November ePostal results

Thanks All for  your entries in the November ePostal match.  Thanks for playing along!

 Sharp-eyed readers may notice a glaring lack of participation of a couple usual suspects - Neither the SCSon nor I have entries as yet.  Though that's not for lack of trying.  We had a range trip on 11/30 specifically to shoot the match.  The targets were in the SCSon's range bag and somehow they ended up left on the stairs.
Good thing there is a special rule associated with this match - extended entry time!  This being the last match of the year, I will continue to accept entries and update the scores until the next match is posted in March 2015.  So fear not, we will get our entries in.  And so can you!

(For the record, this is not a new rule because we blew our chance to shoot.  Refer to last years match results where the same rule was in effect)

Class	Shooter	Bangstick	score	Sandwich order
Rimfire Pistol, Iron sights
	Mrs True Blue Sam	Ruger mk III, Red Dot sight	16	Turkey, Canadian Cheddar & Swiss Cheese, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Shredded Lettuce, Deli Mustard & Mayo
	Mike B	S&W 617	16	Turkey, Canadian Cheddar & Swiss Cheese, Black Olives, Onions, Green Peppers, Yellow Mustard & Honey Mustard
	Robert	Ruger .22/45	16	Ham & turkey, Canadian Cheddar & Swiss Cheese, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Tomatos, Mayo
	Pat Butler	Remington 617	14	Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Shredded Lettuce+tomatoes & onions,  Deli Mustard & Mayo
	Billll	Ruger 12	12	Ham Swiss, Onions, Tomatos, Green Peppers, Mayo
	Engineering Johnson	Ruger .22/45 Red Dot	10	Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Deli Mustard
	Merle	Ruger SSS .22Mag 9 ½	4	Ham Canadian Cheddar, Tomatoes, Onions (no condiments)
Rimfire Pistol, magnified optic sights
	True Blue Sam	Ruger mk III, 2x scope	12	Ham & Turkey, Canadian Cheddar, Black Olives & Onions, Deli Mustard
	Merle	TC .22LR 2x scope, 10” bbl	4	Black Olives, Onions, Deli Mustard & Mayo
Rimfire Rifle, Magnified Optic sights
	Billll	Marlin 795, 3x sight	14	Ham, Turkey, Canadian Cheddar, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onions, Deli Mustard
Center Fire Pistol, Iron sights
	Pat Butler	S&W model 19	16	Turkey, American Cheese, Shredded Lettuce+tomatoes& onions,  Yellow Mustard + Deli Mustard & Mayo
	Billll	Rossi .357	12	Ham, Swiss, Tomatoes, Onions, Green Peppers, Mayo
	Merle	Dan Wesson 4” vent heavy BBL	12	Ham, Swiss, Shredded Lettuce, Tomatoes, Black Olives & Yellow Mustard
Center Fire Pistol, Magnified optic sights
	Merle	TC 9mm 2x scope	8	Roast Beef. Swiss Cheese, Black Olives,
Center Fire Rifle, magnified optic sights
	Billll	Hi Point Carbine, .40 cal 4x scope	18	Ham, Turkey, Canadian Cheddar, Swiss cheese, Black Olives, Onions, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Deli Mustard
Fun class
	Billll	Pedal Powered air gun	18	Ham, American, Onions, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Shredded Lettuce, Mayonaisse & Stoli

November ePostal "метро"

This challenge transports you back to a common teen first job: making sandwiches.  However this particular sandwich shop is in Mother Russia*.  So you only have one choice of bread and you will like it!  From there need to build a sandwich with a meat choice from the left column,  a cheese from the 2nd column, toppings from the 3rd & 4th, and condiments from the 5th (circles).

Download Target .pdf here  English Version here.

Course of Fire:
Distance:  10 shots at 10 yds or range minimum, which ever is larger.

Scoring is simple:  Your task is to assemble the bestest sandwich you can with 10 shots.  Each FIRST hit on a meat, cheese, topping & condiment counts one point.  No penalty for additional hits on a target.  "Complete sandwich" bonus 2x applies for targets with at least one hit in each of the four categories.

