3G Manatee, 8-31-19

Open Division

• Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads
• 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, Rolling Thunder comp, SCSS, Armaspec magwell, Federal 55gr ammo
• Borrowed Firebird MKA1919 with C-More optic and Typhoon brake from Lee running 1330fps loads
• Borrowed Bergara 6.5 Creedmoor chasis system with a Vortex 6-25x Razor scope and Lee’s ammo

Stage 2

• Changing up the rules on the PRS stage:
  • First round hit is now no bonus
  • Second round hit is +20
  • Miss is +40
  • Bonus is -20
• From the first position: 300 – 1st; 400 – miss; 600 – 1st
• Second position: 300 – 1st; 400 – miss; 600 – 1st, + Bonus hit
• 6th out of 33

Stage 3

• Rough start with the big steel but once I get on, it’s 1 for 1.
• 1 for 1 on the small steel.
• Rifle is clean but a bit slow because of the half targets.
• 9th

Stage 4

• I didn’t count the targets and thought the Troy mag with 30 (downloaded) would be good enough. I know better. I run out after shooting 1 at the last paper (but missing).
• First run of Lee’s Firebird and it doesn’t disappoint; 1 for 1. It’s a bit long, but it works.
• 17th

Stage 5

• Planned so as to minimize shots through the low port for both rifle and pistol.
• Speeding up on the half targets.
• Clean; 3rd.

Stage 1

• EVERYTHING 1 for 1
• 11th

The Good

• It’s nice to shoot a running shotgun (many thanks to Lee)
• Stage 1 – all 1 for 1
• Stage 5 – Good plan and execution
• Shooting an unfamiliar system (the Bergara 6.5) decently

Needs Improvement

• Get a Firebird? (Jeebus, after the money that went into the DAV12)
• Get your own PRS platform (though challenging myself with an unfamiliar system is good training)
• Rifle splits on small targets – while shooting the half targets today, I could see the dot wasn’t moving as much and felt I could go faster.

Finished 9th out of 33 and 2nd out of 14 in Open.

2019 PCC Palooza, Frostproof, 8-24-19

PCC Division

• ZRTS-JP 9mm PCC
  • Lower: ZRTS ZR9, JP yellow springs, Taccom short stroke buffer system, Magpul MOE SL stock
  • Upper: JP BCG, JP HG, JP brake, Anderson receiver, KVP barrel
  • Meopta 1-4 primary, Bushbell TRS-25 offset
• 124gr BlB loads and Federal 115gr ammo
• MBX extended 57 round magazine
  

Installed the Taccom short stroke system the night before. While I had planned to do a quick swap with the JP SCSS, the Taccom system required re-installation of the buffer detent because of the JP 9mm BCG. The retaining screw prevents the BCG from cycling as it totally blocks it. Thus it required its removal – and it held the whole self-contained system together. After a few failed attempts to insert all the parts and keep the system’s magnets aligned into the buffer tube, I found the best way was to install it fully assembled (with the pesky retaining screw) for easy insertion into the buffer tube. Once behind the detent, unscrew and remove the retaining screw. With a tight schedule for the night, after finally installing it, I had no time left for a quick range test. It would have to be during the match.

Stage 5

• Splits are pretty good, which means the new Taccom short stroke system was performing as advertised.
• Bit slow on the steel and the swingers.
• 18th out of 95

Stage 6

• Too many extras on the smaller steel – re-check Meopta zero
• Need to speed up splits on the swinger.
• Forgot 1 paper behind the barrel from the right-most position; FTSA.
• 76th

Stage 7

• Field of steel, not too many extras, better than the last stage. Then again, small steel not as many here. Or I just got used to them? Still, re-check zero.
• 40th

Stage 8

• From the barricade, 13 shots for the 7 hits. Set at 4x, the barricade wobbled on every shot and it translated into the optic. After dropping 2 on the plate rack, I quit after extras on the third; too wobbly.
• From the tank trap, 14 for the 9 hits.
• For the plate rack, 7 for the 6.
• I began to unload, at which point the squad started to hint at me (KA-KAW!!!). At first I thought I had to spin the spinner, which I had previously verified as out of play. Then I looked to the right…
• Lots of time eaten because I didn’t properly walk the stage.
• 47th

Stage 1

• Finally, a good run! 19th.

