MGM Ironman Frequently Asked Questions

We are a Christian based Patriotic company that believes in delivering a high quality product and promoting shooting sports in a manner for all to enjoy.

MGM Targets is the creator and coordinator of the MGM Ironman. We design and manufacture high quality steel rifle, pistol, and shotgun targets as well as other firearms training systems for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters. We also build Rappel Towers, Live-Fire Shoot Houses, and a number of other custom projects. We pride ourselves on producing top quality products at a reasonable cost. If you need more info, check out our website. www.mgmtargets.com.

MGM Targets is a PROUD supporter of all those who serve, or have served, in our armed forces. We are honored to have met many in our travels and are grateful to each and every one. The sacrifices made by our soldiers in the military overseas or serving state side, are incomprehensible to the vast majority of our society. As a general public we are not capable of truly understanding a soldier's dedication to our country. We have heard the stories of soldier's seeing their children raised in photos and videos as they serve overseas, we have seen the struggle of single moms as they work to raise their children alone while their father's serve. This sacrifice is not just that of a soldiers' but also of their families. MGM is grateful and thankful that there are those who still remember what this country was founded on and what we are fighting for. It is our great honor to live in the country that men and women such as these call home.

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Registration takes place at the Roadway Motel on Wednesday night prior to the match. Usually it runs from 6:30pm-9:00pm.

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There is a $20 fee if you miss the registration window or choose not to come. If you don't register, you don't shoot. So make sure to plan on being in Ontario between 6:30pm and 9:00pm.

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The typical schedule is as follows:
Wednesday night – Check-in – Roadway Motel 6-9:00pm
Thursday – 6:00 Shooters Meeting
        7:00 Walk-through
        7:15 First shots fired
        11:30-2:00 Lunch – Rotating schedule- squad eats after shooting 2 stages
              You have 45 minutes for lunch
        Shoot 2 more stages – quit when dark or stages are complete
Friday - 6:30 Shooters Meeting
        7:00 Walk-through
        7:15 First shots fired
        11:30-2:00 Lunch – Rotating schedule- squad eats after shooting 2 stages
              You have 45 minutes for lunch
        Shoot 2 more stages – quit when dark or stages are complete
Saturday - 6:30 Shooters Meeting
        7:00 Walk-through
        7:15 First shots fired
        11:30-2:00 Lunch – Rotating schedule- squad eats after shooting 2 stages
              You have 45 minutes for lunch
        Shoot final stage
        Awards to follow - Done at range by 10:00 pm

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MGM will have a block of rooms at 2 hotels. Both hotels are in Ontario, OR and are about a 20 minute drive to the range. The Roadway Motel usually runs about 50.00 per night and includes breakfast (the restaurant won't be open that early, but they will usually honor your coupon for dinner though). The Roadway is VERY basic, offering virtually no amenities, but it is cheap and is usually full of shooters. The second is the Holiday Inn, they usually run about 70-80 bucks per night. They have all the typical amenities to be expected from a Holiday Inn.

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You can camp on the range, but it is DRY camping. There isn't any running water or bathrooms available. We will have porta-potties and there will be a water spigot so you can fill tanks but there aren't any showers. The cost is $10 per day. MGM has the final say on where people can camp as there are usually a few special requests that we need to accommodate. Additionally, we expect everyone to leave the range CLEANER than it was before they got there.

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No hook ups, it is dry, but there is a water spout you can use to fill tanks.

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There are several classes you can shoot. They are listed below in detail.
Limited – Iron sights, no major modifications. Similar to USPSA Limited
Scoped Tactical – Allows the use of 2 limited guns and 1 Open. For example, if you shoot a limited shotgun & handgun, your rifle may have a scope, bi-pod, red dot, sling…anything you want.
Open – Enough said, anything (except FULL-Auto) goes. If you have a question, email us.
DPMS/Leupold Heavy Rifle – Must use a .30 caliber rifle for entire match. Other than that, it has the same rules as Scoped Tactical. This class allows the use of 2 limited guns and 1 Open. For example if you shoot a limited shotgun & handgun, your rifle may have a scope, bi-pod, red dot, sling…anything you want.
Trooper – This is a special class started by our long time sponsors, Cavalry Arms. More details will follow under "Rules" but here is the readers digest version. You must carry everything for the entire match on your body or stowed in your ammo can. If you don't start the match with it, you can't use it. If your gun breaks and you can't fix it with what you started, you must drop out of Trooper. If you drop out of Trooper, you will be scored in which ever class your guns put you in. Probably open. All match challenges, i.e. Dummy, Slide, Tower, etc. are MANDATORY. You can use any gear you want, open guns, limited, whatever you want...

