Anyone going to ARC (Austin) Steel Challenge Feb 27?

[AnthonyTX]

This will be my first competition and I'm quite excited!

Someone mentioned to me that most targets are 15 yds or further? Is that correct? I've only ever hit the range shooting 7yd so this may be tricky!

Also I read someone here mentioning teams? Whats that for?

Thanks all!

[A-R]

I've never shot a steel match, but just finished the IDPA classifier in San Antonio this weekend and 30 of the 90 shots are 15 yards or further (20 yards). The "perfect" score circle on an IDPA target is roughly the size of most pistol steel targets I think. Only advice I can give you is go practice 50-100 rounds at that distance until you can consistently hit the same size target (roughly a 6-inch or 7-inch circle). Practice a smooth, consistent trigger pull and don't rush ANYTHING. Take your time, get the hits, don't jerk the trigger.

Remember these two mantras:

You can't miss shots fast enough to win the match.

Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.

[AnthonyTX]

You think I should try IDPA before I try the steel match?

[A-R]

You think I should try IDPA before I try the steel match?

I think everyone should try IDPA. It's just fun

Having never shot a "steel match" I"m not sure which is "easier" but there are certainly shots closer than 15 yards in IDPA (as well as some out to 20).

From what I've heard, steel is fun because it's just blasting away - 30-round stages etc. IDPA is fun because of the "scenarios", ducking around corners, engaging multiple targets, moving targets etc. Different beasts. Also IDPA is likely a bit more economical - 5 stages of about 20 round each vs. 30 rounds per ??? stages at steel match? But again, I'm biased as I've only shot IDPA and nothing else yet.

I'm planning to do IDPA at ARC either this Sunday or next Saturday (or both).

[A-R]

check out YouTube videos to see the differences in the two games:

Steel Challenge - stand there and shoot FAST
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IDPA - move, duck, cover, shoot, reload etc.
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[gringop]

Steel Challenge is shot while standing in one place (there are one or 2 stages that have limited movement). You shoot the same stage 5 times and throw out the worst time. If you don't have 5 mags you need to get a buddy to reload mags so you can shoot 5 strings.
There are some SC stages that have 35 yard targets. See all the official stages here.
http://steelchallenge.com/wp-content/up ... in_one.pdf

The ARC action bays are not that deep so most of the stages may be shorter. There may also be a stage that is not an official SC stage but is setup with poppers.

One good thing about steel matches is that you can shoot rimfire and not even draw from the holster (start from low ready). Gotta love shooting a match with cheap ammo and not much recoil.

If you can't hit an 8" plate at 15 yards, you may get frustrated. On the other hand you may have a blast. Some of the shooters will amaze you, like shooting the 5 targets on Pendulum in 2.94 seconds.

Steel Challenge is pretty much pure shooting skill. You do draw from the holster (except rimfires). IDPA and USPSA have a lot of other things going on, movement, reloads, non-threat targets, etc. They are all fun, just different.

Gringop