IHMSA: Anyone Else Doing This?

[Czechnologist]

I was just over in the S&W forums drooling over gun porn when, much to my chagrin I discovered that the IHMSA (International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association) is still having regular matches at Piedmont Sportsman Club in Gordonsville, VA.

http://ihmsa.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=3170

I had no idea. Is anyone on MDS doing this? If so, PM me. I will definitely be renewing my membership and planning vacation time around their match schedule at Piedmont.

I was an IHMSA member for almost five years during the early-to-mid 1980's and I can tell you without any reservations that it's the most challenging type of competition for handguns that I have ever participated in. If you like to geek-out about handguns then IHMSA is your game. You haven't lived until you've shot .308 out a Remington XP100. No, really, you haven't.

 

[Raineman]

I shot IHMSA for several years back in the early-mid '80's as a "junior". I LOVED IT!

Went to matches with my Dad all the time. I have (somewhere) many 5 and 10 pins of each animal and a few plaques.

I shot 2 different guns, both open sights, all from the Creedmore position.

1) Dan Wesson revolver in .357 Maximum (the "Super Mag"). I think it had a full lug 8 3/8" barrel, and of course you had to wear a leather leg shield being it was a revolver.

2) Thompson Center Contender with a Super 14 barrel, also in .357 Maximum. This was my favorite gun, and I did very well with it. (most recently a few years ago I killed a deer with that gun)

When my Dad moved away, I stopped all competition shooting, mainly because most of the arsenal moved with him.

There is nothing like the "CLANG" of knocking over a big steel ram at 200 meters with a 200 grain bullet from a handgun, seriously fun stuff.

I would imagine that if I had the gun here ("we" still have it) and I had the reloading stuff, I still would shoot IHMSA. We shot a lot of different shooting events, NRA Hunter Pistol, IHMSA, skeet, trap & sporting clays, and various high power matches. Other than the clays, I miss IHMSA to most.

 

[Czechnologist]

I shot IHMSA for several years back in the early-mid '80's as a "junior". I LOVED IT!

Went to matches with my Dad all the time. I have (somewhere) many 5 and 10 pins of each animal and a few plaques.

I shot 2 different guns, all from the Creedmore position.

1) Dan Wesson revolver in .357 Maximum (the "Super Mag"). I think it had a full lug 8 3/8" barrel, and of course you had to wear a leather leg shield being it was a revolver.

2) Thompson Center Contender with a Super 14 barrel, also in .357 Maximum. This was my favorite gun, and I did very well with it. (most recently a few years ago I killed a deer with that gun)

When my Dad moved away, I stopped all competition shooting, mainly because most of the arsenal moved with him.

There is nothing like the "CLANG" of knocking over a big steel ram at 200 meters with a 200 grain bullet from a handgun, seriously fun stuff.

I would imagine that if I had the gun here ("we" still have it) and I had the reloading stuff, I still would shoot IHMSA.

Yes, I shot IHMSA with a couple of friends. One had a 14" T/C Contender in 7mm BR and the other had a Remington XP100 in .308 that they shot from the Creedmore position. I tried shooting my 8 3/8" Model 57 from that awkward position but never really got the hang of it. Most of the time, I'd either shoot from sitting or prone position.

It looks like some of the rules have changed to make it more inclusive for optics. Back when I did it previously, optics of any kind were a no-go.

 

[Czechnologist]

I shot IHMSA for several years back in the early-mid '80's as a "junior". I LOVED IT!

Went to matches with my Dad all the time. I have (somewhere) many 5 and 10 pins of each animal and a few plaques.

I shot 2 different guns, both open sights, all from the Creedmore position.

1) Dan Wesson revolver in .357 Maximum (the "Super Mag"). I think it had a full lug 8 3/8" barrel, and of course you had to wear a leather leg shield being it was a revolver.

2) Thompson Center Contender with a Super 14 barrel, also in .357 Maximum. This was my favorite gun, and I did very well with it. (most recently a few years ago I killed a deer with that gun)

When my Dad moved away, I stopped all competition shooting, mainly because most of the arsenal moved with him.

There is nothing like the "CLANG" of knocking over a big steel ram at 200 meters with a 200 grain bullet from a handgun, seriously fun stuff.

I would imagine that if I had the gun here ("we" still have it) and I had the reloading stuff, I still would shoot IHMSA. We shot a lot of different shooting events, NRA Hunter Pistol, IHMSA, skeet, trap & sporting clays, and various high power matches. Other than the clays, I miss IHMSA to most.

IHMSA was always the most fun and the most challenging type of handgun match for me, too. It also can be quite humbling for someone who considers himself a 'good' shot to engage targets at 100+ yards and realize, "Damn, this isn't that easy, is it?"

No, it's not! IHMSA taught me the meaning of 'trajectory' and the virtues of one cartridge versus the other. I started shooting with a S&W Model 29 and eventually switched to a Model 57 because of the .41's flatter trajectory at longer distance than .44 but I stuck with .44 because of those Rams at 200 yards. With a .41, you had to hit them center mass. With a .44 you just had to hit them! Still, I loved .41 Magnum's accuracy.

