Having already had a huge variety of targets at several different ranges the weather was closing in (you could see the dark clouds coming towards us) and Andrew decided it was time for lunch.
Lunch
Lunch is a self catering affair. We picked up some rolls and filling from the shop opposite the Blue Bell Inn along with probably the best pickle the world has known. One of our group still talks fondly about the pickle more than the shooting! There is plenty of room to relax and eat your lunch under cover whilst chewing over your greatest shots taken that morning.
We also took the opportunity during the break to quiz Andrew about how he got started and the kinds of people he trains. It seems only a small part of his time is spent with civilian groups like us. It was interesting to hear about some of the rifles that have been shot and the development of his targets to ensure they survive hits from even the mighty 50 cal. The steel is heat treated and plasma cut under water. He doesn't like putting in extra holes as it tends to eat drill bits.
600 & 800 Yards
After lunch we then turned 180 degrees and shot through the valley to targets around 600 yards away. Some of us moved up a calibre, I switched to the .243, calculated the drop and adjusted our scopes around 15 minutes.
Targets at this distance consisted mainly of figure 11s, some with hostage add-ons. These have an extra head to one side that swings behind when hit, the idea being to hit this head without hitting the hostage. New targets introduced were gongs on chains (some complete with smiley faces) and a large mountain sheep.
The 10mph wind was pushing the .243 round almost 4 feet to the left at this range. Instead of aiming off I adjusted my scope and then aimed slightly left or right depending on how it was gusting.
It was difficult as a spotter to see where any misses went, but we all managed to get on target quickly and either take out the hostage taker or swing the gong.
This video shows some the the gongs being hit at 600 yards. Notice the extra time delay before you hear the noise of the strike.
It was then back to 800 yards. I decided to stick with the .243 and go up another 12 minutes, but the little 70 grain bullet didn't handle the wind well and I didn't get many hits. With hindsight I should of gone for the .308 (as I did for the finale later).
Hitting the targets, especially the gongs, at this distance means it takes almost two seconds to hear the reassuring noise of a hit normally followed by a cheer, even if it was sometimes an internal one.
Advice
Andrew was always on hand watching for any problems and offering advice. Sometimes all that was need was a bit of encouragement and suggestions as to what the problem might be and how to get back on target.
Valley Shoot
As the weather was closing in we agreed not to move back any further (you can shoot targets at over a mile) and instead move to a location so we could practice shooting down hill. Piling into the 4x4s we drove further into the facility up the hill that overlooked the valley we were in.
Here there were two target areas. The first were 8” gongs at 300 yards with a pond behind (excellent to identify where misses are landing) and a couple of hostage targets. To the right of these were the same targets we had been shooting previously at 600 and 800 yards.
Just in front of the firing point you can see one of the gongs shot from the other side of the valley at some 1000 yards.
Pond Shoot
The second area we shot in the valley was a pond with floating targets and a few 8” plates around the edge. Although the range finder showed the distance to be 400 yards, a quick bit of maths worked out the horizontal distance was 300 yards so scopes where set for this distance. I went back to the .223 and aimed off as before.
This video shows how it should be done, shooting down hill using your knee as a support. Very good shooting indeed. Sadly, it wasn't me in the video.
One of the highlights of the day for me was to hit one of the hostage targets at 300 yards with my first shot. The training given by Andrew was finally sinking in. A mate clipped the ear of the hostage, but we decided a lost ear was worth it to hit the hostage taker!
1000 Yard Fox
Andrew said one of the targets that tested peoples ability the most was the small face on fox just in front of our firing point. It's shot at from the other peak, some 1000 yards away. The tricky wind in the valley must make this a very difficult shot indeed. Perhaps we'll have a go next time.....
Final Challenge of the Day
Even though it was the middle of July the light started to fade and the weather was closing in. Andrew set us the final challenge of the main gong back on the 800 yard firing point. I broke out the .308 and adjusted my scope. We had a couple of minutes to get on target and work out what the wind was doing and then took turns to fire three shots at the smiley face gong at the top of the target array.
The weather had taken a definite turn for the worst, and although we all managed to hit the target at least once, only one member hit it all three times.
We trudged back to the office and had a last cup of tea, pack up the rifles, last bit of banter and then headed for home. An absolutely fantastic day and we'll be back next year.
Contact
To contact Andrew his website is www.wms-firearmstraining.org
If you decide to go then I suggest a few things:
- Take more ammo than you think you'll need. We all shot well over 100 rounds each.
- Work out the ballistics for each of your rifles and print out tables showing drop for various distances.
- Scopes with resettable target turrets and mildot reticle are an advantage.
- Allow a full day on range to get the most out of it
- Did I mention to take lots of ammo
Author Andy