3G Manatee, 9-29-18

Open Division:

• PSA-JP9, Bushnell TRS-25, 124gr BB RN ammo
• 18″ NFSC – 18″ New Frontier Side Charging upper on the M&P lower with JP trigger and SCSS, Strike Eagle 1-8, Offset mini-dot, JP Eliminator, SCSS, Armaspec magwell, Perfecta 55gr ammo
• DPMS AR10, Centerpoint 4-16x, Magpul mags, PPU 168gr ammo (first match ever)

Stage 3

• PPC with 33 round mag
• Clean, 1st out of 26.

Stage 4

• PPC with 33 round mag
• Clean, 5th.

Stage 5

• PPC with 33 round mag
• Clean again, 7th.

Stage 1

• 18″ NFSC with 40 rounder and optic set to 4X
• Pistol is ok, save for some extras; needs to be 1 for 1.
• Rifle on the 3 plates takes 8 shots (!). Instead of taking a knee like the others, I bent over, and invariably didn’t get a good sight picture.
• Still, clean; 6th.

Stage 2

• Sniper stage with the DPMS: 2 positions for silhouette targets at 350, 500, and 620. There were 2 at 620, a silhouette, and another smaller round plate target, a bonus target.
• I setup fairly good, stable positions but couldn’t connect with the AR10. Good sight pictures were greeted with no hits.
• After adjusting left, hits finally came, but too late. Can’t hit with a bad zero.
• After the match, I took the opportunity to get a rough adjustment, and was able to get first round hits on the larger 620.
• 19th

The Good

• Stage 3
• Close PCC work
• Pistol work

Needs Improvement

• LR rifle work
• Do I really need an AR10 for matches? 224 Valkyrie or 6.5 Creedmoore instead? Or just do 223 – it’s only 600 yards.
• Pistol on steel needs to be 1 for 1.

Finished 7th out of 26 overall and 2nd out of 8 in Open.

PCC Palooza, 9-23-18

PCC Division

• PSA-JP9, Bushnell TRS-25, 124gr BB RN ammo

Stage 5

• String 1 – unloaded start, 21 steel. Used the 33 round mag with only 32 for an easier load.

• String 2 – 21 steel
• More extras here than the first run.
• 54 out of 83

Stage 6

• Started with drum, laser on.
• Started out great up until the end. There’s a crossbar over the fault line, so the trick was to get your feet into the shooting area, hook your right elbow over the crossbar to secure yourself, then take the 2 shots at the close target. I rushed, failed to hook my elbow, and took the 2 shots. Problem is, the second shot went as I bounced off the crossbar, incurring a foot fault, and mike as it didn’t connect.
• Mike and procedural for the foot fault; 53rd.

Stage 7

• Felt confident enough to start with a 27 round mag.
• Box A – 6 60-75yd steel. First 2 miss but 1 for 1 after I figured out to aim slight right. That adjustment may have everything to do next…
• VTAC barricade, 45 degree port, took a few shots but dropped the first 3 of 6 on a plate rack as required.
• Low horizontal port for the last 3 and couldn’t do 2. I first tried with the ejection port down, but no joy. I flipped and accidentally dropped plate 2 while I was aiming for plate 3.  Mag ran out doing this and after a few more shots, decided to quit on the 2 left.
  • After watching others on the low port, the best position I saw was side prone on the left side (ejection port up).
• On the VTAC slots, the old issue of the JP handguard being just big enough resurfaced, and getting through the port was an issue. Need a slimmer handguard like those I run on my rifles (MI HG).
• Run to Box B for the closer plate rack and the spinner, which I was able to spin.
• 60th

Stage 8

• Drum loaded, laser on, gun held weak hand since the left side ended with the last target that had to be shot weak hand because of its position. With the laser I found that for further targets, I had trouble finding the laser dot and getting it on target. I couldn’t find the dot to put it on the target, so I had to step out of the shooting area to line up the gun with the red dot. Since I was out of the shooting area, I couldn’t shoot but the objective was to get the gun pointed and the laser on target as I got back in the shooting area to break the shot. Complicated, and ate up much time.
• Once that was done, the rest went ok but I’d already spent so much time on the first array using the laser. The more I use the laser, the more I find it more hindering than useful.
• Clean but slooooow; 69th.

Stage 1

• Finally, something runs right. Clean, 36th.

Stage 2

• And another ok run. Clean, 26th.

