Steel Challenge Match Info

MCPSL Steel Challenge MATCH INFO >>

Thank you for your interest in shooting a Steel Challenge match at Mill Creek Rifle Club, sponsored by Mill Creek Practical Shooting League (MCPSL). Please review the following information about equipment and rules prior to your first match.

Costs

You may shoot a maximum of two divisions on one squad per flight. $15 match fee for members and non-members. $5 each for a second, third or fourth gun. Pre-teens shoot one gun for free with a paid parent competitor. Juniors 13-17 $10 match fee for first gun. Payment for competitors shooting one gun accepted online or at the range

What to expect at your first match

Many people call steel challenge the gateway to other uspsa games, it is also youth and senior friendly with movement only required on 1 stage. This game will challenge your ability handle your handgun in a game that will combine marksmanship with speed. Steel Challenge consists of 8 stages, normally at Mill Creek we vary stages, shooting a total of 6 stages Sunday morning and 6 stages Sunday afternoon.

You will begin by getting a safety briefing that covers how our match is run. Please keep in mind that while the briefing will cover basic safety concerns, it is not a "Handgun 101" class. It is expected that every new competitor comes with the working understanding of their handgun.

You will then get paired up with an experienced competitor that will work with you through your first match.

What to do when you get to the match

Come early to the match. (Before 8 AM) You will need time to sign in/register and go through a safety briefing. Leave your gun and gear in your car until you check in. Once you check in, you will receive a safety briefing that will inform you of when and where you should handle your firearm during the match.

If you are a CCH carrier, you will be advised on how best to manage your carry gun when you check in.

You will need to sign up on www.Practiscore.com in order to reserve a spot or spots for the match, if you have not shot before you will be a U class shooter. Sunday mornings usually fill up pretty fast, normally there are still open spots available in the afternoon. If you are not a member of the USPSA with a valid member number your scores will not be posted to the USPSA website until you become a member. Any scores shot before becoming a member will not be saved.

Safety Policies

Mill Creek Steel Challenge is affiliated with the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and operates under the most current Steel Challenge edition of the rulebook.

This is a cold range, all guns are carried unloaded. There will be no magazines in semi-automatic pistols. No gun handling at any time, unless within a designated safety area, or under the supervision of a Range Officer while preparing to shoot.

There will be no handling of live or dummy ammunition in the designated safety areas. Ear and eye protections are required at all times.

Trigger finger must not be inside the trigger guard while moving, reloading, clearing malfunctions, except when engaging targets. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in disqualification - termination of shooting privileges for the remainder of the day.

Gun muzzles must be pointed down range at all times. Muzzles turned more than 180 degrees from the range centerline will result in disqualification - termination of shooting privileges for the remainder of the day.

Equipment

Handgun - There are 13 different divisions in which you may compete at a Steel Challenge pistol match. These Divisions are set up to ensure that you are competing against other shooters using similar equipment. If you are interested in learning more about these rules, you can go to the USPSA web site scroll down to the steel challenge icon and click on it. For your first match, you probably already own a handgun that will allow you to get started.

You need a reliable handgun or pistol caliber rifle that shoots a bullet at least 9mm/.38 cal in diameter with no power factor requirement. Most pistols chambered in 9mm and full size revolvers capable of shooting .38 Spcl will meet this requirement. With steel challenge you are also allowed to shoot both 22 pistol and rifle, both iron sight and optic as well.

If you own more than one handgun, a full size/duty size gun will serve you better in this game than a compact or a subcompact pistol.

Holster - You need a belt holster that allows you to securely carry your handgun on the strong side of your body. The holster also needs to cover the trigger guard. All 22’s both pistol and rifle as well as PCC will be shot from low ready, no holster required.

Magazine Capacity Recommendation

The standard course of fire requires 25 rounds to complete barring any misses, the following guide can be used as a minimum recommendation for the number of magazines to bring with you to a match (shown below based on magazine capacity). Keep in mind that extra magazines are beneficial in case of misses or malfunctions.

Ammunition - The round count at a steel challenge match at Mill Creek will normally run 145-150 rounds. Depending on your shooting ability, you should bring 200-300 rounds per gun you register.

Belt - You will want to wear the sturdiest belt that you own.

Final Comments About Equipment

You probably noted the theme - use the stuff you already own. This advice is not intended to discourage you from buying new STUFF. It is meant to avoid buying unnecessary stuff that may not work for you. After you have shot a match or two, you will be able to better determine what you are going to need to help you succeed.

Number of guns

You are allowed to register 2 guns in the morning as well as 2 guns in the afternoon you if you want to shoot both sessions. All scores are combined at the end of the day so that competitors can see how they shot compared to the rest of the field as well as against shooters in their same class.