I'd like to put out a heads-up for the 6.5 Grendel community regarding some of the training I have been running, and offer it to the horde.
Living in the Rocky Mountain region, with all the excellent terrain and shooting areas that we have, there are some great opportunities to learn to employ our carbines and rifles in more realistic shooting scenarios, from varying positions. I want to get away from the strictly long-range rifle posture with this course, and focus on working with lighter weight carbines and rifles that need to be brought into play quickly from those who have to carry the rifle over terrain, find hasty positions, and deliver highly-accurate fire on-target under stressful time constraints.
My background is rooted in service with 3 different Scout Sniper Platoons & other reconnaissance units, to include several deployments in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and continuing work with our NATO & coalition partners.
Korean DMZ Sniper Training 1997
OIF1 82nd Airborne 2003
I have associations with several other military veterans with highly-qualified resumes & skill sets in this area, to include SOTIC/SFARTAETC-trained shooters with decades of operational experience per instructor.
We have access to the North Springs Shooting Range, which is one of the Nation's largest shooting centers, as well as field ranges for out-of-the-box practical scenario-based exercises. What we are offering is a more complete training package with not only an intense focus on practical marksmanship with your weapon, but getting off the flat range, moving with your weapon and equipment, and learning to undergo the proactive process of quick decision-making to resolve your ultimate success against targets of immediate threat & opportunity, how to support other dismounted units in mountainous terrain, and how to use optics to enhance your unit's situational awareness capabilities.
The Basic Course includes:
Brief Instruction on the Duties & Responsibilities of Designated Marksmen
Tables of Organization & Equipment Recommendations
Capabilities & Limitations of the DM
Camouflage and intro to Fieldcraft
Priority Targets
Combined Arms & Coordination with Organic Assets to the Dismounted Infantry Unit
Precision Marksmanship Fundamentals
Use of Practical Rifle Optics in the DM role
Shooting in Conditions/Ballistics Application in Field
Snap-Shooting from Cover * (one of the most critical marksmanship skills)
Field Expedient Positional Shooting
Individual Movement Techniques Revised
Working as a DM Pair (participant dependent)
....and a whole laundry list of other aspects of this skill set that I would love to go on about, but I think you get the point. I really have a great time running this type of training. Combined with your basic & intermediate flat range Close Quarters Marksmanship courses that many of you have already done, this will really round out your skill set base as a rifleman. For those of us who are constantly pursuing excellence in training, we already understand our duty as law-abiding citizens of martial age and our responsibilities to society. Being a great rifleman should be something we are constantly chasing, with our goals set higher and higher each time.
We are not trying to get rich quick, and are more driven by sharing these skill sets with like-minded countrymen, so pricing will depend on attendee numbers, but will be more than reasonable. Class sizes will be kept at a minimum to ensure safety and quality service to you. We want to keep instruction-to-student ratios as close to 1-2 as possible.
From the LEO working in our National Forests, to the hunter, you will gain new ways of addressing your skills as a rifleman in this course.
Preferred long arm should have the following characteristics:
Reliable Semi-Auto
Free-floated barrel capable of 1.5~2 MOA out to 600yds
Ammunition capable of same
Quality Optic Mount, QD a plus
Quality Compact Rifle Optic with no less than 3x magnification, variable up to 8 or 10x preferred.
During the last course I ran, here's what weapons/optics really shined:
14.5" floated AR15/M4, rifle-length VTAC/Troy Handguards with LaRue and NightForce 2.5-10x24
20" HK417 with 3.5x ACOG (I asked the attendee with this blaster to allow me to shoot with it a lot, and was quite impressed.)
16" AR15 w/LaRue handguard with Elcan Specter DR optic
18" SPR with Douglas Select Match barrel, Leupold 2.5-8x36 Mk 4 SPR scope
16" HK416 with Ase Utra QD suppressor, Vortex Viper PST in LaRue LT-158 mount
A quality floated M4 with a 1-4x or 1-6x with a fine reticle will also be a great option. I have several carbine/optic solutions for attendees as back-ups or rentals as well. Bipods are optional, with QD feature preferred if you bring it.
What did NOT work out well was a 20" non-floated AR15. If your barrel is not floated, the positional shooting will make it so you cannot hit even 8" plates at 100yds reliably, or with any predictability. You must have a free-floated rifle/carbine.
Out here in Utah, you will see better results with the 77gr SMK or Scenar/75gr Hornady HPBT if you're shooting the 5.56/.224 Wylde. I will be using my 16" 6.5 Grendel AR15 a lot, and 6.8 SPC will also make a great cartridge for this course. Round count will be more in the 400-500 range for 2-day, depending on attendee needs and time table. A 3-day course would maybe hit 600.
