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Precision shooting is a methodology involving many different aspects: the makeup of the ammunition to the ever-changing environment to how good (or bad) of a day you’re having on the range. There is much preparation that goes into the components of precision shooting; a lot of time is spent researching and testing. But I think there isn’t enough focus put upon the physical preparation. How the shooter interacts with his or her tools is just as important as the tools themselves.
We’ll start off by talking about why we do this. Why do we want to put to put a small piece of lead and copper into a small target, far, far away from us? Because it’s hard. There’s no other reason for it. If it was easy, then everyone would want to do it and everyone could do it. But we are different then everyone else. We are up to the challenge and will continue to strive for perfection. Our focus shouldn’t be just on the components of precision shooting, we should also take a look at ourselves. Ultimately, we’re driving that rifle.
The Fundamentals
There are four Fundamentals of Marksmanship: Breathing, Point of Aim, Steady Position, and Trigger Squeeze. These are the basics that we, as the shooter, physically control. We can be as meticulous as possible, but if we do not strictly adhere to a simple shooting regiment built around these fundamentals; everything will be in vain. The basic fundamentals are what make or break us as precision long range shooters.
How our bodies react to what our minds tell it to do is vital in the pursuit of accuracy. We are striving for consistency. It is very easy to become fatigued while shooting; I see it all of the time during our courses. Physically doing the same thing each time is taxing. It varies depending on the shooting position, but no matter what the shooter will become fatigued – I get tired. To be a successful shooter or hunter, you have to have some level of physical fitness.
Cardiovascular System
I used to smoke heavy for a number of years and at one point, it was my favorite thing to do. Looking back on it now I can’t believe that I put my body through that abuse, but it was fun at the time… Even though it was my favorite thing to do, it didn’t do me any favors when it came to shooting. We train to shoot on our down breath, or when all of the air is exhaled out of our lungs. This is important because it is the point in our breathing cycle where our body’s movement settles. It doesn’t stop, per se, but we are at a point where there is little movement. We can hold this position comfortably for several seconds, depending on our lung capacity and level of fitness. Our lungs supply the necessary oxygen to our blood cells. Without sounding too dramatic, they are our portal to life. The proper amount of oxygen in the cardiovascular system is what will help us keep those crosshairs steady after we have exerted ourselves prior to the shot. It will help us endure the fatigue we are feeling on the firing line and will keep our rifles steady in the alternate firing positions.
Total Body Fitness
We shoot from the Prone, Sitting, and Standing Offhand positions the most because they are the most practical. Benchrest shooting is nice recreational form of shooting and it is demanding in its own way, but it’s different compared to the other shooting positions. These Alternate Firing Positions require most of the main groups of muscles in the body: Legs, Back, Shoulders, and Arms.
Standing Offhand requires the strength to hold the rifle as steady as possible into the body while maintaining good balance and good shooting fundamentals. This is the most physically taxing position and it doesn’t matter if your rifle weighs 5lbs or 14lbs. You will get fatigued holding those crosshairs on the target. Of course the heavier the rifle, the faster you’ll tire.
The Sitting Position is another fatiguing position, but does offer points of contact for the shooter’s arms. The only drawback to this is that the shooter’s leg muscles are steadying the shooter’s arms. This position requires fit leg, back, and shoulder muscles. You have the additional responsibility of controlling the recoil on top of creating a stable shooting platform. We can still affect the projectile while it’s still inside of the rifle – i.e. as we are feeling the recoil.
The Prone Position is by far the most stable of these alternate firing positions, whether it is supported or unsupported. With the larger calibers, it is the preferred method because the body behind the rifle helps to control the recoil of the rifle. The Prone Position gives us the ability to really focus on the fundamentals because our body isn’t becoming fatigued by the position itself. This is the best position to learn from. It gives you that opportunity to analyze how you interact with the rifle and how the rifle interacts with you during the recoiling phase. To really become a student of precision shooting, this is the best position to start with.
Training the Body
I’m not here to preach a healthy lifestyle; you can do whatever you want. However, if you are serious about precision shooting, you will put some time into conditioning the body along with the mind. We are all in search of knowledge when it comes to this type of shooting and ultimately we will always be students of the art. But our physical prowess needs to match our intellect. This will transfer to all other aspects of our life too, so it’s a win-win situation.
I recommend getting out of the traditional gym setting. We were raised on the mentality of picking up heavy objects and then putting them down again. I knew a guy who wouldn’t go to the gym just because that didn’t make any sense to him (he was lazy though…). Strength training is vital in a good workout system, but it should consist of a good mix of cardio along with it. Endurance is the most important aspect. Strength is great, but if you can’t last you’re no good.
Crossfit is a good workout system that will build both strength and endurance. It utilizes Olympic Lifts along with the natural body strength movements. It is more of a practical fitness that translates perfectly towards what we’re trying to accomplish.
