Jeff_M
07-28-09, 19:05
On 7/24 to 7/26, we conducted a three day Intermediate Defensive Rifle course at Cascade Pistol and Rifle Club in Ravensdale, WA. This is a great facility that offers the ability to shoot out to 600 yards. The weather was hot and dry all weekend. It was in the 80s Friday and Saturday, then up in the 90s on Sunday.
The intent of the course is to challenge students and increase their skill at close quarters marksmanship with a carbine and provide them with the skills to make combat effective hits at distance with the same carbine.
Day 1
Friday began with a fast paced review of material from General Defensive rifle including: stance, marksmanship, speed, gun handling, movement, and positions. We then moved on to a detailed discussion of shooting from the prone and combining natural point of aim with natural respiratory pause. We shot supported prone groups at 100 yards. We then moved to steel targets and engaged 12" x 6" plates using unsupported prone at 100, 150, and 200 yards. Students were able to easily get hits at all distances. We then practiced shooting asymmetric prone positions, sitting, and kneeling positions at 100 yards on the steel. This was fun and a big confidence booster.
Day 2
Saturday morning started on the 600 yard range. We spent most of the time at the 200 yard line, then we pushed back to 300, and then 400 yards. Everyone was able to get combat accurate hits at all distances. The highlight of the morning was a 5 round group shot by Becky at the 200 yard line. All 5 rounds were just under 2 inches apart. This was her second rifle class. Her first experience with a rifle was shooting GDR in February. She does a great job of paying attention, analyzing information as it is presented, and then internalizing that information. The result is that she was able to accomplish what most shooters say is not possible. Many argue that Mil-Spec type guns with Mil-Spec or practice ammo are only capable of 3-5 MOA accuracy. Consistently, we see that these guns are capable of much more. The 2 inch group (~1MOA) was shot with a 16" chrome lined Bushmaster, stock trigger, 1x Aimpoint ML2 (4 MOA dot), and 55gr PMC practice ammo.
In the afternoon, we started with some timed shooting tests from the 50 to the 5 yard line. The times are difficult for many, but certainly attainable. No one was able to consistently meet the standards through the entire course of fire. We progressed to various drills incorporating shooting on the move, pivots. We then discussed room clearing and performed drills dry and live fire on a make shift room on the range. Again the end of the day was spent shooting steel at 100 and 150 yards. We worked rapid assumption of prone and kneeling positions.
Day 3
Again, we started on the 600 yard range shooting at 400, 500, and 600 yards. Everyone was able to get hits at 500 yards. All but one student was able to get hits at 600 yards. However, this was a known equipment issue (more on this later). We then moved up to 200 yards. After a discussion of shooting moving targets, students engaged both walking and running targets from the 200.
We returned to the short range again starting with timed drills. We then worked more complex drills engaging multiple targets and shooting while moving. After a few more runs through our shoot house, we ended the day shooting multiple positions behind barricades and then some man on man competitions involving running, barricades, and shooting on the move. As the complexity and difficulty of the drills increased students found how difficult it is to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment and how equipment selections can interfere with one's ability to get the job done.
Equipment
Most of students were shooting colts or bushmasters with Aimpoints and Eotechs. All of these guns ran flawlessly through the ~1300 rounds we shot. Two people ran ACOGs. These worked great at distance, but at ultra close range they slowed down target identification. The more time I spend shooting at distance, the more I become a fan of the Marine Corp ACOG. It is simple, fast, and effective.
One person ran an LMT MRP with piston. This was the same gun he shot last year, again it ran flawlessly. The student who did not get hits at 600 was shooting a CMMG piston gun with an EoTech. Throughout the course this gun had malfunction and zeroing problems. By mid way through day 3, the gun continually produced double feeds. We did not have time to investigate the problem thoroughly. The student borrowed a spare from another student to finish the course. While this is only one sample, we still consider piston guns as a novelty item that should be avoided if one is looking for a serious defense gun. For a high round count course, test your gear throughly before coming and bring a backup of everything.
