Steel Challenge advice.

[BunnySlayer]

I'm not new to competition but up until now I've only shot local matches and such. I even win now and then. I attribute this to luck and the " big fish, small pond syndrome! However I think it's time to test myself in bigger waters and I plan on shooting the steel challenge in Piru this August. While I realize I have no hope against the "supersquad" I would like any advice, information anyone here who has shot this match can give to a newbie. I will be shooting limited ten or open sights, single stack .45. I do reload and currently my loads are a 200 gr round nose lead with 3.8 grains of bullseye. Will this make the power floor or is it too heavy? How do "normal" shooters fair in this match? Any info is appreciated even if it's just to say how much fun you had. Thanks.

[kmca]

I've shot the challenge for the last 5 years and almost always had a good time. The vendors that were there are slowly becoming fewer and fewer, until last year I believe there were only 3 or 4. The prize table is also down quite a bit. I don't know what power factor your bullets are making, but I'd guess around 135 or 140 which is fine. I believe the minimum is 125, but I've never seen anybody check You need to worry more about functioning. You can't really afford to have an failures.

When you step up to the line to shoot, tell the RO that this is your first time there. They are all very helpful and understanding.

I don't know what times you get but something under 100 seconds for centerfire and 80 seconds in rimfire is pretty respectable. The draw is pretty important, somewhere in the 1.3 or less is good.

Take a lot of water with you. The only place they have it available is at the food area and it's a pain trying to get there from the upper ranges or from the Accelerator stage.

You do know that the order of finish is based strictly on time, so you're competing against the open guns of the "pros" for the prize table.

If you have anymore questions, or I think of something else, I'll post it later.

[inkedshooter]

Shooting steel is aalloooottt of fun!! Try and shoot as many local matches as you can especialy if they are having a steel match. Like mentioned before, work on your draw and your draw to sight picture transition. Watch how other people shoot the plates and see if they are shooting them a certain pattern for a reason. Shoot the plates the way you feel comfertable and stick to the same pattern. Watch for the little dark spots as the bullet hits the plate and listen for the ring, that way you see and hear your hits. Alot of missed time happens when someone has a miss on a plate and forgets they need to put a hit on it.

[esskay]

Check in on SSA @ Raahauges, I think they often put up steel challenge stages near the match so people can practice

[Miataguy]

I know NOTHING about shooting steel.....

But I love your avatar

[TMC]

The Challenge draws the big fish so unless you've done this allot you'll not be near the top, sorry but its the truth. Bad new is the top guys are shooting in the 80's, the good news is the that match is always the same so you can practice at home so you'll know where you stand. My advice is be honest, if you practice at home set up the stage and shoot 5 stings and record your time, don't shoot 20 stings and take the best 5. You're first 5 is your level. Practicing is good, do it. Find videos on-line and see how the super squads is shooting each stage. Do it that way, trust me, you do not have a better way. If you're not shooting go the the practice range, it was $5 for all day and you may be waiting to shoot with Max, BJ, K.C., JJ, Todd, Rob, who knows. Watch and learn.

I shot in 2006 and 2008 and there were lots of side matches. $3.00 per run and the fastest person for the day wins the gun or cash. I won guns in side matches both years and 1 each for my overall finish in the big show. Good times. Drink lots of water and wear sun screen, eat lunch at the range with the rest of the shooters, hang out and talk to the vendors and big dogs, stay all day Saturday and watch the super squad on Accelerator (the last stage they shoot) and see who wins the match.

Don't worry about power factor, they don't chrono, the lightest load that is accurate and will run your gun is what you want.

Its a great time, I'm hoping to make it this year.

P.S. I like your avatar too but don't tell my wife

[BunnySlayer]

Thanks for all the advice guys. It's my first "big one" and I'm determined to go through with it despite being more than a bit intimidated. As to my avatar.......I like her too!