An example of a Workout of the Day:
For time:
15 Handstand push-ups
1 L Pull-up
13 Handstand push-ups
3 L Pull-ups
11 Handstand push-ups
5 L Pull-ups
9 Handstand push-ups
7 L Pull-ups
7 Handstand push-ups
9 L Pull-ups
5 Handstand push-ups
11 L Pull-ups
3 Handstand push-ups
13 L Pull-ups
1 Handstand push-up
15 L Pull-ups
The workout looks difficult, but each one of them is scalable, meaning you allow yourself to work up to the prescribed workout. It’s never a good idea to jump into an aggressive workout routine if your body isn’t prepared for it. A good workout boils down to intensity and how you change your workout to keep your body guessing. The body will get into a routine and plateau out, so your gains/weight loss will stay on a constant plane and you don’t see much improvement. When you scale your workout to your fitness level, utilize different training techniques and work against the clock. This will keep your body guessing and will show results.
I strongly suggest you take stock in physical fitness and its role in precision shooting. I think that this is a neglected aspect of the art and I see it in about every course. It will definitely tighten up your groups and make for a better day on the range. You will become a more practical shooter.
Remember: A Fit Marksman is a Happy Marksman.
To start this article out, I had better make this statement: This is not a review article – there are plenty of those out there. You can do a Google search on your favorite caliber/cartridge and you’ll find what you’re looking for. This is more of a observational piece based around the requests that we’ve been getting around magnum cartridges.
Americans love to make things bigger, faster, and stronger. That’s just the way we are. Magnum cartridges take an existing projectile and up its performance. The magnum cartridges have larger case capacity than the standard ones, which give them more space for larger amounts of powder. This allows for the projectiles that were originally loaded in the standard cases to attain faster velocities and shoot further with more energy.
Choosing the Right One for the Job
I, like President Obama, am wired. I enjoy our latest trends in technology and the internet. When it comes to information sharing and entertainment, I am an online junkie. I read the shooting forums, Professional Marksmen Inc. is part of the CamoSpace community, and we utilize Facebook to bring precision shooters together. One of the problems with the internet is: You have to be careful of the information you receive. There are many experienced and talented shooters on these blogs and forums. There are also many who don’t know but think they do, and this can put you on the wrong track in a hurry. We’re going to point out some of the things we suggest you think about when choosing your next cartridge and rifle and let it go at that.
The Rifle Platform
The first step when choosing your magnum cartridge is deciding how you’ll use it the most. This is the critical step because it will help you determine how your rifle will be built. We build custom rifles in every centerfire caliber available and I suggest to every serious shooter to invest in one. It doesn’t have to be one of ours, but get one built specifically to you. It is definitely worth it in the long run.
What will you use your rifle for? Will you be shooting paper targets or big game in the field – or both? These are important things to consider because they will help shape that rifle platform. You don’t want a rifle too light for the pressures and have the rifle bounce all over the place. If it’s too light, it’s going to be hard to control. On the flip sie, you also may not want to carry a heavy rig up and down hills when you’re on that hunting trip.
Points to Consider
The heavier the rifle, the easier it will be to control during recoil. The light guns will jump around, based on what you’re shooting. Magnums have a lot of powder to burn and most of them don’t burn all of it by the time the projectile exits. You don’t want the rifle to be like a fire hose when you shoot it. You also don’t want to be thinking of how much it’s going to hurt when you pull the trigger. This drastically affects accuracy – the one thing we’re striving for.
The majority of these magnum cartridges also go through barrels faster than the standard cartridges. This is a payoff for higher velocities. The heat and friction will erode the rifling and chamber area, and the accuracy will start to taper off. There’s not a specific number for each cartridge. It depends on what the barrel’s made of, the type of projectiles used, and the frequency between shots. There is some degree of variance between the different magnum cartridges, but overall you can expect to go through barrels faster. Just how fast is up to how you use it.
Your rifle platform should have some weight to it and be stiff in the stock/action area. With elevated pressures, you want to alleviate any possibility of movement. This means using a quality stock and action that won’t flex. Also, bed the action with materials that won’t give. You need to have a quality muzzle brake on the end. I preach muzzle brakes for all of the heavier cartridges just to help with accuracy. A muzzle brake will distribute the pressures that the shooter normally takes. This helps the shooter hold the rifle on the target easier, especially in the alternate firing positions such as sitting, kneeling, and standing. It also helps the psychological aspect that recoil gives. You don’t want to spend a day on the range getting the crap kicked out of you. If the recoil is cut down to where you know how to manage it, then that won’t be a concern when you pull the trigger. Holding it on target will be.
