As Matt mentioned, Winchendon R+G does it. basically theres a series
of clubs in central MA that runs them. When I get the schedules I
will post the dates on here.
Westminster R+G, North Leominster, Winchendon all rotate in a
cycle from like march thru october. The schedules get printed in the
spring sometime. The first 2007 shoot in the area will most likely be at
Winchendon. This year's was VERY cold.
North Leominster this year didn't start till about halfway through the
season and was plagued by heavy rain at least two sundays in a
row. (Generally speaking light rain isnt an issue, but usually a
torrential downpour will scare most of the shooters away, and then they
call it off. )
Lunenburg sportsmens also does them on occasion, but it's a less
competitive, cheaper format. I don't mind it though, it's still
fun! (Format is "fun shoot" $5 shoot all day type deal).
All the shoots typically start at 10 AM and end at/around 2 pm. There
are plenty of people though that show up, shoot a few relays and
then leave, though.
The format is usually the following- 8 man relays at a cost of
$3 per relay, winner of relay gets $5 and a penalty pin on the next
relay. 2nd place winner usually gets a freebie. (FWIW, Winchendon
and North Leominster typically stop at 6 pins max, Westminster will
go up to EIGHT if you're really good!) All shooters load 6 rnds per
magazine, to keep parity with the wheelguns. At westminster if
you're badass enough to get 7 pins they'll usually let you load 7
rounds if you're using an auto. (I only know two shooters who can
do this with any amount of frequency, though). Shooters are usually
paired off according to ability, and sometimes in a simply
random manner. If you're a newbie make sure to tell the match
director/range officer and they'll help you out and place you against
other newbies, if possible.
Some places also run steel pin plate racks, but this only happened at
Lunenburg this year. Otherwise it's wood pins on plywood tables at
a 25 feet centerline. Leave the 9mms and .38s at home. Anything
less than a stout .40 S+W or a .357 mag running 158gr bullets is
essentially worthless. The perennial favorites are .45 ACP and
.44 SPL/Magnum. (Probably 90% of the shooters run either one or
both of these calibers). Even a powder-puff .45 ACP SWC
load is a better deal than anything that doesn't begin with a "4".
Also note- there are no limits to what kind of gun you can use, as
long as it's a handgun. Optics, compensators, all those goodies
are welcome. I witnessed a pin match between two guys with TC
Contenders once! (made it interesting, one shot at a time!)
FWIW, Winchendon's shoot typically draws the most people, for
whatever reason. This has its ups and downs. If it's loaded
up, and you're losing, it takes FOREVER and a day between when you
get to shoot again.
Some other notes: most of the clubs are spotty about serving
food. Westminster always has hotdogs and sodas
availiable, and free coffee. The others are on/off. Sometimes
North Leominster will have it's kitchen open for lunch and the like, and
Winchendon will have a guy bring down a grill and cook burgers. Problem
is none of this is done with any regularity, so if being hungry drives you
nuts, I would have breakfast beforehand or bring your own
lunch.
Another note- during most of the season it is a wise idea to
bring bug spray, especially to Westminster and Winchendon.
-Mike
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