Creedmoor Hardback Modification

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Getting the last couple straps nice and tight on a shooting jacket can be a challenge, especially if you are a little round in the middle like myself.

I stumbled across a post on the CMP forms where someone recommended attaching the straps first then zipping up the sides. Of course this only works if you have the “all position upgrade.”

While this works it’s difficult to work the zippers when all snugged in to the jacket. So I added a bit of para cord to all of the zippers. Super simple, but it makes it much easier to pull the zippers on the jacket. I also added a shorter piece of cord to the arm zipper (used for off hand) as on several occasions I have forgotten to close it until I was all strapped in for prone. This way I can grab it with my trigger hand.

This method helps me keep the jacket nice and tight which keeps my hips a bit stiffer and keeps the jacket from riding up.

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Clinic at York Riflemen

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I took a trip out to York Riiflemen for an informal Service Rifle clinic. It was really perfect timing for me, as I’ve only shot 6 Service Rifle matches with my A2, and frankly, I haven’t spent a lot of time practicing with it.

It was a beautiful sunny and warm (50s) day with almost a foot of lingering snow on the range and lots of mud.

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One of the coaches went over a some tips on off hand. Take your time, and remember to focus on trigger pull, be consistent, avoid target panic.

We had a 20 minute block of time to work on off hand, I took a few shots prone to get a 200 yard zero (+6 1/4.) I tried out a change to my off hand position, resting the mag in my palm. I got some good advice from the coaches and feel a bit better about off hand.

After off hand we did a couple of strings of rapid sitting, which was great, because I have neglected practicing this position. I have some things to work on there too. You’ll see some of them in this video.

I’m going to keep recording my shooting and watching it afterwards. It’s been enlightening to see what I’m really doing compared to what I think I’m doing.

I picked up a few things to work on.

1. Stop dancing around in off hand (still)
2. Remember to breath
3. Always stage the trigger even in off hand

Additionally I’ll try and step up the dry firing off hand in my shooting jacket, I’ve been getting a little lazy keeping my elbow on my side.

It was a great clinic and should give me a good base to build on for the season. I’ll be back in April for their Garand match.

The view from the pit during rapid sitting:

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Open a Tight Stamped Trigger Guard on A M1 Garand

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World War Two Practical Match at LRGC

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I went a little out of my comfort zone on this one. A friend of mine talked me in to signing up for a Garand “practical rifle” match at Langhorne Rod and Gun.

It was a sunny, unseasonably warm day in the forties, with a foot of snow still on the ground.

Several different courses of fire at different distances. All based on 8 round clips so lots of pinging.

16 rounds standing 16 round kneeling at 100 yards at steel from the top of their 100 yard berm.
16 rounds standing to kneeling at 50 yards at a reduced IDPA target
16 rounds prone at steel plates at 200 yards

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I did terrible, but it wasn’t really about “winning” or at least that’s what I told myself.

A couple things I need to think about from what I learned at this match. I think my 6:00 hold held me back a bit, I should keep a dope for both 6:00 and center mass. I wasn’t prepared to use hasty sling and they have a “muzzle down” rule that threw me off a bit. I’m a little ashamed to admit, I have no idea how to rig up with the barrel down without dropping my rifle.

My excuses aside it was fun, well run match. It has gotten me thinking a bit about my shooting style a bit, and perhaps I should spend some time practicing transitioning and hasty sling.

In unrelated news a fella there had a Mini-G, and I want one!

A little video of me shooting.

A Cold Afternoon of Practice

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The temperature finally rose above freezing here in PA and after way too long i was able to squeeze in some range time with the Garand. I also brought along my another new toy (Gopro) to take some videos.

5 rounds with slow motion ping.

Looking up from the mat.