I’ll give you a quick example of what I mean:
I have shot many large caliber rifles in many different configurations and situations. I have used the Barrett M82A1/M107 .50 BMG Rifle in combat during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and have been instructing on that specific platform for many years now. I’ve worked with the XM109 20mm semi-automatic rifle and was a shooting dummy during the development of the.416 Barrett cartridge, so I’m not a stranger to recoil.
I just recently shot a .300 Remington Ultra Magnum on a sporterized Remington 700 and it was my first time with that type of Remington 700. I had been trained on the M24 SWS, which is a heavier rifle built specifically for the military. The lighter rifle beat me up just as much as the 20mm rifle. It had a plastic stock like a toy gun, making it super light, and didn’t have a muzzle brake on the end, which is a big mistake on such an overbore rifle. I couldn’t keep it on target because the muzzle jumped around so bad. That day on the range left me thinking that rifle setup sucked and it would be extremely difficult to use in both hunting and target shooting. I couldn’t imagine having to shoot that thing the standing or sitting position.
The lesson that day was: Lighter isn’t always better and have a good muzzle brake.
Popular Magnum Cartridges
Again, this isn’t a review of what is already out there but we’ll touch upon some of the more popular magnum cartridges: (Just remember that internet is a good tool for research, but the range shows the real life data)
This cartridge has been around for almost 50 years now and still remains one of the most popular. It shoots a .284 caliber projectile anywhere from 2800 -3200 feet per second – which is fast. The recoil is mild compared to the other magnum cartridges and there are a variety of projectiles to choose from, making the 7mm Remington Magnum is a good all around hunting cartridge.
This is another cartridge that has been around for a while and still keeps its popularity. This shoots a .30 caliber projectile from 2700 – 3400 feet per second. The recoil is higher than that of the 7mm Rem Mag, but it is still manageable. The .300 WM is a popular hunting cartridge and is rated for much of the big game in North American and non-dangerous on the African Plains. It is also utilized by the military as a medium to long range, anti-personnel cartridge.
This cartridge is newer compared to many of the other magnums on the market, having been around for around for roughly 20 years. It began as a military application that is now utilized by recreational long range shooters and hunters around the world. The .338 Lapua Magnum has been more popular in European countries, especially with tactical marksmen, and has recently come of age in the U.S. It shoots a .338 caliber projectile at 2700 – 3200 feet per second and the recoil is significantly higher but so are the capabilities of the cartridge. It shoots 200 – 300 grain projectiles that deliver higher foot pounds of energy than that of the above mentioned cartridges. The funny thing with this cartridge is that it was initially developed for military use and only recently has it been utilized by our military in combat zones – and it isn’t widely used either.
Know What You’re Looking For
To conclude our suggestions, take into account how much you’ll be shooting and what you’re going to shoot at. This will help you decide on the type of stock, barrel, and action you’re looking for in the caliber/cartridge you want to shoot. Decide what is an acceptable amount of recoil and how you plan on managing it for accuracy. Choose a “no-heavier than” weight for the rifle. If you’re just moving it from the truck to the firing line, then it’s not that big of a deal. But if you’re humping it through the Rockies, then it may be. Also, another thing to point out: ammunition cost vs. handloading. If you choose to load your own rounds, take a look at the load data available for the cartridge. If you’re using one of the above mentioned, you shouldn’t have a problem finding any data on any of the projectiles you want to use. But these aren’t the only magnum cartridges available, so do your research first. The cost per shot can be pretty high for factory produced ammunition.
Magnum Cartridges are great fun and serve a specific purpose. Education is the key to everything we do, especially when investing in a precision rifle. You want to own one for a lifetime, so plan for that rifle’s future accordingly. Then get out and use that rifle for what it was made for: Precision Long Range Shooting.
I receieved this in 2008 from Brian K. Sain, one of the driving forces behind AmericanSnipers.org. Professional Marksmen Inc. supports any organization who invests their time and money to help our soldiers receive the equipment they need in combat. I think now, more than ever, many sniper teams are getting what they need for their theater of operations. But there are still many that need the proper gear to successfully complete the mission and reduce both friendly and non-combatant casualties. Check our their website below or contact us to find out how to help.
In late 2003, a small group of US police snipers formed a support network to address the operational equipment needs of US military snipers deployed abroad in the war on terror.
Formerly known as The Adopt A Sniper program, the effort began as a simple request for assistance among deployed friends, who were also peace officers serving in the National Guard and Reserve. These peace officers were employed as SWAT team snipers at home in the US and were also assigned as snipers within the United States military.
As the war in Afghanistan stabilized and the war in Iraq progressed, the urban mission profiles of US police snipers and US military snipers were found to overlap somewhat and the gear and supplies needed to accomplish the two missions were found to be virtually identical. Once deployed, these military snipers requested assistance from their SWAT sniper friends in procuring the specialized gear, which was better suited for their missions and which was unable to be supplied by their parent military entity for a variety of reasons.
