TRAINING LEAD-UP
Tuesday, Sep 16:
Yoga Release & Flow - Day 22 - Truth with Adriene, since my right side feels jacked up
Wednesday, Sep 17:
Blackstone trip to zero my red dot and shoot the ported CZP10C for the first time.
- Used 9 mags of B&D to start moving towards a zero at 7yd, making adjustments 4x
- Tried at 25yd for 20 rounds, with 1 adjustment
- Went back to 7yd again for 2 mags, but started getting diminishing returns due to fatigue, when trying on an already-dirty diamond, so went for another 2 mags on a clean diamond and was centered
- Finished with 3 mags of cadence drills at 7yd... didn't feel anything mind-blowing about ported on this gun.
50#R in MACV1s around the neighborhood after Blackstone, playing Pokemon.
Cleaned the gun afterwards.
Thursday, Sep 18:
Glute and pec PT v2 in 26:48, HDT "Deltopec" 25 min AMRAP with 5 rounds and 14 reps with 30# for the mil press and 40# for the strict press. Finished with 75 4ct flutter kicks and a 2:30 OH hold with a 30#RPC.
Friday, Sep 19:
18A "Lower Body Prep" in 19:39, then "Lower Body Push" in 34:47
Saturday, Sep 20:
JBF "Six Pack" in 28:17 with a 40#SB, then 5x [1 min 6 in, 100 step-ups with a 30#R] in 44:45 for hill prep
Sunday, Sep 21:
Latta Nature Preserve - Hill section of the park, including the terrible rocky, ankle-breaking Cove Trail, in 8" MACV2s with a 30#R. Did 5 mi in 1:59:05.
It was nice to have a weekend without events, where I could just be home and focus on training. It means easier blogging, too.
Monday, Sep 22:
Home - Day 8 - Heal & Fell Good Flow with Adriene to unjack my right back and let my left shin heal.
Tuesday, Sep 23:
50#R in MACV1s around the neighborhood at night with Pokemon. Low motivation to do much else and barely for this. Covered 4 miles in 1:28:55.
(chia matcha pudding)
Wednesday, Sep 24:
Went to Blackstone to confirm zero on my BCM. Only used 3 rounds and was happy with the 1.5" low at 25yd.
I also zeroed my old LMT with 3 rounds... windage was OK, and 1.5" low was good too.
I finished with 4 mags of ball and dummy with the CZ ported to re-check the zero after the cleaning and with a fresher shooter.
HDT IR33-34.2.3 (arms and core) in 49:47 not too bad and good on a day when I didn't want a lot of strain.
Friday, Sep 26:
MTB class with Mike at Fisher Farm, covering about 5.5 mi between the class and another practice loop with SB afterwards. We covered turns, keeping weight on back wheels, adjusting gears all the time and maybe going on easier gears than I think I should, using lower tire pressure like 25F/25R for better traction and less undesireable bounce, letting the bike do the work, getting more time on bike to gain comfort and ease and confidence, and remembering to adjust the fork stiffness based on the riding surface.
Since biking is a weak area for me when it comes to AR, improving this weak link will help me as an ARer overall.
Afterwards, I stayed in the Huntersville area to lead "Ruck the World" for the CLT area clubs. It started raining as we set off, but this was a group of hard chargers, so it didn't phase us. We sped through that ruck and then met up at Neoteric Brewing afterwards. I wasn't sure if I'd make it to the brewery, but after seeing all my friends there, it was hard to go home early, even though I'd have an early wakeup the next morning for the Gun Run. I did only drink a very small pumpkin beer, to be fresher for the next day.
GUN RUN @ DEWITT'S
Gun Run was my first shooting comp, and I still love the format. I like the balance of physical (especially cardio) vs shooting skills that it tests. I've explored a bunch of different types of shooting competitions in recent years, but I still love coming back to gun runs every time.
I ended up with the first time slot this time. I wonder if it was a way to make up for the long wait times (and shortened course experience) I had with SB at the land nav match. I'm probably not the fastest overall runner, based on past results. I'm up there, but not at the very top. One of my major goals was to not cause wait times for anyone behind me and make Ellis regret giving me the first slot.
I'm still conservative with the amount of ammo that I bring... I brought 150R and 150P for a 40R / 35P min count match. I ended up using 40R and 50P.
It was lightly drizzling when I stepped off, but that's not bad. At least it's not hot, and it's not hard enough rain to mess up shooting and optics too much.
Stage 1: (Rifle Only)
- Start standing with loaded rifle
- Drop ot seated and shoot 2 far-sided rifle targets, 2x each
- Go to the VTAC and hit the 2 close-sided rifle targets 2x each from any port
- Shoot 4 rounds on each of 3 paper targets, reloading behind the VTAC if needed, to be tactical
Learnings/Outcomes: DNF (76/108 pass)
- I made my first shot
- On my second attempt for my second shot, I got a malfunction. The second round was trying to jam in, where there was already a case or a round.
