Matt in TN

Stage 5 (10k): Shooter's Choice Cedar Point On the buzzer, hit 4 steel pistol targets from first position/barricade strong hand only. Move to second position/barricade and hit 4 more steel pistol targets weak hand only. Move to third position (VTAC wall) and hit 4 final steel pistol targets. The first 12 pistol targets will range from 10 to 25 yds. Make two hits on a B/C zone steel torso at 50 yds to finish. Shooter can either make those 50 yd hits with his pistol, or safely holster his hot pistol, unsling and load his rifle, and make those hits with his rifle. Training tip: If you can reliably make 50yd hits with your pistol you'll have a HUGE time advantage over those who have to transition to rifle to make the last two hits. Put in some practice time making longer pistol hits and it will pay off well! Oh yeah - practice shooting a pistol strong hand only, weak hand only, and from awkward positions too. :-)

I'm happy to announce Rockcastle Training (https://www.rockcastleshootingcenter.com/online-store https://www.facebook.com/rockcastletraining/) has agreed to not only sponsor an obstacle, but design and build it as well! Justin Vititoe already asked me if he could make everyone start a fire with a bow drill as the "obstacle" - I told him we'd be there all day long waiting for people to finish! I would love to see a hundred bow drills going in the parking lot after the match though. Be sure to come to one of Justin's classes so you can learn how to do it - and post up here some ideas for him to consider for obstacles!

OK - after Stage 3 is where the route splits. Here is Stage 4 for the 10k folks. We'll rejoin the 5k people in a few weeks. Supported Shooting & Moving: Pistol Mountain, Stage 4 (10k) On the buzzer, move to the first position and make one hit on each 10” rifle target at approximately 100, 200, and 300 yds. Move the next position, putting three hits on a paper torso on the way (WHILE MOVING), and hit the same targets again. Move to the final position, putting three hits on a second paper torso on the way (WHILE MOVING), and hit each target one final time. Various means of support will be available at each position for the rifleman to use or not use as they see fit. The three “supports” will be a tank trap, some kind of natural support (tree, rock, etc.), and whatever else I can find nearby for the 3rd.

I am excited to announce Sierra Bullets (https://www.sierrabullets.com/) just joined on as a stage sponsor. They have pledged $1,150 in bullets for our prize table!

The hits just keep on coming - please welcome Zero Bullets as a sponsor! https://www.rozedist.com/

:-(

Stage 3: Booby Traps! The Cave Leave your rifle (and pack, if necessary) outside and enter the cave. Move forward on your own, keeping your pistol HOLSTERED, until you see a “Wait Here” sign or find an RO and start your wait time if necessary. You will need a light NOT ATTACHED to your weapon for navigation just to get to the start line – if you do not have a light on your person when you arrive you will not be allowed to enter, and will zero this stage. You may have any type of light you wish, and you may use a weapon light in the stage if you wish – but you CANNOT draw your pistol before you begin the shooting stage. There will be ROs and other shooters in front of you, and they will not respond kindly to having the business end of your pistol pointed at them. On the buzzer, move forward and put three pistol hits on each of 5 targets from marked shooting boxes as you find them to neutralize. Hidden along the path will be multiple booby traps that trigger “claymores” (bright lights). For each booby trap you trigger, 60 seconds will be added to your shoot time. Tread carefully! Any hits on “no shoot” targets will add 20 seconds to your shoot score for each target hit.

I am pleased to announce Dillon Precision (https://www.dillonprecision.com/) just signed on as a sponsor. Please thank them for their support of our match!

I am thrilled to announce we just signed our first Stage Sponsor: Magpul Industries Corporation (https://www.magpul.com/) has generously donated almost $3,000.00 worth of product to our match!

I'm happy to announce ASE Precision (https://www.facebook.com/ASEPrecision/) has signed on as an obstacle sponsor, and chosen the Pistol Bays (Stage 5 for the 5k and Stage 7 for the 10k) for their obstacle location. Dustin Downard (the owner) told me he had a great idea for an obstacle that involves shooting one of his ACRs. It was a punishment in Basic that he wanted to do in an event but "no one wanted to get dirty".

