Friday Night Steel vs Atlanta CC's Steel Challenge

[acetylcholine]

Has anyone shot both Friday Night Steel at MCFG and the steel matches at Atlanta Conservation Club? Are they similar? I love FNS, and I'm itching for more than just once a month!

 

[shooter521]

The Atlanta matches are Steel Challenge matches and are sanctioned by the SCSA. As such, the rules are a little different and the stages tend to be more involved.

Both are extremely fun. I used to shoot the Atlanta matches on a regular basis, but since the kid came along, I don't have nearly as much time as I used to. Being that MCF&G is on my way home from work, FNS is much more convenient.

 

[m_deaner]

Atlanta hosts steel matches with courses of fire that are closer to the "official" steel challenge events.
At Atlanta, in production and limited division you start with a loaded gun in the holster. The targets are usually closer; speed is emphasized over precision. You shoot 5 strings on each stage, and the lowest score (the highest time) from each stage is discarded.

 

[slow1911s]

The only similarities are the guns, the steel, and the timers. That's it. Well, the people are pretty cool, too.

Atlanta's Steel Challenge matches are...Steel Challenge matches. The main differences are the (1) COFs, (2) working from a holster*, and (3) the number of strings.

Generally, Eric (Atlanta match director) will have 3-4 book stages like Roundabout, Smoke and Hope, 5 to Go, etc. as well as 1-2 of his own. The state championship uses ALL Steel Challenge COFs. More info here: SCSA Also, at Atlanta they shoot 5 strings per COF and keep the best/fastest four. FNS shoots 3.

Most Steel Challenge divisions work from the holster. Meaning, when you draw a loaded gun from the holster and engage the targets. The exception (*) is the GSSF (Go Shoot Steel Fast) and .22 pistol divisions.

Here are some videos from the Steel Challenge Nationals in Florida

YouTube - US Steel Nationals - Limited Division Part I

YouTube - US Steel Nationals - Open Division

 

[slow1911s]

The targets are usually closer; speed is emphasized over precision.

You're referring to Smoke & Hope. Just about every other SCSA stage requires shots at 15+ out to 35 yds. Hell, most USPSA matches don't require a shot at range.

 

[m_deaner]

You're referring to Smoke & Hope. Just about every other SCSA stage requires shots at 15+ out to 35 yds. Hell, most USPSA matches don't require a shot at range.

Maybe it's just perception - I always find the FNS COFs to be more difficult. At steel challenge type matches (I've only shot the ones at Riley and Atlanta) the targets seem really close in and easy (for the most part).

 

[acetylcholine]

OMG i just watched those two vids... Tell me that's a very high level competition!! Those guys aren't even aiming, they're pulling off those strings from almost muscle memory.

So everyone at Atlanta is this good or better?! Better bring the A-Game!!

 

[Coach]

OMG i just watched those two vids... Tell me that's a very high level competition!! Those guys aren't even aiming, they're pulling off those strings from almost muscle memory.

So everyone at Atlanta is this good or better?! Better bring the A-Game!!

This is national level not at ACC. But they are aiming.

 

[slow1911s]

OMG i just watched those two vids... Tell me that's a very high level competition!! Those guys aren't even aiming, they're pulling off those strings from almost muscle memory.

So everyone at Atlanta is this good or better?! Better bring the A-Game!!

They are definitely aiming and several of the shooters you saw in those videos have set world records and have one national and world championships. I just posted those to (1) show the stages and (2) show the sport at its maximum potential.

Sorry folks! I didn't mean to startle anyone!!!

 

[Ahab]

I thought I had some of the ACC videos hanging out on here, but I was wrong.

Steel at ACC is a great time - I'd much rather spraypaint steel than paste targets for one thing. In all seriousness though, our Steel Challenge Matches are just like any other club level match in that you'll have a range of skill levels from novice up to pretty damn good. The only requirement aside from the gear necessary for your division is to be safe.

 

[msquared]

I shoot both as often as possible. Both are fun, both have excellent people.

A few observations:
ACC you get to throw out a string per stage. So if you have a jam, or mental malfunction, you dont blow a good match. MC everything counts. Just like real life.
MC allows shotguns, ACC does not at this time.

Both are excellent competition. You will see alot of the same shooters at both.

Hope to see you at both this year.

 

[FreeLand]

Another difference is that Atlanta has shooting bays where at Marion County all five stages use the same firing line. The advantage with shooting bays is that the targets can be placed on a wider arch and at a greater variety of distances.

At Marion County, accuracy and avoiding gun malfunctions is everything. Since you throw out your worst time at Atlanta, I feel like I've got some room to push for more speed.

 

[redneckmedic]

WOW, those vids are ridiculous, hmmm. its all steel and lead to me.

 

[acetylcholine]

oh ill be at both, and i'm actually looking for a third match to hit per month, but that silver spring match is down by louisville, so no thanks

See you at Steel!

 

[SSGSAD]

I thought that is why called it bang & clang, not bang & click @%$#&*...

 

[rhino]

OMG i just watched those two vids... Tell me that's a very high level competition!! Those guys aren't even aiming, they're pulling off those strings from almost muscle memory.

They are aiming and most of them are seeing their sights on each and every trigger press. One of the biggest misconceptions about the high level shooters is that they go faster because they pull the trigger faster. In fact, some of them don't have shot-to-shot times that are very fast at all. What they can do better than most of us is 1) see their sights much faster, and 2) drive the gun from target to target much faster.

 

[Ahab]

To further add on to what rhino said, world class shooters usually have split times that are obtainable by us mere mortals - what they do better is see the sights and move the gun quicker a lot of times.

With the exception of Max Michel, who is not human at all but rather a robot built for pure speed.

 

[acetylcholine]

Am I going to be the only guy with a .22 Rifle or are there more ppl shooting rifles?

 

[slow1911s]

Am I going to be the only guy with a .22 Rifle or are there more ppl shooting rifles?

There are generally a few people who shoot a rifle, myself included. You'll also see people with pistol caliber carbines.

 

[rvb]

I fully intend to make a couple of ACC's SC matches this summer. Been a while since I've shot SC. It's hard to believe 5 plates could be so fun and challenging!

-rvb