Somebody 'splain ....
- Thread starter Sharps '74
- Start date
New Camper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lurking in the woods near SFRC.
I'm curious about some of the nomenclature: for example 170 PF? Clearly it has to do with muzzle velocity and energy and I reload so there is no confusion relative to those terms. Major and Minor are in reference to classes dictated by velocity/energy it seems.
I like shooting revolvers so this sort of thing interests me in the world of shooting where competition (formal and informal) tend to cater to pistols.
I like shooting revolvers so this sort of thing interests me in the world of shooting where competition (formal and informal) tend to cater to pistols.
I guess it's about time we shared the data and clarified the jargon .....
The "Power Factor" Is established by multiplying the weight of the bullet by the velocity, divided by 1000. for example: 200 gr bullet x 850 fps velocity =170000 divided by 1000 =170 PF.
That is right on the IPSC Major PF, so it would behoove a shooter to slightly better that.
The idea is to discourage light loads. In Cowboy Action shooting with a much lower power factor, we tried to beat the 'gamers' by putting in steel targets that required at least a factory 158 gr .38 Spl. to knock over. The 'gamers' got around this by loading accordingly, ensuring that a warmer load was next under the hammer for the steel targets.
Cal's Mexican amigo's solution dispenses with the chronograph and goes entirely by knock down power. In IPSC, steel 'Pepper Poppers' are calibrated to fall when hit in the top portion of the target with a Minor PF load. Hits lower on the target may or may not knock it over.
In the early days, the PF was established by using a "Power Pendulum", a steel plate the size of the old IPSC "B" zone that mover a pointer when hit. Factory ammo was used to establish Major and Minor PF. Your gun and ammo had to equal or beat that.
The "Power Factor" Is established by multiplying the weight of the bullet by the velocity, divided by 1000. for example: 200 gr bullet x 850 fps velocity =170000 divided by 1000 =170 PF.
That is right on the IPSC Major PF, so it would behoove a shooter to slightly better that.
The idea is to discourage light loads. In Cowboy Action shooting with a much lower power factor, we tried to beat the 'gamers' by putting in steel targets that required at least a factory 158 gr .38 Spl. to knock over. The 'gamers' got around this by loading accordingly, ensuring that a warmer load was next under the hammer for the steel targets.
Cal's Mexican amigo's solution dispenses with the chronograph and goes entirely by knock down power. In IPSC, steel 'Pepper Poppers' are calibrated to fall when hit in the top portion of the target with a Minor PF load. Hits lower on the target may or may not knock it over.
In the early days, the PF was established by using a "Power Pendulum", a steel plate the size of the old IPSC "B" zone that mover a pointer when hit. Factory ammo was used to establish Major and Minor PF. Your gun and ammo had to equal or beat that.
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New Camper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lurking in the woods near SFRC.
Thank you, I get it now and the missing blanks of this thread are filled. Hopefully I'll see some guys practicing this discipline at the range sometime.
Something new shooters shooting the 38spl should know. IDPA reduced the PF for the 38spl from 125 to 105. Why? Well HQ tested 17 different factory loadings for the 38spl excluding +9 and +P+ cartridges. The PF's ran from 95 to 115. The sport was never designed to force members into reloading to participate. In short the idea was to have shooters shooting readily accessible factory ammunition. Clearly the 125 PF was not representative of readily available ammo. They decided on 105. I post this to at least let new shooters who may feel they can jump the 38spl using K frame guns safely. At 125 - 130 you are already into +P loadings for the caliber. You won't see significant in accuracy, if any by pushing the cartridge. Just use some common sense.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
Holy Cow! They already had the BUG class (Back Up Gun), so this surprises me. A 158 gr .38 Spl. bullet needed 800 fps to make the 125 PF.
When our IDPA section was active, I shot my 2-1/2" .357 snubs with loads that met or exceeded the 125 PF from a 4" .357 M66 barrel at the time. I was allowed as not many in Canada owned guns that fell into the BUG category.
Like I said earlier, it will not come as a surprise if IPSC follows suit in lowering PFs.
When our IDPA section was active, I shot my 2-1/2" .357 snubs with loads that met or exceeded the 125 PF from a 4" .357 M66 barrel at the time. I was allowed as not many in Canada owned guns that fell into the BUG category.
Like I said earlier, it will not come as a surprise if IPSC follows suit in lowering PFs.
Well IDPA changed the PF several years ago so I would not bexpect IPSC to change it any time soon. FYI BUG Division PF is 95. What were you allowed to do? Max barrel length for BUG is 3.5". Your gun made BUG Division rules provided it made weight of 25oz. If it doesn't you were just shooting SSR not BUG.
Take Care
Bob
Take Care
Bob
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I suspect that my load made 95 PF and then some. My K frame 2-1/2" .357s definitely made the weight requirement. Allowing me to shoot a BUG was deemed a courtesy as no one else had a prohib revolver.