Stage 2

• Prior to the run, I flipped my plan of going left to right.
• Started out ok, with more extras on the small steel again.
• It falls apart in the end as I forget the last target. At least I engage it, but only after time lost.
• 68th

Stage 3

• After our first shooter demos ‘the way’, most of us follow.
• Good splits, better steel. 18th

Stage 4

• Good plan for the start, activating the swingers and shooting on the move to setup the next array.
• Good splits, and ok steel. 34th.

The Good

• Stage 5
  • First stage, good start
  • Good splits, shooting on the move
• Stage 1
  • Good plan, execution, shooting on the move
• Stage 3
  • Borrowed plan, but executing it well
• Taccom short-stroke buffer system works!
• Malfunction free

Needs Improvement

• Swingers
• Steel – check zero
• LR – check zero
• Use your loads instead of mixing ammo.
• Mental errors killed me. Keep my head in the game.

Finished 35th out of 95 and 13th out of 21 in B class.

2019 RockCastle ProAm, 8/16-18

• Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads
• Safariland belt system

• 18″ NFSC – 18″ New Frontier Side Charging upper on the M&P lower with JP trigger, SCSS and Armaspec magwell, Strike Eagle 1-8, offset Sightmark mini-dot, Rolling Thunder brake, using Federal 55gr, Frontier and PPU 69gr ammo

• Dissident Arms Vepr12, Vortex Venom red dot

Back to ‘The Rock’ after 5 years, and first match of the DAV12 (and a major at that). At the Super8 we were staying in the night before, I practiced mag changes with the new system. At first I noticed some resistance seating the mags, then observed the mag release moved as the mag locked in. So by looking at the mag release lever, I could tell if the mag was indeed locked in.

Day 1, 8/16/19

Stage 3

• I thought I turned on video but found out after the run that I didn’t.
• Start on the damned rocking horse – a big wooden horse cutout with an actual but well worn saddle, with the whole thing mounted on a chain suspended platform that made it move and rock at the slightest. We tried out different ways to shoot the 4 rifle steel from 75 out to 150yds. I hatched a plan to dismount, get the rifle from the barrel, move to the back of the horse where the platform locked in place, and rest the rifle on the horse’s left, rear frame. It was a nice solid position, but getting there with the whole contraption moving would have been problematic and time consuming.
• After watching the first shooter who leaned forward and rested the rifle on the horse’s ears, I decided on the same. Getting into position was a bit of  a stretch but not impossible. First target I engaged was the closest, which took a few to hit, given the extreme down angle. Probably should’ve started aiming slightly low to compensate. Next 3 were dead on, 1 for 1. Luckily, the horse was just bobbing up and down so I shot when the target crossed the reticle; unlike some who said the movement was both lateral and horizontal.
• Dismount, grab the shotgun from the bucket with the 12 round mag topped of with 2 slugs (1 extra for insurance). Rack the empty chamber while taking a few steps down the path, then shoot the first slug target. Hit! Holy crap, it’s on. Burn the other slug then start on the 2 small steel nearby. Run to near the dump bucket to finish off the remaining 4 small steel, then reload with a slug mag while going to the SG dump bucket. Burn the bird in the chamber, then engage the last 2 slug targets, 1 for 1. Great start for the DAV12!
• Draw pistol and rack while starting down the path, then engage the only 2 paper targets for the entire match.
• Finish on the 4 small poppers, hostage flipper and steel silhouette.
• Not bad for a first stage, and got the horse out of the way,
• 101st out of 237 and 31st out of 62 in Open.

Stage 4

• No FPV as I thought I turned on the camera but didn’t.
• Brief hiccup with a failure to feed using the 20 rounder loaded with 10 Remington 1200fps shells and topped of with Remington 1290s after the 8th shot. Quick shove to close and I’m back.
• Pistol 1 for 1, even on the skinny poppers.
• 3 shots to get on the first rifle target at about 270yds, then 1 for 1 at 250 and 300.
• 86th out of 237 and 26th out of 62 in Open.

