rvb
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Posts posted by rvb
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Hello, I'm a glass newb. I have a vortex 1-4 in a larue spr-e. I got the spr-e thinking it gave me the most flexibility in where to mount the glass. Since I settled on an A2 fixed stock, I opted to have the glass farther back, so the rings are rather far forward on the scope. Any issue/concern with having the weight of the rear of the scope so far from a ring? I'd like to leave the mount fwd on the rail to leave room for offset irons.
Should I swap for a non-"-e" ?
Picture attached.
Thanks!!!
-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
Been doing a little dryfire with the ARs the last couple nights. Moved the scope back so I could get into the eyebox with a more neutral/squared stance. Seems to now be in the sweetspot of just a touch too far forward while standing, and a touch too far to the rear while prone. Hoping to get out this weekend to maybe chrono and re-zero.
Reticle on my vortex was flickering... was thinking about calling vortex for repair work, but since it seemed like a bad connection, I thought I'd start at the battery. So I put a paper shim under the cap so it hold the battery down with more force now, and it seems to be working ok. Will get a peel washer or metal shim in there soon (paper absorbs moisture!).
I have about 5k 9mm loaded for next year. Hope to get another 1-2 loaded before Christmas, then I won't have to bother next spring/summer.
Not planning pistol dryfire until after Christmas, then I want to hit it HARD.
-rvb
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maybe if we got away from calling the $ the competitors pay at the local match a "match fee," and instead called it "consumables re-imbursement," they'd realize the money is for targets/props, NOT for a setup/RO/pasting/teardown service.
-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
I always say, nothing slows a hotshot down like a couple kids and a mortgage...
Hope to see you at matches more next year.
Reminds me of the quote that goes something like "a good wife and a steady job have ruined many a good biker."
(I used to have a motorcycle, too....)
-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
Thanks so much, Chris.
It seems you had a really good season overall. Keep it up! You're definitely heading in the right direction.
It's been hard to deal with that transition from shooting ~30 matches a year (with weekly practices) just a couple years ago to just 8 or 10 matches now (with only few practices per year), not to mention the impact to the dryfire routine. It kills motivation when I do have time to practice.
The gun problems killed me this year. I am just now to the level of comfort w/ the platform where I was hoping to be in March.
However, I made some positive changes this year. I got a membership at a range closer to home, and I was able to get to some Fort Wayne practice nights and some personal practices in there. I pushed back at work and I'm down from 70-80 hrs/week to ~50 (which is letting me get dryfire in). And next year I'm switching "home" clubs which is a win/win for me in that I can do things like communion at church (first sunday), and I can get back in the groove of shooting in a squad and fix some of these mental-game problems that have crept into my game.
Have a safe winter!
-rvb
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On stage 3, the D/T on the right should not have been NPMs. It was visible from the right port, and many on my squad were taking it from there. [/size]
Are you trying to say that you were able to see the brown side of the d/t target from the right window?
I also find it interesting that so many people 1) got a procedural on stage 9 and 2) even bothered to wait for that max trap. My best stage was stage 9. I did not step on that pad on the clock. I shot the steel, two head shots at the max trap targets, the other steel and then the closer paper targets in 7.80 (down 2 points for 1 B and 1 C). I'm a C class shooter, finished 29th in SS in the match, and got 14th place on that stage. Somehow I think that some of the better shooters were giving something up by not trying it. It was late in the day for me and I'd already taken far too many penalties to be in the running even for my class, so I took the gamble. I'm surprised to hear so many others didn't at least try it.
I never looked at it because it didn't fit w/ my reload plan. But I'm pretty sure that's what they were doing. It may have been one of the center statics. I'm not 100% sure. But IIRC (again, my memory sucks), they were hitting the center statics from the center/left port and got the right D/T from the port. Observed from the peanut gallery, not the timer.
On 9, I just stepped on the pad the instant the buzzer went off and then moved my foot back in, and by the time I had my gun indexed the target was wide open. I don't recal waiting. and I could go faster on the lower A w/ less risk to getting the N/S (and I got As vs more probable Bs on the head).
-rvb
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I am entitled to make blanket statements about drop turners. The guys that beat me could have beaten me worse by skipping the drop turners. Perhaps some that did not beat me could have beaten me had they blown off the drop turners.
You're entitled to say the sky is green, too.
Sometimes it is better to skip them. Stage 3 was probably a good example, especially since you had to move between the activator and D/Ts. edit: Crunching the #s it depends on what assumptions I make re points given up and time lost whether it results in a higher or lower HF. I can make it look better or worse depending on how I play with the numbers. I'd have to run it both ways to know what the real time impact is.