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Durable gear is of the utmost importance, as is SAFE gear. You can use virtually any type of shooting gear you want, but it must be SAFE.
Holsters - Guns must point in a safe direction, cross draw shoulder holsters are prohibited, but nearly any type of leg or belted holster are fine. Ghost Holsters and other race holsters are certainly allowed, but if your gun falls out during the course of fire and it is loaded, it is an instant Match DQ. Many shooters use basic paddle holsters for this match. They are cheap, secure, and durable. Unless you are SURE your gun won't fall out, use race holsters with caution. We want everyone to have fun and finish the match!!
Mag Pouches – You can use anything you want, again make sure your ammunition is secure if you climb, run, jump, go prone, etc. The last thing you want is to drop your ammo during a course and have to back track to pick it up. At this match, you won't have time for that!
Shotgun shells – Again, make sure what you have is secure. You don't want to be running downrange only to leave a trail of shells behind you. Don't bring new gear unless you have run around your yard with it to make sure you aren't going to leave a trail! You might want to try doing a cartwheel with it too…just for fun.
Ammunition – There is really only one stipulation NO ARMOR PIERCING OR STEEL CORE ROUNDS. This will trash the steel and you will be sent home. You are responsible for making sure this doesn't happen!
Magazine fed shotguns – Using a mag fed shotgun will put you in open class.

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Everything! Seriously practice your reloads, especially with your shotgun. This match has a very high round count and about a third of it will be shotgun. This tends to be the weak link for most shooters. Practice shooting rifle from unusual positions. Practice prone through low ports, practice off-hand, kneeling, and long range. We suggest working out! You will likely be shooting for 5 continuous minutes, not to mention the physical movement required. Most IPSC, IDPA stages are over in about 30 seconds…breathing is important! This is a great reason to get in shape. Lots of us are old and out of shape, but your odds will improve if you aren't!

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We won't have the round count finalized until probably the fist of April, but if you figured 350 rounds of rifle and pistol, 350 shot, and 100 slugs, you should be safe. THESE ARE ROUND COUNTS!! NOT HOW MANY ROUNDS YOU WILL NEED!!! If you don't ever miss, you will be good with this. If you think you might miss, you should probably bring some more. We don't require them on any stage, but 20 or 25 buckshot might come in handy.

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Previous course descriptions will be posted online. Here is a bit of info about some of the more…unusual stages. Golf Cart – One stage requires driving a golf cart down the range while engaging targets as they become visible. One stage requires the use of 2 full-auto guns (on loan from one of our great sponsors). Take 3 stages from one of your most intense matches, combine them, and you will almost have one Ironman stage

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Here is the deal, if you only have 4 mags, your gang can load your empty used mags for you. If you have enough mags, but didn't take the time to load them, your buddies can hand you a box of bullets, but cannot load them for you. Additionally, they CANNOT under any circumstances assist a shooter in loading their weapon. This is NOT a team sport.

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Yes.

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Only if you are lucky. From time to time shooters and companies, like Arms R Us, will have ammo to sell. DON”T COUNT ON IT. Parma is really in the middle of nowhere, plan ahead, bring EVERYTHING you might need and then double it.

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Yes, you may ship to 17891 Karcher Road, Caldwell, Idaho 83616
You are responsible for tracking your packages. You must do the following.
1. Notify us that you are sending ammunition.
2. Send us the tracking numbers and estimated arrival date.
3. Call us the DAY of arrival to make sure it was received.
4. Pick up the ammo from our shop in Caldwell (this is about 45 min from the range). It must be picked up between 8:00 am and 5:00pm on Wednesday. No, we cannot deliver it to the range. If you need to pick it up later than that, we'll have to have one of our employees stay late, but you can pay them to do it. $30/hour

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More than are required in the round count. I recommend figuring at least 30% more than you think you will need. There will be steel targets that need to be hit with slugs, and there will also be bonus targets to be shot with slugs. If you are a better shot, you will need less, if you aren't, you should plan on more. Again, Parma is in the middle of nowhere, don't plan on being able to pick some up down the street…there isn't anything down the street. You may be able to buy some off another shooter, but again, don't plan on it.