Stage 2: $%#&ing VTAC Cowboy Town Begin outside barn. On the buzzer, make three rifle hits on the paper torso to neutralize. Move into barn and make three rifle hits on paper torso outside of barn from within barn. Move to the VTAC Board and shoot any of three 100yd 10” steel targets through all nine ports (one hit through each port). Shoot the targets that are NOT swinging to help ROs make the hit calls. Any hits on “no shoot” targets will add 20 seconds to your shoot score for each target hit. Training Tip: If you can shoot while moving you will be MUCH faster getting through the first two targets. Just don’t get in TOO much of a hurry as “no shoots” will be nearby to keep you honest. The VTAC barricade is designed to test your ability to shoot a rifle from awkward positions. I highly suggest not only practicing from awkward positions, but understanding exactly where your rifle shoots when it is canted at various degrees. The targets will be small enough and far enough away canted ballistics will come in to play.

Nooooo!!!!

The Supernova is the easiest answer for an "out of the box" shotgun. The 870 is cheaper on the front end and works well until you start to get faster with it - then it needs a modification to the action bars to keep up with you. It's a pretty simple mod if you have a welder and a file (or even better - a mill), but it's not something anybody really does commercially. I shoot the 870.

I'm going to do things a bit differently this year: there will be no "blind" stages with the exception of the cave (you'll see!). I'll post every detail of every stage BEFORE registration opens you can not only know what you're getting into and decide if you want to come, but also know what to practice. The entire point of this kind of match is to develop a bunch of skilled marksmen in great physical shape - and if posting a detail of the COF inspires you to train in a new way, then GREAT! So here's Stage 1: Grenade!!! The competitor will throw a dummy grenade into a “campfire” (empty tire) around which 3 enemies have gathered, then duck fully behind cover to guard against shrapnel from the grenade. On the buzzer, the RO will call “CLEAR” if the grenade stayed in the tire, and you can consider those 3 targets neutralized and move on. If the RO calls “ENGAGE” the grenade did not remain in the tire and you must put three rifle hits on each target to neutralize. Move to next shooting position and hit 3 targets on the 50 yd rifle plate rack around the left side of the barricade. Move to the next shooting position and hit 3 targets on the 50 yd rifle plate rack around the right side of the barricade. Move to the final shooting position and make three rifle hits each on three targets. Fault lines are set back from edge of barricade to give an advantage to people who can shoot from either shoulder, but close enough that people CAN shoot from the “wrong” shoulder and just be super awkward/contorted. Each side of the barricade and 3 targets on the plate rack will be painted the same color to make it clear which gets shot from where. 10 second FTN penalty if you shoot the wrong targets from the wrong position, or for failing to get 3 hits on a paper target. Paper targets may be moving.

Thanks to everyone who braved the rain. This was the most challenging pistol match I have shot in a long time. Hard on the ego; GREAT for the skills!

Here's the 5k Course Map. Anyone who has run here before will recognize it is identical to what we ran in September, and pretty darn close to what we did last March. I'm leaning toward making this the LAST time we use this same course - but I'd like to hear from everyone about it: Would you like the variety of running new places every few matches, or would you rather be able to compare your times on the same course year-to-year to track your progress and see how much you've improved? It's not like the course will get any easier every time you do it! And if you want new courses - how do you like the idea of carpooling to a remote start line and running in to finish at the Lodge? Or backtracking/crisscrossing in paths that don't necessarily make as much "sense" as a nice loop, but still provide the mileage and get you to interesting shooting locations and obstacles? Rockcastle Shooting Center is so huge and has so many trails the possibilities are almost endless - the only hard part is keeping the mileage down to something reasonable, and keeping anyone from wandering downrange of shooting locations while running.

Me and my Glocks love the rain - bring it on!