RVB did you run back through the timer to see what your time would have been on the speed shoot? How much did the conscious thought cost you in recognizing if the DT was there to shoot when you got there? It take conscious thought to recognize that and make a decision.
No, I did not look at the timer. As soon as I called the shots on the max trap, I snapped to the D/T and was on the trigger. Eyes leading the gun and all so the decision was made before the gun got there. I saw somewhat of a sight/gun picture, but it was mostly a target focus. I called hits on brown and was "pretty sure" they were on there. It was ragged edge of my ability to make hits. At worst, with my C/D hits, it was a wash; it had the opportunity to be an improvement if I had made better hits.
You guys keep shooting them and I will not shoot them and we'll see how it goes.
I came out ahead on stage 8, you on stage 3. So should we skip them? "It depends."
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You're right, I'm blaming RVB for the 5 thing.
trusting MY memory was YOUR first mistake.
I knew there was a reason I like to video the matches. This weekend, I just couldn't remember what it was, so I didn't bother... 
-rvb
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blowing them off on stage 3 was the way to go in single stack, eliminated a reload and position
there was not a dt on 5, it was maxtrap
thanks for the clarification on stage 5. As you were typing that I was looking at your video because I couldn't remember and updating my post.
I think stage 3 is one of those somewhat rare ones where it would have been advantageous, at least to skip one (maybe not both, depending on division, etc). And like I said, at least one of those on 3, if not both, shouldn't have been NPMs. Maybe that's why skipping them didn't occur to me since during our walkthough I saw several folks planning on getting them elsewhere...
It was just the blanket statement that jumped out at me...
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8) Drop turners: I did not shoot a drop turner in the whole match. I decided long ago that in limited capacity division drop turners are stupid. If it saves me time and a reload why do it? Everyone forgets that the math used to figure drop turners always counts on Alphas. It is easy to shoot charlies and deltas on these targets and that is seldom taken into account. On stage three I only used three mags because of blowing off the drop turners. Alex Gutt won the match and had a time of 19.41 on the stage. I was 20.01 but with few points. I finished 4th on the stage. There was a huddle of people discussing my plan among themselves and they just could not see leaving 20 points behind. I would say it worked out for me and for Jake as he did the same thing in SS. Putting a drop turner up so that there is enough to shoot while on that array is tough. Many times blowing them off is the thing to do in Production and single stack. (uncertain about the Amish world of revolver)
Interesting. I think that's a bit much of a blanket statement. There are times it's better not to go for it, but when they are right there beside something else you have to shoot anyway, and it only takes you ~.5s-1s to engage, I think you're better off getting the points.
The obvious example is stage 8, the stds w/ the drop turner. We were doing the math and some thought it best not to take it. I opted to leave it for last and transition to it, and if it was there go for it and if it was gone, oh well. I got two very quick shots on it, C/D. Everyone in the top 5 on that stage in PD at least went for it and got one hit. Theorizing that I skipped it, lost the 4 points, but saved .5s, my HF would have gone DOWN by .1. So I slightly improved my HF, even with crappy hits.
On stage 3, the D/T on the right should not have been NPMs. It was visible from the right port, and many on my squad were taking it from there. This stage would have been a good one to skip the D/T (on the left) to save the time going back and forth between the ports and I wish I had been smart enough to see that at the time.
We discussed it on 8, I guess the smarts leaked out before we got to 3. The stage w/ the D/T behind the door (4 or 5?), I definately would take that one since you had to be there for the swinger anyway, and it was so quick and had no wait time. scratch that, that was a max trap-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
Came in 4th (of 78) in Production at the IN SS/Prod/Rev L-II. (5th combined, out of 141). 2nd Master. Slightly disapointed with finishing at only 82%.
No video this time.
The day started off great... Then I went to lunch. After the break I couldn't seem to pull together a solid run. Morning finishes were 3,3,3,1,15 (starting on stage 7). Afternoon finishes were 15,8,31,9,14.
I won the standards stage, which was surprising since it was all SHO/WHO and I have yet to put in any time w/ the glock on that skill. I had a 1.2x-second first shot from the holster on the WHO string.
Only shot 89.5% of available points. 10 Ds hurt. Most of thse were from being over agressive on how much static I could fit in between activators and movers.
Some weird gun things...
Once an empty mag didn't fall free. I need drop a completely empty mag in dryfire. The weight of just a couple of dummy rounds must be making a difference, and I need to hang on the button a hair longer.