Stage 1

• Start with the 20 rounder, but this time only 8 of the 1290s on top. DIdn’t matter, it still FTFd on the 4th and 5th shell, just when I needed it for the flying clays. 2 mikes and 1 FTE for that.
• At least the count isn’t off and I’m able to do the planned reload and finish.
• Lost a split second thinking I was done, only to see one more plate on the star.
• 106th out of 237 and 38th out of 62 in Open.

I felt good after these first 3 stages. While not blazing or even perfect, what with the shotgun issues on the second and third stages, they weren’t disastrous. With slugs hitting more than I can remember with the Saiga, I was feeling pretty good after Day 1.

 

Day 2, 8/17/19

Stage 7

• Rifle is about as good as it can, 1 for 1. But dang, watching myself ‘run’ to the car is painful. Work on rushing in-between the shooting.
• 20 rounder loaded, 8-12 mix as from Stage 1, and the bolt didn’t close on racking to load. More FTF past the first car.
• Pistol is ok, not too many extras.
• 164th out of 237 and 40th out of 62 in Open.

Stage 8

• Pistol starts great – not 1 for 1, but not disastrous either, and the 3 long range is almost (if not) 1 for 1.
• 8 shots for the 5 off-hand rifle .
• 12 rounders loaded with Fiocchi slugs and I manage only 5 of the 9 slugs, with 2 allocated per target.
• 156th out of 237 and 45th out of 62 in Open.

Stage 5

• First at 250 with the rifle is a hit. then next 3 at 450, 470 and 570 are 2 each and move on, with a third attempt on the 570.
• As I’m engaging. I’m noticing the stadia line is thicker than the targets, so much so I couldn’t see them. When I got the rifle back after my squadmates had cleared it, I notice the magnification was at 2-3x. At first I wondered if it got accidentally moved while being cleared. But on the next day, with it set to 8x for more 400yd targets, the targets were visible behind the reticle.
• Switching to SG and racking it leads to an immediate jam. Unlike before, I could shove the bolt closed. Rather than fighting it, I unloaded and used my spare. Problem solved but more time eaten.
• Pistol is just the icing to this debacle as it takes a lot more shots for the small steel. At least I didn’t need to reload.
• 162nd out of 237 and 44th out of 62 in Open.

With the DAV12 worsening throughout the day, this was a 180 from Day 1. On the first stage, the DAV12 malfunctioned enough that a chunk of time was eaten up resolving the FTF issues. While it ran fine on Stage 8, now slugs weren’t hitting. I couldn’t make up as much as I allocated 2 slugs per target as I was already running low on slugs to last the rest of the match. Limiting my count may have been good to also limit my time, but a third attempt would’ve been helpful. I brought 80 rounds of slugs and I was running low on Day 2? Just too much slugs for the match, as everyone complained.

Stage 5 utterly kills me – not setting max magnification, leading to 3 long range mikes. Then the DAV12 just quits before even firing a shot with it refusing to chamber on racking the gun. Good thing I had a spare mag.

 

Day 3, 8/18/19

Day 3 and I attempt to address the DAV12 issues the night before:

• ID 12 round mags I – III:
  • I – known good
  • II – known good
  • III – failed on Stage 5: use as a hot starter and never as a reload
• download 20 rounder to 19 or 18 to reduce mag drag

Stage 2

• Pistol starts well enough, almost 1 for 1, but I run dry on the last long range steel. Instead of reloading, I decide to to ditch and move on.
• Both slugs hit and it looks like I’m engaging the steel at a nice gallop with the SG.
  • Started with mag I loaded with 4 slugs and 8 bird; racked to start fine
  • Mag II had all bird
• With rifle properly set, 250yd is hit on the second shot. 3 shots each at 450 and 500 are misses. The third shot on the last 450 is called hit after I declared “I quit”.
• 122nd out of 237 and 34th out of 62 in Open. (actually not bad compared to those of Day 2)

Stage 6

• I planned to use the D60 so it could double as a rest on the roof. On Make Ready, I find out that the D60 doesn’t fit with the Armaspec magwell installed. I had to unload everything so I could go back to the Jeep and transfer the rounds from the drum to the dual mag.

Take 2

• SG mag in, chamber empty. 5 slug steel at about 75yds. Rack the Vepr, jam. Tried to shoe the bolt closed, to no avail. Had to unseat the mag, at which point the bolt closed, then forced it back in. Miss. I’d loaded the 20 with 7 slugs and 11 bird for a total of 18. I intentionally downloaded by 2 to decrease pressure on the bolt from mag drag, yet it still malfunctioned. For almost every slug, I had to unseat then re-seat the mag. Of the 5 steel, I think I hit 3.
• After the slugs, came a count of 10 mini spinners which had to complete a rotation to be neutralized. At this point, the gun had started to act normally, so spinning the 10 wasn’t a problem.
• Reload and move to the van’s side door to engage the 3 remaining spinners through the driver door window. As I moved left, RO yells “muzzle” as I’d carelessly swung the barrel (could it have gotten any worse?). After the first shot for the remaining spinners, the gun jams again. Repeat the unseat-seat drill. By the third and last spinner, I had more trouble re-seating the mag so I said f*ck it and transitioned to rifle.
• 6 rifle steel at about 50yds through the passenger window. 1 for 1; small mercies.
• Run to the ‘roof’ for long range steel of 6 steel at 250-300yds. Magnification to 8x using the bipod. Left leg on the base, right leg on the ‘roof’.
  
• In a hurry from spending so much time fighting the SG, I shoot 2 each and hoped for the best. I was able to hit 3-4.
• Abandon the rifle then run back to the van to re-engage the spinners with the pistol. I spin the first 2 and timed out while engaging the third. 10 FTEs and misses is the cherry on this sundae.
• 200th out of 237 and 55th out of 62 in Open. (at least I’m not DFL)

The Good

• Squad 3: Best Squad Ever
  
• Pistol work, specially on Stage 4 (1 for 1).
• Stage 4 – everything ran, except the DAV12, but was quickly remedied
  • pistol 1 for 1
  • rifle almost 1 for 1
• Physically felt better this year than 5 years ago. More fit this year.

Needs Improvement

• THE DAV12 and the mags
• Long range rifle. Pick a load, zero the EFF out of it, then stick with it for greater than 100. Then know where 55s go at 100.
• Keep on improving fitness so to improve quickness in between, as well as agility.

Finished 146th out of 237 overall and 42nd out of 62 in Open.

Was still fortunate enough to bring home an American Defense Mfg, 10.75″ handguard. Many thanks for American Defense for supporting our sport as well as the staff and ROs who worked so hard to make the match happen. While we complained, moaned and groaned, it was a challenge and still had a great time!

USPSA, Frostproof, 8-11-19

PCC Division

• ZRTS-JP 9mm PCC
  • Lower: ZRTS ZR9, JP yellow springs, JP 9mm SCSS, Magpul MOE SL stock
  • Upper: JP BCG, JP HG, JP brake, Anderson receiver, KVP barrel
  • Shifted the TRS-25 to offset and mounted the Meopta 1-4 to simulate it as my 3gun trainer
• Remington, Winchester and Federal 115gr ammo and my 124gr BlB loads
• MBX extended 57 round magazine and Glock 33rnd mag
  

Today’s match is mostly a rehash of the 2019 IPSC Nationals’ stages.

Stage 2

• Stage 4 from IPSC Nationals and I shot it the same way.
• Clean, 8th out of 51.

Stage 3 – Classifier

• Forgot to turn on the camera, no video.
• String 1 – left to right, and I tag the no-shoot while engaging the second target while moving right.
• String 2 – right to left; clean
• 11th

Stage 4

• Stage 7 from Nats, same plan.
• Clean, 14th.