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Yes, you may be at a slight disadvantage, as the loads may not have enough energy to activate some of the targets. Additionally, if you need replacement parts, rounds, etc. they are going to be MUCH more difficult to track down.

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No, Yes, Yes, No – this is all dependent on the magazine you are referring to. Pistol mags can be extended in Open, Trooper, and Scoped Tactical (if your pistol is your open gun)
Open – As long as you want.
Trooper – As long as you want.
Scoped Tactical – 140mm max.
Heavy Rifle – 140mm max.

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Yes, the Double Swinger must rotate to score. It doesn't matter what you are shooting 9mm, .45, 12 gauge, it MUST rotate to score. If you do not rotate the swinger, the penalty is 45 seconds. So practice!

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Of course, many shooters opt to use their AR15 on these targets. The long range targets are around 550-635 yards.

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Nope, this one is a freebie. Bolt gun, gas gun, 300 win mag, whatever. Anything goes... well, most anything... No .338's or 50 cals please.

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Probably not, but there is always a chance. Don't plan on it. We will have a 100 yard range setup where you can sight it in at our shop in Caldwell. IF YOU WANT TO CHECK YOUR ZERO AT THE SHOP, YOU NEED TO LET US KNOW BY MAY 31st!! We will then set-up an appointment for you.

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Yes, RO's shoot the match on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the match.

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You get to shoot the match for FREE! You get a couple shirts, lunch, and our undying gratitude!

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You get to shoot the match for Free! You also get a couple of shirts, lunches, our undying gratitude and some money!

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Plan for crazy weather. Usually it is about 80 degrees and sunny. That time of the year it isn't uncommon to have major thunder storms. Dust storms are a given, and sleet is always an option. We've seen it 105, and it even snowed on us one year. Essentially, the weather changes frequently and you should plan for everything. Mornings are cool, days are hot, and it is ALWAYS dusty (when it's not muddy).

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Usually no more than 11 or so. We try to keep this regulated other wise things get out of control.

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Most of the time, we can accommodate squad requests. When you send in your registration, please include in LEGIBLE writing the names of the people you would like to be on the same squad with. We will try to group you together, but squad space is first come first serve.
Additionally, we do try to squad Trooper shooters together, though sometimes this isn't always possible.

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The point of this match is to shoot A LOT and have a good time. We not only encourage coaching, but instruct the RO's to help guide you through the stage. They will call your hits, tell you if you are high or low, and generally guide you through step by step. The RO's will do as much or as little as you ask them to. Your buddies are welcome to help you out also if you'd like.

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The above items are all challenges that take place during the match. The Dummy is approximately 90 lbs and around 4'8". He must be transported about 25 yards. If he touches the ground, a penalty applies.
The tower is 20' tall, on top there is a small platform. You must shoot off the platform with your rifle then go down a long wide slide, with your gun (unloaded). The slide is steep and so far only one broken leg...
The zip line is about 300 feet long and about 30 feet off the ground at the high point. You go down this while shooting your pistol. If you are afraid of heights, better start getting over it.
Videos of all of the above are probably available on You Tube. Just search for the MGM Ironman

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Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes. MAJOR penalties will apply – say, a 5 minute penalty on a 6 min stage.

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Well, here is the big difference between us and most other matches. We WANT YOU TO SHOOT as much as possible. So, depending on the type of break and the safety issues involved, your best bet would be to holler to your buddies and have them bring you a new gun so you can finish the stage. The gun must be the same class you are shooting. If you are shooting Limited, they CANNOT bring you a tricked out scoped rifle. That will change your class. The clock doesn't stop, so this has to happen quickly. I once saw a guy (one of the MGM Crew who will go nameless) go through 4 rifles on one stage before he was finished!

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Ahh, the bane of our existence! Parma Powder is a very fine dust that will permeate everything you own; your socks, shoes, fingernails, gun bags, ears, slides, scopes…you name it! This slightly reddish dirt is similar to a combination of sifted flower and very, very fine sand. If you come to Parma, you will become intimately aware of this powder. If you come to the Ironman, YOU WILL GET DIRTY!!!! If it happens to rain…be prepared to slip & slide or be glued in place.

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