A Rifleman Takes on the Redcoats

[Fred]

     For those who don't know, the 'Redcoat target' (as it is commonly called - the real title is the "Hits Count!" Target) offers 5 targets for the shooter at 25m - a  simulated 100-yd head and shoulders, a 200-yd, a 300, a 400, and finally, a head target sized for 250 yards (a distance Rev War riflemen could make headshots at, according to historians).

    You have 13 shots, and are allowed no sighter shots. Since this is the first target of the day, you fire it with the rifle you come with, the ammo you come with, and the sights you come with - and the sight data, if any, you come with.

    Three shots on each silhouette, and one shot on the head target.

    This target will quickly answer the question "how far off can you be effective with your rifle?" - now!

    The smallest target you can put three hits on is the fartherest distance you are effective.

    All shots are from the prone position.

    People at Appleseed, right out of the gate, divide almost equally between those who can do it at 100 yards - put three hits on the target - but no further - and those who can't put three hits on ANY of the targets.

    Fred got the chance to shoot the Redcoat target for the first time on the Fourth.

    With an old ex-Camp Perry rifle with an unknown zero.

    He ran the sights up to 12 clicks up from botton, and tried to spot the group. It was well-centered on the 100-yd target.

    The 200-yard target, the group was high, right on the edge of the target.

    Quickly taking 3 clicks out, he shot the 300 target. Still a high group.

    Taking 3 more clicks out, he shot the 400 target, with a group slightly low, cutting the botton edge of the target.

    Aiming dead center and a hair right on the head shot target (the other groups were slightly left), he put a hit on the head shot.

    Only when going down to check the targets did he have to face the fact - the target never lies, right? - that there were - gasp! - some shots that slipped out.

    In that respect the Redcoat target betrays its close cousins relationship to the AQT.

    While theoretically 'easy' - heck, from prone, on targets from 100 to 400 yards? - and you a rifleman, not only qualified to hit out to 500 but, whenever you can, setting up so you take NO shots closer than 300 - the Redcoat target is not to be lightly dismissed as a challenging target, not if you capture the spirit and show up with an unzeroed or partially zeroed rifle.

    Just like the AQT, when you go against the Redcoat target, you're "riding the bull". Any slip will kill you.

    So, after the first encounter with the Redcoat target, it's:

    Fred:  0

    Redcoat Target:  1

                             

    (Back to the showers, Fred - gotta learn to shoot - better start with the basics... )

[Bravo]

Mine was more stupid - wound up making the headshot, 3 in the 100, 4 in the 200, 4 in the 300, and only one in the 400. Why? Don't ask. Would have kept shooting if the bolt hadn't locked back - DUH.

Rifleman skill: learning to count.

I bought more of the AQT targets though - I'll get this one-two-three thing down yet LOL!

[1911Ron]

Bravo let me guess you are an 11B right? If you was an 19D (Scout) they would of taught you how to count lucky you aren't a tanker

[The Guy]

Lord save us from the 11bush....


LOL



....and I further contend that we have been shooting this target backwards!

What is the first rule of engageing the British?

OFFICERS FIRST!!!

That 250 yard head shot is the British officer with his funky metrosexual hat and on his prissy little pony.

SHOOT HIM FIRST!!

Knock him off that pretty pony!  How do you think that headless horseman thing got started anyway?

A militaman shot a British Officer in the HEAD!

The "other ranks" had no initiative.  The sergents had little.  By shooting the officers first, you have cut the head from the snake.

OFFICERS FIRST!!

If you miss, shoot him again!

Next shoot the 400 yard target as the troops advance.  And then 300 then 200 yards.

But what ever you do, be sure to save at least 1 round for the 100 yard target, because if you miss that one, the Redcoats will charge you.

With 16 inch bayonets!!! 

They go in all morning, twist durring lunch, then get pulled out all afternoon long.

16 inches!!!

So shoot them at 400, 300 and 200, but God help you if you miss at 100 or run out of ammo, because all the human help you will get is attached at the end of a Brown Bess.

Shooters, prepare a mag with 13 rounds, one for each colony.

WHAT IS THE FIRST RULE OF ENGAGING THE BRITISH ARMY!?!?




I LOVE the Redcoat target.

[raf]

I cheated.  Made very sure .22 was sighted-in @ 25 M prior to attending CT Appleseed.

[Bravo]

OK, I wasn't going to admit this, but this is how I wound up with the funky count.....

I figured I had all the time in the world, so the trick was to 'game it'. I'd hit the deck, get in a good prone, then take on the 400 siloughette while I was good and fresh. Then the idea was to transition to the headshot (still fresh) and then hit the 300, working closer. My thought was that even wobbly, that 100 yarder ought to look like trying to hit a billboard.

And that's the way it worked! Except somewhere, in the action of going prone, I came to believe that I was on the 400 when I was really shooting the 300.

So I shot the 300 three times, then the headshot, then the 200 three times and the one hundred three times. But the bolt wasn't locked back, so I figured "I missed one of those targets completely!"

I knew I hit the 100 and the headshot, so the 'smart money' was to punch all the rest once. Thus the extra shots on the 200 and 300, and why there was only one at 400.

Note, I said 'game it'. If you think that in real life I'd just let that 100 yarder stick around while I was piddling with the 400, you're solely mistaken.

On the 11B, nope - that's Army MOS. The USMC does things slightly different ;-)

[vmi88]

Okay Guy, I understand the officers first concept.....however, what would an officer be doing 150 yards in front of his troops.  And, if he is on a horse, shoot the horse first to limit his mobility and make him a more stationary target.  So assuming that we are using the analogy that they are getting closer, shoot them at 400, 300, the officers at 250, the troops again at 200 and 100.

[Fred]

    Believe it or not, an official Army target from about 1900 is a silhouette of a man on a horse. It could easily be put onto a 25m target.

    See how productive these strings are? Idea-wise?

[The Guy]

VMI...LOL

Yeah, been thinking that one over for a LONG time.  I think it is the hardes shot on the target, thus the "officer" designation for the bonus points.

Why let reality screw with fun!

Fred, got a few of those targets stashed away someplace?

And in RED!

LOL

[Old Dog]

Unless you have a scope on your rifle or have very good eyesight you can't tell where your POI is vs. your POA.  So, without the confidence in your rifle/ammo/self brought on by previous shooting you pretty much have to do it by the instructions or you might shoot 13 shots at the officer's head and never hit it. 

On the other hand, by the time they shoot the "last" redcoat they should have all the above and should be able to "do the deed" in any order they feel it should be done.

Guy, are you trying to say those targets "make you see RED!"

[The Guy]

LOL

Actually, some folks REALLY get into the grove, and the "officer" shot is gone, 12 holes, plus one in the 100 to avaid the bayonet.

Now there's a man who knows the score!

[1911Ron]

Bravo sorry i guessed wrong do we need to speak slower

[Nickle]

11B (Grunt or 0311 for our Jarhead friends) or 19D (Cav Scout) makes no difference.

This May, I was running the Rifle Range for my unit, and one of our 63B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) NCO's came up a little late, borrowed another guy's rifle (zeroed by the other guy, mind you, which we normally FROWN on), shot the qualification course, full distance, 40 for 40.

Now THAT'S how it's done.

Yeah, I just have to mention that Nickle is a 63B NCO himself. My next project is to get one our COOKS to shoot a Rifleman score, and bring him to an Appleseed. That ought to raise the bar for folks. (Never diss the cooks, clerks and mechanics, AKA POQUES, as some of them can SHOOT.)

Those Redcoat Targets are one of my favorites. Definitely cuts right to the chase.

[shaky-jake]

Does this drill have a time limit?

[TreadCarefully]

I can run 400m in less than a minute (haven't tried it with a rifle and bayonet though), so you better take less time than that...

[raf]

LOL

Actually, some folks REALLY get into the grove, and the "officer" shot is gone, 12 holes, plus one in the 100 to avaid the bayonet.

Now there's a man who knows the score!

I dunno.  I figured the Officer first, then the 200-yd group was my sector-of-fire on the first rank.  100-yd group was my sector-of-fire on the second rank.  Hope the other guys held up their end!