Liner's count.  Even liners on text extending outside of the normal target area.  Any hit touching a line counts as a hit (does not have to be enclosed).  No penalties for liners, no adders for clear hits.  This is intentionally an easy target!  I want to see lots of high scores!  (hits/liners on the course of fire notes do not count.  Those are on the target because many times I've printed targets when it comes out, but don't get around to shooting them until a week or three later.  As I'm driving out to the range I've wondered "How many shots? what distance?".  So it's right there on the target)

This is such an easy target, if you shoot a 10 shots without scoring a point, I want to see that too!  There will be a special class for zero scores! because I expect that will be challenge in itself!  Heck, if you shoot a one score, send that in as well.  This is a "just for fun class" so these targets will be accepted in addition to your best score with the same firearm, the multiple entry rule below not withstanding.

Classes:
Don't worry about it... just shoot it and let me know the conditions, including if you can't shoot at the specified distance. You may assume a normal caliber/optic/barrel length/distance matrix of classes,   From  .177 air pistol garage range to a bowling ball mortar in a free field.   Potato Gun?  Why not?  Bring it!   Wherever (but post/send/link pics!  Particularly on the BB Mortar, without video, it didn't happen ;-)... just shoot it and I'll find a place to record the score.

Get out and shoot it!
Send in your target scans/photos or links to same to sand castle scrolls at emm ess enn dot com  (apply human filter to resolve actual eaddy).  Include your name (as you want it reported in the results), caliber, distance, sights (iron/ red dot or magnified optic) Gun Make & Model, and any web links you want to include for linky love.

Multiple entries are allowed and encouraged, but please only send your best per firearm.

* Why Russia?  because I needed a plot device to explain the limited options at this particular sandwich shop. My local uboat-way franchise offers many more options than I can fit onto an 8.5x11" sheet, but they can't explain why the advertised Honey Oat is not an available today,  several times in a row!

** I am not  Russian speaker.  "Dos Vidanya", "Nyet" and "minoga" are pretty much the limits of my vocabulary and those reach back to "Hunt for Red October".  The translations  offered here are credited to/blamed on  translate.google.com.

ePostal two-fer weekend!

Phil at Random Nuclear strikes invites us to shoot some pool. In the meantime the May match remains open through the weekend. So take both targets to the range and make it a two-fer!

"Mille Bornes" targets are due 12:01am Tueday.

ePostal match closing weekend.

May ePostal entries are trickling in.  Thursday is the last day of the month but I'll hold it open through the 1st weekend in June.  So you still have one more weekend to get out and shoot. 

Hopefully the June match will be up before then to make it a two-fer weekend.  Shoot both targets in the same shooting session.

Drilled it!

I just sent JimmyB my April ePostal entries.  This was on a target that didn't make the cut.  I would have had trouble getting a hole that centered at point blank range. Unfortunately this was one of the few hits on the center target so it's no testament to my skill.

I got lucky.

August ePostal Results

Here are the results of the August ePostal match. As one of the competitors observed, larger bullets make the 4's easier, but the 2's harder.

Thanks to everyone and drawing winners will be notified in the next few days.

danno

	Shooter	Distance	Make	Caliber	Score
Class 1  air pistol Iron Sights
	Bea	25 ft	Crosman	0.177	10
	True Blue Sam	25 ft	Crosman	0.177	9
Class 3  Rim Fire Iron Sights
	Mr. Borland	7 yds	S&W K-22 Revolver	.22 LR	32
	Mr. Completely	21 ft	High Standard	.22 LR	18
	Thor	7 yds	Sig Mosquito	.22 LR	10
	True Blue Sam	25 ft	Ruger Single Six	.22 LR	9
	Billll	7 Yds	Ruger Mk 1	.22 LR	20
Class 5  Centerfire Pistol  Iron Sights
	Mr. Borland	7 Yds	S&W K-38 Revolver	.38 spl	27
	Mr. Completely	21 ft	Tanfoglio Gold	.22 LR	21
	Thor	7 Yds	Springfield XD	.45 auto	15
	Thor	7 Yds	Springfield XD	9 mm	14
	Billll	7 Yds	CZ-82	9mm Makarov	9
	Billll	7 Yds	Rossi 971	.357 Magnum	12
	SandCastle Queen	11 yds	Sig 225	9mm	2
Class 7 Other
	Thor	7 Yds	Baretta CX-4 Storm	9 mm	18
	Billll	20 yds	HiPoint 4095, 4x scope	.40 S&W	10
	Thor	25 yds	Baretta CX-4 Storm	9 mm	9
Class 8 null entry

ePostal two-fer weekend

This is the final weekend to shoot the August ePostal "Top Shot" and TrueBlueSam has put up the September match "Trying in Vane".

