Practical Pistol Show 171 - Get you an autodrive

Published on November 17, 2016
Duration: 32:50

This episode of the Practical Pistol Show features a discussion on stage design and difficulty at national-level competitions, alongside a deep dive into reloading economics and equipment. Ben Stoeger, Matt Hopkins, and Nick discuss the ideal balance of challenge in competition stages, emphasizing the need to test a variety of shooting skills rather than solely focusing on shot difficulty. They also address the cost-effectiveness of reloading, recommending specific equipment and strategies for high-volume shooters, with a particular focus on the Mark 7 Autodrive reloading press.

Quick Summary

Reloading ammunition can significantly reduce costs, with 9mm rounds costing around 12-16 cents per round. To make reloading economically viable, especially for high-volume shooters (10,000+ rounds/year), buying components in bulk during sales and investing in efficient equipment like a Dillon 650 or Mark 7 Autodrive is recommended.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Intro and Ad Read: Mark 7 Autodrive
  2. 00:37Ad Read: Mark 7 Autodrive Discount Code
  3. 01:21Mark 7 Autodrive Ad Details and Urgency
  4. 02:19Transition to Shooting Topic: Stage Difficulty
  5. 02:33Discussion on Difficulty at Nationals
  6. 04:30Reader Post: Nationals Stage Design Critique
  7. 06:43Reaction to Stage Design Critique
  8. 07:13What Nationals Should Be: Variety vs. Difficulty
  9. 08:08Testing All Skills at Nationals
  10. 09:30Shot Difficulty vs. Interesting Stages
  11. 12:06Paul Highland's Post: Simple Stages, Competitor Error
  12. 13:22Analysis of Highland's Stage Design Philosophy
  13. 14:06The Build Drill Stage at Nationals
  14. 15:06Executing Stages at Highest Level is Hard
  15. 15:51Nationals Should Define the Sport's Future
  16. 16:37European Championships: Novel Target Configurations
  17. 18:05What Makes Big Matches Interesting: Novelty
  18. 19:53Nationals as a Trendsetter for the Sport
  19. 20:04Mentally Challenging Stages
  20. 20:29Mike Foley's Insight on Stage Flavors
  21. 22:25Self-Selection in Match Preferences
  22. 22:48Question: Reloading Economics and Justification
  23. 24:11Reloading Cost Analysis (Nick)
  24. 25:02Reloading Tips: Volume and Component Purchasing
  25. 25:43Reloading Cost Analysis (Hopkins)
  26. 26:40Bullet Cost Dominance in Reloading
  27. 27:09Recommended Bullet Types for Reloading
  28. 27:56Reloading Setup vs. Component Cost
  29. 28:15Reloading Learning Curve and Seepage
  30. 29:32When to Start Reloading: Volume Threshold
  31. 30:02Reloading Press Tiers: Square Deal, 650, Mark 7
  32. 30:32Mark 7 Autodrive: The 'Trophy Wife' Press
  33. 31:04Payoff Period for High-End Reloading Equipment
  34. 32:00Conclusion and How to Submit Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a competition stage difficult in practical shooting?

Stage difficulty in practical shooting involves more than just the tightness or distance of shots. It should also encompass strategic planning, risk vs. reward options, and the testing of various shooting skills like shooting on the move, according to experts on the Practical Pistol Show.

How can competitive shooters reduce ammunition costs?

Reducing ammunition costs primarily involves reloading. Buying components like bullets, powder, and primers in bulk, especially during sales, is key. Investing in a quality reloading press and committing to reloading large volumes (10,000+ rounds annually) can also help, though the main benefit is often increased shooting practice.

What is the recommended reloading equipment for high-volume shooters?

For high-volume shooters, a Dillon 650 or a Mark 7 Autodrive reloading press is recommended. While a Dillon Square Deal is a good entry-level option for pistol cartridges, the higher-end presses offer greater efficiency and speed necessary for processing thousands of rounds per year.

Should national shooting competitions be more difficult than other matches?

There's a debate on this. Some argue Nationals should be harder to test top-tier skills, while others believe they should reflect the sport's general challenges and offer more strategic options. A common sentiment is that Nationals should push boundaries with innovative stage design and target configurations.

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