Halloween Shotgun Shoot Report

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Halloween Shotgun Shoot Report

« on: November 04, 2009, 03:49:14 PM »

So I typed up several page report on the ACTS sponsored Halloween Shotgun Shoot, and then hit the windows key on my laptop and kerfluffle wazoo it's all gone. So I've retyped the pertinent bits, modified and compressed a few things and bobs your uncle.

So anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Halloween. I spend a lot on it every year. So I heard about an Arizona Halloween Themed Shotgun Shoot I called my brothers, and talked them into it, registering ASAP. It was held at the Pima Pistol Club in Oro Valley here in Az. Quite a nice facility, I'd never been before, but if I counted right they had approx. 7 shooting bays and 1 large general range. There were 4 stages, each with their own theme. And after the individual competition was over, there would be a chance for impromptu formed teams for a team competition as well. They definetly had the facilities for it, the only complaint I had was that it did not mapquest or google maps well. That aside it was a great choice for location.

Each stage was approx 16-18 targets or shots required, if you were perfect. neener

Because we got there a little late we missed the walk through of the first stage so I'll come back to that.

Stage 2 was Friday the 13th Part 87. Essentially 1 standing Silhouette target and 8 firing positions. Requirment was to take 2 shots from each position. If you missed a shot you had to proceed to the next shooting bay engage and then return to the missed position and take the required shot.

My brothers and I each did fairly well with this stage, although we quickly discovered our deficiency in shotgun competition. Reloading. Fast. And on the move. More on this later.

Stage 3 was Dawn of the Dead: Andy's DEAD! Gun is emptied along with any magazines, speed loaders etc and left at the first shooting bay. Begin by crawling through 3 short culvert pipes, get to your shotgun loaded and engage 8 falling silhouette/zeds through the first window, reload and move to the 2nd window and engage 8 more, reload, get through the window Scrutiny

and engage 1 final falling zed to end the stage. Or 80 seconds. Whichever came first.

My second discovery. Large man does not get through unanchored tubes quickly. I got through them. And was even able to load up and engage the first batch of zeds, and reload before I got timed out. Better than the guys with the magazine fed Saigas. Devil LOL

Note to self. Time to hit the gym.

Stage 4 was Army of Darkness - Don't Forget the Lyrics. Start from a chair. And engage a texas star and 3 falling silhouettes, while avoiding 3 closely placed falling NO SHOOT targets. (from sitting or standing). Then grabbing the Necronomicron (this thing was AMAZING just like the movies), you had to reload on the move, while holding the big freaking book of the dead, and then engage 4 falling plates and one silhouette with both a chest and face pop plates (for bonus). Move to the "store" where you grab your lever gun and fire 3 rounds into a silhouette target while screaming your line from Army of Darkness. Failure to say the line is a 15 second penalty.

My 3rd discovery. Light 20 gauge ammo does JACK at range. I could not knock off the furthest tip of the texas star. GRRRR. Although I clearly hit it several times it would not drop.

My brothers discovery. His goose gun with super tight choke, FREAKING AMAZING AT RANGE - more on that later.

And we're back again:
STAGE 1 - Monster Hunter International - This was awesome! Engage 2 wights (drop silhouettes with multiple stopping points) must neutralize to the bottom before moving on. Engage Vampire requires 5 shots to the heart, and then use the sword Devil LOL

to cut through the target (provided katana). Then you met the only target that could be engaged outside of a firing position, a single falling silhouette that activated double Texas Stars. Drop all plates off the stars to end the stage.

The team stage wasn't called anything, but it sure seemed like it was also inspired by MHI or L4D as it was also setup by the guys from CAV Arms. Basically 50 different targets down range. Drop Plates, Silhouettes, Texas Stars etc. 4 guys engage till they all fall down, then sprint for the "doorway" and after the last guy is through, place a barrel to lock the "safe-room" a la L4D.

Take aways. The guys from Cav Arms are fans of MHI. They set this up and Russel RSO'd this stage. Very cool.

So take aways analysis - Reloading. I need to get better at my reloads with the shottie. My brothers and I were the only one's who were new to gaming. And it showed when it came time to reload. I feel confident reloading my handgun. I feel ok with my Rifle. But with the shotgun, I have never felt more inadequate.

To address the, "FROM THE MOVE" portion, obviously there will rarely be a point you'll ever tactically want to reload ON the move, but reloading fast is a must. So as long as you seperate the game from the train your ok.

Crawling through unanchored plastic tubes, with my ahem, bulk. NOT FUN. But I got through it. I hate to use sports motivators, but seriously "YOUR I WILL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR I CAN!" Or something like that. I got through it, I reloaded and I got good shots down range.

Which brings up the next take away. Gear selection. The guys with the magazines (thankfully their own competition category) reload bloody fast! Until they have to reload their mags. Then they lose. Every time.

20 Gauge. With buckshot I'd be ok with it. But seriously lacked the reach out and touch of the 12. So it's a point to ponder here. Not sure a resolution. Tighter choke maybe? Not sure. My kid brother dropped the last 6 points on the 2 Texas Stars in Stage 1 with his Goose gun, super choke and compensator etc. Very cool. Got it on video. It's awesome.

And finally. RE-FREAKING-LOADING! I can't emphasis this enough. It kicked my ass all day. I tried 2 shotties. My 20 gauge and a friends 870. The 20 gauge has a massive lip at the top of the loading chamber, if I pushed the round up to high I'd get hung up there. The 870 feed ramp thingy (not my gun, don't know it's technical name) kept getting hung up. I don't know whether to blame me or the weapon. So I'll just summarize with, Know your weapon and how to load it.


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