I lied - one more post. James Moriarty's family does a newsletter for friends/family of his son and he was kind enough to share with me his summary of this event. When I first heard that he was coming I felt immense pressure to "get it right" for his sake - and I can't thank each and every one of you for helping me to make that happen. I am so glad that this was a positive experience for him. Shared with permission: JFM Newsletter article on Run and Gun and TAPS When we traveled to Dover to greet Jimmy on his last trip home, I thought “I’m never going to have a hunting, fishing or kart racing trip with Jimbo again.” That left me feeling extremely sad, as it has since then, because Jimmy was my best guy friend in the world. He and I had spent countless hours racing go-karts, hunting in Mexico or Africa, camping in Montana, and countless other guy adventures. Jimmy was the finest companion any guy could have, just ask any of his friends. I even cherished getting up at 2:00am to take him to the airport so he could go back to work after a weekend of debauchery dating and socializing. In early August, I was contacted by a 5th Group Special Forces guy who told me they were going to do the first annual unofficial 5th Group 5K Run and Gun on September 9 and 10. I tried to not sound like a complete idiot for not knowing what a 5K Run and Gun is but I didn’t know if this was something that happens after you eat bad food or what. He also asked me if I wanted to participate. As he explained that this was a rifle and pistol shooting competition, combined with a 5K run intended to honor actual 5th Group combat scenarios conducted by 5th Group soldiers since 9/11. When he told me the first stage was in honor of Jimmy and Matt, I cried. Keep in mind (a) I had never done a rifle competition, (b) a pistol competition, (c) a Run and Gun nor run in anything heavier than a singlet and shorts, so I was more than a little intimidated. Like REALLY intimidated. I thought it through and concluded “Yea, I get to go shopping!!” As I did. Napoleon would have been impressed with how I kitted out. I found one of Jimmy’s old ammo carriers which I modified to fit my much less fit smaller body. When I found one of his old Army training notes in the pocket, I cried again. Setting this up gave me a chance to reach out to Jake and Carley, and to Casey [Removed], all remarkable 5th Group friends of Jimmy’s for advice on preparation and planning. Trevor Saunders, a 5th Group guy and Matt Stennett, the match director, keep me completely up to date on what was to happen and when and where. Rockcastle Shooting Center comped my room and board, Matt and Trevor arranged to get me transportation from the Nashville airport to Kentucky and I was given free admission into the competition. I did the run, finished mid pack which I considered to be a huge accomplishment and had a ball. I was made to feel like a deeply loved and honored guest and I could not have enjoyed myself more. Jimmy managed to get himself involved with the finest group of people I have ever known and he would be so pleased that his 5th Group friends keep all of us involved in their lives. I hate these wars but I love these warriors and I completely understand why Jimmy would (and did) give his life to protect them. They are the finest young people in our country and I could not love them more.

Here's the 10k Course Map. We need to do a 50k to get to ALL of the cool shooting locations Rockcastle Shooting Center has to offer, but going to a 10k helps us get to some! (map corrected 11/20/17)

Samson Manufacturing (http://www.samson-mfg.com/) has signed on as our first obstacle sponsor. Not only are they providing some cool things for the prize table, but they are providing most of the pistol targets we'll be using for the match too. They are an amazing supporter of the shooting sports!! And they have chosen the mud pits/tubes/barbed wire for their obstacle. Somebody help me come up with a catchy name for this obstacle that includes "Samson Manufacturing". The other wild card that comes with an obstacle sponsorship: the sponsor gets to add to/design/build that obstacle as they please. I always maintain final veto power as every obstacle has to be "possible" for every competitor and I have to have the time/money budget to actually build it.

Ok - which one of you bastidges is stealing all my pistol ammo? I just checked my stash and I SWEAR I'm not shooting it that fast! Oh well, back to the big blue grind to crank out some more...

Just so there is no misunderstanding or misrepresentation: this particular event is in no way affiliated with the 5th Special Forces Group or the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38 - other than I hope we get some Group guys to come out and play with us. This is just a fun match with no affiliation (yet?) that will test your resolve, your skills, and your gear at a venue I call "Disneyland For Grown-Ups". Come on out and play!

