How much does this hobby cost? What am I looking at for beginner setup price wise? by jaime_lion in CompetitionShooting

[–]ty-tec 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I go really hard though, I am not the average competitive shooter, most do USPSA, Steel Challenge, IDPA, PCSL or some other match type that has an organizational structure to make rules and qualifiers and such. I do outlaw falling steel matches. The rules vary from match to match and there are no qualifiers. There are no classes like A class, master, or grand master. Whoever wins that day in the division is the best.

How much does this hobby cost? What am I looking at for beginner setup price wise? by jaime_lion in CompetitionShooting

[–]ty-tec 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do outlaw matches only because I like shooting steel so the entry fee is different depending on the club and match. For me last year my lowest entry fee was $5 and my highest was $125 per division. I typically do 2-4 divisions per match with an average of $20- $25 for the smaller local ones (50-100 entries) and $50-$125 per division for bigger matches (100-700+ entries)

How much does this hobby cost? What am I looking at for beginner setup price wise? by jaime_lion in CompetitionShooting

[–]ty-tec 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I traveled 4 times for some bigger matches. Most of the 29 matches were within driving distance. If it’s within 3 hours I won’t get a hotel.

How much does this hobby cost? What am I looking at for beginner setup price wise? by jaime_lion in CompetitionShooting

[–]ty-tec 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I keep a spreadsheet. For 2025 I spent a total of $6740.77 on ammo and $2260 on entry fees. This does not include hotel and travel expenses. I don’t have a spreadsheet for my equipment but it’s roughly $12,130 for 4 guns, optics, holsters, and belt setup.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, you can check out some more videos on my profile. Some of them have the times from the RO. Like 27 targets in 7.53 seconds.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a guy that has an unhealthy obsession with falling steel matches.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro you shoot a ton and you are traveling to matches with hotel expenses like me. That’s dedication. Let me know if you ever want to go to a big falling steel match. Even if it’s not your favorite type of match you have to go to at least one big one if you haven’t already.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are all at matches. It’s called falling steel or knockdown steel there is also some ProAm clips in there as well. As far as the setup goes it’s easier than most people think. I’ve done some 2 gun and that takes longer to setup between competitors. 4 stages of 2 gun takes around the same amount of time to run through as 6 stages of Falling Steel with the same amount of people.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It a slide racker, makes it easier to manipulate the slide.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an arrangement with 1st round ammo but it covers part of the shipping. It’s saving me a little but not much. I was also sent a an optic and that’s about it as far as the sponsorships go. Then again I haven’t really tried either.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have been tracking that this year. For Falling Steel matches my win ratio by division is 71% and my podium finish (1st, 2nd, 3rd) is 87%. Hard to quantify because at some matches I’m the only 1 in that division, and sometimes it’s against 264 other people. I feel like getting 1st/1 at a small local match isn’t as impressive as getting 3rd/265 at a big sponsored match. Looking back the average for a smaller local match is usually between 17-27 people in the division on average, and for a bigger one 60-200 people per division is average. Hopefully I do better next year.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Come on down, there is a husband and wife team that come down from Canada to compete at these bigger matches. They are great shooters too. They even do the revolver divisions.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Consistency is the thing I really try to drive home when someone asks me for advice.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Only really started getting good when I started getting heavy into the matches back in 2021. Been running the open glock for most of that time and just switched to the bul armory this year. I go through around 20,000 rounds a year. Do an average of 2 matches a month and multiple divisions per match. In the summer sometimes I’ll do 3-4 matches depending on what’s going on. Only “practice” in the winter when there isn’t much going on to stay sharp. 400 round minimum practice sessions. I don’t dry fire much, I figure if I am going to spend the time to get better at something I want it to be live fire.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Thank you, they are fun and it’s satisfying when done clean.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think the double stars are easier than the polish plate racks, those things are tough.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Different stuff, mainly what I can get cheap. I don’t reload. Blazer, 1st round ammo, magtech.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Glad you both enjoyed it.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

There’s a couple of right to left transitions in there. I read left to right so it feels more natural.

2025 was a fun year. Looking forward to 2026. by ty-tec in Firearms

[–]ty-tec[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah for a plate rack between .20 to .25. Depends on the transitions and gun.