Stage 5

• Also Stage 5 from IPSC Nats, same plan, but not as cleanly executed.
• 12th

Stage 6

• Combined Stages 2 and 3 from IPSC Nats, the same ones I worked. With them combined, now the plan was different.
• Lead off with the swinger activator, then all the front targets.
• Running back seemed slow and when I got there only had the first 2 targets planned out. Winged it after those 2. I wasn’t aware of the shooting order and I had helped reset when I was on deck. I rushed getting my stuff together without locking in my plan. I ended up missing a target altogether (FTE).
• A-M on the swinger through the port.
• 39th

Stage 1

• Not an IPSC Nats stage. This time I was able to work out a choreographed plan down to each target, even though I went up second.
• Shot as planned.
• 12th

The Good

• Stage 2 – first stage, best stage.
• Keeping it together after Stage 6 and coming back for Stage 1
• Meopta system works (didn’t have to use Bushnell today)
  • doesn’t seem to be as quick as with just the dot, but that may be due to the ammo
• MBX extended 57 round mag works
• Federal, Winchester and Remington 115gr ammo (brass) good to go
• Malfunction free

Needs Improvement

• Pay attention to the batting order
• Work on quicker splits for further targets (could be ammo)

Finished 17th out of 51 and 5th out of 9 in PCC.

Action Rifle, HSC, 8-10-19

Open Division

• 18″ NFSC – 18″ New Frontier Side Charging upper on the M&P lower with JP trigger, SCSS and Armaspec magwell, Strike Eagle 1-8, offset Sightmark mini-dot, Rolling Thunder brake, using Federal 55gr and Frontier 69gr ammo

3G at Manatee cancelled so back to my roots, HSC Action Rifle (last shot this match in 2016).

Stage 3

• I planned to shoot the match with both rifle and PCC, and had planned on PCC for this stage (all relatively close). That was to save on 223 and to practice PCC which I had reconfigured with the Meopta 1-4. I’d shot this match years ago and mixed guns, even calibers. It’s outlaw and being Open, not using the Open rifle was a step down (I thought). But on ‘Make Ready’ today, Dave advised that the rules had changed… so off to swap guns I went.
• I thought I had the plan in mind, but changed it on the fly. Result: skipped the headshot in the middle of the pins. After I drop the red ‘stop pin’ in the end did I actually re-acquire the headshot and decided not to shoot. Compound the problem by taking a procedural and the extra time? Nope. But already a mike.
• Also miked the headshot above the stop pin. Though I did shoot at it.
• Shot everything with the offset dot, so the dot is good. Only thing is, I had set the Strike Eagle to 2/3x for more precise shots. Never used it. Plan each shot.
• 2 mikes; 4th out of 9 in Open.

Stage 4

• 9 steel, 3 positions: upright table/wall, window, and spool
• 55gr ammo for the long-ish steel (about 100-150yds)
• upright table wall: 9 – handguard pinned to the table side with my left hand also resting on the table; very stable
• window: 11 – immediately on mounting the gun with my left hand on the window sill, I felt some instability to the position compared to the upright table/wall
• spool: 12 – had the option of using a pole which probably was more stable than the spool which tended to shift after every shot
• 5 extras; 3rd in Open.

Stage 5

• magnification set to 2-3x; pins: 7 for the 5
• run to the right while setting magnification to 1x
• I do a better job of shot planning as I take the first 5 targets with the primary, then shift to the offset for the array around the barrel
• Splits need more consistency for target distance
• 3rd in Open

Stage 1

• 8 steel at around 200yds from 3 positions.
• Magnification set to 8x.
• 40rnd mag loaded with a mix of (what I thought) 69gr ammo, topped of with 20 of fresh out of the box Frontier 69gr. Extra mag on belt with 55gr.
• Position 1: 16
• Position 2: 25 + reload, then 3 (28 shots for 8)
• Position 3: 11 (though the last was a gimme as I had actually and unknowingly re-engaged #7; I don’t think I ever saw #8 from that position)
• Seems that from above, using mag 2 with the 55s worked better than the Frontier 69s
• 6th in Open
• Verify zero with PPU 69gr and Federal 55gr

Stage 2

• Muzzle on table to start
• Makeup for the Stage 1 debacle.
• Magnification set to 1x
• Clean, 2nd.

