JohnnyCanuck10: Both Vicious and Garand have laid it out pretty well. So, will simply add a few of my own thoughts..
Depending on the club, the average match runs anywhere from 4 to 6 stages. 80-120 rounds rifle/pistols (combined) per match. Approx 1 box of shot shells... maybe more, per match. Bank on having to make extra shots. Shotgun misses do happen. Or, it takes more than one shot to knock down a stubborn falling target.
Sometimes, rifle/pistol targets will require extra shots too, depending on the stage requirements. Also, shots can be missed, so allow extra ammo for make ups. So, budget your ammo depending on the number of matches you wish to attend, per year. And...always bring more ammo than you think you`re going to need!
Live fire practice time is pretty much a personal thing. My practice regimen mirrors Garand's. Though many shooters do quite well practicing once a month, and 100-200 rounds expended. Do whatever works for you, your time and your budget.
The majority of your practice time should be spent in dry fire practice drills*. This is where you develop the technique, confidence and speed required, to grow and develop as a cowboy shooter. Practice as much as you can. A couple of times a week is good. More is better. As little or as much time as you need. Only you can decide what works best for you. But, do practice.
Most of your practice time should revolve around transitions. From revolver to holster...in and out. Revolver to rifle. Rifle to shotgun. Or any combination in between. Also, practice reloads: Pistol. Rifle. Shotgun. Until smooth and locked into muscle memory. Revolver reloads aren`t seen much these days. But, do pop up, every now and then. Rifle and shotgun, should be practiced diligently. As both are very common.
Shotgun especially. The majority of time lost on a stage is generally due to clumsy or fumbled shotgun reloads. That lost time can sometimes mean the difference between a Champion buckle, and an also-ran. Plus, it`s frustrating as hell, when it happens!
Likewise, practice moving with firearms. Many times, a particular stage convention may require moving from one spot to another during the course of fire. In which case, it`s vital to know how to transition smoothly and especially safely, while carrying firearms.
There are some shooters who recommend starting fast and practicing as fast as possible. All the time. This may work for some. Personally, I believe that will only result in developing bad habits that will be hard to change. Instead, I`ve found it better to use the philosophy seen in many martial arts: Start slowly. Learn the technique thoroughly. Speed will follow with time and repitition. Naturally, once your technique is sound, you should always practice as fast as possible. Then work on improving, from there.
Here is likely the best piece of advice: "Smooth is fast. Fast is smooth." This mantra is shared by all top cowboy shooters. Practice this philosophy diligently, both in practice and while competing, and you will soon see success.
Study the top competitive shooters. The one thing all these champions have in common is that, they are both smooth and fast, at the same time. No wasted motion in anything they do. These folks are a perfect example of this philosophy in action. It works. Take what you learn from them, then modify them into techniques that work for you.
This windy dissertation ran on a lot longer than anticipated. Hopefully, some of it will be useful.
Al
* Always use dummy rounds. Snap caps, etc. Or, make up dummy rounds. Easy to do.
