MN 3 GUN GROUP MATCH ANNOUNCEMENT

[-=VILLY=-]

Forecast for tomorrow was same as today, scattered thunderstorms. I was at the range today for the USPSA match all we got is a little misting which actually felt good.

Match is a GO tomorrow. Set-up starts at 7:30 AM. The more help we get, the merrier and faster. Bring your rain gear and hope that we can use it to play reverse psychology on Murphy and his laws.

[Xscream]

Excited for tomorrow - thanks Jomar and crew!

[-=VILLY=-]

34 brave souls risked uncertain weather this morning to play some 3-gun and were rewarded with no rain during the match. It was raining when we were setting up but not enough rain to get you soaked. By the time we began registrations and the shooter meeting, the rain had stopped and not another drop came. The overcast sky actually provided some relief form the humidity. When the sun broke through, it got hot.

We shot 4 stages instead of the 5 we had hoped for. One of the bays was a pond when we got there, so we skipped the 3-gun nation classifier stage we had planned for it. Thanks for those that came early and helped with set-up and for those that stayed after to help put all the targets and props away. Special thanks to Brian Payne for bringing his personal spinner targets for us to use.

I hope you guys enjoyed the Hostage stage, even if some of you shot a hostage or two or three. That was actually a test run for a similar stage I had planned for the Nordic Components Tactical Shotgun Championship. You guys gave me the opportunity to evaluate the stage and work out some wrinkles.

The scores will be done late tonight or tomorrow. Going on date with Mrs. Villy who was kind enough to let me go play these past two days. We'll post here when the results are up on the our MN3GG website.

[-=VILLY=-]

Scores are posted. http://www.mn3gungroup.org.

[Payne]

This was a fun day. My favorite stage was Jomar's hostage stage, but it showed me that my "focus" was not exactly on today. Something that needs to be worked on for sure.

I was happy to see all of the new/newer shooters that attended. They all handled their weapons well/safely, and seemed to really have their shooting skills dialed in. These were some tough stages that challenged many shooting skills.

I should be upset that my son beat me handily today, but the fact of the matter is that I am very pround of how quickly he has progressed in the sport. I also took note of quite a few other new shooters scores giving proof to the fact that their hard work is paying off. It is always pushed at these matches that it isn't about winning as much as it is about having fun with a great group of like minded shooters. The scores are for our own benefit so that we have a barometer to judge our progression by. I just can't help but notice that Minnesota seems to have a significant number of good shooters showing up for these matches.

It is my hope that the newer shooters are finding that the more experienced shooters are paving the way by giving advice, encouragement, and setting a good professional attitude.

[-=VILLY=-]

This was a fun day. My favorite stage was Jomar's hostage stage, but it showed me that my "focus" was not exactly on today. Something that needs to be worked on for sure.

Didn't help that I was putting on some added pressure just before you shot.

I was happy to see all of the new/newer shooters that attended. They all handled their weapons well/safely, and seemed to really have their shooting skills dialed in. These were some tough stages that challenged many shooting skills.

As the Range Master, I was relieved that there was no incidents I had to deal with. There was no match DQ or even a stage DQ. Thanks to the new/newer shooters for doing well in following the rules. And thanks to the experienced shooters who took the time and energy to guide the new/newer shooters.

I should be upset that my son beat me handily today, but the fact of the matter is that I am very pround of how quickly he has progressed in the sport.

As a recent newbie, Nathan has come a very long way in such a short time. You had a lot to do with his development in both good genes, lessons, and examples. I can hardly wait for Caleb to grow as big as his enthusiasm is to shoot the matches so I can take the same pride.[/quote]

I also took note of quite a few other new shooters scores giving proof to the fact that their hard work is paying off. It is always pushed at these matches that it isn't about winning as much as it is about having fun with a great group of like minded shooters. The scores are for our own benefit so that we have a barometer to judge our progression by. I just can't help but notice that Minnesota seems to have a significant number of good shooters showing up for these matches.

It is my hope that the newer shooters are finding that the more experienced shooters are paving the way by giving advice, encouragement, and setting a good professional attitude.

Very well said. Our sport has definitely grown from when we started, and we have quite a lot of very good shooters some of whom would even give the professional shooters a run for their money. I'm proud to be part of that, even if it was just by helping with putting on the 3-gun matches we have as a training grounds for them.

[Bessy]

Jomar and I are both here right now. If it sticks to a magnet, it cannot be used, period. With so many different brands of out-of-country ammo and so many variations of bullet heads, we don't have the time and resources to be checking all the ammo.

Bottom line is that the cheaper ammo as attractive to the pockets, but are very damaging to the targets. Those damaged targets from the last match were pratically brand new, and we had to replace them after one match.

Jay

Folks, we're not trying to be range pricks with this ammo stuff. The rules and the process of testing them with magnets are very common to the major 3-gun matches. I actually have a batch of Federal XM80 FMJ 308 ammo that I know are not steel core or armor piercing, but they have enough steel in the jacket to stick to a magnet. Would they damage a steel target? No more than the other 308 ammo I have that does not stick to a magnet. Would I expect an RO to believe me when I tell him its not steel core ammo when his magnet sticks to my ammo? No. Nor would I expect him to take the time and hold up the match to further look into my ammo, or expect him to know all the different types of 308 ammo and what material they are made out of.

We understand that getting good ammo is hard, and sometimes all there is are the stuff with steel core. We simply cannot risk the steel coer ammo to be used on the steel targets. Only other solution to that is to use paper targets, but I'm sure no one is going to like having to be the one to walk up to 200 yards to score and paste. Thats what will happen if the steel targets we have now gets damaged and we cannot afford to replace them. And if our targets continue to get damaged by these steel core ammo, we guarantee that the good folks who bring personally-owned steel targets for us to use will not be allowed to do so anymore as we will not allow their personal property to have the same fate.

Jomar, Jay.

I was asking only to clarify. I understand the challenges associated with trying to determine whether or not rounds are steel core, I think your policy is a good one. My only suggestion would to be modify the policy to allow for the competitor to provide for you a a pre cross sectioned round, proving that the round is in fact not steel core... this however might be to much of a hassle for you guys. I'm also unsure whether or not all steel jacketed ammo is created equal. Some may wear the plates more or less than others. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask a competitor to bring ammo that doesn't attract a magnet. I just wanted to know before I bought a mess of wolf 308 for heavy metal.

[-=VILLY=-]

Our written policy on this matter will stand. It is the simplest way and best way to pick out the banned ammo and encourage folks to be mindful of the ammo they bring to our match.

But you all know that in reality, Jay and I will always try to go out of our way for anyone as long as we are able to. If someone's ammo sticks to a magnet, we will try to determine what type of ammo it is and if we would allow it. There will always be a chance that we may allow it. But there will always be a chance also that we may decide to not allow it and that someone will not get to shoot the match. It would be better for everyone involved if people just avoid bringing ammo that sticks to magnet.