Generally, BPCR shooters at mid- to long-range use the .38-50 Remington-Hepburn, with a fast twist barrel. The .38-50 case can actually hold 50 gr of powder, where the modern .38-55 shells hold 45 gr or so. The midrange object is knockdown power on the steel Ram targets, but at longer range, the extra powder capacity helps with the wind and vertical stringing. Still, “He who shoots not, hits nothing,” so bring what you have and see how it works. The Quigley targets are fitted with offset lights and microphones that register hits with flashes and a distorted “buzz” over the speakers on the line. They have had the bugs worked out of them of late and performed very well the last two years; in any case, the Scorekeeper can draft the spotters on the relay into an observation committee for all the shooters. The target painting schedule has been well-randomized so the chances of getting a shot-up gray target are as low as possible. In any case, with the hit indicators, the gray targets are more a visual sighting problem than a hit-or-miss issue. Looking for the dust puffs or mud splatters off the target might be a little more difficult with the smaller bullet, but everybody spotting around you will be happy to help. The Scorekeeper’s job, though, is only to call “Miss!” or “Target Hit!” and the Rangemaster is there only to enforce safety and keep the shooting going, so it’s not their job.. So bring your .38-55, and your best loads. People I know have beaten me with their .38-50s against my .44 and .45 calibers, because they are better shots and wind dopers than I am. No matter what score I get, I always have a ball.
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