Shooting ESR Class in IDPA?

[RM]

I had a couple questions about shooting ESR class in IDPA. The manual says you must "make a power factor of 165,000." What common calibers does that include? Also, I would like to modify my S&W 66 (6 shot, .38/357) to take moon clips and shoot in this division. Would that be legal? Thank you.

 

[1911ONR]

The rule book states 9mm (.355 caliber) or larger that can safely make 165K power factor. To make 165K PF, you will have to use .357 mag loads. My reloading manual show no .38 spec or .38 spec +P that makes 165K. 357 mag at 165K PF is a hand full. Most people shooting ESR use a .45 ACP gun such as a 625. A 230 grain .45 travelling at 717 FPS makes the PF and is quite soft to shoot. Reloads are faster too with the short, wide cartridge. Shooting ESR with a 357 mag is a comprimise.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is legal to modify your gun to take moon clips.
If you load it with moon clips, you are in ESR with power factor 165. That corresponds to a 158 grain bullet at 1045+ fps. That is low end .357 magnum or old .38-44 High Velocity country. Extended shooting a light gun like M66 at that load level is not much fun, not for me at least.

You don't HAVE to use moon clips to shoot in ESR. I suggest you shoot a match with speedloaders and magnums just to see what you would be letting yourself in for.

 

[RM]

Thanks, Gentlemen, for your replies. Considering the information you posted, I think I will try SSR with speedloaders first and see how that goes. Not real thrilled with the idea of shooting .357 magnum in competition.

 

[Jim Watson]

You are not a handloader? It is possible to load .38s to PF 165 but it takes some care working in the .38-44 range.

I had a 686 cut for clips before the division was split and found that it was not as fast to load as a .45 with short heavy cartridges instead of long skinny .38s.

You hve the right idea, get your feet wet in SSR with speedloaders and plain vanilla .38 roundnose. Note - get at least 158 gr RN, the 130 grain cheapmart ammo does not even come close to PF 125.

 

[akanotken]

you may or may not know ...

cylinder can be cut for moonclips and still work without them. I've toyed with cutting my gp100 to take moonclips, but I'm mostly just experimenting