Picking Up Brass at Matches
- Thread starter Tsparger
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skidooman603
Member
Yes and nobody better be taking mine. 
I mark the heads of my LC brass with an X across the head to identify. Most folks are pretty cool about knowing what belongs to them and leaving yours alone. Still mark mine..Have alot of time and prep into it.
I mark the heads of my LC brass with an X across the head to identify. Most folks are pretty cool about knowing what belongs to them and leaving yours alone. Still mark mine..Have alot of time and prep into it.skidooman603
Member
Welcome to the forum by the way...
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
It completely depends on what competition you're talking about, how big the match you're attending is, and what the Match Director says.
At action pistol matches, especially at the monthly club match level, the answer is usually yes. And, if you're picky you can mark your brass and try to get yours back. (Though usually the folks I shoot with just sort by caliber and then try to split it up evenly -- who cares? Brass is brass.)
At a "Major" or "Sanctioned" match, you'll often find that the Match Director will state that this is a "lost brass" match. The staff is trying to move a LOT of shooters through the stages in a limited amount of time. They don't want to wait for 100-400 competitors to each sift through the grass or gravel to recover their brass. And, if you have time to do so, you should be pasting!
At action pistol matches, especially at the monthly club match level, the answer is usually yes. And, if you're picky you can mark your brass and try to get yours back. (Though usually the folks I shoot with just sort by caliber and then try to split it up evenly -- who cares? Brass is brass.)
At a "Major" or "Sanctioned" match, you'll often find that the Match Director will state that this is a "lost brass" match. The staff is trying to move a LOT of shooters through the stages in a limited amount of time. They don't want to wait for 100-400 competitors to each sift through the grass or gravel to recover their brass. And, if you have time to do so, you should be pasting!
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
At Bullseye matches, a lot of competitors will have nets they set up to catch brass.
At local USPSA and IDPA matches, people will generally brass between shooters while the targets are being scored and pasted.
High Power will generally have time to collect brass as well.
About the only matches I've attended where you weren't allowed to pick up brass were national-level 3 Gun matches where there were 300+ competitors. There's just simply not enough time to be able to brass.
At local USPSA and IDPA matches, people will generally brass between shooters while the targets are being scored and pasted.
High Power will generally have time to collect brass as well.
About the only matches I've attended where you weren't allowed to pick up brass were national-level 3 Gun matches where there were 300+ competitors. There's just simply not enough time to be able to brass.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
It's generally easier in a slow fire rifle match than in a pistol competition.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
'Course if you're weird and fire some oddball 1930s cops-&-mobsters cartridge, you can't split the pickin's with anyone!
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Sam, I suspect there's a lot of 38 Super being shot at the bigger matches you attend. Our local stuff . . . I guess it's less common.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
You, personally, shoot much more of it than I've ever seen, but I think it is more common in USPSA with the comped guns than in IDPA.I'm just jealous as all get out, you know.
You have to be a little careful about "lost brass" matches though. Several matches around here are like that and it's not because of time. The RO that sets up and tears down the stage and stands there all day running people through it.... cleans up and keeps all the brass from his stage as sort of compensation for the 'volunteer' work.
I got yelled at once years ago before I realized that was what was going on.
I got yelled at once years ago before I realized that was what was going on.
When I was shooting IPSC years ago, after the shooter showed clear, he and the RO would go forward, review the target, score it and have the shooter sign the scorecard.
In the meantime, other shooters would police the brass, for the shooter, while other people readied targets for the next shooter. That way, by the time, they were done, the next shooter could come up to the line and they move the shoot along.
It was expected that all shooters would put in their time policing brass and setting up targets.
I always got my brass back, usually it was someone with both hands together, "here you go".
They don't do this anymore?
In the meantime, other shooters would police the brass, for the shooter, while other people readied targets for the next shooter. That way, by the time, they were done, the next shooter could come up to the line and they move the shoot along.
It was expected that all shooters would put in their time policing brass and setting up targets.
I always got my brass back, usually it was someone with both hands together, "here you go".
