Shooting IPSC Matches
- Thread starter JB
- Start date
In a perfect world, the squad you shoot with will collectively police up the brass, patch the targets, set and paint the steel, etc.
In practice, brass often is left on the ground. Many guys shooting 9mm and .40 could care less, and won't waste time picking it up.
In practice, brass often is left on the ground. Many guys shooting 9mm and .40 could care less, and won't waste time picking it up.
Shooting IPSC Matches re Brass
When I started shooting IPSC, people would help pick up brass, some would stay after they had finished shooting to scrounge their brass mainly because it was so expensive. Then a wonderful thing happened, the police switched to semi autos. Suddenly you could by 5000 to 10000 once fired brass cases for what it used to cast for 1000. So with the exception of those with a very limited budget or people shooting Open with ultra expensive brass most of us don't even bother to worry about picking brass anymore.
Most matches do prohibit brass picking because they are trying to keep their match on time. Usually it the RO’s who between squads or during lunch who get the brass. I know at the match I run I tell the RO's to take as much brass as they want (I figure its the least I can do since they are volunteering their time) So the next match you shoot, think of it a donating your brass to a worthy cause.
Another thing to keep in mind you’re there to shoot an IPSC Match. If you’re worrying about your brass, you’re not thinking about how you’re going to shoot the stage. If your coming home thinking about how you didn’t find 11 pieces of brass, you not thinking about how you can improve your next performance. You have spent a minimum of $1000.00 to shoot an IPSC match (gun holster black badge course etc) don’t waste you investment worrying about $1.25 in brass.
When I started shooting IPSC, people would help pick up brass, some would stay after they had finished shooting to scrounge their brass mainly because it was so expensive. Then a wonderful thing happened, the police switched to semi autos. Suddenly you could by 5000 to 10000 once fired brass cases for what it used to cast for 1000. So with the exception of those with a very limited budget or people shooting Open with ultra expensive brass most of us don't even bother to worry about picking brass anymore.
Most matches do prohibit brass picking because they are trying to keep their match on time. Usually it the RO’s who between squads or during lunch who get the brass. I know at the match I run I tell the RO's to take as much brass as they want (I figure its the least I can do since they are volunteering their time) So the next match you shoot, think of it a donating your brass to a worthy cause.
Another thing to keep in mind you’re there to shoot an IPSC Match. If you’re worrying about your brass, you’re not thinking about how you’re going to shoot the stage. If your coming home thinking about how you didn’t find 11 pieces of brass, you not thinking about how you can improve your next performance. You have spent a minimum of $1000.00 to shoot an IPSC match (gun holster black badge course etc) don’t waste you investment worrying about $1.25 in brass.
Musky Hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
AMEN!! I hate ppl that dont patch and only pickup brass...!!
black said:Another thing to keep in mind you’re there to shoot an IPSC Match. If you’re worrying about your brass, you’re not thinking about how you’re going to shoot the stage. If your coming home thinking about how you didn’t find 11 pieces of brass, you not thinking about how you can improve your next performance. You have spent a minimum of $1000.00 to shoot an IPSC match (gun holster black badge course etc) don’t waste you investment worrying about $1.25 in brass.
black said:When I started shooting IPSC, people would help pick up brass, some would stay after they had finished shooting to scrounge their brass mainly because it was so expensive. Then a wonderful thing happened, the police switched to semi autos. Suddenly you could by 5000 to 10000 once fired brass cases for what it used to cast for 1000. So with the exception of those with a very limited budget or people shooting Open with ultra expensive brass most of us don't even bother to worry about picking brass anymore.
Most matches do prohibit brass picking because they are trying to keep their match on time. Usually it the RO’s who between squads or during lunch who get the brass. I know at the match I run I tell the RO's to take as much brass as they want (I figure its the least I can do since they are volunteering their time) So the next match you shoot, think of it a donating your brass to a worthy cause.
Another thing to keep in mind you’re there to shoot an IPSC Match. If you’re worrying about your brass, you’re not thinking about how you’re going to shoot the stage. If your coming home thinking about how you didn’t find 11 pieces of brass, you not thinking about how you can improve your next performance. You have spent a minimum of $1000.00 to shoot an IPSC match (gun holster black badge course etc) don’t waste you investment worrying about $1.25 in brass.
well seeing how im thinking on shooting my 45cal maybe you can share your wealth of info and tell me wheres a good deal on 45cal bass if i was shooting 9mm or 40 i wouldnt care about it. and just because im asking about the bass what make you think that my mined would be worrying about $1.25 brass and not into shooting the stages
JB said:
.45 brass can be had for around $80.00/1000. Assuming you shoot a level three match (say 300 rounds) and leave the brass....you're out $25.00. Not much considering you probably paid $70.00 to $100.00 in match fees alone.....
Leave the brass on the groud when you compete....pick it up when you practice. No-one ever said shooting IPSC was cheap!