Stage 3

• The clamshell was a disappearing target so I opted to take the NPMs in lieu of less travel and better position. Mike on the hard cover array and slow steel negate the gains from that gamble.
• 44th

Stage 4

• Polish plate rack wasn’t as clean as it should be, but I make the best of it.
• As I run to the right, I attempt to ditch the drum and reload, but it’s stuck. I just pray there’s enough to finish, and there was, with 2 to spare.
• Clean; 18th.

The Good

• Close work
• Toughing it out even after continued setbacks in the beginning
• The Drum – worked well
• The gun – no issues today at all

Needs Improvement

• Check zero
• Verify and document hits at set distances using various holds (45, 90, left, right, also for rifle)
• Laser: go green, dryfire practice, or ditch it altogether. Leaning towards ditching now.
• Slimmer handguard
• Ruskin session shooting sideways prone and other weird positions (also dryfire)

Finished 44 out of 83 and 11th out of 17 in B Class.

USPSA WAC, 9-21-18

PCC Division

• PSA-JP9, Bushnell TRS-25, 124gr BB RN ammo

Stage 2

• 33 round mag, laser off
• From the left port, 4 paper. Run to the middle, then on the move (R to L): paper, popper, paper, popper, paper; 2 or 3 extras.
• At the right-most, 4 paper ‘flower’ around a no-shoot.
• Clean; 5th out of 47

Stage 3

• 17 round mag loaded to start.
• Box A, poppers/activators, paper, clamshell.
• Required reload with 22 rounder on the way to Box B for 3 paper and the swinger. Had to wait for the swinger to come back.
• Clean, 12th.

Stage 4

• Loading on the move to the left with the 33 rounder could’ve been smoother (=faster).
• Still, clean; 8th.

Stage 5

• Start with barrel touching barrel; I’m to the right of the barrel setup for the right array of 3 on the right and 1 through the port.
• Clean again; 7th.

The Good

• Good splits
• Good movement – part of that is planning so I’m moving and not letting myself or the rifle get in my own way
  • Stage 4 – at the last port, coming in so I’m shooting the left-most, then swinging and shooting left to right
  • Stage 1 – go right first, then end going deep into the left port so I’m always going forward
• Gun ran

Needs Improvement

• No laser work today
• Practice empty starts

Finished 7th overall and 6th out of 11 in PCC.

Zero Session, 9-19-18

Zero Check for the JP-PSA9 and the Saiga:

JP-PSA9

• 124gr BB RN, 3.2gr Titegroup, 1.15 OAL, Winchester SPP
• Bushnell TRS-25, KVP barrel, JP 9mm Tac brake, JP bolt, JP SCSS, mil-spec trigger with JP yellow springs, MFT Minimalist stock (MOE pictured)
• Target: 9×12 yellow envelope on bullseye backer
• 50 yards: on but slight right
  • adjusted 5 clicks left
• 75, 100 yards: on

Saiga

• Remington Managed Recoil slugs, Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil slugs, Federal Reduced Recoil slugs (all 1200fps)
• Vortex Venom dot, 12.5# recoil spring, Mod choke
• Target: 9×12 yellow envelope on bullseye backer
• 50 yards: on
• 75 yards: on, low – aim top of target
• 100 yards: low, left – aim high right
• Remington: good on average
• Hornady: best
• Federal: short range only

PCC 2Gun, HSC, 9-16-18

 

Open Division

• PSA-JP PCC with the Bushnell TRS-25 optic using old 124gr BB RN (3.4gr Titegroup, 1.145OAL) and new loads (3.2gr Titegroup, 1.150OAL)
• CO G34, using the same ammo.

Stage 1

• Drum loaded, laser on. Trying to have the laser on at all times so I get used to seeing 2 dots and knowing which is which.
• Head shots count as a separate target.
• Run goes ok until the last shot which I thought was another high primer. Not this time. I thought I loaded the drum up to 50 for the 35 round course. It wasn’t, so I had to use the emergency mag on my hip.
• Too much time eaten by the standing reload. 11th out of 16.

Stage 2

• Video is just the stage layout. I got bumped up to shoot so I didn’t get a good prep.
• Drum loaded to max this time (learned that lesson), laser off (PCC target were the paper plates and I felt more accuracy was needed, so the dot would be the better choice).
• Start on the left with PCC on the one directly in front and the 2 on the right.
• Back up for the one on the right of the wall.
• Run to the right of the second shooting area for the remaining plates and bowling pin; PCC dump.
• Run back to first shooting area, draw pistol (as required by WSB), and start on the one to the front. Lean right for the one next to the wall.
• Run up to the left of the wall for the 2 behind the wall, move right and finish to the ones on the right.
• Clean, 4th.

