I doubt many of us could tag a gulfball at 500 m, but then I never plan on shooting that far. As a hunter, I cannot guarantee a clean kill. Animals can move enough between the time of the thought to "squeeze" and the strike(plus other variances such as windage, MOA,shakiness, and miscalculations) that stalking closer would eliminate. In a defensive situation, most folks wouldn't be a threat that far away and that line between murderer and self defense would likely be crossed(unless they were already shooting). It's good to know your limits but your weapon should be sighted for the distance best suited for the game being hunted, while allowing some room for human error due to excitement of the moment.

We had a term, it was , "train hard, fight easy". To be able to make the hits at 500m means that engaging targets at 200m is a piece of cake, and trust me, accuracy drops like a stone when bullets travel both ways. So if you can make the good hits at 500m on a target, you're way ahead of the game over the guys who can't. I can personally attest to the fact superior marksmanship led to our having just one more advantage. I made good hits on static x-rays at 500m and 300m on dynamic x-rays with a 10.3"bbl L119 (basically a Mk18 Mod0/Mod1) in many engagements. At closer distances we could make 2 hits into a 2"x 4" target card at 10m from low ready in under one second, 2 from 20m under two seconds and 2 from 50m under 5 seconds.

Don't ever train to just meet standard, train to exceed and excel in all requirements of the task at hand.

-S.

I too was once in the military and remember being full of piss & vinegar 😀 but now I'm far older and hopefully wiser 🙄 (or not)

From the time I started killing critters for food(and sport), I've always silently apologized to every animal I killed and promised to make good use of their offering. I don't know exactly why and I sure as heck didn't admit this to my friends I was hunting with because they'd likely called me a whoos! I figure 35 years or so later, I finally mention this tidbit as a bunch of us are sitting around telling the same old tales again(but with less crap applied as a topping). Turns out all of us did the same thing for the same reasons. Make a feller wonder, don't it?

Here's something most readers are likely unaware of....when you trap or wound a rabbit, they make this annoying noise that sounds alot like the crying of an infant as they lay dying. It's knowledge like this that makes you want to place your bullet better because otherwise it can ruin a good hunt! Now the trappers up here kill and skin hundreds of furry creatures a year....that's alot of apologizing, or do they just give up? Trapper friends even mention that most dogs and animals don't like them the instant they meet....is that because they sense they are mass murderers? How many animals do you kill before you get to these points? Would it be less a leap for them to start tagging humans then the rest of us? Let's say I didn't ask!

My point is not to be in too much of a rush to test this training cause I'd hate to imagine the apologizing you'd have to do to forgive yourself for that infraction!

Shooting golf ball is next to zero good in real world defensive application, most take way to long to sight and adjust most dont know which way they are shooting and how to adjust to an imcoming non stationary target. almost none have target that wants to shoot you as bad as you want to shoot it. yes you may bet first shot but at 500m how do you know friend or foe?

in real life you need to acquire target aim shoot while watching out you are not becoming a target, you dont get a second life like in a game you bleed hurt and die.

how many you train froze in first real contact?

how many green troops die in a heavy combat unit? How many are mentally screwed after? How many wounded live a life of diminished capacity? Wounded does not begin to explore the depth of suffering of some.

Like i said shooting a target means nothing if not done correctly and no range for public offers more than just the basic ability to familiarize you with your weapon in 110% safe environment stress free. If you think that is anything like real world application you are watching tv and movies for your info.

most dont even know what is cover and what is concealment, do you?

most ammo from a rifle will go straight through any wood houses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZbOiQGxF5M#t=76

because you can hit a paper target at 500 m most of you have scope so far telescoped in you lose almost all of your peripheral vision with no spotter mean you get one shot thats it then you have to deal with targets in ever changing ranges on all sides can you do that?

dont be fooled on your skill level or your competency and think you are something you are not. be humble train hard train with pairs learn dont fall into pit fall of most

You are gambling your life and the lives of those you hold dear dont make a fools bet as it is all or nothing