- It was hard to get it un-stuck using my fingers only, and the ROs suggested using gravity to help, so I mortared it, and it came out after a few tries
- After that, I was still getting clicks and no bang... I'd eject the round, having to remove the mag, too, but the retry still wouldn't work... I'd eventually time out
- From the second malfunction, I said aloud "this is going to be a long day"
- The ROs had checked my ejected rounds after I timed out, but they didn't notice anything wrong with the rounds
Run
- On the run to the next stage, I discovered that I couldn't get the safety to go back onto safe, even after the rifle CH was racked
- I opened up the lower to try to look inside, while running, but didn't notice anything out of place
- I thought about running back to the start to my car to grab a backup red dot only gun, but that would've caused wait times and messed up event flow for everyone else, so I ran on.
Stage 2: (Pistol Only)
- Can leave the rifle to the side
- Take 2 hits on 3 targets from each of 3 different ports of a custom barrier
Learnings/Outcomes: Pass in 49.28 (59/100 finishers)
- As I ran up, I told the ROs that my rifle was down. I didn't know that this would be a pistol-only stage, but the RO offered (who's also a match director at the Gun Run sometimes at VODTAC) to let me borrow his personal rifle, which was super nice. It was an M&P with a 30mm 1.7" mount, with a Primary Arms PLX 1-8x24 with ACSS Griffin Mil reticle, zeroed at 100yd with 62gr, with dope written on the buttstock. It was already on 6x power, and I never thought to change it, and I didn't know that it was easy to change the diopeter, either, but I could manage the blurry targets OK. The sling was set up for a lefty, but that was fine... at least the ejection port was on the right side. It had a light on the left and a little index stop that never got in the way.
- My mind was still reeling a bit from my fortunes changing with the borrowed rifle, but I shot this stage OK. The targets were pretty big.
- I went top, mid, bottom
- After the stage, I cleared the pistol out of habit... I reloaded it right afterwards when I realized what I did. Not necessary at this match at this venue.
Run
- On the way to the next stage, we had to fully submerge in a pond. We were allowed to remove gear, which is nice. I don't want my gun rusting or having to intentionally do things that will cause malfunctions and wear and tear. I get quality gear that should be robust, but intentional abuse isn't something I'm into, so I'm glad that this MD doesn't do that to us.
Stage 3:
- Start with mag in and empty chamber with bolt forward on the rifle
- Draw pistol and shoot 4x on a square and reholser
- From anywhere on the blue ladder, shoot 4 hits per big target (2 of them) and 1 hit on the small 4" gong between the two big targets
Learnings/Outcomes: Pass in 76.85 (69/80 finishers)
- I might've shot it clean?
- The 100yd zero was perfect for this stage and made me appreciate this zero, especially when it came time to shoot the 4" target... it would've been tough getting that with less-than-clear holds
- I got it, even though I was using 55gr.
- It felt good, and I was glad that I figured out the new rifle OK. I was proud of my mental recovery from all that had happened, too.
- The targets were blurry, but good enough
- I did have to get off the rifle once or twice to align the rifle to find the target, since I was on 6x... that worked, even though I could've remembered to adjust magnification, too.
- I removed my glasses during the rifle portion, since they fogged up, and that wasn't helping with the already blurry optic
Stage 4: (Pistol Only)
- Stage rifle on the sandbag and ammo can-weighted skedko
- Shoot a 50yd large torso with pistol with 4 hits
- Drag the skedco to the next set of flags
- Shoot 2 popper targets with 4 hits each
- Grab the ammo can and bring it to the last shooting spot at the star... hold the can in your strong hand while you shoot the star with your weak hand only
Learnings/Outcomes: DNF (18/108 finished)
- I might've only missed once on the 50yd shots
- It took me forever to pull the skedco. I dragged in backwards, since I thought it would be easy and quick, but I should've done a forward drag instead. It was a long way, and it was pretty heavy.
- The card suit poppers went slightly better for me than usual, but still not perfect... maybe missed 1/3 of the time
- Timed out working on my third shot on the second popper, maybe
- I had no chance of passing this stage... the TX Star with support hand would've gotten me anyways, probably, even if the sled drag wasn't so long.
Stage 5: (Rifle Only)
- Start loaded and standing
- Make 1 hit on left target and 1 hit on right target, from 3 different marked trees
Learnings/Outcomes: Pass in 63s (36/66 finishers)
- I went to double kneeling semi-prone on my chest from the first tree... an odd position, but I guess I wanted the stability of prone while being able to still get back up quickly
- I did a jacked up non-symmetrical prone on the second tree, even though I know better... maybe still because it's faster to get up if one knee is already bent?
- I only had 1 miss, on the last target
- I couldn't see my hits on the right target because of the blur, but I got "impacts" and continued
- Targets were wide apart, forcing us to reposition and acquire targets.