If you went last year, please note some differences: we'll be offering a 5k with 5 shooting stages on Saturday and a 10k with 7 shooting stages on Sunday. Competitors can choose to shoot either, or both. There will be separate awards and prizes for each match on each night. I'm afraid the match fees have had to go up a little to cover costs better, but hopefully it will be well worth it! More to come soon - registration will open about 90 days prior to the match And if somehow you've never heard of a "Run N Gun" or a "Centerfire Biathlon" and are wondering WTF this is - here's a short compilation video from last March's match:

Just to get on your calendar - there's a lot going on in 2018! The best place to go for information and discussion is the Facebook Event Page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1694526563922793/?active_tab=about. If you go there and click "Interested" or "Going" you'll get notifications every time (I think?) someone posts there, and see all of the various discussions and questions asked. I'll try to repost what I think is important here and in other forums for people who refuse to be a part of Facebook - but the only way to see it all is to be a member there. To start, here are the basics: Intro: The 2018 Rockcastle Run N Gun 5&10k is a centerfire biathlon – competitors will complete a 5k or 10k run combined with a shooting competition. The event is a test of man and equipment alike. It is intended to give participants an idea of how being hot, cold, exhausted, and challenged by the environment affects their shooting, and to test the effectiveness of their gear under field conditions. This event is not intended for inexperienced shooters – all participants are expected to be familiar with the operation of their firearms, and to observe basic principles of firearm safety at all times. With the exception of emergencies, Range Officers (ROs) are not allowed to help participants in any way. Good attitudes are a must. If you are the type of person who gets upset when minor changes are made to a plan or when you don’t always get your way, this is not the event for you. Basics: Participants will receive both a score for their run based on how long it took them to complete the course, and a score for their shooting based on how long it took them to clear each course of fire. The run score and shooting score will be equally weighted in determining the participant’s final score. This is true run-what-you-brung field-style shooting, with only two equipment classes: “Combat Class” in which you must carry at least 25% of your bodyweight in gear (simulating a full load-out), or “Race Class” in which anything goes. For the most part, if you want to carry it for 5 or 10 clicks, be our guest. Shooters are expected to have all their firearms sighted in and all their gear ready to go on the morning of the shoot. There will be no zeroing at the event. Think of this as a test of how you and your equipment would perform in a Second Amendment situation if you had to go take care of business at your current state of readiness, whatever that is. Run order will be more or less random. We will try to be accommodating to participants who wish to share firearms or equipment (we can have one person run in the morning and the other in the afternoon), or to those who wish to run together. Equipment: The only equipment that is strictly required to participate is a safe center fire rifle, a safe center fire pistol, enough ammo to clear the course (at least twice the minimum required hit count is recommended), eye protection, ear protection, a flashlight, and some form of stopwatch. The rifle must shoot rifle caliber ammo (no 9mm PCC), and the pistol must shoot pistol caliber (no .223 “pistols” for the handgun targets). Everything else is up to the participant. Shooters may use any type of gear they want to carry their equipment with, the only requirement being that pistols must be carried in a secure holster that covers the trigger if they are to be carried loaded. Rifles may be carried any way you like, as long as they remain pointed in a safe direction. You may not use tracers or armor piercing bullets that have a hardened penetrator core, as we will be using lots of steel targets that we don’t want to see damaged. To be safe – if your bullet attracts a magnet or has a green tip, leave it at home. Rules: First and foremost, all participants will be expected to comply with basic firearms safety at all times. If you demonstrate inability or unwillingness to follow basic firearm safety, you will be asked to leave, with no refund and no apology. Muzzles must be pointed in a safe direction at all times, and fingers must be off the trigger unless the firearm is pointed at a target. Rifles shall only be loaded when a shooter is at a rifle stage, after the RO has given the “fire” command. Shooters may leave their handguns loaded at all times. However, loaded handguns must remain securely in a holster unless the shooter has been given the “fire” command on a shooting stage. Some stages will be active, involving moving and shooting. Firearms may remain loaded during movement, but strict muzzle discipline must be maintained. Procedures: Every shooter will be given a score card that he will be required to carry through the course. The card is how we record your score. Do not lose it or we will not be able to give you a score for the event. When a shooter approaches a station, he will be required to show a RO an empty mag well and empty chamber on his rifle. If another shooter is currently on the stage when he