Another Way to Call Hits/Misses

[PredatorDown]

I've noticed that when I'm out shooting 1400 yards, hits can be hard to call at times. It's far enough away there's no way I can hear it when I make a hit with the Grendel.

Here's my solution! It'll take a little tweaking, but I'm convinced I can get this to work. I taped a two way radio onto the back of the gong, and set it to VOX so it would key up the mic automatically. I put a rag between the gong and the radio to keep as much of the shock from the impact away as possible.



The only real drawback I noticed was that on VOX it would take a moment to activate the microphone, and sometimes I wouldn't hear anything on my end. A quick solution would be to tape down the mic button, and leave it always active. I'll try that next time!

This was done at 1000 yards just as a proof of concept. I have a hard enough time doing 1400 on a calm day, so with the wind today I decided 1000 would be good.



Granted this won't help me know where I'm hitting, but it will at least let me know if I'm hitting. And at 1400 yards, that's all I can ask!

[biodsl]

Great idea!

[LRRPF52]

Another technique is to rig an impact-triggered light bulb. I've seen guys do this in Finland for these occasions.

BTW, notice how he is able to make quick repeated hits on steel like it's easy or something? That's what is really cool about this caliber, since there is hardly any recoil or muzzle blast to speak of.

[PredatorDown]

I hadn't even thought about having another visual reference to signal hits. Any idea how one would go about rigging one up on the cheap? These radios were bought with a $50 gift card to Sportsmans Warehouse

The ability for quick follow up shots and still being able to reach way out is the entire reason I built this rifle. I wanted a long range coyote gun with the ability to sling a lot of lead if multiples were called in at once.

5/7 shots at 1000 yards in pretty rapid succession isn't too shabby in my book! Not to mention those were 5 consecutive hits in under 12 seconds

[lrgrendel]

What elevation are you shooting at?
Nice idea with the radio BTW!

[Klem]

Interesting idea.

Another one that works is to separate two layers of metal fly screen with an insulator. Three corflute targets is the easiest way (Corflute:fly screen: Corflute: fly screen: Corflute, taped up). Can also use roofing insulation - anything that conducts and allows a bullet to pass through.

Then use the fly screens as the switching leads of a toggle circuit. Either build your own with a 555 timer or purchase. Use a flashing light nearby to signal the shooter. a 12V hazard LED works nicely in daytime. At night cover mostly with foil so the flashing light illuminates the surrounding but not your night sight. Jacketed rounds complete the circuit as they pass through. First hit, turns ON, next hit, turns OFF, ON, OFF, ON etc...

(useful for initiating explosives at distance when you have no other remote system or in an ECM environment. Disguised as anything you like...e.g. street signage).

Ready-made momentary toggle circuit used for bike/diving lights, $12;
http://www.taskled.com/techpiezotg.shtml

Or if you like to DIY and have a soldering iron;

Circuit


Looks like

[jawbone]

at 1400 yards, PD, i could tape it to the front with no fear of hitting it.

[stevegun 1]

Klem, you are a very bright fellow, thank you.

[jiml]

Outstanding idea. I don't hear real well but I think that would work for me. Good shooting in the wind too.

[Klem]

Here's the setup - 'Poor mans' electronic target

Target


Circuit


Target is whatever shape and size you want to make it. This is a standard human torso; 1.2M * 0.5M * 2cm thick, 2.5kg. It has 10M of cable to separate the target from the flasher/circuit.

The shot indicator is whatever you think you need to see at whatever distance. This one is a flashing orange hazard LED found on construction vehicles. You can see it through the scope at distance. How bright it is is less important than flashing. Flashes are more easy to spot when looking through a scope in daylight. The battery is a 14.4V 2Ahr Li-ion (4*18650 laptop batteries). Flasher draws 1.5W so you have up to 12 hours of ON-time. Bear in mind the flasher is only ON for half of the shots.

At night time this rig is too bright using night vision gear so it goes in a plastic shopping bag or gets partially covered.

1st shot ON
2nd shot OFF
3rd shot ON...

Corflute targets are less heavy to lug around than steel when setting up a scenario in the scrub...up and down hills.