Third component match of Vares Cup 2015.
Everything did not go so well, but fortunately the long rifle stages were successful and gave enough points to compensate for the malfunctioning shotgun and the lack of pistol skills.
Video:
Gallery:
Category Archives: rifle
IPSC Semi Auto Open Division Rifle Build
Last season (2014) I decided to try shooting in Open Rifle Division and started more detailed specification (i.e. spreadsheet) on will be in the rifle.
Initial specs were pretty simple with at least 15 inch free float and 1-6x variable scope, but soon came more complicated. First I was thinking about a carbon float but with some insights from an experienced gunsmith and thorough browsing through the web I came to conclusion that a slim keymod float would be the choice: keymod is mostly holes –> light, but enables accessories and slim profile (1½”) gives better grip and adds to lightness, still being stiff enough. At the moment I couldn’t find many ways to acquire 15+ inch slim keymods to Finland so I went with Leapers UTG in FDE and thus started acquiring also the magpul parts in FDE.
I had grown fond of Magpul MIAD grip (with the largest back piece) in my two other rifles (Standard and Minirifle) so that was the obvious choice for this build too. The A2 stock was also a little clumsy on some specific stages and adjustable stock would have had it’s place. I was wondering between Commercial- or MilSpec, when I found out that Commercial stock can be extended further than the MilSpec enabling a setting for proper eye-relief in both prone and standing positions as head is usually on more forward position on prone and some other specific shooting positions (more about this on a later post). Combined with a proper pull length for my physique/shooting style, the longer setting has its place (at least when shooting with t-shirt instead of plate carrier which would add to the pull length). So the stock was selected to be Magpul CTR Commercial Spec.
EOR 2014 recap (including gallery)
Probably the best IPSC rifle competition that we have so far attended, the yearly Estonian Open Rifle, is less than week away.
Last year we shot in Semiauto Standard division and now it is time for Semiauto Open division!
Here are some videos from the last year ( or as a playlist: EOR 2014 )
Pikijärventie SRA 2015
Video from best of Special Squad in Pikijärventie SRA 2015
Tuning unused USGI Magazines
I recently acquired some USGI style magazines. The magazines were Brownells branded and “3rd generation” (light brown colored and non-tilting follower). One note about the followers was that the “top round” bulge is on the other side than in magpuls and my previous usgi magazines (gen1 and gen2)
I ran into some problems while test firing the magazines in my tuned competition rifle: the action made some rounds stood up and collision to inside corner of the barrel extions and bolt slipped to the rim. This of course happened on stage 2 in a small weekly competition ( http://youtu.be/ISoByoDOwyY?t=16s )
Pikijärventie SRA 2015 (gallery included)
Special Squad took part in Pikijärventie 2015 which was an SRA competition with 7 stages. The stages were well built and adequately challenging without being too complicated or memory games. The theme was “Operation Overlord” (Allied code name for Battle of Normandy). Stage descriptions in Finnish, with pictures
Stage 1 was a “sniper stage” with targets from 200 to 500m and allowed to be shot with a larger caliber rifle including a proper scope. The used targets were Jasters, a type of electronically functioning (reset, set up/down) large metal sheets. The organizer provided a .308 AR with a Leica scope, free of charge. Only one of us was able to shoot all 6 of the targets (200, 300, 2×385 and 2x500m) with the help of his own and familiar AR-10..
Stage 2 had a tank prop and it was nice and fast shooting with some close-up papers and 6 Jasters in a little distance. Stage 3 was a pistol stage with some paper targets and four poppers that were required to be shot strong hand only. Stage 4 had a very slow sledge that was activated from front of the stage, by the sandbags.
Stage 5 was nice variation from most of the stages we have shot. It simulated being stuck in a tree with a parachute! On stage 6 there was a Sig made AR-15, provided by organizer and readily set up with four rounds in the mag. In start you had to rack, shoot two papers, make safe and leave the rifle, continuing with pistol. Stage 7 was sort of a run and gun with shotgun, requiring minimal 16 shots.
We had two team entries, one for open (avoin) and one for standard (vakio). In combined results the open team won and standard team came second. Individually we won the lady category, had second on standard division and third on open.
Loimaa Cup 2015 – Rifle match pictures
Some pictures from Loimaa Cup 2015, first match (rifle).
Shot 2015-04-26, ordered by stage number.
VaRes Cup II / 2015
Video from best of Special Squad in VaRes Cup II / 2015
Vares Cup II / 2015 Pictures
Few pictures from a small SRA competition, videos will follow later.
Vindimurdja 2015
Special Squad took part in Vindimurja 2015 IPSC Level 2 Competition held 3.-5.4.2015 in Estonia. The competition was stretched for 3 days, but for one shooter, the competition took only half a day.
The range type was familiar from Rewal 3gun, being a rock crushing /mine work site in the middle of a forest. Besides piles of boulders, sand and rock, there was a lot of mud and even a little “lake”.
The weather was quite cold (~ +5 deg C with some wind and a lot of moisture). This was no issue, as it was not the first time for us to be at the range when it is not summer, plus all the action kept us warm.
All paper targets were mini-IPSC and there were several No-Shoots to make the shooter to take the shots even more carefully. There were some swingers, one mover and also some longer range poppers (200, 130 and 80m). Stage descriptions can be read from Vindimurja 2015 EN stages.
Only negative thing that comes to mind, was that there were only two safety areas on the range and they were located over hundred meters from some stages. Thus it was not very convenient to adjust anything on the rifle, partly because they were far and partly because there was only 5 shooters in the squad, which meant very little spare time between shooting, preparing and all the filming/photographing.
This was the first time for us in Rifle Semiauto Open Division and there were a lot of mistakes when trying to decide what bipods are good for where, which magnification should I use or should I use the offset red dot and of course the optic it self is still “a new thing” after several years of shooting in the Standard Division with irons.
All the inconveniences a side, we really enjoyed the shooting and had a blast.
The video will tell the rest: