re: pin shoots
matt said:
Hello,
Winchendon R&G is having a pin shoot tomorrow (3/19). I won't be able to make it, at least not the start of it. I would like to shoot it, but it'll have to be another time...
1) Do I have a prayer shooting with 9mm?
2) What is the typical format for this kind of shoot? What are the mechanics of the shoot?
3) What is the best part of the pin to hit to get it off the table?
Thanks,
Matt
I've never been beaten by someone shooting a 9, and I'm not that
good. Most people who shoot one round of pins with a nine give
up after the first round, and switch to something bigger.
The problem is the 9 just doesnt have the energy to take the pin
off the table. I think a lot of times the bullets just get stuck in the
pin... if you get solid hits, you might do something, but frankly its a waste
of money to compete with a 9. The hits only count if the pins come
off the table. Also, as the day goes on the pins get heavy. Shooting
a bowling pin that is full of lead with a 9 is an excercise in futility, especially
once it falls over. I'm not bashing 9mm, I just recognize that it's an inferior caliber to shoot bowling pins with.
I would say .40 S+W is the absolute minimum. It seems to work okay,
but .45 ACP is pretty much the dominant caliber, although .44 mag is just
as good, if not better, if you can make every shot count...
Format is usually relay based. A relay will start with like 8 guys and
then get whittled down. Usually the fee is $3 a relay or something, maybe
less, forget what it is. I know at winchendon you get $5 if you get 1st
place, and you get a freebie if you get 2nd place. Shooters are usually
paired off (initially) by known ability or inability... newbies are usually paired
off against newbies, etc. If there are a LOT of shooters (like 16 plus guys)
with multiple relays, that gives you the best opportunity to win as a newbie.
The matches go like this... you bring gun + ammo to the table... if you have
a revolver, you load 6 rounds... autos its 6 rounds to magazine. You can
bring as many speedloaders and mags to the table as you want, as long
as theyre loaded with 6 rounds. You can even bring a box of ammo with
you...
Director confirms pins set up correctly, checks shooter readiness, tells you
to load, fire... match goes on until there is a winner (first person to clear
all pins from table is winner) calls cease fire or blows a whistle. Guns
are emptied and actions cleared and checked. director declares line safe,
then people go out and set up the pins again.
Sometimes with close calls there are redos. If you get a malf there generally are no redos, unless your first shot doesnt go off. This isnt a hard and fast rule.
Now heres the kicker... if you WIN a relay. you get a penalty pin, a handicap
if you will. So now you shoot with 5 pins on the table instead of four. If you
win again, it goes to 6 pins. Some clubs have a max number of pins... I
think winchendon will actually go to 7, I forget. Only experts pretty much
blow past 6. Some clubs max out at six, so the issue is moot.
The best part is usually the biggest part... however, if the pin is
shot out, sometimes the head of it is better to hit. (the logic being the
bullets will pass thru the shot out portion) It all depends on the
circumstances... and the club running the shoot. Winchendon is kinda
lean on the pins as far as replacement goes. Other clubs replace them
at faster intervals during the day, which makes it easier..
-Mike