[Table of Contents] [Next-Bullseye Basics]

bullseye-l FAQ, version 2.2, 27 August 2000

Table of Contents

0 About this FAQ
0.1 Purpose of this document
0.2 Terms of use
0.3 Where do I get the latest version?
0.4 Acknowledgements
0.5 Revision History

1 Introduction to bullseye
1.1 What is bullseye?
1.1.1 What is the format for an outdoor match?
1.1.2 What is the format for an indoor match?
1.1.3 What are the different types of matches?
1.1.4 What is an alibi?
1.1.5 How do I score a target?
1.1.6 What is proper match etiquette? (suggested by Dave Druckert)
1.2 How does the classification system work?
1.3 Do I have to join the NRA to participate?
1.4 What is a "leg" match?
1.5 What does "distinguished pistol shot" mean?

2 Equipment and Maintenance
2.1 Rimfire Pistols
2.1.1 What kind of rimfire pistols are suitable for bullseye?
2.1.2 Will I get a lot of benefit from a custom barrel on my .22?
2.2 Centerfire pistols
2.2.1 Should I use a third gun for the centerfire stage?
2.2.2 What kind of centerfire pistol should I use?
2.3 45 Caliber pistols
2.3.1 What kind of 45 caliber pistols are suitable for bullseye?
2.3.2 Is a 6" slide/barrel better for the 1911 than the standard 5" barrel?
2.3.3 Revolvers
2.4 Service Pistols
2.4.1 Is my .45 legal for leg matches?
2.4.2 Should I use an M1911 or an M9?
2.4.3 What kind of ammo should I use?
2.5 Sighting systems
2.5.1 Should I use iron sights or an electronic dot?
2.5.2 What kind of iron sights should I use?
2.5.3 What kind of electronic dot should I use?
2.5.4 What other options are there?
2.5.5 How should I mount my scope/dot to my gun?
2.6 Grip panels
2.6.1 What are the advantages of anatomic grips?
2.6.2 What grip configurations are legal?
2.7 Cleaning and lubrication
2.7.1 How often should I clean my gun?
2.7.2 How should I clean my gun?
2.7.3 What kind of lubricant should I use?
2.7.4 What is "Ed's Red"?
2.8 Mechanical issues
2.8.1 Can I dry fire my gun?
2.8.2 How should I drop the slide on my 1911?
2.9 Other equipment
2.9.1 Gun boxes vs. range bags
2.9.2 Spotting scopes - selection and use
2.9.3 Miscellaneous checklist items

3 Ammunition and Reloading
3.1 What kind of ammo should I use in my .22/CF/.45?
3.2 Do I have to reload if I want to shoot bullseye?
3.3 I want to start reloading, what kind of press should I buy?
3.3.1 What do I need in addition to a press? (sugg. by Michael Dane)
3.3.2 What's a good (.32/.38/9mm/.45) bullseye load?
3.3.3 How should I prepare my brass?
3.3.4 What primer should I use?
3.3.5 What bullet should I use?
3.3.5.1 Noslers hang up in my Dillon press! What should I do? 3.3.6 Do I need to weight my bullets? (sugg. by Michael Dane)
3.3.7 What powder should I use?
3.4 How can I test ammunition in my gun? (sugg. by Michael Dane)
3.5 How should the Ransom rest be mounted and used? (sugg. by Michael Dane)
3.6 Should I use two loads, one for slow fire and another for timed/rapid?

4 Training and competing
4.1 What are the "Fundamentals of Bullseye?"
4.2 What is the proper technique for slow fire?
4.3 What is the proper technique for timed/rapid fire?
4.4 What is "Chicken Finger?" 4.5 How do I train for bullseye competition?
4.6 How often do I need to practice?
4.7 Do I need to lift weights, run, or do anything else?
4.8 Does mental training really help?
4.9 How good do I have to be to win on the local/regional/national level?
4.10 Will shooting bullseye help me with (IPSC/IDPA/High Power/Other)?
4.11 Will shooting (IPSC/IDPA/High Power/Other) help or hurt my bullseye shooting?

5 Resources
5.1 What books discuss bullseye shooting?
5.2 What Internet/WWW resources are available?
5.3 Where can I buy equipment?
5.4 What gunsmiths specialize in building bullseye guns?
5.5 Where do I find out about matches?
5.6 Where can I get a rulebook?

0 About this FAQ

This is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (with answers) from the bullseye-l internet mailing list. It is maintained by James Scott.

0.1 Purpose of this document

This document is intended to be a resource for readers of the bullseye-l list and conventional pistol shooters everywhere. It attempts to answer basic questions about competing in the sport of conventional pistol, including the topics of equipment, training techniques, and ammunition development. Material included herein has been distilled from the collective wisdom of the members of the bullseye mailing list.

This document does not attempt to pose as the be-all, end-all of shooting wisdom. In many places it does not put forth one answer because the author and other members of the community feel that there IS no one true answer. Many matters of equipment and technique are highly individual; what works well for one shooter may not work at all for another. In such cases this document attempts to lay out the major options and the reasoning supporting each position.

0.2 Terms of use

The contents of this document are copyright © 1997-1999 James Scott. Passages attributed to other people are used with permission and are copyrighted by their respective authors. You are explicitly allowed to reproduce this document for non-commercial purposes, provided you follow the following rules:

0.3 Where do I get the latest version?

A pointer to the latest version is posted regularly to the bullseye-l list. To subscribe to the list, send electronic mail to bullseye-l-request@lava.net with the word "subscribe" in the subject field.

An HTML-ified version of this FAQ is available at http://www.doppke.com/~jls/bullfaq/

You may also obtain the latest version by sending mail to the maintainer mailto:jls.bullfaq@doppke.com with the subject "send file bullfaq". This will send a plain text version of the FAQ via return e-mail. Be advised that the content of this version of the FAQ will not differ from the HTML version posted at the website listed above. If you do not have web access, this email option would be good for you. If you do have web access, the HTML version is highly recommended.

0.4 Acknowledgements

Thanks to all subscribers of bullseye-l, past, present and future, for your support and encouragement. Specifically, thanks to:
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