Where IHMSA really got interesting was in the "Open Unlimited" class where the wildcatters were shooting various 7mm and .30 cartridges out of Thompson Center Contenders and Remington XP100's. I don't know what the new 'it' cartridge is nowadays but it used to be 7mm BR. Compared to .308, 7mm BR was downright pleasant to shoot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7mm_BR_Remington

I would love to see a few of us on MDS plan to head over to Piedmont in April for their first match of the year - April 7th. If you enjoy large bore handguns, you owe it to yourself to give IHMSA a try!

 

[Minuteman]

Are semi autos allowed?

I only saw bolt action and one single action (cowboy style) pistol.

 

[Czechnologist]

Are semi autos allowed?

I only saw bolt action and one single action (cowboy style) pistol.

With all the changes in rules during the past 30 years, I would have to ask Mike, the match director at Piedmont Sportsman Club. I do know there is a minimum caliber rule. It used to be .357 but that may have changed.

When I was competing regularly, the only guns I ever saw at IHMSA matches were SA and DA/SA revolvers and the single-shot guns, like the T/C Contender and XP100.

IHMSA also has a separate division for .22 - basically half-scale. The longest shot is 100 yards at the Ram targets, 75 yards for Turkeys, 50 yards for Pigs, 25 for Chickens.

 

[Czechnologist]

Minuteman, check-out:

http://www.ihmsa.org/rules.html

Looks like they are allowed? I've never seen a Desert Eagle at an IHMSA match but, if I interpret the rules correctly, it looks like you could use it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Semiautos are allowed, they are just rarely used.

 

[Minuteman]

Thanks Zzzzz_man!

I think I'd prefer to go with a S&W 929; Is 9mm allowed, suitable? Would this gun work?


Second choice would be a .357, third would be .44


Hey, how about the FN 5.7?

 

[Czechnologist]

Thanks Zzzzz_man!

I think I'd prefer to go with a S&W 929; Is 9mm allowed, suitable? Would this gun work?


Second choice would be a .357, third would be .44


Hey, how about the FN 5.7?

Anything smaller than .41 Magnum isn't going to provide the punch needed to knock over those 150 and 200 yard targets reliably. .357 is good to 100 yards and (arguably) to 150 yards using a heavier bullet but, again, at 200 yards it isn't going to have quite enough oomph to topple a 30 lb. steel target unless you hit just right. With .41 (good) and .44 Magnum (better) you have a wider margin of error. It's not about just hitting the target. You gotta knock that sucker down for it to count!

I know you're a DA/SA Ruger fan and so am I when it comes to IHMSA competition. I'd recommend either a 7.5" Redhawk or a 9" Super Redhawk in .44 Magnum.

 

[jimbobborg]

For semi-auto, I'm thinking AR pistol in 6.8 SPC with 12" barrel. http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?29372-Shooting-the-SSA-factory-140-VLD-at-hogs....Pics is probably not being made anymore, since SSA was bought out by Nosler. I think this is the bullet used https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...0-grain-vld-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100 but I'll have to do more digging to see if it is. 2300 fps out of a 12" barreled AR is pretty close to the 7mm BR.

 

[Minuteman]

300BLK pistol allowed?

 

[Czechnologist]

For semi-auto, I'm thinking AR pistol in 6.8 SPC with 12" barrel. http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?29372-Shooting-the-SSA-factory-140-VLD-at-hogs....Pics is probably not being made anymore, since SSA was bought out by Nosler. I think this is the bullet used https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...0-grain-vld-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-100 but I'll have to do more digging to see if it is. 2300 fps out of a 12" barreled AR is pretty close to the 7mm BR.

I'm supposed to call Mike Graves, the Match Director at Piedmont, this afternoon and I'll be sure to ask him if anyone is using semi-autos but my gut-instinct is telling me that there aren't many who do.

I think IHMSA's biggest problem with recruiting new shooters is that they don't go out of their way to promote matches within shooting communities like MDS. Every once in a great while, I'll see either a thirty-second TV spot on the Outdoor Channel or a small, quarter page ad in one of the shooting publications promoting IHMSA. That's it. The rest is strictly word-of-mouth. That's how I first heard about it: from a friend who heard it from a friend who shot at the matches in Mount Sterling and Crittenden, KY. I can't imagine what the problem with attendance might be?

As a newly reinstated IHMSA member (just paid my $35 annual dues for the first time since 1986), I can honestly say that it's the most challenging and addictive form of handgun competition I've ever done. It's like the guy in the video said, "The first time you knock down one of those Rams at 200 yards, you're hooked!" It's the God's honest truth. When you finally figure out the trajectory of your bullet at 200 yards, it's like a shooting epiphany. The first time I did it, I was like, damn, did I just do that?

I know this is getting to be a long post but, I'd like to dispel a few misgivings about IHMSA.

"I have to be a re-loader to shoot IHMSA..." False. You just need to find a load that you can consistently plot trajectory, whether it's factory ammo or ammo you loaded yourself. When I first started shooting IHMSA I knew nothing about reloading and I did OK with factory loads. I spent my entire first year shooting factory .44 loads before I started reloading.