Stage 3

• All PCC, drum loaded laser off to start.
• Bit of trouble with the plate rack to start but the large poppers and static steel are 1 for 1.
• Turn on the laser as I run to the house. I’m so fixated on the small target behind the barrels on the right, I blow by the one on the left. That’s what I get for not walking through the house before my run to properly identify and plan. Each target must be planned for.
• 10th

Stage 4

• Low round count, so no drum.
• Shot as planned.
• Clean, 4th.

The Good

• Stage 1 before the standing reload – good splits, good pace, tempo for body and head shot
• Steel on Stage 3 after the plate rack
• ‘Standard’ field courses (Stage 2 and 4)
• New loads work fine

Needs Improvement

• Fill that drum up and verify.
• Rifle/PCC off hand plate rack (as usual)
• Get a good walk through (Stage 3) so each target is not just accounted for but planned

Up and down, but at least I finish strong. 5th overall and 1st out of 6 in Open.

 

Saiga 20 Round Mag Testing (post match)

• New 12.5# recoil spring installed
• Tested with all 1200fps loads, the first shot reloaded but failed to set the hammer and didn’t go into battery. Pushed bolt forward, no click (hammer not set). Racked (ejected good round) and the rest of the 1200s shot fine. The top 2 needs to be 1250s or maybe 1210 if I can find it.
• Tested running the 20 (but not full) with 1180fps Federal and ran fine too. 1180s good to go on the Saiga.
• Will need to test a full 10 or 12 rounder with 1180s or maybe top off with 1200s.

 

 

USPSA WAC, 9-14-18

PCC Division

• PSA-JP9 with the Bushnell TRS-25, Sig laser-light combo, 50 round drum, 33 round mag and 124gr BB RN loads

Stage 2

• Loaded up with the drum and a 17 rounder for backup,
• Good start on the plate rack
• Noticed the missing hole so I took a late make-up.
• 3rd (! been a while) out of 39

Stage 3

• Loaded up with the 33 round mag and contemplated using the laser but decided not to.
• Mike on the second one I shot 3 times(?).
• 4th (! again)

Stage 4

• Drum loaded up, laser on.
• Don’t know what happened in the beginning where I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. Racked to reset, but now a late start.
• Laser on! The 2 I shot through the port were shot off shoulder, raised, to avoid the lower part of the port. Not very stable and doesn’t allow for quick, accurate follow ups.
• Stoppage in the middle was a light strike (high primer) that I cleared by racking and tilting to drop the round.
• 2 mikes somewhere plus the late start and stoppage means 33rd

Stage 1

• First 3 were out in the open and the middle were finesse shots through ports. The low target on the left port yielded a mike as I shot through the low sill.
• 12th

The Good

• Stage 2 and 3, a good start
• Steel 1 for 1 this evening

Needs Improvement

• Shoot up what’s left of the batch made after changing from 40 to 9 on the press that led to semi-high primers.
• Get a green laser so I’m not confused as to which dot I’m looking at with the laser on.
• Always remember the ‘stab’ technique. Was aware of this at the beginning but after the equipment issues, started reverting to ‘relaxed’ shooting. Dry fire.

Finished 10th overall and 5th out of 7 in PCC.

3G Manatee, 9-8-18

Open Division

• G34 CO – Fastfire 3, 12.5# recoil spring, tungsten guiderod, ETS mags, 124gr BB RN ammo
• 18″ NFSC – 18″ New Frontier Side Charging upper on the M&P lower with JP trigger and SCSS, Strike Eagle 1-8, Offset mini-dot, JP Eliminator, SCSS, Armaspec magwell, Perfecta 55gr and PPU 69gr ammo
• Saiga 12 – Venom dot, Estate and Remington Target (1200fps) and Heavy Dove (1250fps) ammo.

First time running the 18″ NFSC with the 1-8 Strike Eagle freshly zeroed this week and it did not disappoint.

Stage 1

• Typical setup at Area 51 – start with pistol on a plate rack and star with steel and paper mixed in.
• SG on steel with a flipper (13 round count, 13 on the Saiga with the 12 rounder plus 1), I load up with the Estate ammo. This is not my typical Remington ammo so I decide to get the testing out of the way on the first stage. No issues.
• Rifle: 4 square plate rack at 50yds and 4 steel at around 100. Magnification set to about 2x, I do better than I typically do.
• Clean, 8th out of 41.

