atek3
Member
My local range hosted a 5 stage shotgun and rifle match using IPSC rules. I've shot IPSC before but nothing "practical/tactical" with a rifle or shotgun. I used a pretty much stock FAL and a mossberg 590. It was actually the first time I'd ever shot a non-trap shotgun, ever. There were two rifle stages, two shotgun stages, and one combo stage.
The first Rifle stage was my favorite, 4 IPSC targets 50 yards away, and 2 "Precision" targets that were steel silhouttes with swingers behind the heart and cranio-ocular area. The Precision targets we could engage with support from the side of a barricade and the IPSC targets were only shootable unsupported. Out of 19 people only 2 of us were shooting 308 and I was the only one shooting 308 with irons. Regardless, the 308 violently swung the both swingers open and I got 5th out of 19 people, which made me pretty happy, (especially considering that the people I beat out were using "custom compensated JP race blah blah blah rifles", not that I wouldn't own one myself if I a) didn't live in the PRK and b) had the $$$ to afford such a cool toy")
The other rifle stage was a vice presidente, 3 IPSC targets, reload, 3 IPSC targets. Here the FAL was a major penalty, I went as fast as I reasonably could, but got 3 alpha's and 9 major PF charlies, oh well.
The combo stage was a well setup one called "mob scene". Rifle started unloaded at Parade rest, when the buzzer sounded you had to load and engage 7 IPSC targets of various states of concealment by No-Shoots and hard cover, including 2 head shot-only targets. All shooting had to be done through a barrel on its side about 2 feet off the ground. The
targets were roughly 50 yards away. Using the side of the barrel for support, I went pretty fast on the paper, getting all alpha's and one charlie. However after that it rapidly went downhill. After clearing the paper you had to put your rifle on safe run to a table grab your shotgun, go through a door and blow down 14 poppers some large some small. Here my unfamiliarity with shotguns become very apparent as I fumbled loading the mag tube and missed a popper that was hiding behind a barrel. Despite my 'tardedness with the shottie I still scored middle of the pack.
The last two stages were the death of me. One was a shotgun vice presidente with slugs only. Here my unfamiliarity with where the shotgun's point of aim vs. point of impact kinda messed me up. After I shot two or three shots I saw numerous holes all over the target, I didn't realize those were caused by the wad being ejected, so I lost count of how many rounds I fired, and reloaded slowly to finish at a whopping 18th place.
The final stage was simple, shotgun with six shells, 6 poppers, clear as fast as possible. I missed...and loaded the shotgun poorly...Did I mention I missed?
Despite sucking a lot with the shotgun I had a blast, scoring 1st in my category, Heavy Metal. (I was the only one in it
)
After thoughts:
three cheers for reliable guns, I didn't have single stoppage, which really really helped. Everyone else's guns seemed to be choking on various stages.
an iron sighted FAL is definetly up to the task accuracy wise (the eye hole was about 1" by 2")
I need to learn how to use a shotgun. And have a better way to carry more shells than in my vest pouch.
Those shotgun speedloaders for Rem 1100's are too cool.
Count your shots, count your shots, count your shots.
I can't wait for the next one.
atek3
The first Rifle stage was my favorite, 4 IPSC targets 50 yards away, and 2 "Precision" targets that were steel silhouttes with swingers behind the heart and cranio-ocular area. The Precision targets we could engage with support from the side of a barricade and the IPSC targets were only shootable unsupported. Out of 19 people only 2 of us were shooting 308 and I was the only one shooting 308 with irons. Regardless, the 308 violently swung the both swingers open and I got 5th out of 19 people, which made me pretty happy, (especially considering that the people I beat out were using "custom compensated JP race blah blah blah rifles", not that I wouldn't own one myself if I a) didn't live in the PRK and b) had the $$$ to afford such a cool toy")
The other rifle stage was a vice presidente, 3 IPSC targets, reload, 3 IPSC targets. Here the FAL was a major penalty, I went as fast as I reasonably could, but got 3 alpha's and 9 major PF charlies, oh well.
The combo stage was a well setup one called "mob scene". Rifle started unloaded at Parade rest, when the buzzer sounded you had to load and engage 7 IPSC targets of various states of concealment by No-Shoots and hard cover, including 2 head shot-only targets. All shooting had to be done through a barrel on its side about 2 feet off the ground. The
targets were roughly 50 yards away. Using the side of the barrel for support, I went pretty fast on the paper, getting all alpha's and one charlie. However after that it rapidly went downhill. After clearing the paper you had to put your rifle on safe run to a table grab your shotgun, go through a door and blow down 14 poppers some large some small. Here my unfamiliarity with shotguns become very apparent as I fumbled loading the mag tube and missed a popper that was hiding behind a barrel. Despite my 'tardedness with the shottie I still scored middle of the pack.
The last two stages were the death of me. One was a shotgun vice presidente with slugs only. Here my unfamiliarity with where the shotgun's point of aim vs. point of impact kinda messed me up. After I shot two or three shots I saw numerous holes all over the target, I didn't realize those were caused by the wad being ejected, so I lost count of how many rounds I fired, and reloaded slowly to finish at a whopping 18th place.
The final stage was simple, shotgun with six shells, 6 poppers, clear as fast as possible. I missed...and loaded the shotgun poorly...Did I mention I missed?
Despite sucking a lot with the shotgun I had a blast, scoring 1st in my category, Heavy Metal. (I was the only one in it
)After thoughts:
three cheers for reliable guns, I didn't have single stoppage, which really really helped. Everyone else's guns seemed to be choking on various stages.
an iron sighted FAL is definetly up to the task accuracy wise (the eye hole was about 1" by 2")
I need to learn how to use a shotgun. And have a better way to carry more shells than in my vest pouch.
Those shotgun speedloaders for Rem 1100's are too cool.
Count your shots, count your shots, count your shots.
I can't wait for the next one.
atek3