It's a tough target but send in your scores no matter how low.  The History Channel has put up some prizes (Top Shot T shirts, shot glass & iPod case) to be randomly awarded to the entrants.  So lets get those targets in!

August ePostal: "Top Shot"

Top Shot season 3 kicks off this coming Tuesday August 9th (History channel, 10/9C).

Here's your chance to see if you've got what it takes.  Last season challengers had to split a bullet on the blade of an ax.  You can relive Darryl Parker's shots here.

Here's our take on the challenge.  It will be a bit easier as the entire bullet width is usable.  a round nose bullet on a blade might not bite in enough to split the bullet.

The History Channel has offered up some Top Shot swag on the table for entrants.  Looks like they have both Red & Blue team T-shirts, a shot glass and a iPod case.  Winner(s) will be chosen by random lot so there is no incentive to "fudge" on the scores.   Winner(s) will be notified by email so make sure your e-addy is good.

Actually shooting the target to enter is not required and there is no entry fee.  Anyone wanting to enter for the drawing should download the target, fill in at least your name and email it to me.  Presumably the email will include an email address I can follow up with to get a mailing address should your entry be drawn.  Odds of winning depend on the number of prizes and number of entry.  Neither of these are known at this time but will be published when known.


Course of fire:
Download and print target here.

One target, 10 shots. 

Range: 7 yds or range minimum which ever is greater.  Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.

Update Revised scoring scheme:
Scoring is binary.  Either the shot cuts the line or it does not.  +1 for a hit, +0 for a miss.  Max score: 10, Min score: 0.
Cutting the line is a difficult shot.  The original scoring scheme reflected that.  On my first try I scored a couple of 1's.  The rest of the sand castle crew tried and scored goose eggs.  So here's the new scoring scheme:   Cutting the bullet on the blade the ax scores 4 (previously scored 1).  A hit completely within the ax scores 2 and a hit touching the ax scores 1.  Max score 40, min score 0.  I don't want to discourage "low scoring" entries.

It is still a difficult target, but the new scoring scheme should produce more "partial credit". Sorry for changing the rules mid stream, all I can say is "my bad" and better to change mid stream than push a bad position.

Ties will be broken by distance.  The longer distance takes the place (7yds < 7 M < 25ft < 10 yds < 10M < 11 yds).

Enter as many times as you like with as many weapons as you can lay your grubby hands on. 

Classes:  You got it? shoot it and we'll find a place to record the score. (I reserve the right to draw the line at tater-guns & scatter guns).  Obviously wider bullets have an advantage but you can shoot it with anything you own or can legitimately beg, borrow or steal.

1. .177 cal air pistol, iron sights (air or C02 powered)
2. .177 cal air pistol, optic sights (air or C02 powered)
3. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, iron sights
4. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, magnified optical sights
5. center fire pistol, iron sights
6. center fire pistol, magnified optic sights
7. Misc.  If it doesn't fit above, tell me how you shot it and we'll record it here.
8. Null entry (for people that want to enter without shooting)

Score submissions: scan or photograph your target, fill in the gun info (make & model & caliber), distance, class, on-line identity (name/pseudonym as you want it on the score sheets, blog reference for linky love ) however you want to be remembered on the score sheets... email to SandCastleScrolls-at-msn-dot-com.

Post Scripts (the fine print):
Thank you to the History Channel for putting up the prizes.

FTC disclaimer:  I have not been, nor do I expect any actual money to change hands in exchange for running contest.  Mr. C had a hole in the schedule and I wanted to run this tie-in.  Win-win.  The History Channel has suggested some trinkets might be in my future, but nothing as of yet.

As always, your electronic information will be kept confidential.  I will not add you to any mailing lists.  If necessary to send out prizes, information may be shared with the History Channel.

If you've never shot before and want to give shooting a try, drop me a line with your general area (city & state).  Many gun bloggers are open to taking first timers out and I will try to refer your to someone close by.  No Guarantees, but we'll try.

Closing Time!

May is in the rear view mirrors and so ends Necco Mania!  The DayJob(tm) has me on a plane at OMG-darkthirty tomorrow so I'll take scores through the end of the week.  Don't wait, lets get 'em in!

Update:
Random Nuclear Strikes is on deck but hasn't posted yet.  Stay tuned over there, something will be posted soon. (I like the OBL - zombie edition suggestion ;-).

