The Shooting Sports: A discussion on the various shooting disciplines with AZ_HighCountry

[AZ_HighCountry]

The Ruger 10/22 is an absolute legend. High quality, low cost, extremely popular.

Ruger is also "local" to me. They have a factory in Prescott, AZ.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

A recent addition to assist with my shooting is one of these:

ShotMarker

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Yes, a somewhat expensive but very beneficial tool. Ideal for training, matches, etc. I will have a separate writeup on the system. It is also starting to see use within the US military. The Navy used the system for the recent All-Navy and PacFleet Matches on board USMCB Camp Pendleton.

A sample of the data output:



This is actual data for a rapid fire string in the prone position. The time limit is 70 seconds for 10 shots for record. As you can see, the string was fired in 33 seconds. Had I slowed down, the score likely would have improved as well as having some in the X-ring. Note not a single X.

Oh, the target was the SR-42, which is the 300 yard target reduced to be dimensionally / optically correct at 200 yards.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Now here is one where I HAVE to shoot fast and ONLY hits count. Again, the target is the NATO E-type reduced for firing at 200 yards instead of 600. Time limit of 50 seconds:



25 hits in 43 seconds. Which is good for 3 reasons:

1. Make sure I get hits
2. Use a 30 round magazine for the actual match - too much time wasted doing a magazine change
3. With 7 seconds left, I could have fired an additional 3-4 rounds.

Do that at Perry at both 600 and 500, as an individual, that will be 175 points alone not including any bonus at each stage. The remaining 14 rounds (each shooter is issued 64 rounds total) will go to 300 and that will be good for 28 points.

In theory, if the other 5 members of the team do that, as a team we will finish with 1410 points which includes the applicable bonuses for squaring all the targets. That is a winning score or close to it.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

The MR-63 target. Am planning to go out to the "spot" tomorrow to get some 600 yard practice in but at 300 yards.



The target shown is reduced in scale to simulate the 600 yard target when seen from 300 yards. It is optically correct as are the scoring ring spacing. This will be perfect for tomorrow as:

1. I've not yet checked to see if a standard target at 600 yards will be visible from the shooting spot.
2. This will still allow me to focus on hold while also dealing with any wind that may be present. Shooting with lighter bullets will help in that regard.

As long as I manage the wind (which I am good at), and hold 10 ring or better on the reduced target, I will be able to do the same on the standard target at 600 when we're at Perry. To make the cut at Perry, depending on the match, I need to fire either a 95 or higher or 190 or higher. P100 I will absolutely have to be at 95 or higher in order to make the cut.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

So, a question some of you may be thinking: "why practice at shorter ranges? Why not practice at actual distance?"

Those are some good questions for which there are many answers. In some locations, we don't have the luxury of distance. If we can find a spot that goes out to a couple or 300 yards and has an adequate backstop, we are very lucky. Another reason is we may not always have access to the actual ranges. Range time is often booked in advance with members having priority. Given I am a member of one club, I have priority but no longer the luxury of proximity.

Therefore, this "spot" we have is perfect.

Also, by practicing on the reduced targets, what I am really focusing on is the hold. Case in point, the diameter of the X-ring on the MR-1 target is 6 inches. For the MR-63 it is 2.85 inches. If I wobble even as much as a quarter inch at the firing line, that translates into as much as 3/4 inches at 300 yards. Add in the effect of a typical 1 MOA cross wind, that is now 3 additional inches of error. And now into the 9 ring. So hold and ability to read the wind are equally important. If a shooter can master that, then distance becomes irrelevant as longs as they know the dope for their rifle and ammo.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Practice for Camp Perry continues.Still having some sighting issues with the backup rifle. So used it on Saturday for an 80-shot XTC match down in PHX. First string of sitting rapid fire at 200 yards was a 96-1X. All shots out the right. As far as wind goes, there was none.

So, made an adjustment, and fired the second string. Again, 10 shots for record, with a magazine change, in a time limit of 60 seconds. Results as follows:



Note the grid lines. The target is set to show the lines in MOA (can also be set for inches, millimeters, or milli-radians). Each box is 1 MOA x 1 MOA. Or, translated to inches for 200 yards, 2" x 2".

Only have maybe 6 more weeks to get the backup rifle fully dialed in. Primary is good to go.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

Have been busy so not much time to dedicate to this or the EDC thread. Travel to Perry is about 6 weeks away. Absolutely have to get the backup rifle squared away or only the primary goes.

Not worried about the others that will be going. Do need to pull them out soon for a good cleaning and lubing. Not that they are dirty or anything. It's just that they've not been shot in awhile and I like to make sure everything is squared away before the trip.

 

[RescueRanger]

Have been busy so not much time to dedicate to this or the EDC thread. Travel to Perry is about 6 weeks away. Absolutely have to get the backup rifle squared away or only the primary goes.

Not worried about the others that will be going. Do need to pull them out soon for a good cleaning and lubing. Not that they are dirty or anything. It's just that they've not been shot in awhile and I like to make sure everything is squared away before the trip.

Have a safe journey.