***Updates are constantly being added to this blog as they become available***
HHC is a match designed to put the competitors in realistic hunting situations and help eliminate the “equipment race” of other competitions.
HHC is designed for the more common hunting handguns available to include revolvers, semi automatics, and single shots with cartridges that were chambered in the original T/C Contender.
Any brand of single shot may be used as long as it meets the caliber and weight limitations.
Targets will consist primarily of steel plates that are approximately the vital zone size for big game animals. Priority will be placed on first round hits.
Target range will max out at under 400 yards. Some targets may have narrow shooting windows, bullet flight path obstructions and so on. Revolver/pistol targets will begin to get larger than vital size past 200 yards since that exceeds most of their hunting capabilities but will push your limits and make you a better hunter.
Time limits will be very generous.
Competitors equipment will be divided into classes by firearms type/equipment and will be as follow. (Competitors are encouraged to compete in more than one class)
1. Revolver/Semi Auto Iron Sights
2. Revolver/Semi Auto Optics
3. Single Shot under 7.5lbs with all accessories attached. Single shots are limited to Original T/C Contender cartridges. 6mm or larger.
Any brand of single shot may be used as long as it meets the caliber and weight limitations.
Due to some targets being close range all firearms must fire expanding or lead bullets.
Competitors will provide or barrow their field rests. Total field rests used by the competitor in the entire competition may not exceed 3.5 lbs. This includes (but not limited to) shooting sticks, field bags, and small day pack (if used as a rest).
Tripods, hog saddles, or any other lock in type set up is not allowed. Bipods are permitted but count towards total gun weight AND total field rest weight.
Each competitor is recommended to have binoculars and a range finder capable of at least 400 yards. (loaners will be available).
We are planning for 5-6 stages consisting of 5 or more targets each. Times will be very relaxed so reloads for firearms will not be an issue.
Scoring will be as follows for each target:
2 points for a first round hit
1 point for a second round hit
0 for anything after the second shot.
You will have your pick of shooting positions/rests at each station but you must provide your shooting rests and use the same ones through out the match just like if you were hunting.
Example of a stage layout:
The firing line/start area will be a large painted box on the ground. The area may be as large as 5 yards deep by 20 yards wide and consist of multiple suitable supports such as logs, rocks, flat spots to go prone and so on. You may pick your shooting location within painted box and even move between targets as long as safe gun handling is maintained. You can engage the targets in front of you as you choose. You and your shooting squad that will be randomly drawn will be responsible to find the targets and range them (before beginning the stage) as a group.
Tentatively the cost is set at $50 for your first entry and $15 for each class entered after the first. You are encouraged to enter as many as you like.
Match is tentatively scheduled for June 2021 for the Saturday before WY-SHOT (which is normally mid June) with a practice day/training day on Friday. Loaner guns, range finder, and optics will be available upon request prior to the event.
A meal and awards event will follow the shoot on Saturday and is included in the match fees.
This is intended to be a FUN learning event and designed to make you a better hunter.
This is a rapidly developing match and more info will be coming soon!
Only hits count!
HHC will take place in Newcastle, WY.
We will work out group rates at area hotels as we get closer.
Prairie Dogs will be available off site.
Common questions:
Any brand of single shot may be used as long as it meets the caliber and weight limitations.
Rounds similar to original contender chamberings will be ok. Example 6tcu or 6-223. Either would be acceptable.
Any 3030 based round, 225 win based round, or similar will be fine.
Have a question on your cartridge choice…just ask!
A 357 or 44 magnum revolver will be more than adequate for the Revolver class.
A 30-30, 7-30, 35 Rem, 357 Max and so on will be more than adequate for the single shot class.
Majority of the Revolver/Pistol targets will be under 200 yards with only a few farther away to separate the top shooters.
Most single shot targets will go to roughly 300 yards with more difficult target placement and only a few going beyond that to separate the top shooters.
This is a handgun hunting competition and shooting situations will be made as realistic as possible.
New question addressed on July 5, 2020
The question has come up….how does this event differ from WYSHOT or MOA?
1. 99% of the handgun hunters are left out of both above competitions.
A. No current production firearms are competitive in either competition requiring expensive custom setups to even begin.
B. No provision for wheelgun or strait wall case hunters which make up the vast majority of handgun hunters.
2. This is not a shoot until you hit it event like WYSHOT. Like hunting first round hits are worth more (2 points) and second round worth less (1 point). No points are awarded for the target after that. Focus is on consistent accuracy as would be required in the field.