Last Call!

The May ePostal contest ends next week so this is your last weekend chance to shoot Necco Mania!

If you're heading out with the family, take some targets and enter the whole family! Don't worry if they can't quite shoot the match as called, enter the target and we'll find a place to record the score.

And don't forget the low-ball class. Send in your worst target even if is from the same gun as entered in a previous category.

ePostal class 12 entry

I spent a pleasant shooty afternoon last Saturday.  First was a trip to the range to give "reactive targets" a go. Followed by an evening of sniffing of Hoppes #9 cleaning the guns and finally reloading the .44 brass.

One of the guns I brought to shoot was this years BAG day acquisition, a S&W 629 in .44 magnum.  I figured the large diameter bullets making the effective target size a little larger would compensate for the magnum recoil.  Turns out not so much.

20 rounds down range, 15 hit the hit the 8.5x11" sheet of paper and exactly one clipped a target circle.

In my defense, this was shot at 11 yards (minimum distance the club allows), and this gun is the newest addition to the SandCastle weapons locker.  Even after the 20 rounds for the target, I have less than 50 rounds through it.

Still, this is why the class exists.  Sorry to set the bar so low ;-)

Reactive Targets

I'm going to jump the gun and put this up a day early because step one is a scavenger hunt.  Also as a reminder Today is the last day to shoot the April contest.  JimmyB the Conservative UAW Guy wants targets in by midnight! 

I got into shooting because it's fun!  Unfortunately what most people do with guns is to focus on the least fun aspect of the sport: punching holes in paper.  Don't get me wrong, it's the only way to measure repeatable accuracy.  It's the only way to see who's the best.  But the real fun is in putting that bullet where you want it with instant pass/fail feedback.

For that you need reactive targets.  Targets that let you know immediately of a hit or miss.  That means steel plates, poppers, and plate racks; clay pigeons, an old time shooting gallery and the big daddy of reactive targets, Boomershoot (playing out this very weekend).  These are a lot more fun than punching holes in paper.

Unfortunately the fleeting nature of reactive targets make them hard to put into the ePostal format of "try as many times as you like and submit your best".  But I think I've found a way that at least some ranges will allow the target.  These reactive targets are non-explosive and biodegradable but provide the desired response. 

Ladies, Gentlemen and Shooters everywhere, I give you "Necco® Mania!"

Necco Wafers are pressed sugar wafers which shatter when hit with a pleasant rain of sugar fragments.

As hinted late last year, this match is posted in three parts.

1. Scavenger hunt: Procure a roll(s) of "Necco Wafers".  In the days of my youth, every grocery and liquor store carried these candy rolls.  They probably sold for a dime like every other candy bar at the time.  They are still produced but are no longer in wide distribution.  I the SandCastle Queen found these are our local specialty candy store.
   
2. Affix one wafer to each target circle on the linked target.  White glue, contact cement or double sided tape have all been successful.  This is our target.  I opted for the "chocolate flavors" as there are more dark colored wafers per roll.  The normal roll has lots of pastels which might not contrast well with the white paper backing.  Coloring the wafers for maximum contrast is allowed.  The SCQueen suggests food coloring if you want to eat the misses afterwards.  Ink or paint coloring is not recommended for human consumption.
   
   
3. Shoot said target, enjoy the sight and sound of shattering wafers; and HAVE FUN!

The wafers are NOT required to shoot the match, they just make it more fun!  You can just shoot the naked target itself.

Course of fire:
Download and print target here.

19 targets, 20 shots.  These are tiny targets, you are allowed one free miss.  The target has 19 spots while each Necco roll contains 38 wafers by my count.  You may assume the even multiple is not an accident. 

Pistols: 7 yds or range minimum which ever is greater.  Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.
Rifles may be shot any position including off the bench, but rests such as sandbags and bi-pods are disallowed.  The fore end of the rifle must be supported by the offhand elbow*.   No time limit.

• Rimfire, both iron sights and scope: 25 yards (4 MOA).
• Centerfire iron sight: 50 yds (2 MOA)
• Centerfire scope: 100 yds (1 MOA)

Scoring is binary.  Either you hit and destroyed the wafer or you did not.  +1 for a hit, +0 for a miss.  A cracked wafer counts as a hit, assuming there is a hole just adjacent to the target circle).  But only the first hit on a target circle scores (since the wafer was destroyed by the first hit).   For those shooting the naked target (no wafer), standard rules apply:  A hit touching the target scores.  Max score: 19, Min score: 0.

