In Colorado? Come Shoot the Tactical Rifle Match!

[Justin]

This Sunday, March 20th will be the year's first Tactical Rifle Match.

In a nutshell, think of the match as IPSC with a rifle. Paper IPSC targets from close range to fifty yards, steel flash targets, MGM poppers, and a LaRue from 200-425, all field positions.

The match consists of three stageswith a minimum round count of 30ish rounds per stage. Bring extra ammo, though.

This year we'll be changing things up with the incorporation of one open-terrain stage, and the inclusion of V-Tac barricades on alternating months.


Setup starts at 7am (for those who feel like helping out), registration starts at 9am, first shot goes down range at 10am.

Subsequent matches will be held the fourth Sunday of the month until October.

If you've got a semi-auto rifle and want to test your skills, this match is a great way to do it, and lots of fun to boot.

Recommended Equipment:

• semi-auto rifle
• two-four magazines
• magazine carrier (or pockets big enough to stuff extra mags in)
• 150-200 rounds (no steel core allowed)
• hearing and eye protection
• knee pads and elbow pads (not a requirement, but nice to have)

The match is held at The Pueblo West Sportsman's Association. Shoot me a message if you're interested or need directions to the match.

If you want to see pictures from previous matches click here.

 

[Robert]

I will be there!

 

[Hoser]

You bringing that new poodleshooter/mousegun/non-commie-gun of yours?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Just a few teasers:

Gus getting a face full of roll over prone...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Curtis doing stupid Human Tricks before he broke his rifle...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Me wondering just how darn far that target is...

Then picking my way through the puzzle...

 

[Dr.Rob]

Yes, shooting is a dirty sport.

 

[Justin]

Overall, the first match of the year was pretty successful, though we did have to overcome a few difficulties. For the first half of the match, competitors had to put up with howling cross winds of 25+ mph that made it difficult to both hit and score the furthest distance target.

We also had an issue with scoring hits on the furthest target of the match, a steel IPSC target at about 375 yards. This will be corrected at the next match by setting the targets up to activate a strobe light when hit.

Probably the biggest success of the match was our introduction of an open-terrain, non-square range stage that challenged competitors to move down a hill and up and onto a structure.

The introduction of a VTAC wall as one of the stages presented some technical challenges that required shooters to engage a steel target at 125 yards from a multitude of positions. This also threw in the added challenge of requiring competitors to move into and out of position, which is something that not many people (including yours truly) practice with any regularity.

Overall, I think this match was a success, despite some of the bugs, which will be corrected in time for the next match.









Note the bolt is in the process of ejecting the spent casing.


RELOAD!





Not often you catch muzzle flash in full daylight.


We introduced a new thing to the match this year. Every other month, we'll be running a standards course using a VTAC wall. Despite the relatively close distance of the target, this proved to be very challenging. The hardest part of shooting through this thing, besides the awkward shooting positions, is transitioning between the ports.


Flying brass looks awesome.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Heat, dirt, thirst. My shooting started off pretty good but took a nose dive in stage 2. On stage three I fired almost 140 rounds and the slowest time. Yuck.

Even so, it's a blast to spend a Sunday in Pueblo.

Here's Justin showing you that while camoflague won't improve your scores, it's a useful tactic to work on!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Here's me on the same stage. At least we shot in the shade on 2 positions.

Good time to point out that gloves, knee and elbow pads help with the cactus spines, but don't protect 100%.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Last stage, hot & dirty but still cookin'.

 

[Justin]

A few pics from today's match on the open-terrain stage.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Great day had by all, just remember to adjust your stock properly BEFORE you start shooting!

(Took me halfway through the first COF to realize something was amiss!)

And sorry the first few the camera wasn't set properly (blame Justin)

 

[Dr.Rob]

Great time with good people, with faces familiar and thrills aplenty!

Kenny finally opts some quality glass, while JJ goes IronMench with an HK! (That thing flung brass 20 feet)

 

[Dr.Rob]

Run 3, gotta gear up for safety!

Maybe I should contact Nike, Triple Eight, Wiley, Leapers/UTG, Fox Racing, Swatch and Colt for sponsorship deals? That way I could shoot more!

 

[Dr.Rob]

When you skip a target be sure to hustle BACK just as fast as you hustled OUT.

Note to all: Justin needs a full length sizing die or an 'expectant daddy's factory ammo fundrasier'.

But he still outshoots me everytime.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I promised!

Gus shows his hustle in spite of a duct tape repaired crotch. (duct tape is tactical!)

Rich gets his game face on with a commie rifle and US optics. He lit this course up.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Well you wonder why I always dress in black? It shows the dirt better when i slide face first into a ditch filled with rocks and stumps.

It doesn't slow me down much. Leapin' lizards what an action pose!

 

[Dr.Rob]

One one giant leap for mankind! (We all thought this platform was going to slide out from under us, it was a blast!)

Now slow down and breathe zen like and take your targets in order.

And try NOT to bust your knees on the steps as you hustle!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Run, leap! Watch that excellent trigger finger discipline!

Sometimes action speaks for itself, especially when you're man enough to do it in shorts, with an AK!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Aim small miss small? How about BE small, miss small?

And look before you leap!

Seriously a fun day and challenging stages, a great time was had by all!

 

[Justin]

This tree caused more than a few malfunctions.

 

[Justin]

A few pics from this month's match:




Close-range stage, note the target sitting just beneath the bush.




CLANG!
Every time a steel target rings, an angel locks and loads.


This stage involved a little bit of movement.


Note the use of the Nordic Components magazine extension.


I love it when you get a photo with the brass still in the air.


Testing out the new OP MOD II from Optics Planet. It's a fairly neat piece of kit, and despite being sub-optimal for long range shots, did pretty well. (The rifle it's mounted to, on the other hand...)


Yeah, we did a bit of offhand shooting. Not so easy with the EoTech.


RUN!


Notably, this is the first SCAR that we've had show up at our match.

 

[Justin]

 

[Dr.Rob]

Wow my camera was almost empty.. guess we were all trading Justin's around.

Curtis is always a great subject for transitions.... breathe man, BREATHE!