Targetry will be steel poppers, IPSC silhouettes, and other steel reactive targets for immediate feedback. Field exercises will not be canned so that you always know where targets are in advance, making target-detection part of the tested challenges.
Equipment necessary:
Broken-in boots with quality hiking socks (I could write a book about footwear and the dismounted soldier/sportsman.)
Suitable field clothing for conditions (Winter in Utah requires you to bring fleece, wind shell/Gore-tex, thermals, 2 types of gloves, head gear, balaclava, excellent socks, winter boots.)
Camouflage is part of this course, so Multicam, ATACS, and other patterns that blend in well in the lightly-vegetated, rocky foothills and mountains will apply. We emphasize target-detection as a 2-way game, because it is.
Appropriate Load Bearing Kit for your Fighting Load, able to quietly and securely retain your basic load of magazines, water, navigation tools, IFAK, and survival items.
Mini binos: Mini binos will aid in target detection and small-profile spotting. I like the Vortex Viper R/T 8x28's best, because they have a Mil scale and silhouette range-finders in them.
Compact survival chow items: Power bars, granola bars, nuts, trail mix, etc.
Headgear and eyewear appropriate for the conditions: We are anywhere from 4400ft above sea level, to 6600ft ASL. The sun will kick your anus right through your skin. Large brim boonies and sun glasses are great.
Hearing protection: Quality Electronic muffs are recommended so you can hear instruction during shooting events.
Gloves: Aviator's Nomex gloves, & many of the derivatives are great for protecting your hands during weapon manipulation, climbing, and handling gear in the field.
Knee Pads &/or Elbow Pads: Trouble-shoot your knee pads with the clothing and equipment you will wear. There is a lot of terrain that will jack you up quick out here.
IFAK: Your individual first aid kit should be properly stocked with 4" compression bandages, Quick-clot, trauma shears, surgical gloves, wound packing gauze, and any medical devices or medicines particular to your medical history. The instructor pool consists of gentlemen with decades of hands-on combat trauma management, Special Operations Medical Sergeant training, and real-world experience with about anything you can think of regarding medical or trauma contingencies.
We'll be able to run at least one of these every month. Please PM/email me for interest and more details. Most of the instructor base is out of the Salt Lake/Lehi area. Feel free to post open questions about the course. We're looking forward to sharing what we have learned, and learning from all of you as well!
A pic from a recent course:
Living in the Rocky Mountain region, with all the excellent terrain and shooting areas that we have, there are some great opportunities to learn to employ our carbines and rifles in more realistic shooting scenarios, from varying positions. I want to get away from the strictly long-range rifle posture with this course, and focus on working with lighter weight carbines and rifles that need to be brought into play quickly from those who have to carry the rifle over terrain, find hasty positions, and deliver highly-accurate fire on-target under stressful time constraints.
My background is rooted in service with 3 different Scout Sniper Platoons & other reconnaissance units, to include several deployments in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and continuing work with our NATO & coalition partners.
Korean DMZ Sniper Training 1997
OIF1 82nd Airborne 2003
I have associations with several other military veterans with highly-qualified resumes & skill sets in this area, to include SOTIC/SFARTAETC-trained shooters with decades of operational experience per instructor.
We have access to the North Springs Shooting Range, which is one of the Nation's largest shooting centers, as well as field ranges for out-of-the-box practical scenario-based exercises. What we are offering is a more complete training package with not only an intense focus on practical marksmanship with your weapon, but getting off the flat range, moving with your weapon and equipment, and learning to undergo the proactive process of quick decision-making to resolve your ultimate success against targets of immediate threat & opportunity, how to support other dismounted units in mountainous terrain, and how to use optics to enhance your unit's situational awareness capabilities.
The Basic Course includes:
Brief Instruction on the Duties & Responsibilities of Designated Marksmen
Tables of Organization & Equipment Recommendations
Capabilities & Limitations of the DM
Camouflage and intro to Fieldcraft
Priority Targets
Combined Arms & Coordination with Organic Assets to the Dismounted Infantry Unit
Precision Marksmanship Fundamentals
Use of Practical Rifle Optics in the DM role
Shooting in Conditions/Ballistics Application in Field
Snap-Shooting from Cover * (one of the most critical marksmanship skills)
Field Expedient Positional Shooting
Individual Movement Techniques Revised
Working as a DM Pair (participant dependent)
....and a whole laundry list of other aspects of this skill set that I would love to go on about, but I think you get the point. I really have a great time running this type of training. Combined with your basic & intermediate flat range Close Quarters Marksmanship courses that many of you have already done, this will really round out your skill set base as a rifleman. For those of us who are constantly pursuing excellence in training, we already understand our duty as law-abiding citizens of martial age and our responsibilities to society. Being a great rifleman should be something we are constantly chasing, with our goals set higher and higher each time.