Ties will be broken by distance.  The longer distance takes the place (7M > 7Yds).

Shoot as many times as you like with as many weapons as you can lay your grubby hands on.  With the exception of class 12, we only want to see your best scores for each gun.  Save your worst of the month for class 12 (any gun).

Classes:  You got it? shoot it and we'll find a place to record the score. (I reserve the right to draw the line at tater-guns & scatter guns).

1. .177 cal air pistol, iron sights (air or C02 powered)
2. .177 cal air pistol, optic sights (air or C02 powered)
3. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, iron sights
4. .17/.22 cal rim fire pistol, magnified optical sights
5. center fire pistol, iron sights
6. center fire pistol, magnified optic sights
7. .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle iron sights (25 yds)
8. .17/.22 cal rim fire rifle magnified optic sights (25 yds)
9. center fire rifle iron sights (50 yds)
10. center fire rifle magnified optic sights (100 yds)
11. other (anything that doesn't fit the above categories)
12. Low-ball (if you managed to put twenty holes on paper and yet miss most, submit your target here.  This class is open to all comers and may duplicate the firearm used in prior categories.  Inspired by Mr C's March Mess.  Can anyone beat my -19 in March?)

Non-magnified optic sights (e.g. reddot) count as iron sights.  1:1 "RedDot" sights might be slightly faster to align than normal iron sights as there is only one sight to get on target, not two.  But speed is not a factor in this game so it's a wash.  Take your time and make good hits with either system.

Score submissions: scan/photograph your target, fill in the gun info (make & model & caliber), distance, class, on-line identity (name/pseudonym as you want it on the score sheets, blog reference for linky love ) however you want to be remembered on the score sheets... email to SandCastleScrolls-at-msn-dot-com.

Post Scripts:

* handicapped shooters are invited and encouraged to participate.  Waivers will be granted to the extent of the limitation.  Come and shoot with us!

"Necco" is a registered trademark of the New England Confectionary Company, Inc.  Revere MA   www.necco.com
#include std/FTC.disclaimer... This match is not endorsed nor sponsored by Necco (Dang.. I wish I'd thought to ask).  I nor any of the SandCastle Crew have received compensation of any form for what might be considered "product placement".  They offer the product and this seems to be a fun way to enjoy the product.

HatTip:  The "shooting at biodegradable targets" idea comes from friend and fellow shooter JJ.  Sorry, no web presence so no linky love.  Still credit where credit is due.

October ePostal results

Traction Control has posted the October match results.

Lest you think you can't get to a range to shoot these contests, know this.  I tied for second place, one point out of first, shooting a stock $50 Crosman air pistol and the cheapest .177 pellets I can find.  The range is setup inside my garage.

The pellet trap is $16*.  The swingers are fun but the first set broke before I'd shot through the first tin of 500 pellets.  I also use an old piece of carpet as an extended backstop for shots that miss the trap.

So there you have it...  2nd place with a $50 gun and a range set up in my garage.  If I can tie for second, you can do better!

Manfred is scheduled for the November match but is battling system issues. In the meantime CTD has a zombie match up.  Entries due by Nov 29th.  Stay tuned, it's looking like a two-fer month! 

* Eye protection is absolutely mandatory.  A significant percentage of the shots are reflected back into the garage.

May ePostal CTD drawing winner

We have a winner for Cheaper Than Dirt's $50 certificate. Recall this is awarded randomly to an entrant in Mr. Completely's monthly ePostal contest.

But first here is the selection methodology. I took the results list (now nicely formatted here), and printed them out. These were sliced into evenly sized strips. Those strips were folded and put into a hat and stirred well. Then, per tradition, I sought out the prettiest girl in the immediate vicinity and had her draw a strip. I can't think of a more random way to select an entrant.

And that name is......

.........................Drumroll please....................
......................... More drumroll.....................

.......................................................
Billll, specifically for his Ruger Mk 1 class 1 entry. Congrats Bill! Enjoy the spree!

That's not quite the image...