They don't do this anymore?
westwood45
Member
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Been able to pick up brass at all the matches I've attended. The ones I've been to in Phoenix they actually have a few guys (usually the one 'on deck') picking up for you to help speed it along. It was great!
Every match I've been to (IDPA, Hi-Power, Tactical Rifle) not only are we allowed to brass, lots of other people will help you do it!
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I have had a few MDs at large matches say similar things sort of unofficially.
Mostly it was mentioned in the context of why they didn't allow the club regulars (guys not working the match) swoop in and grab it all.
I had that happen when working Nationals once. When we cleared the last guy, there was an old fellow with a bucket right at our elbows asking to go downrange to scavange.
The MD did put a stop to that.
Yep. There's usually 4-6 revolver shooters at our local IDPA matches and more at the local USPSA event. We'll often squad together, so when a revolver shooter finishes, they're free to look at targets, while another wheelgunner picks up their brass, speedloaders and/or moonclips for them (everyone else pastes).
Sounds horrible.
There is enough going on at a match that I'm ok with giving up the 150 pieces of brass or so if it keeps me from crawling around on my hands and knees for the entire time.
ny32182
Member
Most of the IDPA majors I've been to have been "lost brass" and it is stated in the booklet ahead of time so as not to generate any confusion.
At local matches, sure you can pick it up everywhere I've seen. At an action type match however, trying to locate your exact cases will fall somewhere between being an exercise in futility, and way too time consuming for the venue. The goal is simply to leave each stage with roughly the same number of cases you brought.
What I do, if I am not SOing, is spend about 50% of the time pasting, 25% of time time snagging some brass, and 25% of the time reloading mags/other personal logistical issues.
At local matches, sure you can pick it up everywhere I've seen. At an action type match however, trying to locate your exact cases will fall somewhere between being an exercise in futility, and way too time consuming for the venue. The goal is simply to leave each stage with roughly the same number of cases you brought.
What I do, if I am not SOing, is spend about 50% of the time pasting, 25% of time time snagging some brass, and 25% of the time reloading mags/other personal logistical issues.
clutch
Contributing Member
I shoot at a friendly club. Everyone has their mark. Mine is a brown and green cross on my brass. I get most of mine back, I pick up everything, I only take mine like the rest of the guys and gals.
Lost brass match? I'm not going there. We respect property where I shoot.
Clutch
Lost brass match? I'm not going there. We respect property where I shoot.
Clutch
Chris Rhines
Member
Must be different around here. All my local USPSA and 3-gun matches are lost brass.
Honestly, I kind of prefer it that way. I imagine that picking up brass after every shooter could really draw out the day...
-C
Honestly, I kind of prefer it that way. I imagine that picking up brass after every shooter could really draw out the day...
-C
The matches that are lost brass matches are that way because when you have half the squad crawling around for brass instead of pasting targets you'll be there all day.
This is especially true at larger matches with 100 or even 200+ people. It just takes too long.
Honestly, I don't know why people care. I can get 1000 9mm or .40 cases, roll sized and cleaned for $25-30.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Oh, you should try one that isn't a "lost lead" match! That REALLY slows things down with every shooter insisting on digging his slugs out of the berm and trying to see his mark on the splattered bullet to make sure he's getting his back! You get squads of guys with their shovels and sieves that take forever to exhume each slug and leave the berm all cratered out from their tunneling.
You think "brass vultures" are bad? "Lead moles" are MUCH worse!
...
O.k. so I've never seen that for real, but the point is brass can be a consumable item. It is a cost savings to you if you get it back, but it isn't unreasonable for a Match Director to ask (ahead of time) that you don't drag out the proceedings with your scavenging.TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Chris said:
I guess I've been lucky around here, seems there are always 2 or 3 people picking up brass while the targets are being scored and taped. By the time I get back from the targets there's always someone standing there with a hand full of brass, doesn't really seem to slow things down.
Major matches I can see it, but local stuff it seems silly not to get your brass back. It's cheap for a few here and there but can add up to serious money over time.
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