For IPSC:
6 mags minimum. Some matches rotate you through stages fast and sometimes hot from stage to stage. You want to have enough mags that if one of them breaks (we drop them a lot) or gets dirty from being dropped in the sand or whatever, you don't have to hold things up while you clean and reload. Also, if a couple of your mags break down you can end up with not enough ammo on your belt to finish a long stage. Number your mags so you can keep track of any that have issues and correct them.
Power factor:
I agree with PH. 7 to 10 points cushion to account for variances in chronos and/or temperature, barometric pressure etc. You don't want to spend all the money on an away match only to factor a half point under. Don't ask me how I know this.
Mag Pouches:
You can be fine with 4 but I prefer 5. That lets me deal with having to shoot 2 stages hot without being forced to go digging around in my pockets for mags. It also gives extra cushion if something horrible happens and you have to reach for an extra unplanned reload.
Number of rounds:
I always try to bring twice the round count for the match. If there end up being re-shoots or you have to sight in after a plane trip, or maybe a friend runs out of ammo and is looking for a few rounds to finish....it's always better to have and not need rather than need and not have. I estimate for LII's and go off the published round counts for LIII's.
6 mags minimum. Some matches rotate you through stages fast and sometimes hot from stage to stage. You want to have enough mags that if one of them breaks (we drop them a lot) or gets dirty from being dropped in the sand or whatever, you don't have to hold things up while you clean and reload. Also, if a couple of your mags break down you can end up with not enough ammo on your belt to finish a long stage. Number your mags so you can keep track of any that have issues and correct them.
Power factor:
I agree with PH. 7 to 10 points cushion to account for variances in chronos and/or temperature, barometric pressure etc. You don't want to spend all the money on an away match only to factor a half point under. Don't ask me how I know this.
Mag Pouches:
You can be fine with 4 but I prefer 5. That lets me deal with having to shoot 2 stages hot without being forced to go digging around in my pockets for mags. It also gives extra cushion if something horrible happens and you have to reach for an extra unplanned reload.
Number of rounds:
I always try to bring twice the round count for the match. If there end up being re-shoots or you have to sight in after a plane trip, or maybe a friend runs out of ammo and is looking for a few rounds to finish....it's always better to have and not need rather than need and not have. I estimate for LII's and go off the published round counts for LIII's.