I have in mind when I think "e-Postal"

The SCSon had a school project to write an autobiography. Under the heading "For Fun:" he wrote

Well my family goes to E-Postal shooting matches.

and then included this picture That's an M2 .50 cal Browning Machine Gun"Ma Deuce" on the deck of the USS Missouri now parked in Pearl Harbor. It's not the pic I would have chosen but then again, it's not my book. And if you can't go "over the top" when you're 10, when can you?

While this month's e-Postal contest does not include a category for full auto, I'll be happy to accept the entry either in class 7 (Centerfire rifle, iron sights) if you are comfortable shooting "Standing unsupported, one or two hands" or in class 9 (other) if you insist on using the tripod mount.

Consider this your friendly reminder LAST CALL!!! All entries must be in by Midnight Tuesday.

Mother's day

For today's "Hallmark(r) holiday" I took the SCSon out to the range. While some may say "Hey, wait a sec! That's cheating". Understand what the SCQueen gets out of the deal... a couple hours of quiet! And that's absolute Au.

So anyway, we took the opportunity to try the May ePostal. And I must say, WHAT SADISTIC ILLEGITIMATE SON came up with this abomination! Even with the distance corrections, those target areas are completely obscured by the sights. And the 100% rifle targets at 25 yards? GMAFB! All I can do offhand (Unsupported) with Fe sights is try to keep the shots on paper. I'm trying a new load in the .30 carbine though and the 4x sight at 25 yards looked reasonable though. I really wanted to chrono the load but that's something to do on a solo trip.

Still, even misses are likely to count for something on this target, the liner rule (counts for the higher score) enlarges the hit zone and there are no no-shoots. So it's still a nice contest to shoot and a plausible excuse to put some Pb downrange.

BTW, if shooting at the specified distance or shooting offhand seems just an absurd waste of ammo, shoot the match as you see fit and submit your target in class 9. That's what it's there for. I brought the target .22 rifle today, but it was too heavy for the SCSon to reasonably control. Instead he shot it from the bench and posted a decent [class 9] score.

BTW, it was a good day to hit the range. It was less than half full which made taking two adjacent benches an easy and unselfish thing to do.

(Sorry, I was a chemistry geek in school and the Breaking Bad train wreck was on tonight)

May ePostal Contest

Twofer weekend. JimmyB's April contest extends through Midnight Sunday. So this weekend only you can shoot both contests at one range visit. two-fer weekend is over...

This month we are "Throwin' Darts".

The target is courtesy of Targetz.Com: 20041 or 20042 (Do not download the image to the right as it probably won't print correctly, instead go to Targetz and download the .pdf there).

Scoring:
I suspect most are familiar with dartboard scoring. But for the sake of completeness and avoid arguments over the value of the bullseye, the score is the value of the slice hit. The outer ring is the double ring, and the inner ring is triple ring. The center is the bullseye. Outer bull scores 25 and the inner bull is double (50).

Just to complicate things make things interesting, the "loop rule" is in effect. An actual dart board uses a wire mesh to divert the dart tip one side or the other so there are no "liners". These form many loops and only one hit per loop counts.. Any given number has four loops: an inner pieslice, a triple score, an outer slice and a double score. The second hit within a loop does not score, but a hit on the same number but within a different loop does score.

Our paper targets do not include any such mesh. Instead the shot scores the higher score. In the case of two "liners" such as depicted here, one scores high, one scores low. This would score 80 (20 + 60). With multiple liners on a given loop, this could get complicated. In general the scoring will be interpreted to give the shooter the highest possible score, but a loop only scores once. Once it's scored, a second liner takes the next highest score.

You have 9 shots per target. A perfect score would be:
Triple 20 = 60
Triple 19 = 57
Triple 18 = 54
Triple 17 = 51
Double bull = 50
Triple 16 = 48
Triple 15 = 45
Triple 14 = 42
Double 20 = 40
Total = 347 er, 447

Shooting details:9 shots, Standing unsupported, one or two hands. No time limit.
Range:
Rimfire Rifles: 25 yards (Print target 100% size)
Centerfire Rifle: 50 yards (Print target 100% size).
Pistols 7 yards or range minimum. For longer distances, target should be printed under/oversize to compensate for the additional distance as follows:

7 yards = 21 feet = 84% *
25 feet = 100%
10 yards = 30 feet = 120%
11 yards = 33 feet = 132% (this should just fit on an 11x17!)
These ratios preserve the same sight picture for the increased range.

Enter as many times as you like but only entry one per shooter per gun. More entries mean more chances to win Cheaper-Than-Dirt's $50 give away.

