Polk County Gun Club introduced a new shooting discipline in 2022 – Long Range Handgun (LRH).  This activity is for handgunners wanting to compete in matches at ranges that normally are considered “rifle” distances.

At PCGC, Long Range Handguns are shot off a bench, typically using a front rest or bipod.  The competition is designed to attract club members that already have a suitable handgun (perhaps for other competitions or hunting) – and has equipment rules devised to avoid making this simply a “pistol benchrest” match.  The competition is divided into classes for both centerfire and rimfire handguns – shot simultaneously at different ranges and different ends of the firing line.

The match is designed to evoke the relaxed atmosphere of an evening groundhog hunt on a family farm.  It is simple and short.  Competitors are present at the range for a safety briefing at 6:30 pm.  They then have five minutes to move all their shooting equipment onto the firing line by hand (in one trip) and set it up on the assigned bench.  At the command “hogs up,” competitors have fifteen minutes to shoot twenty rounds onto a paper groundhog target with scoring rings. Following the “cease-fire,” the range is cleared and targets are retrieved for scoring.  The top shooter in each class is awarded a cash prize drawn from the registration fees.  The entire match is completed in an hour or less.

The Long Range Handgun match is held on a weekday evening (first Tuesday of the month) from April through October, taking advantage of the evening sunlight available during daylight savings time.

Polk County Gun Club currently divides its long range handgun competition into six classes.  (A class must have three or more participants for the top scorer in that class to receive a cash prize.)  Classes are:

Center Fire Factory (shot at 300 yards)

Center Fire Specialty and Custom  (shot at 300 yards)

Center Fire Intermediate 200 yard  (shot at 200 yards)

Small Bore Intermediate 200 yard  (shot at 200 yards)

Bullseye Small Bore (shot at 100 yards)

Small Bore Specialty and Custom (shot at 100 yards)

Equipment rules are as follows:

Center Fire Factory.  This class is intended for center fire handguns that maintain their original factory configuration.  It includes (but is not limited to) firearms such as the Thompson-Center single-shot pistols, Savage Striker, Magnum Research Lone Eagle, Nosler M48, Remington XP-100, Remington Chassis Pistol, and various pistol versions of the AR design.  Trigger work and replacement parts are acceptable as long as they maintain the same general configuration as the original.  Maximum weight with all attachments (except bipod) is 8.0 lbs.  Maximum overall firearm length is 26 inches. Maximum scope power is 12X.  Shot at 300 yards.

Center Fire Specialty and Custom. This class takes in custom-built and chassis pistols that do not maintain an original factory configuration.  The class also can include “factory” handguns whose weight or scope power exceeds that permitted in factory class.  Maximum weight with all attachments is 10.0 lbs (not including bipod). Maximum overall firearm length is 26 inches. No limit on scope power. Shot at 300 yards.

Center Fire Intermediate 200 yard. This class primarily is intended for (but not limited to) revolvers that shoot pistol cartridges capable of good 200-yard accuracy.  It also may include other handgun designs that shoot pistol cartridges.  Chamberings used in this class must be standard handgun cartridges, caliber .32 or larger.  Maximum barrel length is 12 inches (not including muzzle brake, if any).  Maximum weight with all attachments is 8.0 lbs (not including bipod, if any).  No limit on scope power.  Braces are not permitted.  Shot at 200 yards.

Small Bore Intermediate 200-yard.  This class primarily is intended for small-bore handguns that exceed the barrel length and weight limits of the Bullseye small-bore class.  It is optionally interchangeable with the Small Bore Specialty and Custom class, and is offered as a 200-yard match to provide greater challenge to small bore competitors.  Maximum weight with all attachments is 10 lbs (not including bipod).  Maximum overall firearm length is 26 inches. No limit on scope power.  Shot at 200 yards.

Bullseye (Small Bore).  This class primarily is intended for (but not limited to) semi-automatic target handguns such as those produced by S&W, Colt, Ruger, and Hi Standard.  It also may include other handgun designs that meet the class barrel length, weight, and scope power limits and do not offer a significant inherent advantage.  Maximum barrel length is 6 inches.  Maximum weight with all attachments is 4.5 lbs. Maximum scope power is 12X.  Braces are not permitted. Shot at 100 yards.

Small Bore Specialty and Custom. This class primarily is intended for small-bore handguns that exceed the barrel length and weight limits of the Bullseye small-bore class.  It is optionally interchangeable with the Small Bore Intermediate 200-yard class.  Maximum weight with all attachments is 10.0 lbs (not including bipod).  Maximum overall length of the firearm is 26 inches.  No limit on scope power.  Shot at 100 yards.

The Match Director reserves the right to reassign handgun classifications on site to keep the “playing field” as level and fair as possible.

On the day of the match, competitors should plan to be at the PCGC 300 yard rifle range to “sign in” and draw a scorecard no later than 6:15 pm.  Registration fee for a match is $15. (Of this, $10 goes to the club, $5 to the prize “kitty.”)  Shooters are encouraged to contact the Match Director in advance to assure a place on the firing line.

Polk County Gun Club Groundhog targets for practice are available in the Clubhouse.  (Request that anyone taking targets pick up no more than necessary so that everyone wanting one can get one.)

For additional information, please contact:

Shawn Risdon
864 580-053
[email protected]

Dan Henk
828 440-102
[email protected]

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