arrives, the one who just arrived will be instructed by a RO to start his stopwatch to keep track of his wait time (this will be subtracted off the participant’s run time when his run score is calculated). It is purely the shooter’s responsibility to keep track of his wait time. The ROs have no responsibility whatsoever to help you do this. Even if a RO offers to help you keep track of your time, you have no one but yourself to blame if this is not done. When the shooter is ready to shoot the stage, he will hand the RO his score card, and the RO will record his wait time if any. The shooter will be given a quick summary of the course of fire. The RO will ask if the shooter understands the course of fire. If the answer is yes, the shooter will be given the “fire” command, at which time he may load his rifle and/or draw his pistol and begin shooting the stage. All stages will have a zone where the shooter must fire from -- either a particular hole in a barricade that you must shoot through, or a marked zone on the ground, in which every part of your body or equipment which touches the ground must remain inside of when you fire. Hits made from outside the designated area will not count toward completion of the course of fire. Every shooting stage will have a 3 minute time limit. This is to keep the runners moving and to prevent large backups of shooters waiting to shoot a stage. At the end of that 3 minute period, the shooter will be stopped and time penalties applied to their score for any target not fully neutralized as per the course of fire requirements. If for any reason the “cease fire” command is given, you will immediately cease fire, holster your handgun, and unload your rifle. You will do likewise when you complete a stage, or time out. The RO should tell you your time for the stage. The RO will record your time on your score card. You may want to carry a pen and notepad to keep track of your score in case you lose your card, or if there is a mix-up with the scoring. Every shooter must show a RO an empty mag well and chamber on his rifle before leaving each stage. A RO will give directions on where to go to continue down the trail. Shooters are NOT required to leave their rifle’s bolt open during the run… this is actually discouraged, as it will allow lots of that beautiful Kentucky red clay to accumulate inside the action. There will be ample opportunity for this to happen on the course. The Run: The total course length is 3.2 miles (5k) or 6.2 miles (10k). The path for participants to follow will be marked with brightly colored flags and/or tape. Shooters must stay close to the marked path. Do not cut corners. Failure to follow the marked trail may take you into the impact area of a hot range!!! If the trail takes you through some difficult terrain, this is on purpose! Parts of the trail will be down a county road. Keep to the left edge of the road and watch for traffic. Your Fitness: This event is in a remote area, and you need to be aware of over-exertion. We should have some folks with medical skills on hand, but your health is your responsibility. If you start having problems, slow down... drink some water... listen to your body! There is no shame in walking the course; know yourself and your limitations. Accommodations: Attendees are highly recommended to stay at the onsite lodge for the full experience. There will be people on site all day Friday, as the ROs will be running the course. Porta-potties will be on site at most shooting locations. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 a.m Saturday morning. The safety briefing begins at 7:30 a.m. Anyone who does not get signed in by 7:30 will not be allowed to participate, so be on time. The first runner will be sent out at 8:00 a.m., and another runner will be sent out in a uniform interval thereafter. The ROs will have run the course the day before. They will be scored along with all the other contestants. After the last runner has crossed the finish line, we will calculate the results. The winners will be announced, trophies will be given out, and a drawing will be conducted for all the prizes contributed by the sponsors. How to Sign Up: The registration fee for the Rockcastle Run N Gun is $70 for the 5k and $100 for the 10k. Registration will be limited in number so all runners can finish the course before dark. Registration and payment will be handled through Practiscore, and Rockcastle will have you sign waivers the morning of the match. Make sure you are familiar with all of our rules and procedures before signing up. All participants must register under their true names. Tickets are non-transferable. Pre-registration and pre-payment is mandatory, and no walk-ons will be allowed on match day as space and time is limited. Cancellation Policy: Full refunds will be given if you withdraw more than 30 days before the match. Half your fee will be refunded if you withdraw between 14-29 days before the match. NO REFUND will be given if you withdraw less than 14 days before the match. Directions: The start and finish line are both located at the Park Mammoth Resort Lodge at Rockcastle Shooting Center. The address is 585 Park Mammoth Rd, Park City, KY 42160. This is almost exactly halfway in between the Nashville International Airport (BNA) and the Louisville International Airport (SDF) – about an easy hour and a half drive from either.

This will be my last post for this event. I can think of no more appropriate way to end this. I truly do thank God that such men lived. Thank you all for coming so far to make this happen. And never forget.