- I could've made better positions, but it was still OK... maybe that's acceptable with big enough rifle targets
Stage 6: (Rifle Only)
- From the cattle gate, shoot 4 targets with 1 hit each from L->R, from 2 different rungs, but not allowed to use the very top or the very bottom, or use the t-post for support.
Learnings/Outcomes: Pass in 71.78s (29/42 finishers)
- I should've maybe used the allowed vertical beam a little bit more than I did, to brace
- It was OK overall... I had to play with holds a bit... I didn't take the time to look at the card and just shot high... I guess I didn't know the distances for sure, anyways, which limits the use of the card a little bit, although you could still use the card to bracket, although the grain is different
- I think I used the higher rungs, but not sure... I did whatever seemed easiest at the time.... I think I was kneeling-ish once, though
- On one target, I knew I had bad NPA because I had just turretted to pan from one target to the next. I didn't take the time to readjust my base. I was missing, and only after that did I re-adjust like I should've from the start... always have good NPA.
Run
- I pushed it on the last run to the finish, through the discomfort.
- 2 more guys weren't too far behind, but I'm glad that I always stayed ahead of the wait time gap
Overall - 34/108 overall, 13/108 run (51.10), 54/108 gun
- Thankful to the RO for letting me borrow his gun!
- Didn't end up using my eye pro after halfway through the third stage
- Glad that I was able to adapt to the foreign and blurry gun
- Nice using the 100yd zero
- Suppressor never burned me
- Heavier rifle wasn't an issue at this match, since the shooting was supported
- Always build good positions with good NPA, especially if the targets are far apart pan-wise
- Good visual patience on all my shots, so good accuracy rate
- Loose round setup in my chest rig was good for pistols... always had a fresh mag to use on rifle since some stages were pistol only
- Came back with 100P and 110R, though
- Glad I didn't cause anybody wait time
- Glad I got to run in relatively cool weather where the drizzle wasn't an issue
After
In the trunk of my car, I troubleshot my rifle and found that a popped primer had gotten stuck in the trigger somewhere.
I hadn't expected to have to fully submerge and hadn't brought extra clothes... I guess I'd be wet for the rest of the day! I did have different shoes, though.
COLEMAN'S
After the match, I drove to my home range, since it's technically in the same city.
It was my 31st visit overall and first for my third year of membership.
Initially, I tried to take a nap, but it was too hot already, in the car.
KD Range (12:45-2:15)
At the KD range, I shot my BCM to make sure it still worked, and to gather dope for potential use of this gun at the upcoming DMR gun run.
I did get another popped primer. It came from ammo that looked pretty powdery and old on the casing and bullet.
I got a bunch of first round hits at 260, 300, 400. I figured out my holds for them. I also figured out how to range using the reticle, for whatever sized IPSCs these were... I'm assuming 100%.
- 300 yd has base-to-head with 2 mil
- 400yd has body without head for 1 mil
- No full torsos at 100yd and 200yd, but hopefully I can eyeball those
- No good torsos at 500yd either
I spent about 50yd on dope collection, and then I spent about 10 rounds on positional work. Positional went surprisingly well, not any different from bench, which I guess was technically positional, too, but seated, since I had no bipods and was shooting from an upright bag, dealing with the tall mag of the 30rd Magpul.
Forest Bay (2:15-2:45)
- Shot 126, 143, and 160yd targets in the front, assuming they were ~150yd by eye
- Shot and hit 255yd target assuming it was 300yd, and shot and hit the 300yd target assuming it was 400yd, but I still got first round hits
- I did positional work from t-posts with covers, concrete pipes that were sideways and upright, tank trap, special board barricade, all good
- Did 5 mags of G19C with irons from concealed, on a plate rack and with single shots per draw for speed on a 6" square at about 10yd
Cowboy Bay (3:15-4:45)
- Used Federal 50gr JHP ammo from my old DI LMT SPM
- Did El Pres - should've started dry to get the leading with the eyes down
- Had one failure to chamber malfunction... could've been a mag seating issue, since when I released the mag, I felt no click
- I made up a drill where I had 3 targets spaced apart and imagined someone calling out targets randomly, forcing me to look before panning, vs being lazy and just going right and left and not potentially leading with the eyes
I shot for about 60 rounds.
I noticed afterwards that my red dot was a bit loose.
I did some close-quarters pistol drills with 5 initial and 5 after reload. Mag changes with the glock always work better if you keep the gun vertical and thrust down.
I did 3 mags of pistol on the Texas Star 1-handed afterwards to make it a little more challenging. Right hand OK but left was slow and not accurate, even after doing all the right things (thumb up, blading, though no lean-back not that I needed to for this light gun)
Back at Dewitt's
After Coleman's, I went back to Dewitt's for the prize table.
A good day in Ellerbe, and a productive training day before DMR RNG!
Even malfunctions help you become better, because you learn how the gun works and how to deal with things that go wrong.
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