The Alaskan cadre of instructors gathered together this past weekend in Talkeetna to learn and practice their Known Distance fundamentals at a Rimfire Known Distance Clinic hosted by the Upper Susitna Shooters Association.
The clinic opened with a discussion of the "Three Challenges of the Rifleman", wherein we covered topics such as Target Detection, Range Estimation, and Compensating for Wind and Gravity.
We first reviewed the information presented in the Known Distance Manual, then discussed how the information was fundamentally the same whether one considers it for rimfire or centerfire use.
Wrapping up the classroom portion of the clinic, we then proceeded to the 200yd rifle range and set up a steel Redcoat challenge. 1/2 size D-Silhouettes were placed at 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards. At 125yards, an exceedingly small target was placed, representing Morgan's Shingle.
Engaging the redcoats at actual distance is quite the challenge- shooters have to know their come-ups for each distance, and effectively compensate for wind. During the classroom instruction portion, the 'standard' come-ups for various types of .22lr ammunition was covered, along with a simplified wind rule.
The first order of business was to see if anyone would be inducted into Morgan's Rifle Company- For their very first shot of the day, they were to engage an exceedingly small steel target at 125yds. They had one, and only one, opportunity. Of all who attempted this feat, only Agent Orange was able to accomplish this task- with a borrowed rifle no less!
As each shooter attempted to engage the redcoats, it was quickly determined that the shooters needed some time on paper to get proper zeroes for their rifles. The "standard" come-ups just weren't allowing consistent hits.
Freshly humbled by the Redcoats, they quickly achieved a proper 25m zero using a 4 Minute Squares target. While most rifles were within 1-2 minutes of being properly zeroed, more than one rifle needed significant (greater than 6 MOA) adjustment, perhaps explaining the inability to successfully engage the Redcoats.
Following the 4 Minute Squares target, a custom 11x17 target (attached below) was posted at 25m, which afforded each shooter an opportunity to determine the click value of their optic system. They were instructed to take aim at the 1" square, but for every shot, increase the elevation of their sight system by 10 MOA, until either the sight system ran out of adjustment, or until 60 MOA of elevation had been input. Having gone to the maximal extreme of their sight system, they then were instructed to come down 10 MOA at a time, and fire one more shot, until they reached their 25m zero once again. This exercise revealed one rifle that had insufficient elevation adjustment to reach 200yds, and revealed another two rifles whose click values were significantly 'other than advertised'.
With proper 25m zeroes, and valid sight adjustment values at hand, we began the process of collecting (and recording!) zero data for 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards. With quality data in hand, we conducted a 100yd Rimfire AQT. For those unfamiliar with the Rimfire KD AQT, allow me to explain. There are two types- 100yd, and 200yd. With the 100yd KD, a 1/4 scaled target is placed at 25 yard intervals, to a distance of 100 yards. These targets, thus scaled, represent full-sized D-silhouettes at 100, 200, 300 and 400 yards, respectively. The course of fire is the same as a standard AQT- 10 rounds fired at the 25m target from standing in 2 minutes, 10 rounds fired from sitting at the 50yd target in 55 seconds, 10 rounds fired at the 75yd target from prone in 65 seconds, and finally 10 rounds fired at the 100yd target from prone in 5 minutes.
After all the scores had been tallied, half of the shooters achieved Rimfire Known Distance Rifleman status on the 100yd RFKDAQT, earning their "Rimfire KD" patch and tab.
With mosquitoes and foul weather moving in, we took one final shot at the Redcoats, then agreed to resume the instruction in the morning. The 150 and 200yd targets went mostly unscathed, indicating that the imprecise zeroes that our shooters started with was not the only cause of their failure to successfully engage the Redcoats that morning... More data was needed!
At this point, I'll allow the other instructors to chime in on their experiences from Sunday, and hopefully post some pictures.
Great weekend for the KD! Only had rain for about 15/20 minutes Saturday and only a bit longer on Sunday. Even though I have already completed a Rimfire KD and a Centerfire KD, engaging those targets at 200 with the .22 was very difficult. Running out of elevation come up on the scope makes it difficult!! It proved good practice with hold overs. Overall it was an amazing time and I'm very glad to have made it. I'm excited for the next one!
Congratulations to AK-CWeezy for getting her first rifleman score at Distance and for getting Morgan's Shingle Sunday morning!!! Also to 509Gman for getting his first Rimfire KD qualification! And even though it wasn't Morgan's shingle, 509Gman and AK-84 were able to hit the evening shingle on Sunday. Not an easy feat!
200 yd Rimfire KDs are not easy. Everyone that was on the line that weekend has proven their ability to produce a 25yd Rifleman AQT score on demand. The distance course scores were significantly lower than the "normal" expectation. Naturally we loved the challenge ðŸ˜
I had brought a hit indicator light for the 200 yd target out of concern about being able to call a hit at that distance with .22LR. Those with simple earplugs couldn't hear the hit, but electronic muffs were very effective for that task. Coupled with binoculars or spotting scope, it was more effective than the target light ended up being (operator error, RTFM).
In case you were wondering, the rear elevation adjustable Tech-sights CAN be used out to 200yds reliably if your front sight is short enough. There's approximately 52 total clicks of elevation on the Marlin model. I had to stone down my front sight a few hundredths of an inch until my 25yd zero was 12 clicks up from bottom, then I was able to get to 200 yds (31 clicks for my rifle and ammunition) without suffering a spontaneous disassembly. If your techsight does blow up on you, be mindful how the parts go back together. If the washer that sits between the adjustment wheel and sight body is put in upside down, the clicks become a random amount of adjustment.