Due to the enormity of the commitment in Iraq and Afghanistan and the differences between the various units and staff personnel; many American snipers and designated marksmen were, and still are, having to spend their own funds and enlist their families and friends in procuring gear and getting it to them in the middle of a war zone. Consequently, these servicemen often go without gear they desperately need, due to the expense associated with procuring it.
The police snipers were all too aware of the expense associated with the specialized gear needs of their military brethern, due to their own experiences commonly associated with police department budgetary constraints. They were also acutely aware of the necessary, albeit seemingly endless red tape and agonizing wait times associated with the procurement process of any government entity.
So the police officers decided to radically broaden the scope of their efforts and committed to aid as many snipers in the military as possible, no matter the theater of operations, for as long as the officers could sustain the program.
Using contacts developed throughout the US police and military sniper communities, the police snipers were able to network with military snipers deployed abroad, obtain their overseas addresses and began sending desperately needed gear and supplies that are specifically tailored to the sniper mission, currently at the forefront of the war on terror. Due to the immediate unity and lifelong bonds formed between the two groups of professional American snipers (most of whom had never met), the name of the organization was officially changed to AmericanSnipers.org.
Four years in existence, the AmericanSnipers.org effort makes no distinction between the full fledged sniper teams who are often fully trained and equipped, to the designated marksmen of the mechanized, mortar and cavalry units who, like their full fledged sniper brethern, are also assigned the daunting task of denying the emplacement of IEDs. These designated marksmen are often doing what is normally a sniper’s job, without the training and ancillary gear normally associated with the infantry sniper MOS. They are often assigned to a Stryker or other non-infantry unit and equipped with an M14 rifle that is often older than the sniper’s parents. Due to their unit type, sniper related gear is not on their Modified Table of Equipment and these men often must literally do something with nothing. Amazingly, as they have always done, they are doing the job regardless of the obstacles presented them.
AmericanSnipers.org has made it their mission to assist these specialized troops and what began as a few police snipers sending gear right out of their own gear bags, has grown into a full time program currently supporting snipers and designated marksmen in over 150 sniper platoons of the US military.
The snipers and designated marksmen are encouraged to work through their own supply systems and to make their needs known to their superiors to maintain continuity and flow of information. However, that failing, AmericanSnipers.org has the ability to provide gear that goes directly from an AmericanSnipers.org shipping point, to the exact military address of the sniper himself. When the sniper’s deployment ends, he either gives the equipment to his replacement (if it is serviceable) or keeps it if he re-enlists and plans to return to overseas duty in a sniper billet.
The AmericanSnipers program is entirely funded by civic donations and staffed entirely by 12 operational US police and military snipers from across the United States. Every penny, and all gear donated goes directly towards purchasing gear, shipping charges and or fund raisers for a US military sniper platoon deployed abroad. Receipts for donations are sent upon request, no person receives a salary or kickback in any form whatsoever and the entire effort is conducted on the staff’s own time.
As we enter 2009, AmericanSnipers.org has supported snipers and designated marksmen in over 450 different platoons of the United States military and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds and gear for US snipers in all branches of the armed forces. The program has received positive mention in major newspapers in the US and abroad, on several national television news networks and on countless radio broadcasts and internet blog sites. The National Defense Industrial Association recently awarded AmericanSnipers.org the Carlos N. Hathcock II Award for 2007.
www.AmericanSnipers.org operates as a project under the 501C3 non-profit status of the organization Snipersonline UA.
Anyone wishing to assist the program with monetary or gear donations or for further information is invited to visit the website at www.AmericanSnipers.org
Sincerely,
The AmericanSnipers.org Staff
One of the best things about what we get to do here at Professional Marksmen Inc. is that we get to test the new stuff coming out on the market. We have been privileged to know many very talented and innovative individuals who are doing their best to enhance the capabilities of the long range shooter. Ivey Designs out of Murfreesboro, TN, is one of those companies. Stephen Ivey, the owner of Project One LLC., is the driving force behind their new SRT Adjustable Scope Mounts. Stephen has been developing this technology for several years now and we believe has something of great interest in his new SRT30-160 Adjustable Ring Set.
I first met Stephen last year at our Neighbor Range Complex. We hold a Prairie Dog Shoot every year for people in the industry to kind of come together and visit for a few days – and shoot some Prairie Dogs. He had his prototype SRT30-160 Ring Set with him and was using the 1000 yard KD range to verify the adjustments to ensure that they were correct.
Stephen is a very humble shooter, which are the best kind of shooters out there. Usually they are the ones that can shoot well and Stephen certainly can. He has a technical background to match a practical shooting background and this is really what we look for in product manufacturers. I have met many in this industry who have a wonderful engineering background and can prototype about anything on the computer, but they just don’t understand how that correlates to the real world. Nine times out of ten, the computer generated model doesn’t work in the real world. You have to be a shooter first and an engineer second.
