Confused about IPSC Minor vs Major

Rivalen

Rivalen

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Hey there,

I've been reading a lot about IPSC Production. I was looking at Power factor, so from what I understand, going major is more forgiving on "not in A zone" shots.

It was clear to me 9mm 124gr was Minor and .40 180gr was major until I read bout 9mm Major.

What kind of ammunition is 9mm Major? 147gr 9mm? I found some chars and it seems related to a bunch of numbers and even seemed related to the pistol you're actually using. I'm confused?!
 
9mm major is regular 9mm Luger loaded hotter (more powder, longer OAL). Doing this is extremely dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Most 9mm guns I would think cold not hold up to the pressure.

To figure what power factor you are shooting in you need to know the weight of your bullet (projectile) and the speed of the bullet in FPS.

Then take the bullet weight and multiply it by the speed of the bullet then divide by 1000

Ex. 124g bullet travelling 1080 fps divided by 1000= your pf will be 133

If you can shoot all alpha's then PF doesn't matter:D

Most people will load their rounds to just exceed the desired PF they would like to attain.

Minor for the most part pertains to production division.
 
Generally you want to load 5-10PF over what the limit is, chrono's at matches do not always read what yours did when you tested the ammunition. trying to load right to the limit is a recipe for disaster. I load to 170-172 Pf for major in my open gun, this gives me at least 5-7 pf over.
 
PH Racing said:
Generally you want to load 5-10PF over what the limit is, chrono's at matches do not always read what yours did when you tested the ammunition. trying to load right to the limit is a recipe for disaster. I load to 170-172 Pf for major in my open gun, this gives me at least 5-7 pf over.
Click to expand...

Good point, I load all my ammo to run 130+ just in case. Better a small safety margin than risking losing your score.

John
 
Didn't PF for 9mm Major in IPSC Open drop to 160 lately? If so, you are 10-12 over.

Look here:

h ttp://www.ipsc.org/divlistP.htm
 
10 -12 PF is only 7% over at the 160 minimum, If shooting ij the US 165 is minimum for major, 172 would be considered dangerously close.
7% at 125 is 8 pf or 133, since chrono's are notoriously inaccyrate I woul opt for a 10% over as safe = 138 in minor or 176 in major.

I have never chrono'd minor so far, below minor is NO SCORE in production.
 
Ipsik said:
10 -12 PF is only 7% over at the 160 minimum, If shooting ij the US 165 is minimum for major, 172 would be considered dangerously close.
7% at 125 is 8 pf or 133, since chrono's are notoriously inaccyrate I woul opt for a 10% over as safe = 138 in minor or 176 in major.

I have never chrono'd minor so far, below minor is NO SCORE in production.
Click to expand...

Well 10% over in IPSC Standard Division in Canada would be 17%, (170 is Major Power Factor). I don't know anybody who would shoot 187 Power Factor,.... on purpose. ;) I think most Standard shooters aim for 175 - 179 Power Factor.

I have often heard that changing altitudes will affect your power factor, but I haven't seen any noticable changes. Over a longer distance I can see the theory behind the statement. But most chronographs at IPSC matches are set-up within about 7 - 12 feet from the muzzle.
 
Hard to say what will affect the chrono on matchday but at the Triangle my whole squad shot 100+fps above normal. My loads normally come in at 172pf and were over 190pf according to that chrono!
 
PH Racing said:
Hard to say what will affect the chrono on matchday but at the Triangle my whole squad shot 100+fps above normal. My loads normally come in at 172pf and were over 190pf according to that chrono!
Click to expand...


In that case if it was under and everybody was under to you have a foot to stand on if you cry foul?
 
If the chrono guys are on the ball and have done all of their paperwork and checked the chrono each morning with the same ammo and it falls within the allowable limits(119 to 131) then you might be able to take it somewhere.....or not.:)
Oh yeah, it is in the rulebook too.
 
Ok 2 questions - and I appologize if either has been answered. Forgive me, I am not even a newbie since I have never been involved with IPSC in any way...

1.) Is there a minimum power factor required for MINOR? If so, what is it?

2.) Is your power factor just taken at your word, or are your rounds chronographed before every IPSC event? Or do they only chrono you if you are trying to make the major power factor?
 
Minimum Power Factor for Minor is 125 (Less then that and you shoot for no score)

A Chrono is manditory for Level 3 and higher matches...recommended for all others (although rare)

LloydM said:
Ok 2 questions - and I appologize if either has been answered. Forgive me, I am not even a newbie since I have never been involved with IPSC in any way...

1.) Is there a minimum power factor required for MINOR? If so, what is it?

2.) Is your power factor just taken at your word, or are your rounds chronographed before every IPSC event? Or do they only chrono you if you are trying to make the major power factor?
Click to expand...
 
Smaller matches you are taken at your word as it can be applied to your division.
It is fun watching people freak when you have a chrono at a level II match.
 
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