3 Gun Tips and Tricks

[Northaways]

Shoot your pistol for speed, your rifle for accuracy, and learn how to load your shotgun!

More specifically: Most 3 gun matches are not that tough on pistol shooting, and are typically scored time plus; so two hits anywhere or a single A will do. Speed will come into play for pistol more so than at an IPSC/IDPA match, due to the decreased accuracy requirements. If there are long range rifle targets (150yds +) these will almost certainly be the limiting factor for most shooters on the rifle. Have a solid zero, know your dope, and learn how to get into a stable position and break these shots quickly. For shotgun, if you want to win you need to learn how to load. You will need caddies for your chosen style of load (old school weak hand load 4's, duces or quads), a box of Brownells dummy rounds and a lot of practice. Personally I started a few years ago before quad loading was even a thing, so I learned with the weak hand load 4. I still use that load occasionally for super high round count stages or to keep slugs etc separately. That being said... with about an hour of practice quad loading I was faster at that than I was after several years of practicing weak hand load 4's. No matter how fast you can load though you won't make up for missing targets, so make sure you're choked appropriately (Light Mod or Imp Cyl will do for most everything...) and take enough time to aim.

Great thread and some very good tips here!

Once I got a solid zero, at 100 yards, and learned my holdovers at various distances, that was the game changer in my rifle scores on what had previously been the weakest of the 3 for me.

And on that point, recognize your weaknesses and work them till they’re not. Most guys/gals love to practice the easy stuff that they’re already proficient or good at and avoid the hard stuff. But mastering the tough stuff is where you can make your biggest match performance gains.

Use to hate strong or weak hand only stages, but not anymore.

 

[Djb1]

I see 99% of people mention IC or M chokes for shotgun (assuming 22-28 barrel). If I ran an 18 would a F choke make sense? I shoot trap with an 18 and Full Choke and even use a full choke in my 28 semi. Obviously these are #7 light loads so is the heavier shot the reason for widening the spread slightly?

 

[wasrupzuk]

Some slugs don’t work well with full chokes so for stages running them you might want to consider swapping the choke.
A pro with a full choke is when you hit it you’ll know it, but the more open chokes will most likely be faster because of the wider pattern.

 

[Scotty454]

I see 99% of people mention IC or M chokes for shotgun (assuming 22-28 barrel). If I ran an 18 would a F choke make sense? I shoot trap with an 18 and Full Choke and even use a full choke in my 28 semi. Obviously these are #7 light loads so is the heavier shot the reason for widening the spread slightly?

Depending on the stage design, tight shot patterns might be an advantage or a disadvantage. At the CDTSA 3-gun shoots, there's almost always fairly heavy (12" round 1/2" AR500 plate) shotgun knockdown targets. They're held in such a way that if you don't get a significant amount of shot on them, they don't fall. I've seen guys with shorter barrels/open chokes and less than ideal shot placement (Closer to the bottom- they're supported from the bottom) struggle to knock them over. I'm running a 28" barrel Versamax with a modified choke, and even if I hit them in the center (Closer to the top would be ideal) they fly off pretty convincingly.

On the flip side, like wasrupzuk said, slugs might be an issue out of full chokes. No so much from a safety perspective (If you're using "rifled"/foster slugs), but from an accuracy perspective.

 

[JoKa]

I don't think I'm alone when I say hydrating is extremely important. Muscle cramps, headache and generally feeling ill are not fun at a match. With all that's going on, the excitement and just plain not drinking enough water in our day to day lives leads to dehydration.

Yes.
I would say this is a MASSIVE safety tip. (Especially at Milo)
I have suffered from dehydration a number of times out there and it is not fun. (One of our stage designers got heat stroke just doing setup in 2017)

I alternate between water and poweraid now. Seems to be a good balance.

 

[AlbertaAllure]

So, when it comes to shot shell caddies - I heard time and time again that AP Custom's is top notch. Unfortunately, I understand they're belly-up.
Is there anything like that out now? I've done some searching around, and haven't seen much. Or, if there's preference for vertical, what do you use?

 

[adriel]

Here's a tip: Keep all your guns attached so that transitions are fast

 

[shotzee]

Saw this a while ago.

Just have fun with it! Man he moves quick for an old guy.

 

[TinkerBell]

For the record, with a DA/SA gun at a 3gun match, you can start with it cocked and locked (cocked and safety on).

if the firearms platform supports that.

 

[Ctscan]

get your heart rate up to 140s before doing shooting drills. Fine motor skills deteriorate after 120 bpm, hit the gym hard for cardio. Dry fire dry fire dry fire while doing squats ,push ups etc get used to your heart thumping and timing your shots. Learn your hold overs shooting side ways, always aim high and towards your mag when shooting sideways , or thru vtac wall. Don’t skip leg day, strengthening your core will cause less wobble. Get yourself some steel targets to get good feedback on shots. Have fun! Don’t let what others say restrict you from having a good day.

 

[Boomhauer440]

I love my 4x4 AP, some guys hate them. Its all about what you're used to. I'm alot better with the AP than I am with duals or quads, and buying new caddies is an expensive way to learn. I haven't been able to find a real AP recently but you can buy knockoffs. I've debated it for a while but haven't bought one yet so I can't say anything about quality. If you fear chinese knockoffs (probably smart) there are similar single row strip caddies available.
http://www.arestactical.net/product/shotshell-holder-12ga-2-75-inch/
http://www.safarilandcanada.ca/competition/7814/c

I'd honestly suggest if you're starting from scratch just going with the dual or quad system and practicing a ton. That's the way the sport's going and the older strip style is getting harder to find. It's harder with small hands, but a better bet if you can do it. Depending on your relationship with your local players, see if you can borrow a rig (or one of each) and try some dry runs.