Stage 2

• Rifle long range: 2 positions on the barricade – 100, 200, 275 and 340. 1 for 1. This new system is a keeper.
• Some trouble with the pistol on steel – splits could be faster and not 1 for 1.
• 5th

Stage 3

• Rifle splits watching the vid surprised me. The JP Recoil Eliminator is doing its job. I’m shooting as fast the sights allow me to, and this is faster than my norm.
• Trouble with the SG – the 20 rounder is loaded with mostly Heavy Dove and the recoil surprised me. Some issues arise, that force me to rack twice (no bang, click and I rack an unfired round). It rattles me enough to miss the 1 standing steel left.
• On pistol, I start off re-engaging the last rifle paper. Again, I almost leave 1 steel standing were it not for a prompt of “IFFF you are finished…”.
• 15th

Stage 4

• SG goes much better this time with faster splits using the Estate rounds. Hmmmm…
• Pistol requires 2 extra for the star; not bad.
• 6th

Stage 5

• More good times with the rifle splits. Unfortunately this time I do get an FTN on a target I should have made up on as I recall the wonky shot.
• 1 extra with the pistol, again not bad.
• 15th

The Good

• Stage 1 – off hand shooting (better balance with the rifle)
• Stage 2 – Rifle zero and splits
• High primer issue fixed (shell plate loose, tightened plate bolt)
• Estate loads run

Needs Improvement

• Pistol splits
• Pistol accuracy – loose plate(?)/new plate
• Foundation for the rifle is set with the system, now I need to get faster with it with long range shooting.
• Test Saiga with 1180fps loads and using less Heavy Dove in the 20 rounder. Will it run with just 1200fps loads?

Not bad today with the new stuff. Except for some issues with the Saiga and the 20 rounder, the Saiga ran good with the Estate loads. Need to do some testing to see if I can optimize. Finished 10th overall and 4th out of 11 in Open.

18″ New Frontier Side Charger

New Frontier Side Charger Upper on the Smith&Wesson M&P lower with JP Trigger

• Odin Works 18″ 223 Wylde stainless steel barrel with adjustable micro gas block
• Midwest Industries G3M 15″ M-Lok handguard
• Magpul ACS stock
• JP SCSS

• JP Trigger
• Magpul MOE grip
• Armaspec magwell

• JP Low Mass BCG/OS

• JP Recoil Eliminator

• Strike Eagle 1-8
• Sightmark mini dot offset

• Warne R.A.M.P. Mount
• Side charge handle

Limcat Panthera

On loan from Lee N. This is a treat to shoot such a high dollar gun and I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to play with it. Thanks again Lee!

 

USPSA WAC, 9-7-18

Open Division

• Limcat Panthera, 124gr BB RN Major loads (124gr BB RN, 6.9gr Autocomp, 1.165 OAL), MBX mags

First time shooting a 9mm Major Open Gun, a Limcat Panthera on loan from Lee N. I had dry fired the gun a few nights and had no issues finding the dot, even with the standard C-More mounting. It wasn’t finding the dot that would be my problem though…

Stage 1

• 2 shots, and the mag drops. I pick up the mag from the muddy ground and give it a quick wipe, reinsert, continue and finish.
• I’m surprised watching the vid on how quick I take those shots after the mag flub.
• At least it was clean. 24th out of 30.
• The mag flub ate about 9 seconds. Total time was about 20 – a clean run wouldv’e put me at a decent time of 11 seconds.

Stage 2

• String 1: 2-2-2-2, reload, repeat.

• And the mag falls out again. I don’t even finish shooting the first target. The problem is the extended mag release button and I’m hitting it with my grip. In dryfire, and range testing yesterday, the issue never was, but the reality of the match is revealing my grip’s shortcomings.
• String 2: 4-4 on the first 2, reload, again on the next 2.

• Mag falls out again. Not my day today.
• At least all shots are in and clean, but time is killing me.
• 25th

Stage 3

• After those 2 disasters, we uninstall the extended mag button.
• YAY! A clean run with no issues.
• 9th

Stage 4

• Even after the clean run, the thought of the mag just suddenly dropping haunts me. My mental game is off and a simple task like keeping the round count is easily forgotten. I’d shot too many extras and a standing reload is required to finish.
• 12th

The Good

• Keeping at it and getting a good stage after 2 disasters.
• Stage 3
• Splits looks good
• 9 Major ammo ran (maybe needs more powder)
• Identifying an issue and fixing it (extended mag release button removed)

Needs Improvement

• Getting used to the recoil impulse and reading this dot in recoil
• Forgetting the image of the mag falling without my intent

Not as good a start as I’d hoped shooting a super open gun, but this a case of the indian not being familiar with the arrow (or bow). I like the potential of how my splits look faster than with the 40 Open. Finished 19th overall and 5th out of 7 in Open.