Rookie

What are the probable distances for the longest range rifle targets that appear to be available on 2 of the stages? Are we talking under 350, 450?

You should not need a flashlight this year. All targets on all stages are suitably illuminated by the sun. While we are on the topic of "attachments" I can also confirm that there is no requirement for a sling!

You have bad information regarding the match schedule. Shooters will be on the range the entire day. There is effectively an A & B rotation with squad group A (squads 1 - 11) shooting in the first time slot and Squad group B following in the 2nd time slot. It is the same as last year, and if you have a copy of last year's match book, you can expect to see a nearly identical schedule for 2013.

I can confirm that stages are not posted for review prior to the match.

Many of the stage descriptions refer to a "cruiser ready" condition. This condition is not defined in the rules (or at least I could not find the reference). My guess is that it means: "loaded to division capacity minus 1, empty chamber". Please confirm or define.

Do you have an estimate of round count for the match yet? In particular, it would be helpful to know if we need special shotgun ammo... like lots of slugs and/or buckshot. Paper versus Steel (moving) rifle count would also be helpful. There is not a lot of time left to pack, ship and confirm delivery!

Just a couple of questions... I did not find the information on the fb3g website, but that doesn't mean it's not there... 1. Food on the range during the match? Options? 2. Registration hours/dates?

5 weeks to get gear together, the guns dialed in and practice. When can we expect to see the rules?

Rules question for the match directors. Rule 6.c. includes the following statement, applicable to Limited/Tactical rifle, "Only traditional double stack mags allowed". This would pretty much rule out the surefire 60 & 100 round magazines that exceed the "double stack" criteria in the rule. Does "traditional" include any length double stack mag?

When will the 2012 Rules be available for review?

What's the status of the 2012 Rules update?

SMM3G Rule 6.1.6.2: Shotgun targets will be calibrated with a 20 gauge shotgun, barrel length not to exceed 26", factory 2-1/2 dram, 7/8 oz 7-1/2 or #8 shot. It is a coach gun, kicks like a mule.

I thought that the subject of this thread is related to coaching while the shooter is "on the clock". Helping new shooters understand how to shoot a stage, or avoid getting sent home early is not the problem. Where rules prohibit coaching, we're talkling about ...during the course of fire.

For your consideration... What if the "coach" is not a competitor? If the match rules prohibit coaching, it seems to me that the "coach" would be the first to get hit with a penalty. I would think that the RO would have to determine whether or not the shooter involved had solicited the coaching before applying a penalty to the shooter. Last (well... further down the list at least): What is the generic definition of coaching? I would not necessarily consider someone yelling "Run Forrest, Run" to be coaching, but others may. Your thoughts?

Thanks for the rapid response Denise. I agree, steel shot is bad... got hit by a steel pellet "bouncing" off of steel at the 2011 SMM3-G!

Is there a maximum shot size for this match? If the answer is yes... what is it? I could not find reference in the rules.

Note the change to the shot size rule, effective this year... birdshot is restricted to No. 6 or smaller.

Sorry... the POI was 2" lower with the monopod, relative to a forearm rest.

I have confirmed a POI change of approximately 2" at 200 yards with my AR configuration for monopod rest versus forearm rest with my 69 and 55 grain loads. I suspect that the vibration characteristics are impacted by the difference in load points (forearm versus monopod). At least it is consistent, and I can adjust for it during a course of fire. I don't get concerned about adjusting for this difference until the targets get out beyond 275 yards.

What load do you use? I'm having a hard time working up a load. I'm using Win 55g FMJ, X-Terminator powder, OAL 2.260 as per the load guide, but can't get better than 2.5" at 100 yards in an AR that I get sub .5 MOA all day with my 69g SMK handloads. Little help please. Thanks! I had the same (well... similar) problem with rather large (1.5") groups at 100 yards with my 55 grain loads, while my 69 grain loads were in the sub 0.5" group size. In the process of attempting to solve a cycling problem, I loaded up some reduced powder loads to find my failure point. What I discovered was that once my velocity on the 55 grain bullets dropped below 3,000 fps, my group size fell to 0.5" versus the 1.5" from the loads that were over 3,000 fps. I now load all my 55's to approximately 2,950 fps... I'll take the accuracy over the flat trajectory every day!

Seems to me that the arguments for large versus small shot, and the potential to take down steel, is missing consideration of the ballistic coefficient. I would expect this to vary considerably between (large (No. 5) verus small (No. 8) shot. Muzzle velocity is a good starting and reference point, but for longer distances (let's say 25 yards), you should be able to start to see differences associated with shot size and knock down capability. That being said... choke selection seems to address the issue for most applications, on a stage by stage basis... and if the gun don't run, it ain't no fun.

I would expect to be able to meet the requirements for "He-man" division with a Revolver. Restrictions should be limited to caliber and maximum rounds allowed in a magazine.

Hey! I was awarded 1st place for the Tactical Class, Super Senior category and the posted results indicate that this was in error! Anyone out there know how to find/contact David Powell, the apparent, rightful recipient? Rookie