3 gun ammo

army052

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Can you use #4 birdshot for 3 gun matches? Or is it too big for the rules? I don't like 7 1/2 or 8. I have had problems knocking down steel with it. 4s work very good. But I've been told they are too big? Is there a max size in the rules?

I also use MFS ammo for my AR, is there any problem with that?
 
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Each match/range will dictate what ammo is allowed.
More and more... Steel core ammo is being prohibited.
Any match where steel targets are employed will likely ban steel cored boolits...
 
You shouldn't have any problems with that setup and 7.5s

Also, re: MFS, if the bullet (not the casing) sticks to a magnet, chances are you won't be allowed to use it at a match where you engage steel with the rifle.
Always check with the match director before you go shoot so you don't have any surprises.
 
There are plenty of steel jacketed bullets that will stick to the magnet but that aren't steel core. Your best bet is to pull one, cut it and take it to the match in case anybody makes a stink (assuming the club doesn't also prohibit steel jacketed ammo as some do, but they're a minority)
 
There are plenty of steel jacketed bullets that will stick to the magnet but that aren't steel core. Your best bet is to pull one, cut it and take it to the match in case anybody makes a stink (assuming the club doesn't also prohibit steel jacketed ammo as some do, but they're a minority)

Some clubs won't care....if it sticks to a magnet you're out. They don't have the time or energy to pull bullets and cut them apart
 
Some clubs won't care....if it sticks to a magnet you're out. They don't have the time or energy to pull bullets and cut them apart



As a match director I would expect shooters to KNOW their ammo... Apparently my expectations are too high.
The result... Perferated AR500 steel MGM auto-poppers at $100 each.
THIS is why we check ammo...

 
Some clubs won't care....if it sticks to a magnet you're out. They don't have the time or energy to pull bullets and cut them apart

Easy enough for the shooter to do it in advance of the match. I can understand banning ammo that will damage the targets and 100% agree with it. Banning ammo that won't harm the targets otoh.............
 
Easy enough for the shooter to do it in advance of the match. I can understand banning ammo that will damage the targets and 100% agree with it. Banning ammo that won't harm the targets otoh.............

IMO, just because someone pulls a cut projectile out of their pocket that isn't enough proof that their ammo won't damage steel targets and I still wouldn't allow it even if my club did (which they don't). Imagine how 667 felt finding $400 worth of targets destroyed at the end of a match...one of our steel targets cost us $600 and I wouldn't risk it for the sake of a shooter wanting to shoot their mfs ammo.
 
IMO, just because someone pulls a cut projectile out of their pocket that isn't enough proof that their ammo won't damage steel targets and I still wouldn't allow it even if my club did (which they don't). Imagine how 667 felt finding $400 worth of targets destroyed at the end of a match...one of our steel targets cost us $600 and I wouldn't risk it for the sake of a shooter wanting to shoot their mfs ammo.

Your house, your rules and it's up to the competitors to toe the line :)
 
At our monthly 3G matches, the MD walks the stages asking for your ammo - if it sticks to the magnet it's a match DQ.
 
Can you use #4 birdshot for 3 gun matches? Or is it too big for the rules? I don't like 7 1/2 or 8. I have had problems knocking down steel with it. 4s work very good. But I've been told they are too big? Is there a max size in the rules?

Depends on the match, and the range. You can get "game loads" in 7.5 or 8 shot, they hit quite a bit harder than the target loads. I often use these out of my cylinder-bore 18" 870 if the stage design favours (or requires) reachy shots. Or aerials!
 
I also use MFS ammo for my ar. Is there any problems with it in matches? I like it because it is cheap and shoots good. And it's steel case so I don't feel bad leaving it behind

As has been said here, match and range rules, some require a magnet test for the projectile. Over and above match rules which may prohibit steel in the bullet, some (many) ranges have hard-and-fast rules that no steel can be present in the projectiles, ever. That's regardless of whether it is steel core, steel jacketed, or bimetal. The SP MFS in 7.62X39 that I have fails the magnet test, so it's a no-go for those ranges. When I'm at a match or a range that has a steel prohibition, I make Mexican Match ammo from bulk surplus ammo (pull the offending bullet, press in a new conventional lead-and-copper bullet).

If you left steel cases behind on my club's range, you would be littering.
 
As a match director I would expect shooters to KNOW their ammo... Apparently my expectations are too high.
The result... Perferated AR500 steel MGM auto-poppers at $100 each.
THIS is why we check ammo...


Wow, do the people resetting the targets after a shooter not say something!? I think it would be fairly obvious who caused the damage, aka the guy who just shot..... I would let them take the steel home at the end of the day for a 100$ donation to your club.
 
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