Bullseye Pistol Beginner Questions

[antsi]

A local range has NRA pistol matches in the evenings during fair weather months, and I'd like to start shooting in them.

I've been to one match, once, and shot with a borrowed pistol. It was fun.

I am not likely to invest the time/money/etc to seriously compete, but I would like to get back into some kind of regular, organized shooting because it helps me stay sharp. My goals would be a) have fun, b) improve against my own scores.

I am considering a Marvel .22 conversion for one of my 1911's for this purpose.

What would be the +/- of getting an optical sight versus iron sights with this set up? Do the rules of NRA pistol matches play into this decision?

Whether I get adjustable iron sights, or an optical sight, which would you-all recommend for this purpose?

 

[BillL223]

I tried Bullseye a few times several years ago. Shot Bowling Pins, then IPSC and never went back to Bullseye. That said, the NRA allows any sight. A very few used magnified scopes, most used a red-dot sight. Most shooters were old like me so red-dots help. Young eyes can do well with iron sights. The normal distances are 25 and 50 yards, an adjustable rear sight is helpful. If you decide on a red-dot, get the smallest dot. Leupold makes a 1 moa which would be great on a .22.

 

[Sunray]

An adjustable sighted .45 and about 4.5 grains of Bullseye(no relation) under a 230 grain flat point cast bullet or an adjustable sighted .357 revolver shooting .38 Special loads(2.5 to 2.7 of Bullseye) using a 148 grain full wad cutter in .357 brass. Or a good .22 target pistol. A Smith Model 41 being the best, but the Ruger will do if you don't want to spend a pile of money. .45 conversions don't shoot well enough.

 

[Crazy]

The Marvel conversion will shoot 10 shot groups right around 1 inch at 50 yards. That's as accurate as any $2000.00 Hammerli. The question about Red Dot or open sights is harder to pin down. I personally use a red dot on my guns, Ultra Dot is the choice you'll find on most bullseye guns. I really like open sights, but as my eyes have changed over time, I just can't see the sights like before. The dot has an infinite focal length, so 25 yards, or 50 isn't a problem to keep in focus, and my mind on the shot process, not the sights..
Crazy

 

[Chris Rhines]

Marvel 1911 conversions are plenty accurate for NRA Conventional Pistol, but you might want to think about a trigger job for whatever 1911 you put it on.

I've had both Ultradot and Docter red-dot sights - the Docter is vastly superior. It's lighter, has much better dot quality, and mounts closer to the bore axis.

My recommendation for a new Bullseye shooter would be to buy a Ruger MkII, standard barrel/adjustable sights, plop on a Doctersight, and go shoot. After a while, you might think about a trigger job (my MkII has the Volquartsen kit installed, and it's very good.)

Shoot Xs,
Chris

 

[Crazy]

Sunray,
That is a very strange load for the.45 you posted there, I'm curious if you really shoot that in rapid fire? Most bullseye shooters seem to stay with the 185 or 200 grain LSWC with a powder load around 3.8 - 4.0 grains of Bullseye, or equivalent.

3.8 grains of Clays with the Star 185 grain LSWC HP is also a very popular load for the .45
Crazy

 

[antsi]

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone have web links for the Docter or Ultradot sights?

 

[dc2wheel]

here's the link for Docter:

http://www.docteropticsusa.com/doctersight/

and here's Ultradot:

http://www.ultradotusa.com/

I have an Ultradot on a Ruger MK II, but after using a
Docter sight on another pistol, I think Docter's the way
to go. Much cleaner all around.

As a side note, Chris Rhines, on another thread a while back
you said you know of an inexpensive & reliable FFL willing to
do transfers in MD. Could you pm or email me with their
info if you get a chance? Thanks,

-dc2wheel
[email protected]

 

[ranger]

The marvel costs the same as the Ruger basic Target model (MK678), I have both.

If you have a 1911 with a decent trigger, that's what I'd recommend.

Changing the grip angle to the Ruger takes some getting used to. The Marvel takes NO getting used to, and the Ransom rest test target that came with mine was about 3/4 inch for 10 shots at 50 yards.

I'd suggest get the iron sights for the Marvel for beginning. You can always add the optical sight rail later. I got both when I got the Marvel, because I'm sort of in between.

What I've heard about Doctor sights is that they're hard to adjust, and the repeatability is not as good (compared to Ultra-dot). I'm still undecided on which glass too, in the meantime, just iron sights.