Two-gun run and gun biathlon in north Florida, March 26th

[RAZZ]

Disappointed with the lack of run and gun style events in my area, I did the only logical (stupid) thing--and made my own!  Anyone in north Florida, south Alabama/Georgia who is interested:  

 

Talon Range Run and Gun, Midway (Tallahassee), FL

 

The Talon Range Run and Gun is a centerfire handgun and rifle biathlon.  It’s a test of your body, marksmanship and gear held in field conditions. It’s a test to see if your ‘battle rattle’ equipment works as well in the real world as it does in your LARPing dreams.  This is a ‘first’ at Talon, so go easy on us—we’re still learning.  I have tried to keep the entry fee low—to match your expectations.  I promise it will be fun!

 

The course is a little over 3 miles long, with various obstacles and 5 shooting stations or stages. The terrain is very hilly and challenging (just kidding--it’s Florida) and the obstacles are physically demanding. Shooting distances range from up close and personal out to about 250 yards. Much of the shooting is in unusual positions and at unknown distances. Participants must be prepared to handle some physical exertion and be familiar with their firearms’ operation.

 

 

Equipment/divisions:
 
There will be 2 divisions:  Open Division and Plate Carrier Division.  The only difference between the two divisions is with Plate Carrier division, competitor must wear a PC with rifle-rated plates for the entire race.  Other than that, the equipment allowances are the same.

 

The only equipment that is strictly required to participate is a stopwatch (wristwatch), a safe center fire rifle (with a sling), a safe center fire pistol, enough ammo to clear the course (at least twice the minimum round count from the Course of Fire is recommended), and eye/ear protection.  Everything else is up to each participant. Bring whatever you want—but you have to carry it.  I wouldn’t recommend shorts, and I’d suggest wearing something that gives decent ankle support,  but I’m not your Mom. 

 

I HAVE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED THIS MATCH TO BE ABLE TO BE SHOT WITH STRAIGHT-UP DUTY GEAR—A SERVICE PISTOL, DUTY HOLSTER, A STANDARD PATROL CARBINE WITH IRON SIGHTS OR A NON-MAGNIFIED OPTIC WILL WORK JUST FINE.

 

Shooters may use their choice of gear to carry their equipment, the only requirement being that pistols must be carried in a secure holster that covers the trigger guard. A retention holster, such as a Safariland ALS-type holster is STRONGLY recommended.  Rifles may be carried or slung any way you like (rifles will ALWAYS be empty except while shooting a course of fire).  

 

Ammo:

 

Ammo must be standard range-type FMJ, JSP, HP or similar; absolutely no tracers, bi-metal (most steel-cased Russian ammo) or armor piercing bullets that have a penetrator core.  M855, SS109, and any similar steel core ammo, any ammo with green or black paint on the tip, or any ammo with bullets that will stick to a magnet are not allowed.  We reserve the right to check ammo at the start of the race and at any point during the race.  Violators will be kicked off the course.  PCCs are not allowed for your rifle.

 

Pistols must fire pistol cartridges.  

 

Round Count:  The MINIMUM round count will be 36 rifle and 30 pistol.  Most folks running events like these seem to feel comfortable carrying twice the minimum.

 

Targets for the match will consist of various-sized steel plates, some of which are on lightweight target stands.  We cannot allow any calibers or ammo that will pierce, bend, dent, destroy, disable, knock down or otherwise disrupt the targets.  223, 5.56, 308, 7.62x39 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout are all good.  If you intend to shoot something else, please contact me first so we can discuss it—we’re trying to avoid breaking targets or knocking them over, which creates delays. 

 

 

Procedures:
 

Talon Range

550 Commerce Blvd, Midway, FL 32343

 

Shooters will report to the Talon Range at the carport just beyond range 15, at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their heat.  Please stop by the range office on your way in and let them know you are there for the event.  You'll have to fill out a short on-line waiver.  Heat check-in times are 7:35am, 10:15am and 1:15pm. There will be a registration table near the starting line. Here, shooters will check in and be assigned a start time and will receive their score card, which must be carried throughout the course.  We will review the rules, procedures, and courses of fire immediately following check-in.

