Steel Match

[Baldy]

Anybody ever shoot a steel match with a .22 pistol? They have one every month up at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club down here and I am going to try it out. My one daughter has been shooting it for about 4mos now and is having a ball.

[bigfatdave]

I would if one was in reasonable distance.

Anyone know somewhere in the Toledo-Sandusky area that does them?

[scshooter]

Most of the shooters, at our club's Steel Challenge matches, shoot rimfire pistols and rifles. I , recently purchased a Ruger Mark III Target, specifically, to participate in Steel Challenge Matches. I shoot in the "Iron Sights" category, but many shoot with Red Dot optics. I also shoot IDPA matches and the Steel Challenge matches are almost like a weeknd off. No reloading match ammunition; no picking up brass; and minimal ammunition cost.

Look at the USPSA Steel Challenge web site for match rules.

[Medicine Hat]

There is also the Ruger Rimfire steel matches. I haven't shot at a USPSA steel challenge but in this area (eastern WA state) .22 steel challenge is really popular. Most small clubs modify the "Official" rules a little to suit their ranges or other needs ( but not so much that it would be a hindrance at Ruger Rimfire sanctioned matches) Anyway, I've been shooting that for about 6 months and it is a real fun time. I've used a Win 62 pump, a Henry lever, and last spring bought a Ruger 10/22. (loading/unloading tube mags is a bit slow). For the pistol part, I've used a Ruger single six (very slow to reload if needed, but fun) and I often bring out my old Colt Woodsman (1938 built) to play often. Love that slick working Colt. Recently I got a Chiappa 1911-22. Inexpensive but an amazing (to me at least) gun. Its the full size of a 1911, and only 6 oz less weight than a Mil-spec 1911. It cost me less than a .22 conversion kit and is a dedicated .22 so no changing kits.
Anyway, I think .22 steel challenge is great, lots of fun, good folks, etc. I'm too old and slow to do better than 'Mid Pack' scores, but do have fun. Its a great family sport too. lots of women and kids show up.
Almost any .22 repeater that goes BANG will work.

[Baldy]

Oh I know it has to be fun. My one daughter shoots in the center fire open site pistol class. Gave her a old 1911 some years ago and she keeps that old pistol hot shooting it so much. I shoot with a lot of the folks from that club so I know I'll be partenerd with someone I know. Looking forwards to it anyways.

[mwwilkew]

I started shooting in our local clubs steel challange shoots a few months ago with my Mk II. It's been alot of fun. I've got a Tactical Solutions 4.5" barrel with iron sights and its light weight has worked out real well. I don't know what the numbers are but I'd guess about half the shooters are shooting .22. Just as fun and alot cheaper than center fire.

Before going to my first match I watched a few videos online and was expecting that my times would be 10 times longer than the experienced competitors. But the white steel plates make easy targets and I'm in the mix. Give it a try, you'll enjoy it.

[Medicine Hat]

http://www.ruger.com/micros/rugerRimfire/index.html
Check out this site. For those who don't have a USPSA steel shoot in your area, this is an alternative. Just plain fun, and spreading all over the U.S.
Shoot sharp, and have fun.

[Baldy]

Medicine Hat & mwwilkew, Thanks for the insight and links. Next match here is 2nd Sunday of next month. I am going to be there if I can.

[quickslider]

I shoot steel matches with a 22. I live in Findlay, OH and belond to the Hancock COunty Conservation League. We have steel shoots every third Thurs and defensive shoots every fourth Thurs. You can shoot 22 or centerfire. The shoots cost five dollars per gun. If you would like to join it is $20.00 per year. We are making improvements to our range on a weekly basis.
Now that the days are growing shorter the shoots will be on Sunday afternoons. Let me know if you need further information.

[Yleefox]

Baldy
I've thought about giving that match at Titusville a try myself. Let us know how you do and what you thought of it.

Yleefox

[Baldy]

Baldy
I've thought about giving that match at Titusville a try myself. Let us know how you do and what you thought of it.

Yleefox

Yes sir I'll be more than glad to let you know how things go. I can tell you this much ahead of time is there's a bunch of good folks that belong up there. They have a team that shoots in the Tuesday night league up at the Police Hall of Fame. Their all good guys.

[Baldy]

I shoot steel matches with a 22. I live in Findlay, OH and belond to the Hancock COunty Conservation League. We have steel shoots every third Thurs and defensive shoots every fourth Thurs. You can shoot 22 or centerfire. The shoots cost five dollars per gun. If you would like to join it is $20.00 per year. We are making improvements to our range on a weekly basis.
Now that the days are growing shorter the shoots will be on Sunday afternoons. Let me know if you need further information.

I lived in Columbus Ohio many years ago, but that's as close as I got to Finlay in a long time. I am now retired in Florida or I would take you up on that offer.

[flyfishtom]

Baldy,

Some tips for shooting steel. Don't miss; you can't go fast enough to miss. Trigger control is probably the most important aspect of this shooting along with grip and sight picture. Plan your stage strategy so that your gun is mov- ing toward the stop plate on shot four. For example, on "Smoke and Hope" shoot 1,2 4,3 and then the stop plate. The first four targets are huge, 18 x 24 so there is ample room to shoot four and then reverse direction to three. I get my sight picture on the pistol and then look at the target before the buzzer. Lots of folks there to advise you so enjoy our range.

[Baldy]

Thanks for the tips there Mr Tom. I am sure to enjoy myself with all the fellows I know up there plus I'll be with my daughter Jenny.