The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Hey guys, I recently bought an air rifle to plink with and start competitive shooting. Air rifles are fun since they are cheap to shoot, quiet, and you can shoot them indoors safely with a little set up.

So I think GIM needs a Postal Match! If you arent familiar, heres how it works: I will post some targets and some rules, you print it out and shoot it with your air rifle and report your score back here....lets see who can shoot!
Every Friday I will post a new target if everyone wants to play.

:565:

GUNS ALLOWED: Anything that shoots .177 pellets or BBs. I dont see anything wrong with using an airsoft rifle or pistol, or even a .22 if you like (maybe move it out from 10m though!)

RULES FOR WEEK 1 - BIG BUCK HUNTER:

1) Print 2 copies of target. You may color in the white area of deer with highliter or other visibility aid.
2) 3 shots per buck. 25 for white areas within buck, 10 points for grey. Anything else is a miss.
3) Total 24 shots: 3 per buck x 4 bucks x 2 pages. All shots taken from a standing position, with no aiming aids or rests, from 10 meters (33 feet).
4) If any part of the scoring area is hit, it counts for that point total. Ex. you hit the buck's antlers, but caught a tiny little piece of the white zone. this is a hit for 25 pts.
5) If you can, please photo or scan sheets with tabulated score written on them.
6) If you would like to use a scope, just mention when you score whether it was scoped or not, I will keep score with and without scopes. If you would like to enter in both scoped and non-scoped, print out 4 targets!
7) Please, no cheating to prove your manly gun skills - you only cheat yourself, as this is a friendly competition with no prizes involved. Keep it clean and fun, and good luck!
8) NEW RULE: Buck kill rule; 1 white or 2 greys = 1 kill. Can kill each buck more than once. EX. 2 head bullseyes and a chest bullseye on a single buck would be 3 kills. A head bull and 2 greys would be 2 kills.


If you right click, save the image to your desktop, then print it, it will be the correct size. if you try to print from within the browser, it will be too small!!



LEADERBOARD:

Points:
1. TomD: 295
2. ruprick: 275
3. pot_dragon: 175
4.
5.

Bucks:
1. TomD: 10 bucks
2. ruprick: 10 bucks
3. pot_dragon: 6 bucks
4.
5.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I've shot postals before but it was a "varmint for score" match using benchrest type equipment with 100 yard targets.

I've got a Red Ryder BB gun but I don't think it would be competitive.

From the offhand position?

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I shot in a lot of Postal Matches....ISSF or NRA International Air Pistol - same rules for either of those. 10M competition like you have at the olympics on a regular B40 target.

All International Pistol is single handed, unsupported, open sights, 500 gram trigger pull minimum.

I'll do this big buck event with an air pistol.

In offical matches, we mailed in our targets, otherwise just honor system of posting your score.

I guess I'll need to learn how to post pictures....

It would be better if the Buck was just an outline and the 2 bullseyes were a black spot.....but shooting at a body with a difficult to define "bull" will be part of the game.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Awesome, im glad someone wants to play! ill make different/better targets every week, so give me ideas, or send me targets, or whatever! And use a red ryder, a slingshot, who cares?

heres my score for week 1:

Target 1: 115
Target 2: 60
Total: 175

6 bucks total.

i got a double bull on lower left, page1! the highlight of my match! on my second sheet, i had two total misses though...:hissyfit_m:

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I just moved down here and don't yet have any ranges available to me. I'd shoot it with BR equipment at 200 yards if I had a local range. I used to shoot High Power but I suck at off hand shooting. I'm pretty good at prone and sitting.

I've got a DCM Rem 541-X .22 with open sights that I'm not quite terrible with. I can shoot that on my property. What yardage would I need to back off to?

Hats off to Ruprick, you wouldn't even want to see my attempts with a pistol. I can hit popper targets at 17 yards but that's about it.

Is the target scaled correctly when printed to 8-1/2x11?

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Fora .22, 10 meters is fine, i just think you will have a hard time determining hits if you hit the same bullseye 2-3 times, since it is made for airguns (in the future, i will be using NRA or ISSF spec bulls eye zone), but as i said before use what ever you want - now i cant wait for someone to post a pic of the target taken out with 12ga buckshot haha

the image is saved as 7.75 x 10.75 inches, so just open and print. for some reason when I tried to use firefox to print from GIM webpage, it came out too small. i printed mine from GIMP, but im pretty sure Irfanview or just windows picture viewer should work fine to print at the right size. i will do more testing on this and report back.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

O.K.,

I shot this with my air pistol....one handed, off hand, unsupported.

