AAR: Cowtown UKD, Phoenix, AZ Nov 4th, 2017

[Group Therapy]

What another great weekend at the Cowtown range in North Phoenix. This was our 2nd Unknown Distance Event compressed into a single day.  The unique facility allows us to shoot into a ravine at 12 100 yard to 1100 yard targets from a raised shooting platform.  The weather was perfect and thankfully we had clouds rolling by breaking the lighting condition to show how targets disappear and reappear.

A small determined group met up Saturday and began the day with instruction.  The 3 instructors moved through the material while the seasoned students absorbed the content with ease.  We discussed in depth target detection, ranging, building a range card, scope specifics, trajectory/come-ups, BSZ, reading and correcting for wind, shooting on slope, and other environmental factors that may affect the shot in decreasing degree. 

About mid-morning the Appleseeders met at the 25M firing line and began to apply the knowledge they adjust acquired by verify zeros, box sights to verify sight adjustment resolution and repeatability, and measure and record front sight and/or scope reticule dimensions.

At lunch, we gathered our gear, moved closer to the long range shooting platform and sat down for a meal.  During lunch we heard the story of the role individual Riflemen played to insure Washington's victory at Trenton.

After lunch, we headed up the hill to the steel range, where shooters proceeded to scan for targets, estimating their position first with the use of a topographic map of the area, followed by range verification using sights/scopes.  Some of the targets on the range were in new positions which meant we did not have the actual range or size to the targets.  It was an excellent challenge for the shooters to glass marked down their estimated distance and compare results.

We grouped the shooters in two person shooter/spotter teams and began to work our way from the closer steel targets to the furthest through the ravine.  Each shooter pairs learned the unique chorus between each shooter and began to have rhythm of BANG!....ting!..HIT!  It was a beautiful sound of Riflemen in action.

It was quite a sight to see the shooters work their way up the ravine, experience changing lighting/wind conditions and shoot for the elusive 1100 target.   They quickly learned what happens during transonic flight of the bullet.  At one point we had a visitor down range about 700 yards barely visible; a wild donkey perfectly camouflaged with surroundings.  Of course, this gave us the great opportunity to analyze the terrain, wind and lighting conditions.

Thank you Scott for organizing this 1-Day UKD with great result.  Nick did a great job instructing bringing his ground truth knowledge and glassing skills.

All in all the shooters were riflemen and it showed on the firing line.  Huzzah!

[sleepy]

Had a blast, and took home some great information to share. Thanks to the dedicated Appleseed instructors who took time away from their families to serve their nation, passing on their experience.

Anyone who has the chance to do a UKD event should grab it. Shooting for qualification is a highly important first step, but once there you want to start preparing for effective shooting under field conditions.

UKDs are rare as hen's teeth, and the biggest tragedy was so few attendees.  :wb

We have to do the event before we can bring home the information to share! 

Looking forward to the KD in Kingman.

[HNHArmory]

I've said it before the UKD is the crown jewel of the AZ program.  We had great students show up prepared to persist and made our 1 day UKD lean and effective.   It was a joy to be an instructor in the RWVA.

This is a really unique range.  If you look at the attached photo you can see it's not a long flat square cleared by an earth mover.  But, an actual AZ ravine!  You the shooter must "Find it, Range it, Shoot it".  There are at least 10 targets visible in this picture.  How far are they away? What does your sight picture look like?  What are your come ups?  What do you actually need to hike up to that platform to make the shot? 

All of our shooters were able to apply the points of instruction and ring the steel.  Proving that the fundamentals that work at 25 meters, work at 1000 meters too!

[Nashville Stage]

It's like "Where's Waldo", but better!

[azmule]

Hmmm- good idea, a Waldo target.  Not red-n-white though...  a camo-waldo.   

[azmule]

Or maybe just some tasty palo verde shoots...



Like the "downrange deer" at Sierra Vista, or even Honey Badger, DONKEY DON'T CARE! 

He knows our shooters hit what they mean to, and not what they don't.   

[TaosGlock]

That looks like great terrain for a UKD!  I would love to make it out there and shoot with you guys!

[ItsanSKS]

When's the next one?

[azmule]

That's the thing.  See IAAR, we are currently looking for additional UKD venues.