Ammo prices and availability

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Victor Khomenko

Oh... wow! Thank you! Are you close to Labelle, by any chance?

I'm just north of Ft Lauderdale and south of Boca Raton.

[Formerly YB-2]

Very nice, Victor. Are you shooting a 9mm in your pistol matches? Which one?
Tried to make myself like a a 650XL, but couldn't get to trust it for competition rifle reloading. OK for the short lines (200 & 300yd) but at 500, 600 & 1000yd it (and all the other progressives as well) will not throw a precise enough powder charge or seat a bullet well enough to prevent fliers. When matches are decided by 1-pt out of 600 or 800 or the difference between an X and a 10, precision loading with a single stage or turret press is required. For action/practical/bullseye pistol the 650 or 1050 or other progressive is the only way to go.

[Victor Khomenko]

I shoot 9mm Major in my Open pistols, and since I practice a lot the progressive is the only way to go for me. But I am aware of its limitation for precision shooting - but you guys also don't burn as much ammo. I guess I just don't have the patience to be a high precision shooter...

[Formerly YB-2]

Am guessing I only go through 4000 rds/year in my rifles. Probably only 1500 in the various pistols (for which I do not reload).

Which local ranges do you frequent that have practical pistol matches? Thinking I might drop by and 'observe' a match.

[Victor Khomenko]

What caliber are your rifles?

I go to three matches, all within one hour drive:

Lower Providence - it is in the Valley Forge area. 2857 Egypt Rd Eagleville, PA 19403

Every first Saturday of the month. Sometimes NJ people like JJ Racaza show up. Good match, with 6-7 stages.

Southern Chester County - match every third Saturday.

Southern Chester County Sportsmen's and Farmers' Association | Gun Range in West Marlborough, Pennsylvania | Shooting Range Details

That one is pretty big, usually 70-75 people, 6-7 stages.

Delmarva Sportsman Association - 816 Sudlersville Cemetary Rd, Sudlersville, MD 21668

Match every fourth Saturday. This is smaller match, 25-40 people, but friendly, well organized, and runs fast.

I always tell people that instead of observing they should come and have fun - why to just stand there, when you can be shooting?

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by Victor Khomenko

What caliber are your rifles?

For rimfire silhouette, it is any .22LR rifle and any sights. I shoot an original Winchester 1885 Low Wall single-shot with a reproduction period scope made by MVA. Animals are at 50/75/100/150/200meters.
For BPCR silhouette I shoot a C. Sharps reproduction Win 1885 High Wall in 38-56. Animals at 200/300/385/500 meters. Same rifle for mid-range target matches, which are 200/300/600yd.
For high power F-Class, am shooting a 6.5x47L in an Eliseo tube-gun. Generally shot at 300/500/600yd or all 600yd and 800/900/1000yd or all 1000yd.
http://www.audioaficionado.org/shoot...pen-rifle.html

Originally Posted by Victor Khomenko

I go to three matches, all within one hour drive.
I always tell people that instead of observing they should come and have fun - why to just stand there, when you can be shooting?

Am interested. How many rounds are needed for a match? Best to start with open sights or will my Red-Dot be the best?

[Victor Khomenko]

Interesting selection of rifles - I am not a rifle man, had many, but sold them almost all... but I can appreciate good ones! How accurate is that Open one?

Regarding the USPSA matches, please take a look at their web site Welcome to USPSA.org - Home of the United States Practical Shooting Association - you will need to download the rules book. There you will find the divisions definitions - Production, Single Stack, Limited, Open. I would select the weapon you feel most comfortable shooting, provided it fits one of the divisions. If you show me or list what you have in pistols, I might give you a more focused recommendation. Lots of people shoot various 1911's - in Single Stack division - so you can start with it. You can change your divisions at will.

In order to compete you would need a gun belt with a holster that satisfies the rules, and several magazine holders, with enough magazines to cover the longest stage - usually no more than 32. Rarely there is longer one. In Single Stack you would probably need 5 magazines, as the minimum. You should have four magazine holders on your belt.

Typical match is 130-140 rounds, 5 to 7 stages. To compete you would need to apply to USPSA membership, you can do it at the match, or before it, on their site. It is $25, I believe.

It is fun sport that requires good skills in several areas, it is challenging, and it is easy to get hooked on it!

Let me know if you have more questions!

[Formerly YB-2]

The F-Open rifle is considerably more accurate then the nut behind the trigger. That's me, of course.
I've shot three matches with it thus far and my high score is 574-18X out of a possible 600/60X. At 600yd, the X-ring is 3" in diameter. Even with my 32X scope it is difficult to see clearly due to atmospheric effects between the firing line and target at 600yd. The rifle is capable of shooting a 600/60X, but no shooter has yet had the skill to read the wind & mirage conditions well enough to do so with any rifle. The mirage (atmospheric conditions) makes the target appear to move. The biggest skill is learning to read the conditions and knowing where to aim based on what you see through the scope.

I'll read the rules and see what I think about the possibility of shooting a practical pistol match. The running part may be a problem. With a Ti hip, my doctor discourages my running & jumping.

[Victor Khomenko]

We have two guys on our squad with hip joint replacements, and they are doing fine - they are not fast, but having fun. The running is not really a requirement, everyone moves at his own pace. There are quite a few old farts in this sport, and many do great.

[Formerly YB-2]

Just what I need. Another shooting discipline to be mediocre at.
Do you shoot all winter? That would be the best chance for me to get out for a round.