Classes:
0: Airgun pistol (.177 CO2 or compressed air)
1: Rimfire pistol, iron sights
2: Rimfire pistol, optic sights
3: Centerfire pistol, iron sights
4: Centerfire pistol, optic sights
5: Rimfire rifle, iron sights (25 yards)
6: Rimfire rifle, optic sights (25 yards)
7: Centerfire rifle, iron sights (50 yds)
8: Centerfire rifle, optic sights (50 yards)
9: other? Shoot it and let me know.

Taking Credit:
Send Name, blog or website URL, a scan or photo of target, class, score, gun details (Make & Model, caliber, barrel length, sight system), range to sandcastlescrolls at msn dot com

PS MauserGirl in NY... this is for you. I took your comment to JimmyB last month to imply you only have rifles. You ask and we respond! We have rifle classes this month! I EXPECT at least one entry from you! Show us what you can do with that Mauser! ;-)

* Range Correction calculation:
I started out calculating the ratio of the full target diameter to the distance (both in inches). Turns out the target diameter doesn't matter, a simple ratio of the distances is sufficient.

Correction percentage = range (in feet) / 25 * 100

Stay tuned!

May's ePostal contest will be posted here at 12:01 PM (AZST*) Friday April 30th. Heads up though, this is a two-fer weekend. JimmyB's Contest "Rounds and Rounds" closes at midnight Sunday. This weekend you can score both contests at one range session.

For Jimmy B's contest this is LAST CALL! Let's get 'em in!
For May, we're just about to get started!

* AZST = Arizona Standard Time: "The most stable timebase ever. We never change!" We don't do Daylight Savings Time. The rest of the world rotates around us!. Currently we are the same as PDT. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

ePostal Entries

No, not for me... my targets were not good enough :-( But the SCQueen and her sister logged decent targets.

First the SCQueen took a liking to the CZ-82. I like the pistol, it's small, light and easy to conceal. This one came with two 12 round magazines. With street prices are in the low $200s, it may be the sleeper opportunity for concealed carriers on a bargain basement budget. The 9x18 "9mm Makarov" ammo it only slightly less available than the ubiquitous "9mm Luger" cartridge.

However to me, it's none too pleasant to shoot. The 9x18 cartridge uses a fast powder to accelerate the projectile down the short 3.8 inch barrel and there isn't much mass to soak up the recoil. The result is a pretty snappy, borderline unpleasant recoil.

But if she's happy shooting it, that is all that matters. I suspect it fits her smaller hands better than the large framed pistols I prefer.

Here's her target: She scored a pair of 20 point stars.


The SandCastle Sister In Law shot a nice 100 score with a Ruger Single Six. (50+20+15+10+5)

Note to self

Your carelessness lack of attention to detail is writing checks your skills can't cash.

So the creator of the November ePostal match, apparently drawing on "lessons learned" from previous contests, thoughtfully included a ruler on the target so a shooter could easily tell if the target was sized correctly or not. That's a great idea!

I printed the first set of targets on the SCQueens inkjet and checked the ruler. It was a little off but by only a hair. Next set of targets were printed on someone else's laserjet and I didn't bother to check the ruler since "it looked about right".

Scoring the targets back home, there was one shot that narrowly missed the Bond Girl off the top. Now I vaguely recall adding a trapazoidal shape above the legs to fill in the gap and yet here was a gap big enough to drive a .30 cal bullet through with room to spare. Hmmm, that's odd...[cue minor irritation in the Force] In the short run though, I can see a clear white line between the hit and the BG so it scores as a simple miss instead of a Bond Girl Hit.


It wasn't until reviewing targets submitted from other shooters, targets that showed the BG extending very close to the top edge of the paper. So how is it possible for my shot to miss and still keep on paper.. Here is a snippet of the original target. Notice the BG extending nearly to the top of the paper.

After reviewing half a dozen targets, it struck me to check the ruler again. Sure enough targets are 15 or 20% too small!

That ruler was a stroke of genius by the match master. You have no one to blame but yourself for NOT CHECKING TO MAKE SURE YOUR TARGETS ARE SIZED ACCORDINGLY! The matchmaster does not make allowance for your carelessness and your shooting skills aren't nearly good enough to make up the difference. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Update... "Carelessness" never felt like the work I was looking for... Edited to replace it with "Lack of attention to detail".