Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1

    Default Report: Sports Adventure Shooting 15 October 2016

    This past Saturday saw our last training day for the year.

    We started at 07:00 as per usual, a few regulars and two noobs, Hannes and Morne. Morne attempted a Level 1 and made the hike in 36 minutes. He was using a .22 bolt action with an extended magazine. Unfortunately for him, the morning was VERY windy and he only managed 6 of the required 10 hits. This once again indicated the advantages and disadvantages of every platform/calibre: Weight of ammo vs stability in strong winds, accuracy of bolt actions vs a semi's ability to put rounds down range,etc.

    The day's training consisted mostly of shooting from vehicles. We drove "loops" where we had steel silhouettes in front of the backstop. These were engaged (after "dry runs" for safety's sake) from distances ranging between 10 and 20 meters. We did runs with both rifles and handguns. Participants had a chance to be a driver-shooter (handgun only) , front passenger-shooter and back passenger-shooter. Some drills had a front-and back passenger-shooter at the same time.

    Speed was increased and decreased according to what was practical and safe. Particular emphasis was drawn to muzzle direction and knowing when to engage and when to seize fire. With the exercises that had two shooters, communication between them and the driver was very important.

    It was an interesting learning curve. Particularly apparent was how much more difficult it becomes to score hits when you sit on the side of the vehicle which allows you less of an angle to work with, depending on which shoulder you shoot from and whether the loop is being driven clockwise or anti-clockwise. Even though we drove relatively slow, one has very little time to engage targets and must compensate for how quickly the shooting angle changes.

    Each drill was followed by the usual "30 seconds" where each participant could share his views. One observation was the difficulty of using rifles with magnified optics at such close distances. Considering the number of misses, it was clear that "collateral damage" would be a reality in a real-life encounter of this sort. Something to keep in mind when considering how one would deal with such a scenario.

    These drills were quite unusual (as compared to what one would generally expect to do on a shooting range), however this is a big part of Sports Adventure Shooting: Realistic training that is still safe and enjoyable.

    The vehicle exercises were followed by a drill than incorporated rifle, handgun, Level 1 gear and movement . Shooters had to disassemble and assemble their weapons in limited time and engage steel silhouettes at various distances, while moving between shots to keep the heart rate up. All participants, but specifically the newbies, experienced first hand the shortcomings of both gear and skill level. Here and there, we had a bit of blood on hands and guns owing to sharp edges on slides/rails etc. As all attendees had other responsibilities to get to, we didn't have our usual braai afterwards.

    Thank you Camo for the arrangements and planning the drills. We all learned a lot and had tons of fun. In November, we'll have the annual family day, which is an opportunity for the WAGs and kids to be exposed to guns in a friendly and safe environment and to socialise.

    We look forward to Sas 2017.

  2. #2
    Moderator camouflage762's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Alberton
    Posts
    12,024

    Default Re: Report: Sports Adventure Shooting 15 October 2016

    Thanks for the write up gwj.

    Was indeed the most fun to be had and it was done safely.

    My car interior was strewn with doppies and covered with dust after the session.
    Recent studies show that 1 out of every 3 liberals are just as dumb as the other 2

  3. #3
    User
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Pretoria
    Age
    33
    Posts
    2,194

    Default Re: Report: Sports Adventure Shooting 15 October 2016

    Damn that sounds like the most awesome event you could ask for!

  4. #4

    Default Re: Report: Sports Adventure Shooting 15 October 2016

    Nice write up Dick.

    I wish a took part in the day.
    "Trespassers will be welcomed, and served a light lunch"

  5. #5
    User
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Sunninghill, Johannesburg
    Posts
    508

    Default Re: Report: Sports Adventure Shooting 15 October 2016

    Lekker man!
    Sorry I missed this one!!!
    Nice report GWJ... Dick!

    Looking forward to 2017!!!!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •