2010 Rules for Morgans Crew COF

[wildman]

 When I first started going to Fred's Rifle Clinics in '05 we would easily shoot 200 rounds or more of center fire in a day. The mornings were spent shooting AQTs and the afternoons shooing pop-up targets running counter attacks, eight down and who can remembers what else. Ammo was no problem 140 rounds of SA .308 was 25.00 or less. Times have changed ammo is now an issue at 50 cents a round if you can find it. In those days we'd shoot until dark or Fred ran us off. Now when folks come to field shoots they come with the number of rounds they are willing to expend then they go home.

I remember with vivid detail Fred telling us then if the cost of ammo was a problem learn to hit the target with the first shot and so was born the idea of a first shot COF. It took a few years and rising cost of ammo for the concept to jell into Morgans Crew COF but that is certainly where it began.

This year was the first year we started shooting the MC COF. It has been a learning experience for all of us. We tried this and that flying by the seat of our pants learning what works and what doesn't.

Here are the rules for the 2010 season. Major changes in red.

The Morgans Crew COF is a skill test that measures the rifleman's ability to hit targets from 200 to 500 with one shot. The course requires the rapid engagement of pairs of targets at various ranges. At the end of the shooting year the top shooters that have participated in at least three MC COFs and are in the top 10 % will inducted into Morgans Crew.

 Shooters must shoots with iron sights shooting from any unsupported position.

 The shooter is allowed 60 seconds and only 60 seconds per target pair.  Shots not fired within the specified time limit will be counted as misses.

 The long version is 56 targets and shorten version is 28 targets.

 The total number of targets offered is at the discretion of the shoot boss. The targets offered can range from 28 to 58.

 The COF is scored by counting the number of first shot hits and dividing by the number of targets offered. Example: Shooter is offered 56 targets and scores 48 hits with one shot his score is 85%.

 Shooters make take a second shot at any target missed, it is not mandatory. Shooter must inform scorer he intends to take the second shot. A second shot hit gets no score but may help shooter find the correct point of aim. The second shot at any target does not change the 60 sec. time limit

 A neutral spotter, when available, can call a hit if target fails to fall.

 If you come to a field shoot with a scoped rifle or bi-pod you will be allowed to shoot the COF but will NOT BE eligible for induction into Morgans Crew.

The WW2 Marksmanship Course or the Korean War Sniper Course are not a Morgan's Crew events.

[hawkeye]

Sounds like a challenge to me I'm in. If the cof is shot in two parts will we get the chance to confirm our zero if there is a change in weather.

[wildman]

A word on the time limit. I thought about shorting it long and hard, here's my thinking.  The time limit is imposed to keep the COF moving quickly. The shooters that do well don't need a limit they shoot rifleman cadence and engage the target pair in well under 60 seconds. There are some additional good reasons for leaving the time limit where it is. We have found the spotter is very helpful they can often tell us where the shot hit and sometimes especially when using .223 call a hit if the targets fails to fall. The shooters must communicate with the spotter and give the spotter a chance to get on target. Shifting from the shorter ranges to the longer ones requires sight changes. Given the above I think leaving the 60 sec. time limit where it is makes sense.