2018 Steel Challenge @ Harvard Sportsmens Club

[10mmdave]

Hi folks, here's the dates for this years Steel Challenge at HSC

May 19th.
June 16th.
July 21st.
September 15th.
October 20th.
No Match in NOVEMBER

6 stages, keeping the price the same at $15, juniors shoot free and I hope they'll run out and paint
those far targets for us old folk.

Registration starts at 8:30, when you show up you'll head over to the side of the trailer and under
the overhang the lovely Betsy Grecoe and her hubby Dan will be happy to take your name,
division info and your money !
You'll also be directed to fill out out a liability form and pick a squad before you go see Mike at the
front of the trailer for the computer stuff. Don't forget your USPSA number if you have one.

We ask that all folks have enough mags or speed loaders to shoot 5 strings, if you show up with
only one mag we might have a problem, if you show up with 2 or 3 mags then we can deal with
that, just know that we will expect you to get some more mags if you get hooked by the steel
shooting bug.

New rule this year out of SC HQ !!
All long guns must be bagged AND flagged before they go into a bag or cart !!
Not sure about rimfire pistols but a chamber flag before you case the guns seems good.
And as always there is no handling of firearms unless under the direct supervision of a Range
Officer or at one of the many "Safe Table" located around the shooting bays.
Absolutely NO AMMO at the safe tables

Here's the link to the Steel Challenge web site Steel Challenge Shooting Association Home Page - US Practical Shooting Assocation
you can check out more info there or if you have any questions you don't want to ask here you can
email me at [email protected]

As always we are looking for help in the form of RO's and nook operators, if you'd like to help let
the folks know when your signing up and we'll take care of you.
It would be nice also if we could get some match directors and stats operators to back up Mike &
myself in case of a vacation, work or whatever comes up.

And please, we expect EVERYONE to help paint targets and pick up brass, if you can't, then maybe
think about bringing out the daughter/son-niece/nephew-grand daughter/grand son or even
some kid from the neighborhood !! (but check with their parents first)

I most likely have forgotten something so I will be back to update the above when needed,
I'll try and keep folks posted through this thread about any updates or changes.

I will check with Bob the food dude and see if he'll be out again this year.

That's it for now, hope to see you at the match !
Dave Parker

 

[ArmedResident]

I shot my first Steel Challenge Match at HSC last year and had a great time shooting my Ruger MK III.
Looking forward to the 2018 season. This is a pic of the rear ends of some of my squad mates. ;-)

 

[10mmdave]

Oh ya, forgot to mention, the above dates are the actual dates, there is a match listed for March on the HSC calendar that was in error.

 

[binary]

Harvard calendar is also listing an April Steel Challenge (though, 'tentative'). Does that mean weather dependent, or is it also an error?

 

[10mmdave]

Not an error but also not likely to happen, it takes awhile for the snow
to melt from the HSC ranges and unless we get above 50 degrees for a
lot of days before then and the mud subsides it's a long shot.

 

[DW357]

it takes awhile for the snow
to melt from the HSC ranges and unless we get above 50 degrees for a
lot of days before then and the mud subsides it's a long shot.

There's a IDPA match at Harvard on Saturday. I'm thinking I may want to buy some ice cleats with all the snow that must be on the ranges...

 

[EddieA]

The way the weather's been treating us, snowshoes might be more fitting.

 

[binary]

Not an error but also not likely to happen, it takes awhile for the snow
to melt from the HSC ranges and unless we get above 50 degrees for a
lot of days before then and the mud subsides it's a long shot.

Yea, thanks, that's about what I figured. I hope the biathlon folks are getting good use of all this snow.

 

[10mmdave]

Hello all, there is a tentative date for an SC match at HSC for April 22nd, due to my schedule and range needs
I'm going to cancel any steel match for that day, hope to see you all May 19th.

 

[Matt-CZ]

I've never shot steel challenge before. Does HSC do .22 rifle as well? Would I be able to use a marlin 60 with tube feed, or would be too slow to load. Don't want to be inconsiderate to the other shooters.

Side note, are the Ruger SR-22 mags made of gold? Can't find a good price for them anywhere...

 

[DW357]

I've never shot steel challenge before. Does HSC do .22 rifle as well? Would I be able to use a marlin 60 with tube feed, or would be too slow to load. Don't want to be inconsiderate to the other shooters.

Side note, are the Ruger SR-22 mags made of gold? Can't find a good price for them anywhere...

HSC does have rimfire rifle and pistol. I don't know if they'd let you run a model 60.

 

[DW357]

Side note, are the Ruger SR-22 mags made of gold? Can't find a good price for them anywhere...

grabagun has them in stock for $33. Only a few bucks for shipping
Ruger SR22 Magazine Value Pack Black 10 Rd

 

[Matt-CZ]

grabagun has them in stock for $33. Only a few bucks for shipping
Ruger SR22 Magazine Value Pack Black 10 Rd

I think I'm just a cheapskate. Got the same deal just now on ebay, $36 for 2, shipping included. Seems like a lot for a single stack .22LR mag. But with that I'll have 4 and be good hopefully forever!

 

[DW357]

I think I'm just a cheapskate. Got the same deal just now on ebay, $36 for 2, shipping included. Seems like a lot for a single stack .22LR mag. But with that I'll have 4 and be good hopefully forever!

Wow $36 for 2 is a really good deal.