Practice some of these to help at regular range

dont use the rests or sand bags

put up multi target at different distances

shoot them with same optical mag setting try different settings find best over all

place a timer next to you aim shoot and move to next target 3-5 rounds per target ( make sure you have to change mags from a ammo pouch or carrier pouch)

if you have a friend have them call which target, if you have whole range to your self have them call by distance and position realize what needs to be said so you can acquire and shoot, try in low light conditions.

when you get better and if range allows it have close target (pistol range) change between weapons.

then do it off handed as if one hand is injured

DO IT with all your gear on for a bol walk change stances between targets

start with big paper targets so you can see where you are missing and adjust. get down to 12x12 inch or less

look at your home and see what will provide you with cover (something that will stop a fmj rifle round) if nothing then you know what you need to do.

where will the bad guys enter, where will you be? where are your people/family located?

Do they know what to do if shooting starts? Practice it.

this will at least start showing you gaps in your abilities and equipment

@Namelus,

Nevermind.

-S.

Knuckle,

Nevermind, sorry to have troubled you.

-S.

Anyone going to the Kamloops Gun show on May 3, 4?

I will be going and wouldn't mind meeting you. Either Sat or Sun works for me.

We will be heading up on Sunday, early. We can definitely hook up.

Preppersaurus

Preppersaurus@hotmail.com

Twas quite the show. Snowed all the way from Merritt to just outside of Kamloops. I thought the show was going to be busy, due to the rain (in Kamloops) and, it being a Sunday. However, when we arrived, just before the show opened, there were no more than 8 people in line in front of us. Everyone was talking bout how busy it was the day before. Much to our surprise, there was not a lot of people there. Met some preppers at the show, and met some on the way back to the Lower Mainland. For those who did, thanks for showing up, and chatting.

We scored tons of deals, although you REALLY REALLY had to watch, and know what you were buying. Also, it works great when you can pool resources and buy in bulk. Dealers seem to like LARGE orders for some reason.

RustyWood.ca, a dealer from Mission was there. They definitely had low pricing on powder, compared to others charging 15- 17 dollars more for the same powder. Dave Friesen from BCRedneck.ca was also at the show with lots of brass available, but again, you have to know what you are looking for. He also had some good deals on high end projectiles, like Sierra Matchking HPBT, Nosler and Hornady Match grade bullets in 50 to 1000 pcs boxes. VERY HEAVY. Peter and Cassie, at Rusty Wood were nice enough to allow us some real estate to store our purchases, while we continued to shop.

Reloading dies tended to be on the high side, for pricing, throughout the show, but there were deals to be had, if you looked, or had something 'weird' in mind for purchasing. We came to the conclusion, we don't have to travel to shows to get the best deals. Rusty Wood is close, inexpensive and fun to talk to. Dave Friesen is close to us (Chilliwack), and if you can't get something from Rusty Wood, Dave is your man. We will be shopping close to home from here on. Both gentlemen said the reloading supplies coming in are hit and miss. They place their orders then wait and wait. When the orders come in, the frenzy begins.

For those who have never been to the Kamloops show, it is a combo deal Antiques and Firearms are the drawing feature, but, there were a whole lot of other things to be had there as well. MREs are becoming more popular at the shows, same with medical supplies, ammo and firearms in general. The show is spread out over 3 hockey rinks, giving everyone space to move around, unlike some shows where there is barely enough room for 2 people to pass.

For those who have Remington 700 rifles, with the XMP (X-Mark Pro) Trigger, there is a major recall. Check out Remington's site for information http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/safety-center.aspx Here you will find other safety issues. I was surprised to find my new rifle on the list, but my remedy involves changing out the trigger for a new Timney trigger. As soon as it comes back from the mods, i'll be able to put my new scope (yes purchased at the show as well) on it. Normally I hate buying optics at shows, but I couldn't pass this one up.

All in all it was a great show. Got some great tips on prepping and land for BOLs.

Preppersaurus