Rookie

The 2016 SMM3G match incorporated "exploding" land mines activated by a trip wire set 3 - 5 inches off the ground! Some of the competitors were very creative in the dance moves used to avoid them.

There are matches out there that don't require competitors to reset???

The Provisional USPSA rules suggest that "Binary Triggers" would be prohibited... refer to rules 5.1.11 and 10.2.13. Rule 4.2 of the IMA Rules (SMM3G) states that weapons that allow more than 1 round fired with each "pull" of the trigger will be penalized 30 seconds per occurrence. Probably not a good idea to use one if you intend to win a match... 4.2 Firearms capable of fully automatic- or burst-fire (“machine guns”) may be used only in semi-auto mode (i.e. not more than one (1) round fired with each pull of the trigger). Violation of this rule will incur a 30 second time penalty per occurrence.

The final posting should include the individual results and the overall... I have been burned at both ends. I have had the decimal point moved to the right by 2 places (4900+ seconds on a stage... just under 1.5 hours) that might have been difficult to find in the overall for a 10+ stage match I have had a stage score of zero included in the Overall posting, even though I had confirmed that all of my individual stage scores had been correctly entered (software glitch, apparently). In this particular instance, the overall standings were held back because the match director involved believes that the competitors "...enjoy the surprise". In my case, part of the surprise included walking the prize table about 25 places lower than my actual finish. The final posting should consist of the individual stage results and the overall results...

I have not found any information indicating that there is a shot size limitation on birdshot for the match. Has anyone found information indicating otherwise?

Video taping will be allowed, with restrictions on some stages relative to the area from where your videographer can shoot. There may be one shooting area in which video cameras will not be allowed in any form... including shooter worn. We are working on the policy now and will have information available at the stages

You mean like HM? (I recall a stage at TXMG in 2012, all pistol, that required something like 36 or 38 rounds, if you shot it clean. I was shooting WWII Division - 1911, 8 round mags - with I think 6 extra mags on my belt. Maybe 8.) 2015 Rocky Mountain 3-Gun, Stage 8: 20 Pistol Steel, 15 Pistol Paper! This may not be the highest round count pistol stage JJ has thrown at us. but it is one that I can recall.

Would you be questioning this rule if 7.3.1.4 read "Magazines shall not be loaded ..."? And in reality... the rules posted on the website does state the plural version.

Hornady and Nosler list BC info for every bullet they sell on the websites, and I am confident that similar bullet manufacturers have this info available also. Midway USA has BC listed for nearly every bullet that I have investigated for use in my 223/308 reloads. If you check out these resources, you should be able to get a reasonably accurate estimate for your trajectory.

3gn and USPSA, didn't know there was anything else. Is there? The rule-set used for the SMM3G match (IMGA) is used in some form by many matches... and I am seeing a fair amount of debate regarding the "original" SOF rules (Resurgence). I would suggest that the USPSA and IMGA rule-sets are both used more broadly than 3GN, but that might start an argument that will only reflect the sort of matches individual shooters like to or are able to attend. As far as equipment divisions go... these rule sets vary considerably in division names and equipment definition... and if you enjoy the Heavy Metal component of 3-Gun, then you might want to check out the RM3G rules.

I think you are going to have to be more specific than "...both sets of rules". I don't recall a discussion of requirements for bolt retention or mag release in any rule set that I am familiar with.

I use the lowest power that will allow me to execute the stage in the most efficient/effective manner. On some stages, this means engaging paper targets at less than 10 yards at max power, or engaging 10" steel at 300+ yards at 1.5X power. The answer is... it depends (as you suggested). It depends on stage design, lighting conditions, target presentation, and perhaps most importantly, your individual skill set. I'm sure that I have missed other critical factors.

Where in the He-Man rules does it state that HM division competitors cannot fire more than 9 rounds (shotgun) without reloading?

Some recently attended matches where Pre-loading was directed by a match official include: 2015 SMM3G, 2015 USPSA MG Nationals, 2015 He-Man Nationals, 2015 RM3G... I have been to other matches/locations where the pre-loading policy was a tad more relaxed and it was basically left to the integrity of the shooter and the counting ability of the RO to manage compliance. From my perspective it is not difficult to monitor round count compliance for the applicable divisions at a supervised pre-loading station. I also attend some monthly matches where competitors take turns watching the preloading activity and most, if not all, are paying attention to the number of rounds placed in the magazine. At the Rio Salado monthly matches pre-loading is conducted in a specified shotgun pre-loading area (horizontally placed barrel on a stand) with a posted pre-loading policy sign.

From the original post... "The only way to be certain that a competitor is not overfilling his shotgun would be to have every shotgun preloaded under the watchful eye of an RO." At what matches and under what rulesets is it acceptable to load/preload without direct RO supervision and direction? I have not been to any of these matches! As an RM, I view having a (shotgun) magazine length restriction as just one more thing that we have to be prepared to check and to have procedures that assure that it is done consistently. RO's that are assigned to oversee pre-loading have the responsibility to assure that the competitor meets the division requirement for rounds in the magazine. Unless a match allows the competitors to come to the line with a loaded shotgun that has not been directed and supervised by an RO... I don't see round limitations as a problem.

Run-n-Gun Rifle-Pistol Match, Saturday January 30th This is a special RIFLE + PISTOL match (no shotgun required). There will be five practical scenario-type stages; four CQB-type stages on the Pistol Bays plus one longer range stage on High Power. Bring 150 rifle rounds + 100 pistol rounds. Almost any semi-automatic centerfire rifle and pistol will work, plus a safe/secure belt holster for the pistol. Standard IMA-SMM3G rules will apply. First shots will be at 8am. Pre-registration is NOT required... just turn up and shoot. Stealthy... do you intend to run with the "standard" divisions? Stealth, HM, Tactical???

The short answer is that your "plan" should work for most 3-gun matches. I use the ELS system (3 years) and I have had no problems with the Safariland equipment. The longer answer is "...it depends". You need to consider the expected stage round count requirements for the matches you plan to attend and your shooting skill set. It is a rare stage that requires me to use more than 30 rifle, 30 pistol or 24 shotgun hits... although I have shot stages (over the last 12 years) that were larger... the largest round count stages by weapon (that I can recall) were: Rifle - around 60 (if you took 2 shots at all of the paper) (MGM Iron Man) Shotgun - 52 (RM3G) Pistol - 52 (RM3G) If you plan to compete in the Heavy Metal division... you will need to consider additional Rifle & Handgun mag storage due round/magazine limitations.

Several of the competitors shooting 40 S&W were being scored as "minor" and taking advantage of the extra capacity. I also noted that a handful of the 45 users were also shooting minor, but not because they planned it that way!

If you wish to accept my method of estimating... I can provide the caliber breakdown as a percentage. These numbers are based on a random sampling of brass burned thru by shooters on Stage 3 over the 3 days of the main match. 45 ACP - 43% 40 S&W - 31% 9 mm - 26% I was surprised that the 40 S&W number came out larger than the % for 9 mm...

Rule book sections 9.2.4, 9.4.5 and 9.4.6 tell the whole story... you get to keep all your hits, even when it is a bad thing . Read the rules I cited above. Chuck S did not mention the section regarding "Extra Hits", which may or may not have been considered in your original question. Overtime shots are counted as procedurals.

Would you mind sharing your "secret" recipe for the 135 SMK and H4895? I'm trying to work up a load with Varget and am struggling to get anywhere close to 2900 fps out of my 18" barrel. My 125 TNT match load with H4895 out of the same barrel comes in at 2950 fps (LC Brass and WLR primers). I am out of H4895! Thanks in advance.

In the past, it was 4 strings, 6 rounds each, 6 second fixed time.1. 50 yards 6 rounds freestyle 2. 25 yards 3 rounds fs, reload, 3 rds fs 3. 15 yards 6 rds SHO 4. 10 yards 6 rds WHO I think it was 5 seconds, but otherwise correct.-ivan- Yup, 5. I guess the 6 was wishful thinking... Let's try just one more time working with a par time of 5.7 seconds (all 4 strings)

Must have been my 870! I did not have a malfunction during the entire He-Man Nationals match running my trusty old 870. However, If you were including mental malfunctions then...

From Webster (the dictionary): Full Definition of CARBINE 1 : a short-barreled lightweight firearm originally used by cavalry 2 : a light short-barreled repeating rifle that is used as a supplementary military arm or for hunting in dense brush Probably is not "the" answer... but it does address some of the recent comments.

Where are the scores posted?