I was thinking that since many of us live so far apart it might be cool to put together a friendly monthly competition. My thought is a different competition or challenge every month.It would all be on your honor of course and no real prizes other than bragging rights and camaraderie. Potential ideas I have so far are for starters, best 5 shot group at 25 yards off-hand (hand held one or two handed no rests, slings, sticks etc) with your choice of handgun, progressive targets a can at 10 yards then 20 then 30 and so on until you miss, fewest shots to hit a can at 100 yards open sights and then variations on these to use as tie breakers. I just spitballing ideas here and would love to hear what you guys think. Of course pictures would be appreciated but probably not necessary. This would all be in the spirit of fun. What do you guys think?
One more thing, I would like to keep the equipment needed to a minimum so more people could try these.

My only thought is that since we are a handgun hunting site, it would be really great for every member to take at least one big game animal this year/season with their handguns. The more handgun kills the better! Not a competition, just a challenge to all the members.

If I get a shot at game, it will be with a handgun.

Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves.

I bow hunt and hunt muzzleloader too [prefer flintlock]but when modern gun rolls around that means handgun to me.

Junebug you guys get about 2-3 weeks that's a short one. Got family in Letcher Co and hunt there some as well as Owen Co. For some reason all I have been able to get a shot at is coyote.

For my part of the challenge issued is to blood a wedding present I got a few years ago from my wife. Taken several head with others over the past few years but not it. Let you guys know how it turns out.

I tried to put a competition together years ago on this site. I even offered a copy of Mark Hamptons book Handgun Hunting to the winner. Several members expressed interest but nobody took part.

My weekends will be busy for the next couple of months. Archery season starts next week and firearms season follows, running through the end of November. If you have a competition in December I'd be interested assuming the range is not snowed in.

Guilty as charged. I would be interested if you all decide to move forward with a friendly competition.

This sounds like a great idea. I see a couple negatives posted, but it's "practice" season right now...

This sounds like a great way to "get-out-there" before our seasons start.

Guys post about there accuracy and offer "tips" to everyone all year on how to be better. Now the chance to share some friendly shooting comes along and you'd of thought a coyote was standing on the prairie dog mound....you can just hear guys running for the shelter of there holes.

Except Whit, he's on board, but he backs up his posts with target pictures and dead critters all year.

I know how hard it is to hit a paper plate at 50 yards from field positions with a big bore revolver.. Now move it back to 100yards with a revolver, and you have got a Challenge!....to read the internet, you would think everyone can keep all shots on the plate at 50yards offhand.

Come'on guys, I know some of you plan to practice, and just about everyone of you has a phone...just snap a picture next time you are out.

We won't laugh, because those of us that actually shoot, know it ain't easy!

But don't forget to get out of the box, off the bench, and away from the sandbags and corralled critters for a few shots this year.

Heck, I tried last year and didn't fare any better.

Again, guilty as charged. I know I dropped the ball on my end, but would like to participate if possible.

I'll play - draw up some details around the first leg of the competition. Too hot to sit in the bow stand right now anyways

Yo Max, you did no wrong. NO-body sent in a target. BUT, I did shoot a few targets and since you did offer an autographed book for the "winner" ........ hmmmmm ....... wink wink nod nod ;-)

Since it is just for fun, is it really necessary to mail targets?? Pictures might get a lot more guys on board for this.

We start small 22 lr best group at 100 yds video only -- we all have I phones then we move up every 30 days 38 cal 41 cal 44 cal 45 cal I will kick ass in this group
Need to clarify between the SS and wheel gun guys because the wheel gun guys are going to kick ass once we get beyond .357

I'm not shooting any video. The range I most frequent won't allow anyone to shoot video and it's an inconvenience as I often shoot alone. I think photos of targets should be acceptable - JMHO. s4s4u drew up a pretty comprehensive competition last year that could be adopted.

How about a 5 on 9 drill? Pretty simple test, and a good indicator of a hunter's maximun practical range. See how long of a distance one can keep a 5 shot group on a 9" paper plate, offhand.

