In Colorado? Come Shoot the Tactical Rifle Match!

[Justin]

I forgot to link to this one:



I took several shots of a competitor shooting from each position at a stage, and put them all together to give a better idea of what it looks like to take part in one of these events.

 

[Hoser]

A few pics from last Sundays match. I spent too much time on the timer and not enough time taking pics.

Dont be scared, even girls shoot this match. Staying at home wont help you get any better. Get out there and shoot.

Again this year these matches would not happen without everyones support and help. I could not and would not do it without everyone chipping in and helping. Special thanks to Justin for being my Assistant Match Director and doing a great job with setting things up on the shotgun berms. He designed some excellent stages this year.

See you guys next year.



Some tough offhand shooting on the shotgun berms.





Shooting a little prone on the 400 yard stage. This fellow and his father came all the way from Florida to shoot with us.






A few pics of John using the various props on the 400 yard stage.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You have what it takes?

Typical upper stage at start point with 6 targets marked. Photo by Justin.

(My secret: even if you don't shoot well, look like you mean it!)

 

[Dr.Rob]

Transitions tell you a lot of about your gun handling. Note finger is well off the trigger!

 

[Dr.Rob]

You will engage a variety of targets from a variety of positions.

Usual max range is about 425 yards (well within the capability of today's popular 16 inch carbines) but the new additions at the range may change that.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Justin demonstrates the proper use of reverse kneeling to shoot over this obstacle. And why your tactical shirt should remain tucked.

It can be physically demanding: it's hot , it's dirty but we have a lot of fun.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You'll see a lot of purpose built rifles as well as standard AR's and the occasional AK... there was even one Garand shooter this go-round.

Curtis is one of our top shooters but the courses can sometimes even test his resolve.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ever want to dig a hole to be able to make a shot? It MIGHT have been a good idea on this stage.

That 60 round surefire ran like a top but this barricade made this shot tough even with a standard 30 rounder.

Still, it's not like we'll make you shoot one handed...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Tactial Rifle @ Pueblo isn't so much a 'gear' game as it is about having fun and a little friendly competition in a great setting.

So if you run a tricked out 3 run rig or rode hard stock rifle.. we'd LOVE to have you come out and join us!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ah what fun can be had by a bunch of heavily armed friends on Memorial Day weekend in the country?

Oh NO! Zombie outbreak and I didn't take my rifle with me into the outhouse!

Kick the door open and get to your weapon! Use what cover you can to remain concealed while firing. Shoot and move shoot and move!

Now FYI for those of you that have never fired an AR 15 between to empty steel 55 gallon drums... stick your head in a galvanized mop bucket and hit it with a 5 pound sledge hammer. Do it repeatedly til you get all 5 of your targets.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I about knocked the door off coming out of there! (Great pics Justin!)

You don't HAVE to run between positions but you should move with authority. Go as fast as you think is safe for you. Keep your muzzle downrange and your finger off the trigger.

 

[Dr.Rob]

If you're moving hard, it's possible to outrun your Range Officers. Just make sure they see your hits.

That pair of barrels rang like a gong with every trigger pull. Nothing like having your sinuses cleaned WHILE you are kicking up clouds of dirt.

 

[Dr.Rob]

First magazine change. On the run reaching for it.. maybe my back pocket isn't the best place to carry a spare 20. Again muzzle down and downrange, finger off the trigger, Slap it home, get set and finish them off.

I did this stage in 40 shots and 213 seconds. Too bad the REST of my day didn't go so well.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Some new faces out there this weekend and a lot of different ways to set up a rifle.

Wouldn't be possible without the range officers and shooters pitching in to make it go smoothly.

Wait is that.. ROBERT? Yes, yes it it.

Everyone had a blast with the outhouse start.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Check these trick 45 degree offset back-up irons. I had never seen a set-up quite like this before.

We have folks running irons only sometimes. It's more challenging of course, but that's why they call it iron man.

The sights didn't get in the way between the barrels either.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I didn't get Robert's thundering door slam start, but trust me when I say it was epic.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Next stage I'll call 'death of the ball turret gunner' as shooting from INSIDE that rooftop barricade required all sorts of human origami for many competitors.

But you really see the transitions as people move in and out of these and it usually makes for fun pics.

Of course, Craig made it look easy.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Of course if you're built like a Tolkein character, you might find it easier.

Robert certainly had the stance in here figured out.

Like Sean Astin in Memphis Belle. He looked genuinely comfy in there.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It was good to see Robert out there having fun. He's like a little kid with a gas operated semi-automatic 5.56 mm assault rifle.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Of course us larger mammals don't have it so easy squeezing through the narrow tunnels of Moria.

When you have to set your rifle down to negociate the obstacle, you know it's not your average barricade. Then again Justin is a tall man.

Still we got through it unscathed save for a little sun and dirt.

Or in my case a bruised ego and a busted scope.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I'm seeing more of these leg-mounted mag carriers showing up at our matches of late, as well and the magazine 'dump pouch'. If you can manuver with them, by all means use them.

I also need to ask this guy (John I think it was) what kind of gloves he's using.

 

[Hoser]

Here is what today was about. Surrounded by Friends and Family the 425 yard range that Eddie spent so much time on was dedicated to him.

We all shared some Eddie stories and got some rifle shooting in.

 

[Hoser]

Here are a few pics from yesterdays match.

Instead of the normal (200-400 yards) distances, we pulled the targets in closer thinking some or most AK drivers might be using iron sights.

The AK was doing ok (for me anyway) as long as the targets were close and there were no mandatory reloads. Once the targets got further away, the crappy trigger and short stock kinda sealed the deal for the AR...

Up on the shotgun ranges with squad 3. Close target, 90 yards. Far target, 197 yards.









Squad 3 at the VTAC wall. The target was a full size IPSC target at 140 yards. We even had a SCAR show up.









I was the only guy on squad 3 shooting a commie gun. Mine might only be a half of a commie gun seeing as how it is a 223 AK. Hard to imagine that a 223 AK could recoil as much as a 5.45 or 7.62 but they do. The slippery buttplate made the awkward positions hard because the rifle recoiled out of my shoulder with every shot.





And the man that thought up the AK vs AR Match many years ago.



Next September. Be there. Put on your big girl panties and leave the excuses at home.

 

[Hoser]

Somewhere a Storm Trooper is missing a boot...

I got 4 Prairie Dogs in 20 mins. Does that count?

Nope. Your still a slacker.

At least thats what Dr Rob and Justin said. I tried to stick up for you but they did have a good point.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Had a LOT of fun. It was hot and dusty, and we had something like 30 shooters this time, some running 2 rifles. Thanks to all that run timers and clipboards and pick up brass.

No malfunctions sunday, just need to remind myself to move on if I'm struggling with a single target.

Just a note: dusty mags + sweaty pads/mag carriers = MUDDY mags.