Two other issues -may- have been gun problems, or they may have been my fault. This is why I like to run video. In my mind I saw 1 failure to go into battery and 1 light primer strike. It's possible that I didn't execute reloads properly. Now I'm second guessing myself... was the not-in-battery really a slide lock? How many rounds did I fire on the previous string? was the light strike really an empty chamber; could I have ridden the slide stop? again, how many did I fire on the previous string? This is where it's evident that I'm getting more familiar w/ the glock, but not intimately familiar with it.
things I need to work on...
-empty mag reloads as described above
- setting up in awkward positions on hard shots. Stage 7 and Stage 2 come to mind. On 2 I kind of crashed into position, knocked a barrel loose, had to step back into the shooting area. Several seconds lost. This has been a weakness I've recognized for some time and I want it to be a strength by spring.
- Trigger finger placement. It's still not subconcious where I need to be for best results. Accuracy is awesome when I get the trigger on the tip of my finger. Center of the pad and I'm consistently pulling right (~6" at 25 yds slowfire). Had to remind myself on the hard shots and adjust. Had to add a standing reload on stage 2 steel as a result (2 makeups, then cleaned once I adjusted).
- Need to be decisive on a plan early and burn it in. 2 stages (4 and 6) stand out to me where I took too long to decide what plan was "best" and when the 5 minutes was up I only got to walk my plan a couple of times. A less-than-perfect plan burned in is better than the perfect plan not practiced... I really had to think my way through while shooting on those two stages.
-rvb
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Back home from Blue Ridge. What a match!!! Way different and way more intense than other 30gun matches Ive shot. I get what people say when they talk about it being a match all on its own now. Tons of targets, long runs through the woods, very brutal match in general. average stage time for me was around 150 seconds. I haven't had a stage run longer than 60 seconds all year, up until this one. Shot a couple stages very well (2 top 15 times) and a few that were ok. Ended up 26th in Tac Ops out of about 180 shooters. I was hoping for top 50, so this was a good end to my 2012 shooting season. Not planning on doing anything shooting related for awhile. Gonna relax and do a little hunting, then do some recap of the year and make a practice plan for 2013.
26th! Great job!
-rvb
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you're in a GREAT spot, with Warsaw in your back yard, and Ft Wayne, Angola, Atlanta, South Bend, North porter clubs all in a close radius!
-rvb
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Unless otherwise specified ......heels on marks is specific.....it means heels on marks ......
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk 2
Hence my question in post #51.
I read it differently. I haven't told you not to stand erect, to face uprange, or do anything else w/ your hands. I haven't "specified otherwise." to me, "heels on marks" is no different than "in box A" or "starting in the shooting area"
Maybe I'm not in the majority in my interpretation. But I'm not alone. Regardless which is right, some people are doing/officiating it wrong. Perhaps the "default" needs removed, and we go back to doing whatever the hell you want unless specified (which is what adding the default was trying to get away from)...
I think the grammar supports what I'm saying. 1) go to start position 2) stand the default way unless told different. It's not a default "start position." It's a default way to stand.
I'm not trying to say "I'm right, you're wrong." I'm saying "WTH is the RIGHT read?"
8.2.2
The competitor assumes the start position as specified in the written
stage briefing. Unless otherwise specified, the competitor must stand
erect, facing downrange, with arms hanging naturally by the sides.
-rvb
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I just tell the shooter to "stand easy we have a popper down" and stand beside them until the problem is corrected.
Almost always they take the time to relax a bit, and think about their run they are preparing to make.
But that is just me.
that's about what I do. I usually add "please dont touch your gun" or something along that line, mainly so a pretend draw doesn't make the person downrange nervous.
most of the time, the shooters put their hands on their head, but not at my direction.
-rvb
ps. I've not had the situation occur when the competitor didn't understand english. If a communcation barrier existed, I'd just play it safe and go through unload commands...
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Since in USPSA pistol matches you don't start with gun in hand either what my hands are doing either needs to be specific in the wsb or its up to me as to how I want to hold them.
8.2.2 is specific........
-rvb
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The problem here is that most stage descriptions specify something other than "in box A" or "in FFZ." The moment you write something like "toes on marks" or "standing in Box A" you have specified a start position different than what is stated in 8.2.2, and those requirements go out the window.....
Want them to "stand in Box A" or "with toes touching marks", or "with back against a wall" and do something specific with their hands, such as "hanging naturally at sides?" Better write that in as well.....
Otherwise the only requirement is that they be upright in Box A, have their toes touching marks or back against the wall....
Nick, your comments struck a cord, and maybe I can learn something... a common interpretation even.
When I look at 8.2.2 I dont read it in a way where saying "toes on marks" causes the "default" of facign downrange and hands relaxed at sides (HRAS) to no longer apply. But I see how you could read it that way. It says "unless otherwise specified ... erect/downrange/HRAS." By saying "toes on marks," I'm not specifying otherwise.... I'm not saying to face uprage or put hands elsewhere.