 

Runners will be sent out in uniform intervals within each heat—about every 6 minutes or so.  Be sure to show up on time and ready to go at your appointed check-in, or your spot will be given to someone on the standby list. 

 

Next:  RUN!  Or walk.  Don't let the 'run' part of the description discourage you, if you don't think you can run the whole thing.  Many competitors will walk some/most/all of the course.

 

 

Your Fitness:
 
This is no walk in the park.  The obstacles will test your balance, coordination and upper/lower-body strength.  If you can't do a few pull-ups, scramble up and down rough/rocky hills and push through wooded areas, some of the obstacles will be difficult to overcome.  Also, the weather may be hot (or cold—it’s Florida after all), and you need to be aware of over-exertion. Be sure to bring an appropriate amount of water.  Your health is your responsibility; please manage your limitations accordingly and walk/hydrate as needed.  Don’t be afraid to bring your own IFAK—the life you save may be your own (or, more importantly, mine!).
 
How to Sign Up:
 
Match date will be Saturday, March 26^th.  Registration will open on February 18^th at 0830 EST.

 

Sign up via Practiscore here:  Practiscore link

 

 

There will be three ‘squads,’--these will be the heats.  Within each squad/heat there will be 20 openings.  Sign up and select which heat you want to run (squad 1 is heat 1, etc). The approximate time of day that the heats will actually run the course of fire:  Heat 1:  0800-1100.  Heat 2:  1100-1400.  Heat 3:  1400-1600.  Once you arrive at registration on match-day, you’ll get your random-draw start time for the heat that you have squadded on.  If you are sharing equipment with a buddy, make sure the two of you sign up on different heats.

 

Match fees:  $35 per registration.  If you want to shoot it twice, I will allow it—but only after registration has been open for a week to allow everyone the chance to sign up.  After you register, you must send me money!  This isn’t like a local USPSA match where if someone doesn’t show up that has already registered it’s no big deal.  A match like this is fairly dependent upon competitors showing up for the time slot they signed up for.  After registering, you will have one week to send me the match fee via PayPal.  Either $35 friends and family or add 3% for the ‘protection fee’ or whatever it’s called.  My PayPal address is the same as my email address:  razzman1@hotmail.com  If you don’t send me money, I’ll remove you from the Practiscore squad list.  I’ll send a reply to you that I have received your payment.

 

If the match fills up, I will start a ‘standby’ list.  Those on the standby list can show up on match day, and if anyone who registered doesn’t show up for their heat, a standby competitor may take their place.

 

 

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

A half refund will be given until two weeks before the race.  No refund will be given after that.  To cancel, contact me by e-mail at razzman1@hotmail.com.

 

How can I shoot the match for free, you ask?

 

I’ll need range officers—20 of them.  5 stages times 2 ROs times 2 shifts.   You can sign up for the match (say an AM time slot) and RO the afternoon, or vice versa.  For your time, you can shoot the match for free.  Please contact me to let me know that you would like to RO.  I’d prefer folks who have some experience in ROing USPSA/Steel Challenge matches, but as long as you can write a score down legibly, you’ll do.

 

Small things may change prior to the match.  Keep an eye on your inbox to make sure nothing changes.  I have Sunday March 27^th as a back-up date in case we have some sever weather rolling through on Saturday.

 

Any questions?  Contact me at:  razzman1@hotmail.com

 
 

Edited March 10, 2022 by RAZZ

[motosapiens]

this sounds hella fun. now im wondering if there is anything like this in the northwest.

[Bryan 45]

Great to see a match in Florida.  I wish I could make it.  I think we'll see RNG continue to grow, especially considering it's fun with guns and lower round count matches.