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DWF Supporters
October 14, 2010
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Yesterday was my 2nd time shooting big bore at an IHMSA match. The entry was with a Dan Wesson 44mag with my dads V6 barrel assembly on it. Factory iron sights. I was shooting a 240gr. Nosler sporting handgun bullet launched by 23.5gr. of W296.
While my score was relatively unimpressive I am very happy. I shoot standing only with my arms straight out. No taco hold or high rise scopes to hold onto. I shot a 12x40. 4 of which were 200 meter rams. 1 got 3 on the 1st bank of 5. I was more comfortable towards the end.
I can't wait to do it again next month.
I can't encourage anyone enough to go out and try an IHMSA match. There are videos online but seeing one live is where it's at. I compare it to ice hockey. I never cared for it on TV but when I went to Mellon arena the 1st time and saw the pens slamming around on the boards and pucks flying I was sucked in.
The amount of knowledge the other shooters have on shooting and reloading is amazing. It's worth just going to talk to them and ask questions.
Support your local IHMSA range.
Dans Club
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April 20, 2010
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Hoss that sounds like a great time. I dont know of any matches around here at all but I am going to have to look for something within driving distance, I never attended one and would like to watch a match. I am not a competitive type person but I like sports such as that where you more are trying to improve your own level of skill.
I doubt I could do well but I do have handguns that could do it.
"The lion and the tiger may be more powerful, but the Wolf does not perform in the circus"
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DWF Supporters
October 14, 2010
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Morrisville, PA has a range. Google maps has it under 2 hours from Lancaster, PA.
http://www.ftrpa.org/programs/silhouette/
The nice thing about IHMSA is that you are really competing against yourself. By that you are improving yourself. The classifications do this. Sure score cards are turned in at the end by everyone but if you are an "A" class shooter your score is only grouped with other 'A' class shooters. In standing 'A' class is 8-15 hits out of 40. As you get better you move up in class. Yesterday I was shooting beside an 'International class' shooter. Him and his spotter were helping me along the whole way.
When I went to see my 1st match I took (2) 22lr handguns. An S&W model 17 and an S&W 22S auto with a red dot. I shot these in field pistol since the targets are a little larger than small bore. The 22's won't always knock the rams over though. I didn't care. It was just an awesome feeling when I heard the bullet smack the target at 100 yards.
Most ranges let you shoot for free your 1st time. If you go to watch a match you might as well take at least a 22 and shoot a round. I'm sure someone will be more than glad to show you how the match runs. After all, you are at a range. If you like to shoot handguns you will have a great time.
Below is a link to the IHMSA match schedule. Under PA you will find an email address for the contact person at the range.
Support your local IHMSA range.
April 25, 2008
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Good job at the match! My first IHMSA entry was a sterling 3x40, but I was hooked. Still am after 29 years. I haven't shot standing in many years, as I never practice it. I should correct that. Although a .38 wadcutter is enough to take down a Field Pistol ram, it is a LOT of fun knocking the crap out of them with Magnum loads. Some of us have contests to see who can launch a chicken the furthest over the berm.
The Savantist
January 20, 2014
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Just went to a range that had ihmsa, still has all the critters out there so shot pigs at 100 yards with my DW PM7 first time out with this gun and hit 3 on first mag of 8 and 5 on second mag. Was thinking of using this gun for my first bullseye comp in Sept. All shots were off hand standing, wish I would of had my 44VH pistol PAC that day. Love hitting steel at long ranges.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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Hosspower said
I can't encourage anyone enough to go out and try an IHMSA match.
The amount of knowledge the other shooters have on shooting and reloading is amazing. It's worth just going to talk to them and ask questions.
I would say the same about at least "spectating" at a Three Gun Match. The Coast Guard Academy Combat Arms Team ran a Maritime Three Gun here in CT for several years and it was really interesting.
Two competitors really stood out at the last one:
-One guy shot an M1 Garand, a 1911, and (maybe) an 870. He looked to be about 50 years old and was attired in Korea/early Vietnam Marine attire
-The second was was also a veteran, he had lost both legs from below to knee in Afghanistan, so he was on two prosthetic limbs. He completed every course of fire and clearly loved competing. His wife was there to help move his equipment and assist as the rules allowed.
When I shook his hand and thanked him for his Service, I had tears in my eyes, and I was NOT the only one.
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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