Interstate Pistol League (IPA), Bullseye League
The Odessa Community Conservation Club participates in the Interstate Pistol Association (IPA) Bullseye competition every year. The competition runs from October thru March and shoots every Friday night. The league consists of eight teams shooting against each other. The shooters participating in this league are from the very beginning shooter right up through the State Champion. It is a “fun” league and everyone is willing to share and help each other become more proficient with their guns.
Bullseye shooting, aka “conventional pistol” as officially referred to by the NRA, is the grandfather of every handgun competition in the United States. Full matches using three guns for a total of 2700 points stem back to the matches started in 1904 and has become the standard for regional, state and national championships, as well as setting the format for most outdoor shooting tournaments today.
However, the course of shooting in the IPA consists of only two courses of 30 rounds each at 50 feet. One with the 22 caliber pistol and the other of a larger caliber pistol such as a 32, 38 or 45 caliber pistol. (your choice) But you can start by only shooting the 22 caliber course.
It is easy to get started. All you need is a 22 target style pistol, such as a Ruger Mark III or Browning Buckmark. These guns are readily available at local gun stores and are proven to be very accurate. But you can try the sport with almost any 22 pistol including revolvers.
Odessa Community Conservation Club sponsors 2 Bullseye teams. This league shoots Friday evenings throughout the winter months.
This league is shot one-handed with three courses of fire shot with a center fire gun and a rim fire gun. You can shoot just rim fire or just center fire or both. Most shooters shoot both rim fire and center fire.
The courses of fire are:
- The first course of fire is slow fire, which is 10 shots in 10 minutes.
- The second course of fire is timed fire. It is comprised of 2 strings of 5 shots each with each string shot in 20 seconds.
- The third course of fire is rapid fire. It is comprised of 2 strings of 5 shots each with each string shot in 10 seconds.
A perfect score is 300. It can happen but is very rare. Teams consist of 5 or more members. The top 5 individual scores for each match constitute the team score for that match. Therefore members of lower abilities can participate and not be concerned that they will adversely affect the team scores. The inclusion of members of any ability can only improve the team score.. Sound difficult? It’s not. With a little practice and help from our NRA coaches, you will be shooting scores that you won’t believe.
Who shoots in our league?
We have husbands and wives shooting, many single women and men of all ages. Oldest being around 83 years old. It is absolutely a fun and friendly league and we encourage you to try it.
Of course you are always welcome to stop in some Friday night during the league season and watch how it is done. There are lots of people to help you understand how the match is shot and answer any of your questions.
For More information about this league contact Vern Potter, Team Captain