Perhaps there could also be a field position category for those who prefer to rest their pistols.

No markings on the paper plate to aid sighting, deer don't have bullseyes on them either.

We do?

Well, everybody except Rod.

Bug - Rod's bag phone does not do video

Hey, not quite that old school now ;-)

Mine still has a rotary dial, and

no camera.

I think the 5 shot group on the 5x9 plate is a good idea. Easy for most everyone to participate in (only a photo required) and practical in a hunting sense.

Since it is a "hunting" application maybe 2 rounds on each plate ...moving back 10 or 20 yards after each 2 shots....not easy to find a deer that will stand still long enough for 5 rounds..lol

I agree ;-)

But the purpose for the 5 on that 9" target is to test my ability. If I can't keep 5 out of 6 in play I need to go back to school.

I liked the paper plate idea because they are pretty much the same size and most people have some kicking around. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with you guys I'm trying to finish stuff up at work before I leave for my wedding. I suppose we should come up with the formal rules and lock down a specific challenge to start on. Paper plate might be a good one for simplicity.

Now is the time to do it as our modern season starts the second week of November.



SO, the fartherest range you can hit 5 of 6 on a 5x9 plate or 8 in paper plate off of a field rest [with your hunting setup] is the fartherest you should ethically shoot at a game animal ??? Be it 25 ,50, 75. or 100 yds or beyond.

I hunt with handguns for personal reasons and know and accept MY limitations [if the animal gets away without a shot, he won this round not me and I am OK with that]

I personaly hold myself to those standards and will not take a shot I am not comfortable with.

[ I HOLD NO ONE ELSE TO MY STANDARDS THIS IS MY PERSONAL RULE] [I just know someone will take this the wrong way!

I like a standard 9" paper plate as it is about the size of the "boiler room" of a whitetail. I prefer to shoot it offhand but I suppose we should have a field rest category as well since this is a hunting drill.

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/
Well here's the first one ,going to have to get a front sight I can see better for 50. White center of plate measures 7 1/2 in. [img]http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/[/img]

Awesome. Im in. Do we just submit the pics here?

That looks like dead meat to me. Well done.

Did we formalize rules... rests, calibers , optics. My 44 is scoped.. not that im a great shot but wouldnt seem fair to shoot against guys shooting irons. Not trying to cause problems just looking for info.

Don't see why it would matter long as you post it as a scoped gun group. Don't shoot off a bench, but post how it was shot. It seem's like a Run what you Brung ,shoot what you got kind of deal.Just don't cherry pick your groups, shoot it and post it,its for kicks and giggles anyway. Aint nobody gonna laugh at you, but with you.

J.M.H.O.

Come on guys lets see some paper plates. 22,32,357, 44, 45,45 super ,10 mm. Whatever you hunt with off of field rests. Just don't cherry pick the groups ,show it like it is . This is practice for hunting season which has started in some areas. Just post how far what load and off what kind of rest, aint nobody gonna laugh. I've shot better groups, and worse groups, that was my group for that day.

Junebug, I promise to play soon - unfortunately, I've been preoccupied with too much of this...



and not enough of this...

I posted a target up with my BFR in .500 JRH - it's on the bragging board. Will stretch the range out next session. Haven't shot it in a while and it wore me out a bit. Gotta get used to the recoil again.

Nice shooting Whit! I know what ya mean about wearing you out - shot my scoped Linebaugh earlier this summer...would put two rounds touching and then the third WAY off. Grip tension inconsistencies are magnified with the bigger hammers.

Thanks! You've got that right. I've been shooting a lot of .480 Ruger and .454 lately, but this thing is in a different category altogether. Forgot how abusive it is with some loads.

Nice looking long sticks, what calibers? They have there own set of rules you have to follow to get good results, it aint just point and shoot.Very nice shooting Whit. That takes dedication and lots of practice, especialy with the big hammers!!!!

Thanks JB - a couple of rigs built by Steve Roe at Apache Machine - 6.5 Creedmoor on the L, 300 Win Mag on the R