3. You will shoot from actual field shooting positions that you choose. Just like you would in the field. There will not be any bench rests and you will not be forced to shoot from equipment or field positions that you would not pick.
This shoot will be scheduled for June 2021 and be the same week as wyshot and moa so shooters that want to attend all 3 events will be able to do so.
Update July 6
💥💥Our First Sponsor for HHC💥💥
We are please to announce our first sponsor! This person is one of the major players who shaped handgun hunting into what it is today. This person is also one of the persons who showed how ethically a handgun can take the largest game on the planet! During their career in the firearms industry they blazed a trail of innovation in the handgun hunting world!
Thank you for your donation JD Jones!
Update July 7
I just returned from scouting the ranch and locating our shooting area. New steel targets will be ordered next week.
We will be shooting in lush grasslands that run into pine forest, some open and some dense. There are sheer cliffs, boulders, and other rock formations. Elk, white tail, mule deer, and some antelope inhabit the area.
We have planned out 6 stages within this location. Stages will be based on different hunting situations the planners of this match have encountered with different game animals across the nation.
The absolute farthest target for the single shot pistols will be about 450 yards with the majority being under 300 yards.
Revolvers will have most of their targets under 150 yards with a few to 200 yards that are realistic vital zone size targets. Some targets will be beyond 200 but will be very large just to push your limitations on compensation for drop and drift.
What guns do you need for the match?
Well you can shoot one in each division if you like and here are my recommendations for each category.
Iron sighted Revolver/Auto: A quality 6” or longer barrel with sights that suit your eyes. The gun needs to be .358 bore or larger. Calibers such as 10mm, 357 magnum, 44 magnum, 454, 460, 500 smith, and so on will be effective.
Revolver/Auto with optics: The same general concept as above plus good optics. A quality handgun scope or quality red dot will get it done. At the end of this article I’ll post how you can compensate for bullet drop.
Single shot: The single shot pistol with all attachments cannot exceed 7.5 pounds. 6mm or larger bore. All single shots will be weighed at check in. The caliber must be one deemed safe in an original contender. If any major manufacturer (mgm, ssk, TC, etc.) ever chambered the round for a contender it is legal! You can use any brand of single shot. Some examples include TC, Remington, Magnum Research, Freedom Arms, etc.
A TC 7-30 waters, 30-30, and so on will be competitive.
All firearms must use expanding point bullets or lead to protect our closer steel targets. Examples of non-expanding bullets are Match Kings, Bergers, FMJ, Steel core, API, etc.
In short….it is a hunting competition….use your hunting load….distances are short and the highest BC bullets won’t give you much edge
What shooting rests do I need?
Well you don’t need an expensive hog saddle, tripod, or any other rest the gun clamps into or that holds the gun without the aid of the shooter…. those are prohibited.
What you do need are some small field bags, a traditional set of shooting sticks may be helpful but you don’t have to use them, and if your gun will handle a bi pod it may be of limited use.
The total weight of your field shooting gear cannot exceed 3.5 pounds and that includes your bipod even if it is attached to the gun.
Drop compensation with optics that do not have hold over lines or dials:
All of your pistol scopes will have a cross hair and post plex. The post plex is where the thin part coming from the center of the cross hair meets the thicker base. You can measure how many inches/moa it covers at 100 yards by using a gridded target at a known distance and measuring. With a lower power scope you can reduce the distance to even 25 yards and do some simple math to figure this out.
Yes you can use a rifle scope if you choose to.
For example:
On my 44 magnum revolver I use a 2x Leupold. I zero 3” high at 50 yards. It is 12 MOA from the cross hair to the post plex. At 100 yards my impact is dead on. At 150 yards I place the horizontal cross hair on the animals back. At 200 yards the post plex is my point of impact.
For red dots you can do something similar using the top of the dot as the zero point.
Additional gear:
You will have to reload on the line at some point. There will be plenty of extra time for wheelguns to reload. You will not have to have speed loaders and single action designs will have plenty of time. A plastic dish to carry your loose rounds in will be a plus and is much faster than pulling them out one at a time from a reloading ammo box.
A small daypack or range bag to carry your gear from station to station will make it easier.
Binoculars to spot shots and locate targets. A modest pair of 8 power binoculars will work. (we will have some loaners)
A range finder to check ranges to targets. A 400 yard non reflective range model will be enough. (we will have some loaners)
Eye and ear protection will be required 100% of the time.
2 responses to “Handgun Hunter’s Competition”
I’m interested could you please send me more info to my email at jasonskeen71@hotmail.com
Right now all current info is posted here, on our website, and Facebook. Follow along for more info over the coming months.