[ARCHIVED THREAD] - SWAT Sniper Practice Pics (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/9/2005 12:11:01 PM EDT
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I went with my friend brianksain and a couple of his SWAT Sniper buddies to their practice sessions today. We were all shooting our Accuracy International AE rifles, in .308. We started out shooting at "movers" at 50 yards. We stapled a siloutte target to a long pole and one of us walked behind the berm and displayed the target for a few seconds. The shooter had to identify the target and get off a shot before it was lowered behind the berm. For those that aren't aware, the vast majority of police sniper shots are taken at less than 100 yards. So, the majority of their practice is at these ranges. Here's Mark, who was required to lay on the rifle until the target was raised. He then had to stand and take the shot, all within the allotted time.  Here I am shooting from the sitting position at the mover:  And here, standing on my hind legs like a man:  It is much more difficult than you might imagine. But it sure is fun.  We then backed up to 550 yards to let Chris check his "come ups" on his scope. You can see the target above the berm down range.  Then we backed all the way up to 600 yards and checked our "come ups" and shot. Here's brianksain on the rifle.  Here I am shooting from the bench at 600 yards, cause I'm an old guy. I had to dial in 16.25 minutes up to get on target.  Here's my last three shots at 600 yards.  I'll call that low one a miss, but the other two are pretty good for 600 yards, IIMSSM. Man, I love that rifle.  A great day with some great guys. It just doesn't get much better than that. |
Thanks. We shoot at the Golden Triangle Gun Club range in Beaumont, Texas. It has that 600 yard range, a 100 & 200 yard rifle range, a 50 yard pistol range, a 200 yard siloutte range, and a shotgun range. All for about $50 per year. How you gonna beat it?  |
That's what they used to use. But they recently switched to Hornady TAP, 168 grain Ballistic Tip. They say it has the same accuracy, with a little better terminal ballistics. I was shooting my handloads. Federal Match brass, Sierra 2200M (Moly) 168 grain BTHP, over 44.5 grains of AA 2495, with a Federal Gold Medal Match primer. Best load I've ever shot.
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Shucks, I'm game. Anytime. But Brian has that thing called a "job" that he has to go to almost every day. It's really depressing.
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Even though I've only had the pleasure of meeting both BK and you once, I agree with you, and him. 
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Good question. They also use a target with a "T" shaped box that includes the nose area and the eyes. Shooting for the medulla oblongata. I'll get Brian to say more, as he is the expert. |
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Medulla stuff is old school thinking and the target is a carry over from those days. The instantaneous pressure from a solid .308 hit, anywhere into the cranial vault is going to blow out the foreman magnum (Hollow spot at the rear base of your skull) anyway ... and take the medulla with it. However, there has to be some type of scoring area for the target/qual to establish a marksmanship standard so the old medulla scoring area was just left there for that purpose. Qual includes a half mile run, cold bore shot, etc. BK AmericanSnipers.org |
I think I'll pass on the half-mile run part. I can handle the cold bore shot, though.  |
No joke! But those three guys can sure shoot. You sure wouldn't want them shooting at you. However, if I ever had a bad guy holding a gun to my head, they are exactly the guys I would want on the rifle.  |
| Nice shooting OP. We have a Tactical Long Range match out here where we shoot from 200 to 1000 yards. Part of the course of fire is 3 head shots at 600 yards. It's really the make or break point in the match and what everyone strives to do. Even more than the 1K shots. If you guys are ever out here on the 1st sunday of any month we be happy to have you shoot with us. |
Is there a reason why you are shooting at Terry Labonte?  I know some of you don't like Nascar, but gee whiz.... |