Man...that was tough!

For reference, I'll call Upper Left #1, U.R. #2, L.L. #3, L.R. #4....repeat for 5 - 8. The hardest was #1/5 the deer standing face on...

Here are my scores:
#1 = 0,10,25 = 35
#2 = 0,10,10 = 20
#3 = 10,25,25 = 60
#4 = 10,25,25 = 60
#5 = 0,0,25 = 25
#6 = 0,10,10 = 20
#7 = 0,10,25 = 35
#8 = 0,10,10 = 20
-----------------
Total = 275

1 miss, 5 wounds

Not bad, but - I am classified "Expert" in NRA International Air Pistol.

I was curious as to about what this shooting would simulate as compared to real world scaled sight picture:

This paper buck stands 2.75" at the top of the back.....a real Michigan buck would be about 36".....36/2.75 = 13X......we shot the target at 10M....thus 10M x 13 = 130M = 142 yards.

That is why it is tough for off hand open sight pistol....it is like shooting a deer at 142 yards! And in reality...the results are very comparable to my real world shooting with a 44 Magnum Revolver at 100 yard targets.....I do better at 100 yards as compared to 142 yards simulated as the distance is nearly 30% shorter.... In real life, at 100 yards, 44 Mag pistol with open sights from supported/tree/braced shot....can hit a 12 x 12 paper target well enough that I would take that shot on a deer...but would prefer to limit the shot to 75 yards.

Fun little contest.

For further reference - your small white "Bullseyes" were about the size of the 10 ring on a regulation 10M Air Pistol B-40 target.

BTW: when I do get to take some pictures....I'll shoy you the cool little range I have in the basement that I built years ago.....I took an old TV and a closed circuit camera I got ar a garage sale......the camera is down range at the target and the TV serves as a "spotting scope"....it is on the edge of my shooting bench. Very good tool for pistol training....it is good to be able to call your shot and then verify without leaving shooting position.....like "geez - that felt a little high and to the left"....just glance at the TV and there is the big old bullseys on the screen. It makes slow fire interesting and more fun.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Wow, that is a great idea, very awesome! im interested in knowing more about competition shooting, regale me with anything you feel like telling! it seems like a good way to meet like minded people and have some fun.

nice shooting ruprick, you are the leader :bear_happy: I count 9 bucks from your scoring tally.

Every week, the target will be based on the NRA bullseye size. I have a brush size for it in GIMP ;) I was thinking either ducks or coins for next week, then of course, week after that is the christmas target! :ok:

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I shot these with a Remington 541-X match rifle with aperture sights. I had to color the bulls in, I tried but absolutely couldn't make them out. I got 295 points.

Top target sheet, bottom right target, I messed up and shot 4. In most of the games that I play, when you do that, you get the worst scoring round so I took a zero for that one.

Shooting "best edge" scoring, a bigger bullet is an advantage. I got some points that I wouldn't have if I had been shooting .177. I shoot competitively in matches called VFS (varmint for score) where you will shoot 25 times at a dot at 100 and 25 times from 200. It's getting so competitive that you will need 12X-14X at 200 and 22X or more at 100 to be even in the running. A few years back 6mm PPC ruled the game. Now a 30 caliber variant called a 30BR cannot be beaten. It's as accurate as the PPC but that extra diameter is just too much edge.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...om/postal1.gif
http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...om/postal2.gif

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...0from/541x.jpg

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

nice shooting TomD, you are the leader! if no one else shoots, I am officially the third best shooter on GIM! :9536: haha

i obviously wasnt even considering the .22 diameter a big advantage, but in competition shooting i can see how this could sway a competition.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Good idea, sounds like fun and all.....but in the thread title you might consider getting 'postal' and 'shooting' seperated there a bit, LOL.

pot dragn's fun. geddit?

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Nice shootin' TomD! I've got a 541-S Custom Sporter Remington .22 that appears to be very similar to yours, action-wise.
I've never seen a peep-sight mounted in that position, back so close to the eye, but I don't hang around in competitive shooter's circles.
I wish I could join you folks here but it's hard to shoot even a .22 rifle around here unless I go to an indoor range... Not like the days when I was growing up. It sure looks like fun, enjoy! :ok:

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

This is why i use airguns! 33 feet isnt alot of space, this can be set up inside! and you can get a solid air rifle for less than 100 bucks - go buy a gamo whisper, your neighbors will never even hear it...come on koyaanisqatsi, join us!! :)

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I've got heavily a wooded 10 acres surrounded by a lot more wooded area. I just walk outside.