 

[firecontrol123]

I've never shot steel challenge before. Does HSC do .22 rifle as well? Would I be able to use a marlin 60 with tube feed, or would be too slow to load. Don't want to be inconsiderate to the other shooters.

Side note, are the Ruger SR-22 mags made of gold? Can't find a good price for them anywhere...

Sparky 123 is selling a new SR-22 magazine for $20 bucks, that's like half of what they retail for.

 

[jar]

I've never shot steel challenge before. Does HSC do .22 rifle as well? Would I be able to use a marlin 60 with tube feed, or would be too slow to load. Don't want to be inconsiderate to the other shooters.

IIRC the Appleseed folks used to make "speedloaders" for the model 60 out of McDonalds straws.

 

[Matt-CZ]

IIRC the Appleseed folks used to make "speedloaders" for the model 60 out of McDonalds straws.

There's a product out there that I might buy, the Speed-E-Loader. It's a speedloader for magazine tubes.

 

[GeeTen]

Thanks, Dave, for picking up the Steel Challenge mantle once again this year. I've scheduled to be at every match (except the July match when I'll be in St. Petersburg, FL for a swim meet - outdoors, ugh!) to help set-up/RO/take-down. Might even try my new (to me) Carry Optics rig - so stand far back.

Knees getting worse, but I'll be there.

TTFN,
"Point Blank" Frank

 

[10mmdave]

AFA the Model 60, I would say yes to it if you had a speed loader, seen those work and they speed up
the refill process greatly.
One thing you and the RO's will have to watch is that the loading and un-loading process is safe.
I think if you brought along a bowl or some way to catch the un-used rnds after your string that would be good.
I don't know how well those speed loaders work if you can't empty the chamber of the loader.

One thing to keep in mind is that we need to keep the squads moving, and everyone safe.
If your hand goes in front of the muzzle while reloading your firearm then you would be DQ'd.
(and of course if you sweep anyone including yourself or break the 180)


Frank! I have one of those "Lark" chairs, maybe it's time to get some batteries and spark that puppy up

(looks just like this one !!)

 

[binary]

PCC is still in, right? I wouldn't expect it to have changed from last year, but just wanted to double check.

 

[10mmdave]

Yup, PCC is still a go for these events, and since this is a USPSA/SCSA event we HAVE to adhere to
their rules so ALL long guns (PCC and Rimfire) must be flagged before being bagged or going in the cart.
If there are any specific HSC rules I will update the orig post and here.

Here’s a portion of the current rules as far as transporting PCC’s and Rimfire Rifles as they have
changed for 2018…..

5.2.1.2
Competitors must use a chamber safety flag, or clear chamber device, that is easily
visible externally to the gun when transporting from vehicles or stage to stage.
Anyone found in violation of this rule will be immediately escorted by a Range Officer
to a suitable range or safety area where appropriate corrective action shall be made.

PCC 5.2.1.3
Un-cased pistol caliber carbines must be carried shouldered or slung from the shoulder
or held in the hands with the firearm reasonably vertical and a chamber safety flag in
place. Match Directors may require this to be "vertically upwards" or "vertically downwards"
providing this is made clear to all competitors in a reasonable manner.

PCC 5.2.1.4
Pistol caliber carbines may be transported or stored without a slip or case, whether or not
reasonably vertical, in a mobile rack or carrier as long as a chamber safety flag is used.

PCC 5.2.1.5
Match organizers may specify that carbines are allowed to be cased or uncased
with the muzzle in a safe direction, i.e., into the side berm or backstop.
This can be designated as a “staging area” for carbines. No handgun handling is allowed in this area.
When casing/uncasing PCC’s, the muzzle must point at a side berm or backstop. Failure to point the
muzzle at a side berm or back stop during casing/uncasing will result in a DQ per PCC 10.5.2.1

PCC 5.2.1.6
Transporting pistol caliber carbines from the staging area to the start position and backto the staging
area from where the shooter unloads and shows clear, the gun must be carried muzzle up or muzzle
down with the bolt closed on a chamber safety flag.

Here’s the links if you want to read the whole deal,

PDF.js viewer

PDF.js viewer

 

[scooter]

Ready for amother great season

 

[10mmdave]

So who's going this weekend ??
Food vendor is all set but he would like to know what the crowd size will be.

 

[MegaFudge]

In. It's also my birthday. I'll also be looking for a sponsor

 

[shootymacshootface]

Shooty will be there.

 

[uwaeve]

I realize it varies, but for the purposes of requesting "time off," when do these usually wrap up?

 

[M1911]

I realize it varies, but for the purposes of requesting "time off," when do these usually wrap up?

I’d say typically by 3 pm or earlier, but it depends upon turnout.

 

[uwaeve]

I’d say typically by 3 pm or earlier, but it depends upon turnout.

Thanks! Just needed a WAG.

 

[binary]

I'll be there, talked a couple coworkers into trying steel challenge as well. Hopefully we don't get rained out, it's looking to be a damp weekend.

 

[greencobra]

HSC does have rimfire rifle and pistol.

this is something i'd like to try also, .22 pistol. if i might ask....what are the more popular .22 pistols used in the sport? myself, i don't own a ruger .22 semi auto but do have an m&p compact .22 and that roche kart that i've had in the classified which i think might be good enough. i think that would work if starting position is low ready. and i search out a few more mags for it. any suggestions for a total steel newbie? i'm looking for a thread with info but not having any luck.