Competition loads

[jfdavis58]

If you really want to learn about other shooters 'loads' do chrono duty at any state or larger IPSC match. I suppose any match with a chrono station would provide the same set of results.


Shooters lie, like everybody else.

 

[LiveLife]

Hmmmm ... Red Cent, I read the posts and my approach is a little different.

Especially living in California, I consider the simple fact of just being able to stand in that start box with a legal firearm (even with 10 round magazines) in my hand brings a sense of appreciation for the freedom I have that many others do not have in other countries.

Many people shoot matches to "compete" with other shooters. They often compare what others are doing and try to match load/components/hardware and try to gain advantage or equal the playing field. Some will even become obsessed with simply climbing the ladder.

For me, first and foremost, shooting is my hobby and passion. I approach shooting to enjoy and have fun, PERIOD. Nothing else matters - not other shooters, not stage setups, not the course of fire, not the choice/selection of bullet launcher, NOTHING. When I stand at the start box, the entire world disappears and my immediate environment becomes silent. I stand there alone with the targets. The only thing that matters is that "I showed up" for LIFE instead of rotting on the couch watching TV. And when I say "I showed up", I mean I chose to LIVE life.

Each time I shoot, I "compete" only with myself and the last/best score I shot. I understand and recognize that life is not perfect and that I WILL make mistakes. When things go wrong, I treat it as a learning experience and shift my focus to my last mistake and "compete" to see how much faster I can recover/correct to get back on my stride.

I also enjoy reloading, but I started reloading so I can feed my shooting habit. I don't do load development to meet the power factor, I do load development to identify the MOST ACCURATE LOAD within the load data range. I hone my reloading skills/techniques to produce the most accurate load regardless of the power factor, although my loads easily outpace the power factor (I competed with Glock 22 and soon M&P45).

I can't speak for others as to why they chose a particular load for their match load. I was taught to reload by a seasoned Bullseye shooter. He said I need to develop the load that I shot accurate first from various bullets, powders and charges. THEN I work on shooting fast.

Did I mention have a BLAST?

BTW, I have gotten the best accuracy from 200 gr SWC at 1.260"-1.270" OAL but the 200 gr RNFP shoots very comparable in accuracy when loaded to 1.195" OAL with 5.0 gr of W231/HP38 for me in my M&P45.

 

[Red Cent]

Jim Watson, I shoot with Dean and the guys at Caswell Ranch. I have ran through a scenario or two. When slicing the pie, the last bg to the right will normally cause one or two things. The upper body gets past the balance point and I must step (barely) out with my left foot. If I am up against the wall I can use it with body friction. Both cause me some concern for safety. I am very cool with the proceedural.
I thought about changing to the left hand but that also concerns me.

BDS, ain't nobody has more fun in life than me. I love my guns, prime rib, sour mash, and women and not necessarily in that order. I wade into any discipline with research and gobs of practice. Hell, won't be too long before I challenge Dean. I am aware that I do have limits. But I want to win.
Years ago, I made it to "A" in IPSC. Life made a detour. 3D archery all out. Wanna buy some scopes, releases, bows, and a bow press?
Cowboy. Hot dang, do I love the game. Ruger Rimfire. Local club 22 fun matches. And more. Trap, skeet, SC, and wobble trap. So little time.

Looking forward to shooting the revolver in PCCA and IDPA. Maybe some ICORE.

And I still love my Colt National Match.

 

[MrBorland]

When slicing the pie, the last bg to the right will normally cause one or two things. The upper body gets past the balance point and I must step (barely) out with my left foot. If I am up against the wall I can use it with body friction. Both cause me some concern for safety. I am very cool with the proceedural.

I'd let the match director and safety officer know you have an issue that could make The Slice difficult to do. I've found the local IDPA matches to be pretty accommodating if they know of legit issues ahead of time.

Also, don't crowd cover: Unless you have to, don't get right up against a wall or barrier to slice the pie, as this requires the most bending. The imaginary cover line from the target doesn't end at the wall or barricade - it goes on forever. So long as you're not breaking that line, you can be as far away from the wall as you wish. Watch the experienced shooters, and you'll see they rarely get right up against a wall.

 

[Red Cent]

I did talk to Dean the other day and, as you suggested, he told me to talk to the SO before I shoot. The bunch at Caswell is a good bunch and I do not think anyone will have a problem, especially with the penalty added.

The close or far slicing the pie has its trade off with me. I realize it is gaming time again, but as I understand it, I could shoot left handed, hugging the wall, and using my right hand for a fiction hold.

If I slice it five feet away, I would definitely have a foot in the "shoot zone". Thinking about it the only way to do it out there would be me facing west shooting at the target that is north of me while bending forward at the waist.

I think the simplest and the safest is to eat three seconds.