The 541X is the military version of the 541T. I got this one new from the DCM (Department of Civilian Marksmanship).

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Is this open sights only? I don't want to take the scope off my new gamo.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I don't think a scope is much of an advantage when shooting offhand, at least for me. It shows me my wobble graphically and I'll try to hold tighter starting a negative feedback event with the end result of me shooting worse.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I have a 40-year old Sheridan Blue Streak in 5mm, or .20 caliber.It still shoots like new and is AMERICAN MADE. :ok:
http://www.pyramydair.com/images/benjamin-cb9.jpg
mine is an older model walnut stock

Pot Dragon, I miss shooting it. I like the Sheridan because of it's weight-first conical pointed pellets. It even has a rifled bronze barrel to avoid rust from the cooling air as it's decompressed. I like the variable-pump power. I think it will do about 780fps-820fps with the maximum number of pumps of seven. It was for 'pest control' and is very good for that, or even squirrels and rabbits with close up head-shots.

It's stored away out of town, but maybe after Christmas I'll have it here with me. All in fun, shooting is at it's happiest good ol' wholesome SPORT... THANKS! :coolbeer:

PS to TomD, iron sights like the Sheridan's are very hard on me at my eye's age of mid-50's... peep sights are better due to the aperture pinhole-lens effect. I will shoot well only in daylight with that old sheridan, since my pupil will shrink and increase my depth-of-field. Scopes help me now more than they used to, but you're right about the offhand, it wiggles too much to aim it seems! :coolbeer:

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

naw man, use your scope, i dont care. i was originally gonna keep score for scoped and non scoped, but until we get more people, ill throw that out the window.

koyaanisqatsi i have been looking at lots of air rifles lately, i want to start to shoot competitively - a guy from my hometown won a bronze at the this past summer olympics, and is known as one of the best in the world, and his home club is about 10 minutes from me! i think i am going to start small game hunting as well, so i am picking up a range of air rifles...

check out the baikal IZH -61. entry level target gun for 100 bucks:

http://www.pyramydair.com/p/izh-61-m...ir-rifle.shtml

apparently, the build quality has gone down as more get made, but from what i hear it is still an exceptional rifle at the price.

Also, another accurate entry level os the daisy powerline 953, can be had at some walmarts for like $60. people rave about the accuracy (and quietness) of this gun.

Glad to see you guys getting interested in playing!

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I had one of those until I got a 22. You could pump it well past 7 times. Everyone should learn to shoot with a pump pellet rifle. It takes so long to put the pellet in and pump that you tend to take a lot of care with the shot. My first 22 was a hand me down from my Dad, a Winchester bolt action single shot.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

I just printed out the targets. Damn those circles are small. If I can get out in the backyard before it rains today I'll give it a try.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

The 10 rings are about the same size relative for distance as are the targets used for NRA High Power. The 200 & 300 yard targets have a 7 inch 10 ring. Seven inches may sound pretty big but not at 300 yards with open sights, not to mention the 6 inch X ring at 600 yards. I can't do open sight matches any more because of my eyes. I still compete long range but with scopes and at the prone position. F-Class allows sand bags or tripods.

Re: The GIM Postal Shooting Match - Week 1: Big Buck Hunter
 

Pot Dragon / All - I've been pasting a lot of info/editing this post...so it does not read very well....but all good data. this will get you going on Olympic Style/ISSF and NRA Competative Shooting.....I've been in the sport for about 20 years now.


I'm 42 and I am just now needing glasses. The key to shooting as you get older is to buy dedicated shooting glasses that have an adjustable apature.....when you dial it down in size...it is like a camera of f22.....infinite depth of field. It cuts down on light, but everything is in sharp focus....rear sights, front sights and target.....all that said, just concentrate on the front sight....sight allignment .....and then trigger control.

Pot Dragon.....may I suggest you get a reasonable quality air pistol...you can start out on a Daisy for under $100 to $150. I do not care for competative rifle shooting due to all the equipment you have to bring.....rifle, shooting pants, gloves, shoes, jacket, spotting scope, mat for prone....just too much gear for all the positional shooting......for pistol...just bring your gun in a small box.