"You gotta be good with a handgun to shoot IHMSA..." False. The only thing you 'gotta' do in IHMSA is enjoy shooting and the fellowship of other members. Some of the nicest and most helpful people you'll ever meet wear the IHMSA patch on their hat. The difference between IHMSA and every other type of competitive shooting I've done is that members actually help each other. We spot for each other. We share load data with each other. We share equipment with each other. Yes, you compete with other shooters but mostly you're competing with yourself to improve. My goal was to earn the coveted '10' pin for Turkeys at 150 yards and Rams at 200 yards. I never did it but it was a lot of fun trying!

It's expensive... Not really! I usually spend more money on gas driving to/from the match than I do shooting in a match. Budget minded shooters may want to consider the .22 and air pistol matches as the most cost effective way to enjoy IHMSA. Distances are half the range of large bore matches but every bit as challenging to shoot. It's a great introduction to the sport. Otherwise, most shooters use stock, unmodified guns from the factory.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. If I can't provide an answer, I know a few people who can. Thanks.

 

[Biggfoot44]

AR-15 pistols are too big . If you want to use .300Blk on purpose, you certainly may from a T/C, XP-100 , or such like. IHMSA is all about experementing, but the last that I looked, the 7mmTCU was by far the most sucuessful ctg based on .223 case head.

Way back in the day I watched someone do so with an accurized 1911.45acp . If you approach an occasional match for fun and learning experience , jump in with whatever. You'll have fun with judging trajectories, and truely learn how you favorite pistol performs at longer distances. And have a totally different concept of what constitutes a longer distances.

Added for today's Trivia -

The AR-15 if not very first invented, first gained popularity thru a long range pistol competion.

The Masters. ( 75% of MDS'ers are going huhh? .) It was a competition combining different disciplines to endeavor to crown the best all around shooter . Broadly based upon Bullseye, Silhouette, and combat/ action , with a specific COF . Under the Masters COF and rules , the AR-15 pistol in .223 was a good fit, and once it was first sucuessfully used, everyone else slapped their heads and started using one also.

And the other interesting fact is the match came to be dominated by Bullseye shooters, proving the addage that accurate shooters can speed up, better than speed demons can get accurate.

 

[Rodent]

Hello Gents !!

This is Mike Graves and I am the IHMSA Match Director at Piedmont Sportsman Club in Gordonsville Virginia.

It would be great if you wanted to come on down and join us. The match schedule for 2017 is :

Apr 9 Big-bore and Half-scale
Apr 23 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
May 7 Big-bore and Half-scale
May 21 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
Jun 11 Big-bore and Half-scale
Jun 25 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
Jul 9 Big-bore and Half-scale
Jul 23 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
Aug 13 Big-bore and Half-scale
Aug 27 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
Sep 9-10 Virginia State Match
Sep 24 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale
Oct 8 Big-bore, Half-scale
Oct 22 Small-bore, Field Pistol and 1/5th Scale

The object of the competition is to knock down metallic silhouettes (chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams) at various ranges from 25 meters to a maximum of 200 meters.
The matches vary according to handgun type (.22 to big bore) and shooting position (standing to free style). We pride ourselves in our diversity as IHMSA is open to men, women and children of all ages and physical abilities.
Hit a steel target and knock it over.

You will find silhouette shooters helpful and friendly and more than willing to go out of their way to assist you. The game is actually very simple and you probably already own a handgun that qualifies for competition. It will make you the absolute best pistol shot you can be!



Contact - Match Director: Michael Graves
Phone: 540-661-9539 Email: g2contender@yahoo.com
Check out our Facebook page for schedules and directions: Virginia IHMSA
Matches held at Piedmont Sportsman Club in Gordonsville Virginia


Feel free to contact me anytime.


Mike

 

[Czechnologist]

Hello Gents !! This is Mike Graves and I am the IHMSA Match Director at Piedmont Sportsman Club in Gordonsville Virginia.

Welcome to Maryland Shooters, Mike!

It will make you the absolute best pistol shot you can be!

This is the truth. If you really want to improve your accuracy with a handgun, there's no better way to do it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

So disrespect intended to Zzzzz man, and his post is excellent.

On his point #2 , you need to be reasonably competent with sight alignment and smoooth trigger control. But understanding your trajectory and reading the wind are more important than shooting cloverleaf groups.

 

[Czechnologist]

So disrespect intended to Zzzzz man, and his post is excellent.

On his point #2 , you need to be reasonably competent with sight alignment and smoooth trigger control. But understanding your trajectory and reading the wind are more important than shooting cloverleaf groups.

Amen to that!

 

[Minuteman]

Thanks all and welcome to the forum Mike!

I like trying new shooting sports, might give this a try sometime later this year, thanks!

 

[Czechnologist]

Thanks all and welcome to the forum Mike!

I like trying new shooting sports, might give this a try sometime later this year, thanks!

Let me know? Field Pistol is something you would enjoy - a new category that IHMSA has added since I was a member the first time around. It allows for the use of semi-auto service pistols and the target distances are scaled-down for them.

I'll definitely be bringing my CZ's and Steyr L9A1 for that!