practicing with an '87 you'll never be able to beat a good shooter with a pump gun. But, that may not be your goal .. :-)

I think Dan Furbee and the folks at Rio Solado GC are on the right track with Heavy Metal. Last year they allowed folks to use an auto SG or Pump SG and scored them seperetly. There are folks who would like to shoot HM but they need to use a scope so we should have a scoped category within HM ... probably push the iron sight folks out of existence though. Power factors need to be within reason and they need to be compatible form match to match else we'll hav to have a different set of loads for every match. The USPSA is the ONLY sanctioning body that currently actually Chrongraphs 3 Gun Competitors. So my suggestion is to use USPSA MAJOR power factors for Heavy Metal: Pistol 165, Rifle 320, SG who really cares? ummm 520. Gauging Shotgun Power factors strikes me as reduntant. Shot shells either bust clays and knock down steel at range or they don't. Slugs accurately reach their targets at 40-50 yards or not. There maybe shooters out there who can selectively load Winchester Feather Lights to bust clays and then load full power number 6 shot loads to knock down steel, but I sure don't know a one of them ... not even Kurt M. does that. ooops hope I did not give him any ideas ... Have Fun !!!

I think Dan Furbee and the folks at Rio Solado GC are on the right track with Heavy Metal. Last year they allowed folks to use an auto SG or Pump SG and scored them seperetly. There are folks who would like to shoot HM but they need to use a scope so we should have a scoped category within HM ... probably push the iron sight folks out of existence though. Power factors need to be within reason and they need to be compatible form match to match else we'll hav to have a different set of loads for every match. The USPSA is the ONLY sanctioning body that currently actually Chrongraphs 3 Gun Competitors. So my suggestion is to use USPSA MAJOR power factors for Heavy Metal: Pistol 165, Rifle 320, SG who really cares? ummm 480.

Hello All: SMM3G is March 10, 11, 12, 2006 in Mesa, AZ is it not...... ? What say you all about a 3 gun Match in Cheyenne, WY in the June - July time frame 2007? Takes some planning and work .. Best to All, Darrell Humphrey

***************************************8 You don't mention what caliber, weight or type bullets you were shooting which might have been more susceptable to wind conditions prevalent at the time you shot? Also, the time of day could also have been a factor with changing light conditions? fianlly you do not mention whether or not you wer using a scope.... I was using Iron sights on a 16 inch .223 with 55 grain bullets on Sunday late morning. I took the left side with 4 shots and the right side in 6 with a breath pause between 3rd and 4th shots. Used prone position and did not brace on walls in either position. No sling.

Hello All: The 2005 USPSA 3 Gun Nationals was a roaring success compared to previous efforts. This success was due in large part to stage design that was simple, animated props that worked reliably, improved rules, improved scoring system and the weather. Things that still need improvement: 1) Heavy Metal needs to be a Division and there are many reasons for this. Let me know if you want those reasons. HM division will get HM sponsors .... a. Pump Gun should be the standard till USPSA is willing to hand out more trophys to folks who want to use autos in HM b. .44 caliber or larger, Major PF pistol works. c. I prefer a 10 round pistol magazine limit d. 9 round max shotgun capacity e. 20 round rifle mags max f. Iron sights on all guns until USPSA is willing to to hand out more trophys 2) Shotgun power factor needs to be reduced to 480 or eliminated as a competitive issue. 3) Extra care MUST be given to the design and placement of "safe boxes" and areas for placing safe, hot firearms. R.O.'s need to provide Consistent, Detailed Instructions as to the use of the box or area to limit DQ's. 4) It would be nice if everyone's guns/ammo could be chronoed. However, if random selection is made for the chrono, it must indeed be random AND everyone selected to be chronoed MUST be told Where and When they must go to the chrono station/stage. 5) USPSA limits on Recognition need to be relaxed to alow more competitors to be recognized for their participation and performance within their Division categories and classes. Recognition begets participation! Things that don't need to be changed: 1) USPSA San Angelo scoring. Frankly I like the different challenge presented by the USPSA paper target A,B, C, D, two hits per target comstock scoring compared to IMGA rules. This is not to say that I don't like the International Multi-gun rules of two hits anywhere or one A zone hit to neutralize a paper target. I like the different challenges preseted by both scoring methods ... don't change either of them now that USPSA uses San Angelo. How is it said? Viva La Differance? 2) USPSA safety rules ... that Standard of all the Gun Games. Best to all, Darrell Humphrey, Colorado, USA