Shooting IPSC Matches re Brass
I know the pain of 45 brass; I started shooting with a 45 and hung onto it long after most switched to 40. I used to get my 45 Brass from WOLF it was always top quality and usually one head stamp.
If you shoot in the US you can find dealer (sometimes at the match) who sell it pretty cheap (no ware near as 9mm or 40) the best way to save on any brass purchase the best way is to buy in bulk. It cost a lot up front but it’s cheaper than buying it 500 at a time. If you have a few shooting buddies who are also looking for cheap brass you can save even more by combining your order (That’s what I do for brass and bullets)
As for you head not being in the game because your worrying about your brass, I’ve been shooting IPSC for over 10 years now and I’ve seen too many people forget targets or shoot really, really badly because the time they should have spent looking at the stage they we picking brass. If you shoot a large level 2 or 3 that could be 4 to 6 hours of bending down picking brass, patching targets and resetting steel, your going to get tired and make mistakes Granted some people could have all the time in the world and will still shoot badly but what you really should focus on is the shooting.
Think about it would you be happier coming home from a match with all your brass or shooting a stage better than anyone else.
I know the pain of 45 brass; I started shooting with a 45 and hung onto it long after most switched to 40. I used to get my 45 Brass from WOLF it was always top quality and usually one head stamp.
If you shoot in the US you can find dealer (sometimes at the match) who sell it pretty cheap (no ware near as 9mm or 40) the best way to save on any brass purchase the best way is to buy in bulk. It cost a lot up front but it’s cheaper than buying it 500 at a time. If you have a few shooting buddies who are also looking for cheap brass you can save even more by combining your order (That’s what I do for brass and bullets)
As for you head not being in the game because your worrying about your brass, I’ve been shooting IPSC for over 10 years now and I’ve seen too many people forget targets or shoot really, really badly because the time they should have spent looking at the stage they we picking brass. If you shoot a large level 2 or 3 that could be 4 to 6 hours of bending down picking brass, patching targets and resetting steel, your going to get tired and make mistakes Granted some people could have all the time in the world and will still shoot badly but what you really should focus on is the shooting.
Think about it would you be happier coming home from a match with all your brass or shooting a stage better than anyone else.
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
At the club I shot at, your squad would pick it up and give it to you. Everyone (or most) would pitch in and patch the targets and collect brass. This was a once a week shoot. Indoors.
Went to the S&W Invitational one year and I think you could NOT pick up your brass. Outside range.
May depend on the range, club or set up.....
Went to the S&W Invitational one year and I think you could NOT pick up your brass. Outside range.
May depend on the range, club or set up.....
Well sometimes I see shooter who are just shooting 9x19 mm that don't even go see their targets for the results...and no they don't usualy win stages.....instead they are back there picking up their 9mm brass.....hum! in most squad it's a squad effort....to run the stages....
Last edited:
at most IPSC matches in alberta you are allowed to pick your brass for as long as it does not slow down the shooting. usually one or two on the squad pick your brass while others tape. at nationals, you are usually only allowed to pick your brass if the squad finished early and the next squad is not waiting to shoot.
Last edited:
I always help patch or reset poppers, etc...but I do shoot .45 (real man )
and I'm not the poorest guy, but not rich either, so I do need to get some of my brass back.
I don't care to get it all, but at least 50% give or take.
at level 3's, I know the brass is stepped on & pushed into the ground, so I don't expect to get much, but hoping for at least 25%.
I've walked away not in the mood to try to find it, but it should be my choice.
it sounds cheap, but it helps.
sometimes you just got a new batch of brass, cause others ran out. So they're either new or once fired, Why should you be forced to give it up ??
I don't think any match should have the right to prohibit from brass pick up, as long as they stipulate doing it with a buddy system, or after the squad is done or at the end of the match, if so desired.
It's not their brass & they didn't pay for it. The shooter did pay travel expenses, ammo & match fees. Who says this hobby has to be for the rich ?
Anyways, that's my 3 cents, anyone doesn't like it, they know what they can kiss
)and I'm not the poorest guy, but not rich either, so I do need to get some of my brass back.
I don't care to get it all, but at least 50% give or take.
at level 3's, I know the brass is stepped on & pushed into the ground, so I don't expect to get much, but hoping for at least 25%.
I've walked away not in the mood to try to find it, but it should be my choice.
it sounds cheap, but it helps.
sometimes you just got a new batch of brass, cause others ran out. So they're either new or once fired, Why should you be forced to give it up ??
I don't think any match should have the right to prohibit from brass pick up, as long as they stipulate doing it with a buddy system, or after the squad is done or at the end of the match, if so desired.
It's not their brass & they didn't pay for it. The shooter did pay travel expenses, ammo & match fees. Who says this hobby has to be for the rich ?
Anyways, that's my 3 cents, anyone doesn't like it, they know what they can kiss
