In the last few months I have had some entries in P H. I enjoy it and it gives me a chance to bring out some of mine that aren't currently in the First String lineup. There are those who don't look for P H to become a draw for new shooters. Here are a few observations :
Maybe we should consider making P H non-competitive. Shoot it all you wish but no awards are given. We could still list scores but for our own interest.
Another point needs to be made. If you shoot an entry----UAS as an example----AND intend to shoot the same gun setup in P H----you should shoot the IHMSA UAS entry first. This eliminates using P H as a ''sight in'' session for your IHMSA entry. If you shoot the same gun in P H as you used in UAS it doesn't matter due to P H having no awards.
P H is fun and should attract new shooters. However if they come out and feel they cannot compete they wont stay. We need new shooters. Lets take a personal interest in them; not intimidate them.
Richard

TD, too bad you'll miss me missing targets in UAS with Super Redhawk scoped this weekend!

Awards? Awards? Where?Where? Ranges here in OH just shoot for bragging rights these days. Helps to keep costs down. I'm sure there are some cross overs between PH and some of the regular IHMSA categories and probably should have PH shot last in that case. The rules do state order to shoot other categories so should be easy to include in the rules. I guess shooting order is important if awards are given away but around here, who cares????? I could shoot three or four practice rounds and still shoot a lousy entry for score!!!

I put a scope on my FA 41 mag in hopes of bagging a Wyoming antelope. Just prior to the hunt the custom trigger job went south so that did not happen.

Now with a factory trigger back in the pistol I have had a lot of fun blasting PH entries. I have yet to ring a field pistol chicken with the 210 grain bullet

Bill

Please contact me with any input on the rules for Practical Hunter as we want to finalize the rules so they can be included when we reprint the rule book in early 2016. My feeling on this category is that it should be primarily used as a entry level category, free of an equipment race and the guns on the line should represent guns that might be found in local gun stores. This will make new shooters feel more comfortable competing against like guns.
Thanks, Steve

Pistols I have used in Practical Hunter:

PH short course: FA 41 mag with a 2.5x8 Leupold set on six power
PH long course: 6MM BR Encore with a 2.5x8 Leupold set on six power
PH 22: 22 Striker also with a 2.5x8 Leupold set on six power

So I would like to do away with the six power rule.


Bill

Rich, I believe a P H entry was shot using a UAS gun at the Region 2 this year. Craig, we only have recognition via our match report. My mention was directed at the Regional or other major matches about awards. Blackbear, I tend to agree about removing the scope power restriction. Richard

In support of the 6x scope rule , I like that it evens the field for creedmore shooter and the prone/flop shooter. Without the 6x rule the prone shooters would all use 24x or higher scopes. And while it is possible to hunt with a large rifle scope on your handgun it is not the typical setup you see in the field. I think that it tends to keep the guns used for Practical Hunter looking more like typical hunting guns.

When I first heard of PH I thought this would be a class where a shooter could bring any gun that was legal for hunting and be able to shoot some steel. Basically, no rules other than what was allowed by your state hunting laws. This would allow a handgun hunter to hone their skills by shooting steel. Is the intent to be competitive with other PH shooters or just practice with your hunting handgun? By setting rules we restrict the true handgun hunter from utilizing the gun he/she would use in actual hunting situations. I guess what IHMSA really needs is another category (NOT) called open where a person could bring a 20 pound handgun with any magnification scope and just bang the iron. I know most of the matches in OH now do not have any awards or monetary payback so we just win bragging rights until the next match. PH should really be about "practical hunting" handguns that are legal for use. Sorry to spout off but there should be one class/category in IHMSA that is just shot for fun and not for competition. I'm not into the competitive side of IHMSA as much as I am into just shooting and having fun so my views are different than most people.

volleyman wrote:Please contact me with any input on the rules for Practical Hunter as we want to finalize the rules so they can be included when we reprint the rule book in early 2016. My feeling on this category is that it should be primarily used as a entry level category, free of an equipment race and the guns on the line should represent guns that might be found in local gun stores. This will make new shooters feel more comfortable competing against like guns.
Thanks, Steve

I understand this logic and agree to a certain extent. But one of the most widely used handgun scopes is the Leopold 2.5 X 8. And Burris made a 12X. A good compromise for the rules would be to require only handgun scopes. If a shooter has a rifle scope and shoots flop, he should be placed in UAS anyway.