This was a great course. The students all worked hard. They were a fun group of people to spend three days with. They had great attitudes, and we all learned a lot. Thanks to Jack, Tracy, and John F. for helping out with the course. Sorry no photos, I was a little busy all weekend ;)
The intent of the course is to challenge students and increase their skill at close quarters marksmanship with a carbine and provide them with the skills to make combat effective hits at distance with the same carbine.
Day 1
Friday began with a fast paced review of material from General Defensive rifle including: stance, marksmanship, speed, gun handling, movement, and positions. We then moved on to a detailed discussion of shooting from the prone and combining natural point of aim with natural respiratory pause. We shot supported prone groups at 100 yards. We then moved to steel targets and engaged 12" x 6" plates using unsupported prone at 100, 150, and 200 yards. Students were able to easily get hits at all distances. We then practiced shooting asymmetric prone positions, sitting, and kneeling positions at 100 yards on the steel. This was fun and a big confidence booster.
Day 2
Saturday morning started on the 600 yard range. We spent most of the time at the 200 yard line, then we pushed back to 300, and then 400 yards. Everyone was able to get combat accurate hits at all distances. The highlight of the morning was a 5 round group shot by Becky at the 200 yard line. All 5 rounds were just under 2 inches apart. This was her second rifle class. Her first experience with a rifle was shooting GDR in February. She does a great job of paying attention, analyzing information as it is presented, and then internalizing that information. The result is that she was able to accomplish what most shooters say is not possible. Many argue that Mil-Spec type guns with Mil-Spec or practice ammo are only capable of 3-5 MOA accuracy. Consistently, we see that these guns are capable of much more. The 2 inch group (~1MOA) was shot with a 16" chrome lined Bushmaster, stock trigger, 1x Aimpoint ML2 (4 MOA dot), and 55gr PMC practice ammo.
In the afternoon, we started with some timed shooting tests from the 50 to the 5 yard line. The times are difficult for many, but certainly attainable. No one was able to consistently meet the standards through the entire course of fire. We progressed to various drills incorporating shooting on the move, pivots. We then discussed room clearing and performed drills dry and live fire on a make shift room on the range. Again the end of the day was spent shooting steel at 100 and 150 yards. We worked rapid assumption of prone and kneeling positions.
Day 3
Again, we started on the 600 yard range shooting at 400, 500, and 600 yards. Everyone was able to get hits at 500 yards. All but one student was able to get hits at 600 yards. However, this was a known equipment issue (more on this later). We then moved up to 200 yards. After a discussion of shooting moving targets, students engaged both walking and running targets from the 200.
We returned to the short range again starting with timed drills. We then worked more complex drills engaging multiple targets and shooting while moving. After a few more runs through our shoot house, we ended the day shooting multiple positions behind barricades and then some man on man competitions involving running, barricades, and shooting on the move. As the complexity and difficulty of the drills increased students found how difficult it is to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment and how equipment selections can interfere with one's ability to get the job done.
Equipment
Most of students were shooting colts or bushmasters with Aimpoints and Eotechs. All of these guns ran flawlessly through the ~1300 rounds we shot. Two people ran ACOGs. These worked great at distance, but at ultra close range they slowed down target identification. The more time I spend shooting at distance, the more I become a fan of the Marine Corp ACOG. It is simple, fast, and effective.
One person ran an LMT MRP with piston. This was the same gun he shot last year, again it ran flawlessly. The student who did not get hits at 600 was shooting a CMMG piston gun with an EoTech. Throughout the course this gun had malfunction and zeroing problems. By mid way through day 3, the gun continually produced double feeds. We did not have time to investigate the problem thoroughly. The student borrowed a spare from another student to finish the course. While this is only one sample, we still consider piston guns as a novelty item that should be avoided if one is looking for a serious defense gun. For a high round count course, test your gear throughly before coming and bring a backup of everything.
This was a great course. The students all worked hard. They were a fun group of people to spend three days with. They had great attitudes, and we all learned a lot. Thanks to Jack, Tracy, and John F. for helping out with the course. Sorry no photos, I was a little busy all weekend ;)