Best book on Pistol shooting ever written - "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury" edited and published by Gil Hebard - he still had them "New" from 1973 publication several years ago. He is in Knoxville, ILL 61448. I understand he is still in business at 90 years old....he was a national ranked shooter in the 50's and and 60's. This is the bible of pistol shooting. Get one ASAP....he is old and has no children - when he dies his shop will die as well.....125 N Public Sq
Knoxville, IL 61448
Phone: (309) 289-2700

....i just called - still in business at over 90 y.o.! And they said when Gil dies so will the business.....just ordered 3 more copies of the book...cost just $5.95 each.....128 pages of the best pistol coaching ever - it got me started and turned me into an expert classification pistol shooter. They take visa/MC by phone...or you can mail them funds.....Gil can also sell just about anything gun-wise...he has distributorship for all top end equipment.

Best place for competative shooting supplies is Champions Choice.....they were just paper catalog for decades...now i see the have online: http://www.champchoice.com/ They are the best. They do have the Gil Hebard book....under "books" for just $8.

Another outfit is Champion shooters supply http://www.championshooters.com/store/



Shooting Glasses: http://knobloch-schiessbrillen.de/

You can get a simple clip on adj iris for under $75.

If you want to give it a try on the cheap....this is how i started out......I used a business card and pins/nails (hole needs to be pretty small) to make a hole and then taped it to a cheap pair of safety/reading glasses. Even if you do not need glasses.....get a pair of reading glasses that are +1.0 diopter (for $10 at drug store), make a little paper iris with the business card....experiment to get position perfect......the +1.0 will force your focus to the front sight where it belongs. Put a piece of opaque tape on the non-shooting eye as an occluder...that way you can shoot with both eyes open.....only takes a small piece of tape on the off eye...size of a pinky nail...again in the correct place. For under $10 or perhaps free...this shooting glasses set-up is as good as the $250 set i now have.

Try it- you will be amazed at your depth of field = everything in focus! Just like "new eyes" - even if you are an old man!

Best Site on the Web for Competative Shooting information: www.pilkguns.com go to the shooting forums under the tab of "Target Talk" - this is where the worlds top shooters hang out - you will learn a lot there. They also sell everything one would want. Air pistols from $100 to $2000. Same for Rifles.

There is a "Sporter" class in rifle/air rifle that trys to avoid all the equipment needs.

Holy God! Has top notch equipment from Europe become expensive......about double what I was paying 10 years ago! Walther GSP Target Pistols are now $2000......Steyr Target Air Pistols are now also $2000......but everything is more expensive now due to fiat FRN.....glad I bought all my stuff a while ago....

In my experience the walther GSP is the finest target pistol ever built.

You do not need to spend all this to get started and even compete at the State Championship level.....in 22 pistol a $300 Ruger with a few tricks will take you a long way....so will a $400 air pistol.....even a reasonable Daisy 717 air pistol is now $135...and the better 747 is $180......

The key is to get a pistol and start shooting single shot slow fire for precision.....and I mean shoot a lot.....like everyday for 1 hour for 3 to 6 months.....it only requires about 30 to 60 shots in that hour.....

I was shooting once or twice a week.....until I got an air pistol to shoot at home...then I could shoot every night....within a summer I went from pretty good to expert NRA classification......but I was a very serious student of the game/sport. I even weight trained. I would drive to work holding a soup can at arms length for miles. I read everything I could get my hands on.....and it is strange, once you get there it is easy to stay there and even bounce back after a long time off....kind of a muscle memory/skill memory.

Timed and Rapid fire are just like a very rushed slow fire single shot training.....if you can shoot precision slow...you can also shoot very well rapid fire. Precision slow fire is the key.

The best low cost training device I ever came up with is the closed circuit TV/Camera focused on the target - allowed me to "call my shots" with instant feedback and also video tape my rapid fire strings. They make computer training systems that measure time between shots..and even provide a computer trace of your hold on the target....would be nice, but i never wanted to spend the money....would rather just shoot.

Join a local club...or at a minimum compete in online postal matches...or just keep working for personal bests.....

When I started out on pistol...I thought they were only useful for defensive shooting out to 15 or 30 feet....I had a lot of experience shooting rifles and shotguns constantly from the time I was 8....despite that I was not a very good pistol shot - my first goal was to but all shots on the paper at 50 feet off hand.....then to put them all in scoring rings.....then all in the black....then all 8, 9 or 10.....then just 9/10...constantly striving for better performance....and it takes time, but will come with practice.