Proposed New IHMSA Practical Hunter Classes

[JACKIE40X40]

I have noticed for the past several match's I have attended including WCC & EEC that there are more and more shooters starting to shoot the practical hunter course including myself. Yes, it is a challenge and instead of calling it practical hunter it should have been field pistol uas. just my 2 cents.

Now that’s an established class,I can only speak for OKCGC,I know personally that we have several new shooters in PH 22.
And seven of us regulars that have bought or converted guns for this class,it’s hot and coming on strong here,
And all of still shoot UAS and USFS.
It may not be for everyone,if you can still shoot production and revolver 80’s, I hope you never loose it. I shoot three categories this past weekend,and all scoped.

[260 Striker]

There should be an update to the rules to indicate the order of categories now to include PH. PH should NOT be fired before UAS for example. This would be considered practicing in my view. Don't know if there has been any issues but could in the future since more people seem to be shooting PH.

[LOCKHART]

I have a Smith & Wesson .500 that I bought to hunt hogs with. It wears a Burris 2X in a Leupold mount & rings. I shoot the RCBS 400 grain cast bullet in front of 23 grains of SR4759. This gives me around 1100 fps, and is very accurate. I've asked at my club if I could shoot this in PH. I never got a definitive answer. When hunting with it, I shoot it off a tripod. I would never try to shoot this thing standing, too heavy! So, shooting off my tripod, where does this leave me? It IS a hunting pistol that I HUNT with. Any answers?

[JACKIE40X40]

I have a Smith & Wesson .500 that I bought to hunt hogs with. It wears a Burris 2X in a Leupold mount & rings. I shoot the RCBS 400 grain cast bullet in front of 23 grains of SR4759. This gives me around 1100 fps, and is very accurate. I've asked at my club if I could shoot this in PH. I never got a definitive answer. When hunting with it, I shoot it off a tripod. I would never try to shoot this thing standing, too heavy! So, shooting off my tripod, where does this leave me? It IS a hunting pistol that I HUNT with. Any answers?

The way I read it is,a bipod is legal,for Unclassed and A-AA shooters only.
Short course is no,the OACL is too long.1.29 is max.
And excess target damage may be a problem?

[LOCKHART]

Target damage is no problem. Already made sure of that. Didn't know about the OAL length. So, I guess it's only "practical" hunter if I use some cartridge that's already approved by IHMSA as "practical"?. Think I'll just pass on this one.

[aggshooter]

I'm gonna argue the other way...it should not be used in UAS (the least restrictive) before PH (more restrictive). Same logic that dictates a p-gun be shot in Prod before Unlimited. Better yet, just rule that you can't use the same gun in both events.

[aggshooter]

In the same vein, I think the same gun should not be allowed in both UAS & UASHS. Or U & UHS. But that's just me.

[Richard Pickering]

Rich, I'm going to offer another view. PH should be a means of introducing people to IHMSA. It is fun for us because we get to shoot another entry. New folks may bring whatever they desire (respecting safety and target damage) as a way to try out IHMSA. SO------Keep PH as a competition; but there are no awards. Shoot for your score. Let the new shooter shoot for their score. When they want to shoot the other categories they compete against others.
When shooting the same gun, the IHMSA entries should be shot first. If you wish to enter your U or UAS as PH, it is your choice. PH shouldnt be used as a ''warm up'' or ''sight-in'' session. I have a couple that I enter as PH. I could enter them as UAS. If I do that, the UAS score stands and a re-entry as PH is of no consequence in the standings. rp

[JACKIE40X40]

Rich, I'm going to offer another view. PH should be a means of introducing people to IHMSA. It is fun for us because we get to shoot another entry. New folks may bring whatever they desire (respecting safety and target damage) as a way to try out IHMSA. SO------Keep PH as a competition; but there are no awards. Shoot for your score. Let the new shooter shoot for their score. When they want to shoot the other categories they compete against others.
When shooting the same gun, the IHMSA entries should be shot first. If you wish to enter your U or UAS as PH, it is your choice. PH shouldnt be used as a ''warm up'' or ''sight-in'' session. I have a couple that I enter as PH. I could enter them as UAS. If I do that, the UAS score stands and a re-entry as PH is of no consequence in the standings. rp

R.P. Exactly right,that the reason behind the PH. Some of us old blind shooters”me” like to shoot too,and rimfire is all I do.
I have a designated PH 22 gun,I always shoot last,If I get time.IHMSA get a $1.00 and the hosting club gets a ltille money.

[aggshooter]

Rich, I'm going to offer another view. PH should be a means of introducing people to IHMSA. It is fun for us because we get to shoot another entry. New folks may bring whatever they desire (respecting safety and target damage) as a way to try out IHMSA. SO------Keep PH as a competition; but there are no awards. Shoot for your score. Let the new shooter shoot for their score. When they want to shoot the other categories they compete against others.
When shooting the same gun, the IHMSA entries should be shot first. If you wish to enter your U or UAS as PH, it is your choice. PH shouldnt be used as a ''warm up'' or ''sight-in'' session. I have a couple that I enter as PH. I could enter them as UAS. If I do that, the UAS score stands and a re-entry as PH is of no consequence in the standings. rp

Well written. I'm good with all you said.