Steel Action
Match Director: Claude Erickson
Phone: 218-749-8609 or cerickson8609@msn.com
WHAT IS A STEEL ACTION MATCH?
Steel action matches require contestants (shooters), to engage (shoot) steel plates of varying sizes and shapes over a course of fire (stage) while being timed. The shooter is always accompanied by a timer operator who guides him/her safely through the stage.
Targets are placed at various distances, generally about 10 yards. They may be stationary (non-reactive) or may require the shooter to swing or knock down the target (reactive) to successfully engage. Targets often must be engaged in a certain order and movement between different groups of targets is often required. Time penalties are assessed for targets not successfully engaged or engaged out of order.
Scoring is by total time plus penalties. Revolver and pistol shooters’ times are scored separately. There is a maximum time recorded for each stage.
Contestants may begin their stage by drawing from the holster or by staging their weapon on a table. Reloads are generally carried on the body, but can be staged along the course of fire.
Contestants may use any center fire handgun provided it conforms to the caliber and ammunition requirements in the rules/conventions of these matches. Knockdown targets may require the equivalent of a factory 38 special, 158 grain, load to successfully engage. A contestant will generally need a minimum of 3 magazines or speed loaders to complete a stage and round counts for a match would usually be 50-60 rounds provided you don’t miss!
Contestants are expected to help with target resetting, brass pick up, and set up/tear down as able.
Finally, the purpose of these matches is to provide safe enjoyment of one type of shooting sport.
STEEL ACTION MATCH RULES/CONVENTIONS
Safe firearm handling is the responsibility of each participant. Everyone is a safety officer.
NO alcohol or mood/judgment altering substances allowed in or on participants.
NO loaded firearms except at the firing line, at the direction of the timer operator. NO magazines, loaded or otherwise, in any firearm away from the firing line. Firearms will be holstered except at the designated loading area to the left of the clubhouse or on the firing line. Magazines and speed loaders may be loaded anywhere.
Only one firearm on the line. No backup guns.
Eye protection with side shields is required during live fire, hearing protection is recommended..
The 180 degree rule [muzzle control] is in effect at all times.
No magnum caliber firearms may be used unless downloaded to non-magnum ballistics, i.e.: 38 special in 357 mag, 44 special in 44 mag.
No jacketed bullets may be used to engage steel targets. Lead or plated only.
The match director reserves final discretion regarding weapon/ammo questions.
Shooting time starts at the beep and runs until the shooter finishes his/her course of fire.
Maximum recorded shooting time is 60 seconds or as determined for longer stages.
A shooter may request a re-shoot if a malfunction occurs before the second round goes downrange.
After 2 rounds are fired, the shooter must clear misfires/misfeeds on the clock.
After the shooter completes his/her course of fire, the weapon will be cleared by the 3 stage process: Timer operator says, “Show me clear.” Shooter drops the magazine, and shows both shooter and timer operator an open chamber/cylinder. Shooter points the weapon safely downrange and drops the hammer on the empty chamber (not required on
revolvers). Timer operator tells shooter to holster and announces, “Clear”.
If the shooter stays in shooting position after completing the course of fire, until the timer operators calls to show clear, the shooter earns a 1 second bonus.
Bonus targets are engaged off the clock unless otherwise stated in the stage description.
Some stage scenarios may involve colored targets. Color blind shooters or shooters with other physical limitations should discuss accommodations with the match director.
Any accidental discharge away from the firing line is a Match DQ [disqualification]. Dropping a loaded firearm is a Match DQ. Dropping an unloaded firearm is a stage DQ.
Match director may DQ any participant who repeatedly violates safe gun handling procedures.
Good sportsmanship shall govern ALL interpersonal relationships. Argumentative or confrontational behavior will NOT be tolerated and may result in a Match DQ and/or expulsion from the range.