KD Event in Van Meter, Iowa 11-12Oct2025

[IXOYE]

We had a fantastic Known Distance clinic in Van Meter, Iowa. The weather was perfect and I think everyone had a great time.

We started out with some classroom presentations regarding the important factors when shooting at known distances compared to shooting at a 25 meter event. After that we headed to the range where shooters recorded their ballistic data at each distance before shooting that stage of the AQT for score. By the end of the day we had shot two AQT's with two new shooters earning their KD patch and three shooters re-qualifying. Braden earned his distinguished patch by shooting scores of 49 & 48.

Sunday started with more classroom presentations regarding range estimation. After that we did a range estimation exercise with a bucket, a license plate, a truck wheel, a stop sign, and the front door of a house, with distances ranging from 167 to 800 yards.

After the range estimation exercise we shot the Morgan Shingle. Four shooters hit the shingle and three or four missed by less than 1/4".

At lunch we discussed the process of using your ballistic data to develop the battle sight zero for your rifle with your ammunition. By the end of the day we had completed four AQT's, with three more shooters re-qualifying with Shannon earning his distinguished patch and Braden shooting distinguished two more times.

It was neat to see the variety of rifles on the line ranging from typical AR-15's, M1A's, M1 Garand's, a bolt action .308, and I think an AR-10.

Congratulations to Cort and Phil for qualifying for the first time. Congratulations to Mark, Adam, Braden, Dennis, Shannon, and Brian for re-qualifying. Congratulations to Braden and Shannon for earning their distinguished patch, and congratulations to Adam, Mark, Dennis, and Braden for hitting the Morgan Shingle.

Many thanks to all of the instructors who showed up to shoot and pay the range fee to help cover the cost of renting the range. If they hadn't stepped up the shoot would have been cancelled.

Many thanks to Adam for bringing his four wheeler that could hold nine people. It saved a lot of time going down range to check targets and helped reduce shooter fatigue.

I also want to thank the Des Moines Rifle and Revolver club for allowing us to use their range. They have an excellent facility and we very much appreciate having it available for our use.

Last but not least, Thank You Phil for stepping up to take an Orange Hat!

Here are some pictures of our event. If you click on them they should enlarge. Click on them again and they will shrink back down.

Our group minus Dave

Checking zero at 100 yards	Mark with his bolt action .308	Shooting stage one
Shooting stage two	In the tall grass at 400	The iconic M1 Garand
KD Qualifiers on Saturday	Morgan's Shingle	Flying brass at 200

Prone at 300 yrds	Prone at 400 yrds	Shannon shoots Distinguished	More prone at 300 yrds
Phil takes an Orange Hat	Braden's Mosaic	Into the wind at 300 yrds	Dennis re-qualifies

[IOWA-mark]

It was a great shoot, lots of camaraderie on the line.
I always learn something working with Rex.
Thank you to everyone that attended, I hope to see you all again down the line.
-mark

[Ames]

I thoroughly enjoyed instructing and shooting this KD event!  The weather couldn't have been better.  Grateful for all the instructors and students who attended.  I learned a lot concerning the loose nut behind the trigger, but also that loose elevation screw on my M1A.  Don't let things get sloppy, people.

Folks, get yourself to a Known Distance event and stretch your skills! 

Cort