We are not trying to get rich quick, and are more driven by sharing these skill sets with like-minded countrymen, so pricing will depend on attendee numbers, but will be more than reasonable. Class sizes will be kept at a minimum to ensure safety and quality service to you. We want to keep instruction-to-student ratios as close to 1-2 as possible.
From the LEO working in our National Forests, to the hunter, you will gain new ways of addressing your skills as a rifleman in this course.
Preferred long arm should have the following characteristics:
Reliable Semi-Auto
Free-floated barrel capable of 1.5~2 MOA out to 600yds
Ammunition capable of same
Quality Optic Mount, QD a plus
Quality Compact Rifle Optic with no less than 3x magnification, variable up to 8 or 10x preferred.
During the last course I ran, here's what weapons/optics really shined:
14.5" floated AR15/M4, rifle-length VTAC/Troy Handguards with LaRue and NightForce 2.5-10x24
20" HK417 with 3.5x ACOG (I asked the attendee with this blaster to allow me to shoot with it a lot, and was quite impressed.)
16" AR15 w/LaRue handguard with Elcan Specter DR optic
18" SPR with Douglas Select Match barrel, Leupold 2.5-8x36 Mk 4 SPR scope
16" HK416 with Ase Utra QD suppressor, Vortex Viper PST in LaRue LT-158 mount
A quality floated M4 with a 1-4x or 1-6x with a fine reticle will also be a great option. I have several carbine/optic solutions for attendees as back-ups or rentals as well. Bipods are optional, with QD feature preferred if you bring it.
What did NOT work out well was a 20" non-floated AR15. If your barrel is not floated, the positional shooting will make it so you cannot hit even 8" plates at 100yds reliably, or with any predictability. You must have a free-floated rifle/carbine.
Out here in Utah, you will see better results with the 77gr SMK or Scenar/75gr Hornady HPBT if you're shooting the 5.56/.224 Wylde. I will be using my 16" 6.5 Grendel AR15 a lot, and 6.8 SPC will also make a great cartridge for this course. Round count will be more in the 400-500 range for 2-day, depending on attendee needs and time table. A 3-day course would maybe hit 600.
Targetry will be steel poppers, IPSC silhouettes, and other steel reactive targets for immediate feedback. Field exercises will not be canned so that you always know where targets are in advance, making target-detection part of the tested challenges.
Equipment necessary:
Broken-in boots with quality hiking socks (I could write a book about footwear and the dismounted soldier/sportsman.)
Suitable field clothing for conditions (Winter in Utah requires you to bring fleece, wind shell/Gore-tex, thermals, 2 types of gloves, head gear, balaclava, excellent socks, winter boots.)
Camouflage is part of this course, so Multicam, ATACS, and other patterns that blend in well in the lightly-vegetated, rocky foothills and mountains will apply. We emphasize target-detection as a 2-way game, because it is.
Appropriate Load Bearing Kit for your Fighting Load, able to quietly and securely retain your basic load of magazines, water, navigation tools, IFAK, and survival items.
Mini binos: Mini binos will aid in target detection and small-profile spotting. I like the Vortex Viper R/T 8x28's best, because they have a Mil scale and silhouette range-finders in them.
Compact survival chow items: Power bars, granola bars, nuts, trail mix, etc.
Headgear and eyewear appropriate for the conditions: We are anywhere from 4400ft above sea level, to 6600ft ASL. The sun will kick your anus right through your skin. Large brim boonies and sun glasses are great.
Hearing protection: Quality Electronic muffs are recommended so you can hear instruction during shooting events.
Gloves: Aviator's Nomex gloves, & many of the derivatives are great for protecting your hands during weapon manipulation, climbing, and handling gear in the field.
Knee Pads &/or Elbow Pads: Trouble-shoot your knee pads with the clothing and equipment you will wear. There is a lot of terrain that will jack you up quick out here.
IFAK: Your individual first aid kit should be properly stocked with 4" compression bandages, Quick-clot, trauma shears, surgical gloves, wound packing gauze, and any medical devices or medicines particular to your medical history. The instructor pool consists of gentlemen with decades of hands-on combat trauma management, Special Operations Medical Sergeant training, and real-world experience with about anything you can think of regarding medical or trauma contingencies.
We'll be able to run at least one of these every month. Please PM/email me for interest and more details. Most of the instructor base is out of the Salt Lake/Lehi area. Feel free to post open questions about the course. We're looking forward to sharing what we have learned, and learning from all of you as well!
A pic from a recent course:
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