My comments/thoughts on RM3G rules and shooter recognition ... - Eliminate Open Class (opposition to this has been strong from moment we mentioned it). The answer in the parens is the answer ... NO CHANGE - Eliminate Tactical-Iron Sub-Class (we only had 22 this year). Tactical Iron and Tactical Scoped must be recognized separate Tactical divisions ... That's THE way to go for RM3G. - Add Tactical/Iron Category (like lady's, military, senior, etc.) Making a Division a Category in the USPSA sense will neuter the Divison making it impossible to recognize the performances of the real categories like junior, lady's, military, senior, etc.). - Allow any single optic in He-Man Class (the single most requested change request that we get from shooters). MUST HAVE HE-MAN IRON and SCOPED Divisions. - Add He-Man/Iron Category-- Making a Division a Category in the USPSA sense will neuter the Divison making it impossible to recognize the performances of the real categories like junior, lady's, military, senior, etc.). - Allow bi-bods on Tactical and He-Man rifles -- I think it might be an interesting 1 year provisional change in the existing rules to see how many folks actually use them in these two Divisions at the RM3G. - Require power factor or bullet weight minimums for He-Man (140 grain rifle and 200 (or 230) grain pistol) -- if the RM3G management and staff want to go to the trouble of policing He-man power factors then so be it. I recommend 320 PF for major and 150 minimum to get any score. If they don't make major they shoot in Tactical, if they make minimum. - Require handgun to be worn on all stages -- Sounds like a nice practical challenge at first, but I think Kurt Miller has got it nailed ... the answer is NO .. safety first. - Require slings on rifles -- once again, Kurt M. nailed it, use them when you want to. - Eliminate shotgun barrel and magazine tube length restrictions (but retain 9 round max at start) -- anyone who can manage a barrel longer than the current rule of 22 inches for Tactical/Limited/he-man whilst limited to just 9 rounds is welcome to do so in my book. easier just to to leave the rule as is. Matt Burkett ..."We could always just include the price of a trophy in everybody's entry fee then all divisions, special categories, etc. would be covered." Matt is being just a little sarcastic in the quote above, but I think he has touched upon a note that is very important to our sport ... RECOGNITION. I truely believe that the RM3G does not have to buy an expensive trophy/plaque to provide recognition to all the various categories of shooters who enter the various existing or proposed new Divisions. Yes, if there are 5 or more shooters in a category then a trophy should be awarded, but for that single person in a category, be it a Junior or Lady or Super Senior a simple Certificate can be printed out on a laser printer for few cents at most to RECOGNIZE the fact that they were there and they were the best in their category. It just makes good sense if you think about it ... Let's keep working to make the RM3G better and better .... Best to all, Darrell Humphrey, Colorado

Heavy Metal/He-Man, Super Senior ... the eyes still work ... :-) RIFLE: 16" Bushmaster BAR-10-308 flat top, skeleton stock, Izzy Compensator, Ergo pistol grip totally stock except for Blue and red, open class rubber bands for charging handle. AMMO: 144 grain Australian surplus. RIFLE SIGHTS: DPMS clamp on shorty rear w/NM guts. Front sight is a Lyman globe, on Schuster Front sight base mounted as far forward on the barrel as possible. SHOTGUN: Winchester 1300 "practical defender" pump with a one round mag extension. (Hello Patrick!) PISTOL: SS 1911 .45 assembled with Caspian frame and slide, Novak competition fixed sights. Steve Moore, Littleton CO gunsmith. AMMO:200 gr lead SWC, Nitro 100 and N310 powders. HOLSTER and STUFF: Very Old Milt Sparks leather holsteron Safariland belt. 2 Choate 6 rnd shot shell holders on web shotshell belt and 2 home-made drop-leg rig. Also home-made drop-leg 2 mag rig for rifle. I am very lucky to be able to shoot with the guys & gals like Blane & Kim West, Hung Dang, JJ Johnson, Denise Pearman, Michael Field, Steve Hewlett and others every month at local 3 gun matches in Colorado. These are the folks who bust their butts for our shooting enjoyment. Brovo and kudos to all of them John Paul and those others who helped that I have not mentioned. Darrell Humphrey

THE SPPL WEB SERVER IS DOWN TODAY, APRIL 29, 2005. CANNOT GET MATCH INFO, APPLICATION ETC. fyi

Helo All: If you will be attending the USPSA 3-Gun Nationals make your hotel reservations NOW according to the Match Director Ron Sanders "... the range is Desert Sportsmans Rifle + Pistol Club. It is 12 miles west of I-15 on Charleston blvd. Get a room now. Good luck. Ron" Situation is a major horse show is in town the weekend of the match and most all of the hotels close to the range are already full. FYI, Darrell Humphrey

So fellow he-men, I know where you get your balls from, bullets that is, but where are you getting good, clean reloadable, affordable .308 brass these days? Thanks in advance for your replies ...

Hello: I have a Bushmaster BAR-10 flat top 16 inch carbine that I did quite well with at the SMM3G. It functioned without a fault and is quite accurate. FN FAL magzines are cheap and available and might come close to making up the cost difference between a BAR-10 and other less expensive AR-10's that have more expensive and difficult to get magazines. The mags also work in my FAL carbine backup gun. I also like the fact that it has a forward assist even though it is not all that necessary. there is no problem with the BAR-10's receiver length. When I place my identically configured Colt's AR-15 next to my BAR-10 the grips and triggers and charging handles align with both guns. Where the BAR-10 stretches out is in the magazine well area because of the size of the magazines to hold .308 rounds. Overall, the BAR-10's barrel only extends 2 inches futher than the AR-15's. One of the posts on this line mentioned a scope for Heavy Metal/He-Man. At the moment the only sanctioning body/group of rules that recognizes HM/H-M is the International Multi-Gun Association (IMGA). these rules are used at the SMM3G and in very slightly modified form by RM3G and the DPMS Tri-Gun matches. Scopes are verboten in HM/H-M! The ultimate AR-10's are currently being built by JP IMHO, although I'm sure Benny Hill and others can do equally as well. I just wish I could afford one of those tricked out .308 blasters. Best to all, Darrell

In MHO it would be Grim to use anything heavier or longer than a carbine for 3-gun Reaper. However, if you are on a budget and will be shooting more DCM-type matches than 3-gun then the choice is clearly to go with the DCM AR-15. 3-gun is fast and furrious with targets rarely exceeding 300 yards. Best Regards,

Kurt: I was using the 9mm as an example. You should know that I know you shoot a .40. I did not know that you are almost as old as Eddie Rhodes. So, we have to drop the difference to 17 years .... You sure picked up on the 9mm .40 stuff and the fact that I out shot you on that one stage, BUT I have not heard your take on my offering the USPSA my K.I.S.S. principle rules. ???? What say you Kurt? Best regards, Darrell