The Good

• Stage 2
  • quick, target appropriate splits
  • shooting on the move
  • stage plan
  • best stage for the day
• Stage 4
  • intermediate ranged targets (150yds?) with 55gr ammo
• No malfunctions

Needs Improvement

• Verify zero with 55 and 69gr ammo
• Plan each shot
• Practice rifle splits or stop thinking too much and just shoot (Stage 5)

Finished 4th out of 9 in Open.

USPSA, WAC, 8-6-19

PCC Division

• ZRTS-JP 9mm PCC
  • Lower: ZRTS ZR9, JP yellow springs, JP 9mm SCSS, Magpul MOE SL stock
  • Upper: JP BCG, JP HG, JP brake, Anderson receiver, KVP barrel and Bushnell TRS-25 dot
• Remington and Federal 115gr ammo
• MBX extended 57 round magazine’s first use
  

Stage 1

• Splits start out great but slow down for similar and even closer targets as I progress through the stage.
• Should’ve shot the poppers on the move to the left so I’d be in position for the left “hallway” target.
• Still, the best for the night at 6th out of 44.

Stage 2

• Forgot to turn on camera; no video.
• Memory Stage, start on the left for 2 on the left, 1 of the 6 in the middle and the right most popper.
• Run to somewhat right of middle for the remaining 5 paper in the middle array and the left-most popper.
• Run to the right for the last 2.
• Clean, 7th.

Stage 3

• Starts out ok on the popper and paper (which I probably should’ve shot from the closer position).
• I see the hit on the no-shoot so I duck back in for the makeup.
• For the middle array, I should’ve started on the wide open paper on the move (L,R), then the headshots (R-L).
• Bit of frag comes back and hits my left nostril after hitting the big popper. Extreme angle of the shot slows down my shots as a result.
• 20th

Stage 4

• Great start until I hit the wall with my barrel. Not too big a deal but distracting. Maybe I should’ve shot those 3 more in the middle rather than on the left side.
• 10th

The Good

• Stage 1 – first stage, best stage.
• Steel 1 for 1
• Haven’t shot PCC in a while so not too bad a showing.
• New system works
• MBX extended 57 round mag works
• Factory Federal and Remington 115gr ammo (brass casings) works
• Malfunction free

Needs Improvement

• Work on consistency of splits, aside from appropriateness
• With a long gun, be aware of its length and obstacles

Finished 8th out of 44 and 3rd out of 11 in PCC.

USPSA, TBSPC/Ruskin, 8-4-19

Open Division

• Open Edge in .40SW using 155gr BB RN loads
• DAA belt system

Stage 2

• Hands on port so I stretch out for the right most target.
• On the move on the middle array.
• Almost missed the planned reload (actually did) but got it before getting into position.
• Steel 1 for 1.
• Clean, 12th out of 54.

Stage 3

• 1 for 1
• Unplanned sequence as I planned right to left, right to left
• 6th

Stage 4

• Steel 1 for 1
• Splits match target types – faster for wide open, bit slower for no-shoots
• 9th

Stage 5

• First shot on far steel; steel 1 for 1
• Middle array on the move
• 3 on the swinger – all 3 are in
• Clean, 7th

Stage 1

• Steel 1 for 1
• 12th

The Good

• All steel 1 for 1
• Clean match
• Target appropriate splits
• Malfunction free
• Vacation seemed to do me good.

Needs Improvement

• Keep working on DOPE for outdoors (more outdoor matches, not just WAC)
• With good, target appropriate splits. now work on speeding up

Bit of a break from the last match and with missing some rained out WAC matches and going to the UK vaca last week. I thought I’d be rusty but the break did me good instead. Clean match, steel 1 for 1 and reasonable splits. Finished 8th out of 54 and 3rd out of 7 in Open.