I always read it as HRAS is the default. Just saying "toes on marks" says WHERE to do the default. Have I really been doing it "wrong" in my stage briefs and as an RO and so long as the competitor has toes on marks they can stand however they want??
Is that the common interpretation?
I want to know as both a stage designer, RO, and competitor. I'll get away with whatever I can as a competitor...
Thanks,
Ryan
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When it comes right down to it the RO is to blame. I will not start a shooter unil they are in the proper position.
"Are You Ready" should never even be asked until the shooter is in the right position.
This is where the issue lies, the RO.
-rvb
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Does anyone know how I might be able to get the aim point a tad lower
Bend your wrists more.
only partly sarcasm... I recently switched from berettas and 1911s to a G34. No mods to the gun. Drive the sights with your vision, it'll work itself out.
-rvb
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Got my dot figured finally. I had been accepting of B hits in the head box ( always low). I want that point and it's there for the taking. I just never broke my 10 yard zero. Now at 17 yard zero I gotta get the brain thinking aim high. In the heat of a stage that was proving fruitless.
This is why I like a 7 or 10yd zero. Up close I just want the dot ON. I never like holding over, but I don't mind holding under (a carry over from shooting irons I guess). Farther out on the headbox, eg 15+, I'm not going to slow up enough to guarantee the A, so I'd rather just put the dot in the center of the head (15-25) or on the B/C line (25+) and hope for an A. Then if there is hardcover blocking part of the lower A, I can just put the dot on the top of the hardcover line and know the bullet will hit above that. I'm all about a quickly identifiable aim point.
-rvb
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4 on the belt, 1 in the gun.
NEVER needed more (unless it was a "fun" stage w/ crazy round count. then I just put extras in my back pocket).
51 rounds for a 32-round course not enough?!
I keep a spare mag pouch in the range bag should I need it for some reason based on stage design, but I haven't used it yet (actually, that was for the gun I used to shoot.. guess I need to get another backup pouch!).
-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
Pulled a bone-headed move yesterday...
After setting up and RO'ing all the shooters on my stage at Angola yesterday, I went to gear up so I could shoot the match. It was then I realized I had left my belt/holster/pouches at home. D'oh.
I shot two stages for no score from low-ready, spare mags in my [velcro'd shut!] back pocket.
This week I got in 4 nights of heavy index/grip development, as well as trigger control (1-2 hrs per night). With the G34 now working (~1k rounds since last malfunction!), I have to focus on making those things subconscious on the new platform.
And at the match I felt I did index the gun onto the targets better than previous matches. Also, my grip seems to be right where I want it, as high as possible yet I didn't leave with my slide covered in blood and flesh. The sight seemed to track more vertical than any other time. Also, for the first time, I didn't "think" my way through a propper trigger press on hard shots. My finger landed where it should and I was consistently pulling through w/o disturbing the sights.
One shot stands out: a mini popper at 10-12yds... with a no-shoot steel behind it. I transitioned on to it, saw the sight lift from the center of the popper, and and then snapped my eyes to the next target. Textbook! Shot/called purely on vision. It felt great to NOT be THINKING about the mechanics of getting the shot off again.
I have one more match this year, the IN PROD/SS/REV. I'm going to be going in to it with MUCH more confidence than I had going into the IN Section match.
-rvb
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rvb
in Range Diary
I no longer consider myself a master class shooter.
I have 4 Prod classifiers on record so far this year (I remember when it used to be 2 dozen per year!).
All are in the 77.7 - 82.7 % range. At least I'm consistent.
-rvb
We discussed it on 8, I guess the smarts leaked out before we got to 3. 
rvb
in Range Diary
Posted · Edited by rvb
Got to the range on Sat.
Spent some time with the AR. Re-mounted the scope (better eye box position and more level). Zero'd at 190 which seems to put the 55s in pretty convenient spots on the chart. Basically on at 50/200, little over an inch over at 100, 3moa down at 300.... Shot a couple groups at 300. I was pretty happy with a 4.25" 5-shot group with just 4x and hornaday bulk 55s. I pulled one shot slightly and called it right, and it opened my goup beyond moa. That was the first time I had shot from a bench in YEARS....
Put a gen4 ejector and white sound extractor spring in the G19 and put some rounds through it to verify function. didn't work w/o a mag in, but ran ok through about 100 rounds otherwise. Ejection pattern seemed much more consistent. First 3 rounds were all touching at 7ds. Almost stopped there.
-rvb