Bowling Pin matches - Feb 28th

[HICKMAN]

Anyone shooting Bowling Pins @ MCFG next weekend?

Never done one, but it looks fun.

[doublebarrel]

Will try to make it there, probably will be late again like last time (8am just too early for me)...

[Chefcook]

What caliber is recommended for bowling pins? Will a 9mm knock them down ok or is a .45 preferred? How much ammo do you need to bring? Is it similar to Friday Night Steel?

[doublebarrel]

Haven't shot the steel ones so can't compare for you. Only been to the pins once (October?). It seems the heavier the bullet, the better, even within a certain caliber. So 147gr 9mm will do better than WWB 115 grainers. FN or HP is better than the FMJ RN (someone or somewhere told me, flat nose catches the round pin body better than the round nose, which might slip off...)

They say you need 100rd, I didn't end up using that much, not that I'm a good shot... Definitely have at least three mags. I had two at first and ended up loading my mags in the middle of the shooting... Later another guy there let me borrow one of his G19 mags (thank you!)

[slacker]

Originally Posted by doublebarrel

Haven't shot the steel ones so can't compare for you. Only been to the pins once (October?). It seems the heavier the bullet, the better, even within a certain caliber. So 147gr 9mm will do better than WWB 115 grainers. FN or HP is better than the FMJ RN (someone or somewhere told me, flat nose catches the round pin body better than the round nose, which might slip off...)

They say you need 100rd, I didn't end up using that much, not that I'm a good shot... Definitely have at least three mags. I had two at first and ended up loading my mags in the middle of the shooting... Later another guy there let me borrow one of his G19 mags (thank you!)

Hey, that might have been me. You had the glock .40 cal with a 9mm conversion barrel right?

That was the only time I shot pins as well and it sure was fun. The only thing stopping me lately is the extreme cold. If its nice out this time I will be out for sure. I finally ordered some new magazines for my RIA 1911, so that will be my pin slayer of choice.

[browndog2]

At Marion County Fish & Game Association we have been shooting Bowling pin matches for at least 10 years. I've been the match director for the last two or three years, but the success of the program is attributed to the participants who help out often and where ever they are able. The program has changed slightly over the years, but has been a successful program that benefits the club.

When the Friday NIght Steel program was in its infancy, we at bowling pins helped provide a small portion of the start-up capital for FNS by contributing the proceeds from our steel plate shooting that we do instead of shooting pins when the weather is unacceptable for pins. Most of the guys that developed FNS were pin shooters before FNS existed (good shooters I might add). Most of the FNS developers also shoot USPSA, IDPA and/or Steel Challenge matches. They adopted formats that incorporated appropriate procedures from these other successful programs - which makes sense. Many of our regular bowling pin shooters are regular shooters in FNS and the other programs. We are happy that the FNS program is so successful - they are bringing in much needed revenue for the club and it is good to see your friends succeed.

Now, to answer the questions:
one:
Bowling Pins at Marion County Fish & Game Association is definitely different than Friday NIght Steel. The format that works for FNS does not necessarily apply to the pins game.

two:
We have two classes in our centerfire pistol matches.
Major includes 40 cal, 44 cal and 45 cal and up (smaller bullets traveling faster 38 super, 357 magnum, 357 sig and others are also included in this group.) This is the standard classification.
Minor category includes 38 special and 9mm. We place the pins for the minor category shooters 1 foot closer to the back of the table than the pins for the major group. This adjustment is an attempt to fairly allow people who must or choose to shoot the smaller calibers.

three:
Bring at least 100 rounds if you show up early.

four:
During the summer months or in fair weather showing up late may be frustrating. We often have 20 to 25 shooters show up to shoot, and our bracket accommodates as many as 24. And the brackets fill up quickly.

And now for the kicker:
It is unlikely that we will shoot bowling pins this month.
We will shoot bowling pins if the temperature at start time is 40 degrees or higher and it is not raining. However, if enough people show up, and it is below 40 degrees, we will set up a grouping or two of steel plates that we casually shoot for fun. While we record the shooters times on a piece of paper, we do not compile or publish them as FNS - our exercise is solely for fun. The only similarity with this exercise and FNS would be we expect you to be safe and we usually use timers with the same commands and firearm handling procedures.

[doublebarrel]

Originally Posted by slacker

Hey, that might have been me. You had the glock .40 cal with a 9mm conversion barrel right?

That was the only time I shot pins as well and it sure was fun. The only thing stopping me lately is the extreme cold. If its nice out this time I will be out for sure. I finally ordered some new magazines for my RIA 1911, so that will be my pin slayer of choice.

Yup, that was me, G23 with a 9mm barrel. Thanks again, bud! Now, if you still gonna shoot your G19 next time, I can help you out as I got myself 4 more G19 mags. With 6 mags, all I need to do now is to work on my marksmanship a little bit...

[HICKMAN]

I'm all about trigger time and fun. I love shooting both pins and steel.

I have been out club shooting since 98 when we moved up here from Dallas, and happened across your matches via this website.

[browndog2]

Cool,

IndyBassin,
Come on out and have some fun.
We'll shoot pins again as soon as conditions are acceptable.
In the mean time, If enough shooters show up, we will blast away at some steel.

[pinhead56]

Originally Posted by IndyBassin

Anyone shooting Bowling Pins @ MCFG next weekend?

Never done one, but it looks fun.

I'm gonna try to be there.. hope/pray for warmer weather!
As for fun? You'll have a blast