All stations this NET, RADIO CHECK....
Good morning all. Checking in as the FNG (Friendly New Guy). I scoured the web site and did not glean much info on instruction. I'll go back and double check. Are instructors available? Are the RSO's the trainers? How does one work and schedule a trainer? I come in to the QSC as a Novice and look forward to earning the 1000 YD shot. For now I'd like to at least get the W5H on 100 and 200 yds. I anticipate I can shoot up to 2 - 300 yds with a 5.56.
Look forward to meeting my new friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
gordo
Good morning, and welcome! As far as I know, there is no "formal" training or trainers at the club. However, when I began my long range addiction on Range 4, everyone there was very friendly and helpful. The RSO's who run Range 4 are great folks with a ton of experience and knowledge that they pass on every opportunity they can. I've worked the most with Skip Booth, but they're all awesome.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be intimidated by the $$$ of the gear. Entry level stuff will be plenty to get you hooked, and everyone is willing to share things you might not have yet. With proper ammo, your 5.56 will make it comfortably to 600y, 800y on a calm day - and if you're feeling lucky there are plenty of folks who shoot (custom) 5.56 from the 1000y line.
Keep an eye on the calendar for a 100/300/600 day on Range 4. Pack up twice the ammo you think you'll shoot, and go have fun!
Icaley, thanks for the GOUGE! I look forward to it. May come down for some recon before I shoot. Look forward to meeting you also. CHEERS!
ed
Ed,
The calendar will show when we are on Rg 4 and what shooting distances we are doing on any particular day. That said, come down and we'll help you. You probably got a ton of questions so feel free to call me 703 987 7520. One thing: before you spend money, come talk to us on Rg 4. We'll tell you our lessons learned and you can avoid some pit falls and mine fields. As to 556 caliber and how far in distance you can shoot, that is weather dependent and high winds will send your rounds all over the place. Not too bad at 600 yds but they'll be Frisbees at 800 and 1000 yds. A scoped 16" AR will do fine with the right ammo at 600 yds for shooting skeet birds (4.5 " in diameter) but longer barrel AR's are the ticket at 800 / 1000. How long a barrel, come talk to us and we'll go over in detail success and failures of barrel length for 556 caliber AR's at 800 and 1000 yds. We also need to discuss what exact "accuracy" you want to obtain: shoot at skeet birds, shoot shot groups on paper...tight groups or shoot on NRA bulls eye targets with large scoring rings at 800 /1000 yds. IE: you can shoot all 10 ring at 1000 and you got rounds all over the target 10 ring region but that is a score...that kind of accuracy won't bust skeet birds at 1000 yds as you have a beaten zone, not a shot group. So, setting out your objectives on what level of accuracy you seek at longer ranges will save you a lot of pain, time and money. / Skip
PS: My 18" barrel AR with 77 or 80 gr loads is maxed out at 800 yds for shooting birds, at 1000 yds I could hit man size targets but forget hitting small skeet birds. My 20" AR National Match M16a4 will do skeet birds at 1000 yds only on still days and only with 80 gr loads but we have a few guys with 24 and 26" AR's and their level of accuracy with 556 is incredibly better than my rifle and they can shoot on mild windy days.