Technology has grown in such an astronomical rate over the past 10 years and this includes the Firearms Manufacturing Industry. The integration of computer technology, which has been around for longer than what we think, has surpassed many boundaries. PDA’s on the firing line are becoming more and more common – even the Apple iPhone has applications for ballistic programs. Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. has an optical mounted, ballistic computer that mounts directly to elevation knob of the scope in their BORS system. These things are great advances in shooting technology but all have one fallible piece in common: Electronics.
Those of you who have served or are currently serving in the military will understand what I mean by that. Everything electronic will eventually fail you. Batteries fail, sensors do not always read correctly, and shooting data isn’t 100% correct. I have seen about everything, except the iPhone (haven’t used that one yet), go very wrong on the firing line. I’ve also seen these things work well too. But the point is: Electronics Will Eventually Fail You. Practical Shooters must first have an understanding of how the projectile is being affected Internally, inside of the rifle, and Externally, as it flies through the air. Then utilize these additional tools if you like – as long as you have an understanding how to shoot without them. We suggest instead of putting too much emphasis on the fallible, use the basic but effective technology that won’t let you down when you need it. This may be a moot point to some shooters – until they are in a position where you need that tool and it suddenly doesn’t work anymore. Really, this is most of the time we need something. Murphy is a long range shooter’s friend, that’s for sure.
That’s what we like about the hardware that Ivey Design has been producing the past 5 years in his adjustable mounts. He utilizes the mechanics over electronics. The newest SRT30-160 uses the M1913 Picatinny Rail Base which is universally standard to many modern rifles and the unit weighs a little over a pound. Weight is always an issue, especially in competition and hunting applications, but this unit is designed for the rifles that shoot the heavier calibers. Movement is a bad thing with the rifle platform in precision shooting but by its design, this unit is made to withstand the heavier recoil impulses. So weight isn’t much of an issue.
The adjustments are in Minutes of Angle with 20 MOA revolutions to equal a total of 160 MOA of adjustment. This is a big deal because now we can utilize the higher power optics at the distances they were designed to shoot. When choosing an optic, always take into account the amount of adjustment the optics has compared to the magnification it provides. Many people believe they have to have the high power scopes to shoot at the extended ranges. Many of the current optics offer the magnification to see the target very clearly past 1000 yards, but lack the ability to adjust for the drop of the round at that distance. We suggest that when investing in optics, to consider the amount of adjustment they offer compared to the magnification they provide.
With the SRT30-160 Adjustable Rings, we can now make the major elevation adjustments with the optic’s base and then make the fine target adjustments with the optic itself. This is a revolutionary concept directed towards long range recreational shooters. I would much rather have the higher magnification at 1500 meters and not have to worry about lacking the elevation adjustment. These rings give us that opportunity. They will accommodate a 30mm and 34mm tube to fit the majority of optics available.
I have shot these rings while they were in their developmental stage and were very impressed with them. I was more so impressed with Stephen and his practical approach to Precision Rifle Shooting. He definitely understands how the engineering coincides with the real world and that is a valuable trait. We have had the opportunity to provide a Custom PM30 Rifle with private instruction in the 2009 NRA Rifle Sweepstakes that features a set of SRT30-160 Adjustable Rings because they work so well. We also offer these for sale on the site and at a discounted rate with one of our Rifle Bundling Packages. We will also be getting some video on the site of them in action soon.
The SRT30-160 Adjustable Rings by Ivey Design are meticulously designed with the very particular long range shooter in mind. This is a Professional Marksmen approved product and we want to hear feedback from users once they have had the chance to use them. Don’t take our word for it. Let us know what you think!
Professional Marksmen Inc. is dedicated to the art of Long Range Rifle Shooting and we look for quality in everything related to this. Our Neighbor Range Complex is designed around every form of rifle shooting, from long range .50 BMG rifles to the lighter, varmint calibers to the Semi-Automatic AR Platform. Our Professional Marksmen Courses are based around a holistic understanding of the rifle platform, ammunition, shooter, and environment, put across in a friendly, fun learning environment. We strive for excellence in everything that we do and have never sacrifice quality for any reason. We believe that you get what you pay for and we realize that there are many quality gunsmiths on the market today. So what makes us unique?
Our Experience
My name is Jon Weiler and I am the owner of Professional Marksmen Inc. I have been a long range rifle instructor for several years in for both recreational and tactical marksmen (and women). I have spent time in Iraq as a .50 Caliber Sniper Team Leader from 2003-2004, taking part in the invasion of Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division. I operated mainly out of Baghdad’s urban environment. Our year there was very productive and we gained valuable operational experience working as a small unit in the city. I left the Army in 2004 and took a newly formed position with Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. as their Training Manager, responsible for organizing and developing their training current training program. I parted ways with the company in 2007 to form Professional Marksmen Inc. Now I am no longer limited to a certain caliber or rifle platform. Everything that I or my adjacent instructors do revolves around rifles and ammunition.
Delane Thomas
Delane has been building rifle now for about 20 years, with many custom builds to date, he has the experience and knowledge to recommend and construct a rifle exactly for your needs. I’ve yet to meet anyone with more practical shooting knowledge than Delane. Talking with one of his previous customers, they replied, “The only complaint I have with my rifle is that there’s no room for improvement.” I guess that’s a good thing.
Delane’s favorite caliber is the 6.5×284 and his long range rifle is built around that cartridge. He is always working with how to improve on the rifle platforms he creates and improve on the existing cartridge designs. He has worked closely with Savage Arms with some of their projects and has a great rapport with many of the different manufacturers in the industry. We have been very fortunate to get to work with some of the best individuals in this industry and Delane is at the top of that list. His recommendations come across in a practical, common sense way that is easy to understand.
We will also offer rifles in the AR Platform manufactured by Precision Reflex Inc. I first used one of their rifles in 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq when the Army was fielding the MK 12 Special Purpose Rifle. Since then, I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to know the owner, Dave Dunlap, and his very talented crew when working with the 6.8mm this past year. PRI has been building rifles and rifles mounts for well over 20 years now and have been one of the forerunners of the 6.8 SPC cartridge on the AR Platform. I am very impressed with the ballistics of the 6.8 SPC and the platform that PRI manufactures. We will be offering Custom AR Rifles chambered in both 5.56 and 6.8mm in any configuration applicable to precision shooting. We cannot say enough about the sheer quality and craftsmanship that PRI offers, along with their great customer service.
Professional Marksmen Rifles
We offer a variety of rifles, chambered in every available caliber and rifle platform. We have the ability to build custom rifles that are designed around the specific customer needs. If you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, we can suggest what works well for your application. Our PM Rifles carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty that covers everything except excessive pressures due to operator error while handloading. We guarantee that our precision rifles will shoot within .5 MOA and test targets, shot by both Delane Thomas and Jon Weiler, are included with every rifle. It is very important to us to support you, our customer, in your precision shooting career. We will provide you with the proper equipment and the instruction to get you off on the right direction.
Training Packages
We also offer package deals that will include training at a discounted price with the purchase of one of our rifles. Depending on the caliber you purchase, we will set you up with either one of our scheduled courses at either the Neighbor Range Complex in South Dakota or the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM. We can also provide you with a private course with a group of friends. A discounted rate will apply to each of these courses with your rifle purchase because it is important to us to provide you with a good base in how to properly employ and care for your custom rifle. We also want to identify any possible issues that you may have. Training is the best way to do this.
With this portion of the Professional Marksmen Data Book, we will highlight what Delane and PRI is working on now and what we have built for our customers. This will also give our customers the ability to log on and post comments on how their rifles are performing and any issues they may have. We welcome all questions and you can also contact us at rifles@professionalmarksmen.com with anything that you may want to know. We are always available, no matter where we may be training at or what we have going on at the time. Our concern is our customers and helping to broaden our industry to protect our rights as American Citizens.
There is a great debate within the military as to what calibers and shooting platforms to utilize for Sniper Teams in our current combat environments overseas. I have the opportunity to work in the Sniper Community still and am a combat veteran Sniper from OIF I (2003-2004). I train Sniper Teams, many prior to an upcoming deployment. So I understand the debate and I also understand the need to change the current operating platforms and training methodology.
Semi-Automatic Rifles:
Gas operated rifles have been around for a long time, since the first part of the 20th Century and the beginning of “Modern Warfare”. The M1 Garand was developed by John C. Garand in 1932 and became the first of the semi-automatic gas operated rifles for the military. Infantry soldiers were issued this rifle, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, and it was used in World War II through the Korean War. I even saw one in the hands of a Sgt. Major in Iraq, although I doubt it got much use in his hands (not that he wasn’t capable; I think he carried it for the aesthetic value).
The M1 changed the face of battle. Now soldiers were able to send more bullets downrange at a faster speed, with some decreased accuracy but with an increase in volume of fire. And fire superiority is the key to any firefight. The M1 is a well put together rifle with a sturdy wooden stock, reliable operating system, and is chambered in a cartridge that has sufficient terminal ballistics out to 600 meters. Everything a soldier would need right?
The face of battle is always changing and we moved on from the conventional warfare of the European and Asian Theaters to unconventional of Vietnam. The M14 was the second step in the evolution of the semi-automatic rifle. The Army took the “shortcomings” of the M1 Garand and upgraded to the M14, which had full-automatic firing capabilities and was chambered in the newer 7.62×51mm NATO Cartridge, which was ballistically similar to the .30-06 but was smaller and lighter, meaning the troops could carry more ammunition. The M14 was adopted in 1957 and seen combat in Vietnam, however was pushed to the side rather quickly due to its shortcomings in that fighting environment. The M14 was long and heavy. It was chambered in a cartridge that provided the distance and power necessary for standoff engagements, but the weight of the ammunition also became a factor.
The Army did a study after the Second World War into the Korean War to determine the appropriate battle load for an infantry soldier and the approximate number of rounds used in a firefight. They found that the battles were decided by the volume of fire and not necessarily the amount of enemy casualties, meaning soldiers didn’t always hit what they were aiming at. This is where the full automatic shoulder fired rifle came into conception. The amount of ammunition the soldier carried was also paramount to this theory because the more he had, the more he could shoot. This is why it was chambered in the 7.62×51mm instead of the .30-06. These theories did not last the Vietnam War though. Soldiers had a hard time moving with their rifles in the brush and the humid environment would cause the rifles to swell affecting the operation. The Army was then forced to look for another rifle that would replace the M14.
The M16:
The M16 is a durative of the AR-10, developed by Gene Stoner. He had originally introduced the AR-10 during a procurement by the Army for a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. His design was a good one but did not have sufficient time to test anything prior to submitting and wasn’t picked up. However, his design chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO was picked up initially by the Air Force in 1964 and it is all history from there. I’m not going to go in depth into this (that’s why we have Wikipedia…) but there is a reason for why we have what we have today. The M16 has gone through many evolutions throughout the past 40-some years for sure and will go through many more in the upcoming future. But the basic platform remains and has proven itself in combat time and time again.
Operation:
Direct Impingement Gas Operation is the operating system for the M16A1/M4 and its military variants. The principle of this operation is diverting the gas pressure exerted by the smokeless powder igniting and pushing the projectile down the bore and redirecting it back towards the chamber area. The gases come into contact with the bolt carrier and push it to the rear, where it extracts/ejects the cartridge, resets the firing hammer, and loads another round from the magazine into the chamber. This is a very dirty form of operation because there is a fair amount of carbon (burnt and unburnt power residue) that ends up in the chamber area. If you don’t keep up on maintenance, this becomes an issue.
Gas Piston Operation uses an op-rod piston in conjunction with the gas pressure from the powder combustion. The gases are still re-directed but come into contact with a piston operating rod which pushes the bolt carrier to the rear to finish its cycle of operation. This particular form of operation seems to be much more reliable and definitely cleaner than that of the direct impingement. However, there have been tests done that show wear on the locking lugs of the bolt due to the camming action of the bolt being canted within the barrel extension. I am not aware of how excessive this is though.
The reason that we’re even discussing these two forms of operation is one is current (Direct Impingement) and one is moving towards the future (Gas-Piston). The op-rod design isn’t new but it is new to this particular platform. Why this hasn’t been done before now is beyond me, but we’re moving in that direction now with manufacturers like H&K with their HK 416 and FN’s SCAR. This means for a more efficient Semi-Automatic Platform that will greatly enhance the urban sniper.
Precision Rifles
This platform is inheritably more accurate just due to the simple assembly/manufacturing. The Bolt Action, or Precision Rifles, tends to be put together better (or are supposed to be). What I mean by that is the attention to detail put into every piece of the precision bolt action rifle. The chamber tolerances are tighter to accommodate precision ammunition. Each individual action is bedded to each individual stock.
Barrels are free floated to accommodate for the rotation of the projectile. The stocks are generally heavier and have more rigidity to prevent any flexing during firing. Really, each part of the rifle is put under a microscope in an obsessive manner to make it as accurate as possible. These are some of the reasons that the Precision Rifle platform is more accurate.
Operation:
The user is responsible for loading and unloading each cartridge into the chamber. The movement of the rifle isn’t there like it is in an AR Platform because there is no cycle of operation; the recoil management is different than that of the Semi-Automatic Platform. It tends to be sharper, depending on what is being shot, and that recoil is taken into account when the firing position is set up. Muzzle Brakes help manage this and I’ve blogged about this previously here. But overall, the operation is simple and everything depends on how the rifle is put together along with the ammunition used.
But which is better?
It all depends on the mission. We’re talking about the tactical usage of both platforms. The M110 SASS is now being used alongside the M24 SWS. I have spoke with snipers in different operating theaters about what their thoughts are on the two systems and I get mixed reviews about both. Some like the idea of the semi-automatic capabilities and some prefer the accuracy of the bolt guns. The reality of the situation is that these tools are designed for different uses.
You can use a bolt gun in the urban environment – I’ve done it – but you will be much more effective with a semi-automatic rifle that is chambered in a caliber that has the sufficient distance and energy to drop the target. I would sacrifice accuracy for firepower in a MOUT Environment any day just because I know what it’s like to have to break contact with a team member having a bolt rifle as his primary weapon. Not practical and it can be a liability for the team. If a SASS system shoots to 1 MOA, you’re good to go anyways.
Practicality
To me, the practicality of the precision bolt rifle is better utilized in the larger cartridges, such as the .300 WM or .338 Lapua Magnum, at the ranges suited for them. There are some units that have been using the .300 WM in the Remington 700 platform for a few years now with excellent results. There is a push to upgrade the existing M24’s to .300 WM and I think it’s a good idea. It gives some extended range with the existing platforms, along with the proper terminal ballistics at those distances. In our military, there’s not the big usage of the .338 Lapua Magnum like there is in Europe especially. But I’m sure that that is on the horizon too.
Right now there exists the capabilities to scale up a semi-automatic platform to facilitate the pressures of each of these magnums – and I’m sure that manufacturers are working this now – but I would still choose the precision bolt rifle platform for these cartridges. It also depends on what the mission would be and the standoff distance. I don’t want to take the stance that this is the only application that I would use this platform for because it’s not. Everything is mission dependant. From my experience in Iraq, the semi-automatic fire proved to be more effective with multiple targets and combatants mixed with non-combatants. From my adjacent instructors in Afghanistan, the distances of the engagements would be more effective with the magnum calibers with more of a precision platform. But again, everything is mission dependant.
The Sniper motto, “One Shot, One Kill” isn’t always an accurate statement either. I’m sure that I’ve written about this before, but the reality of combat is that you never know what you’re going to do in a firefight or engagement, until you’re in one. But once you run a few missions, you fall into the motions and can work around these mental hang-ups. My point with that statement is that a weapon system with fast acquisition and follow-up is an important tool. This way, when you miss, you can adjust quickly and send that second shot before the target either can react or reach cover. So, the Semi-Automatic Platform works better for a target rich environment with varying targets at varying distances. The Precision Rifle works better to demoralize and harass the enemy from the extended distances with the larger calibers.
So which is better? It all depends on the mission. The most important thing is to know what your tools are capable of and how you can tailor their capabilities to fit your mission. Each of these platforms has their own strengths and drawbacks. It is important to have an understanding of the platform and calibers utilized to increase your effectiveness on the battlefield.
2009 is almost here and we’ve been getting our schedule ready for a great training season. We really enjoy the ability to tailor our courses to provide the best possible instruction for our guests. Our Neighbor Range Complex is designed to a modular training environment to accommodate the many calibers and rifle platforms that we offer instruction on, to create a setting that will really instill a good base in the cartridges and platforms discussed. We have broadened our course selection to offer more Sniper Sustainment Courses for our tactical operators and additional recreational shooting courses that cover a broad spectrum of readily available cartridges and rifle platforms. We are very excited for the new lineup and training location – The NRA Whittington Center – and we hope to see you there, enjoying the indistinguishable art of long range shooting.
New Services:
Privatized Training
I have had several requests from groups who are interested in private courses as part of a shooting vacation. Essentially, that’s what we provide with all of our scheduled courses and they are a learning vacation. But it’s different when you have a group of close friends together on that once a year trip, whether it’s hunting, traveling, or whatever. It’s a special time. We can provide you with the knowledge and the memories of a great shooting experience in the beautiful upper-midwest. Our courses can be tailored to your rifle uses and what your groups desired outcome from your time with us. We are very flexible when it comes to shaping a course to fit your needs and we have the facilities at our disposal to make that happen.
Aerial Platform Shooting
New in 2009 is our Aerial Platform Shooting. This is a standard part of our Sniper Sustainment: MOUT course and our privatized military/law enforcement courses, but we are also offering this to our recreational shooters. Whether it’s a PM .30 Caliber Course or private instruction, we have this opportunity at our disposal. Inquire about this when registering for your course.
Night Live Fire
Again, this is a standard part of our PM Operator Courses and Sniper Sustainment, but we are now offering this to our recreational shooters as well. You are welcome to bring your own night vision shooting devices or you can rent one of ours to use. Ask us about this when you register.
Neighbor Range MOUT Site
We will offer realistic, scenario based MOUT Training at the Neighbor Range Complex in 2009. The site will be also be modular to facilitate a number of different urban environments. This portion of the Neighbor Range Complex will greatly enhance our training capabilities for our tactical marksmen with our PM Sniper Sustainment: MOUT course.
Additional Course Locations:
NRA Whittington Center – Raton, NM
We will be offering courses at the NRA Whittington Center in the Spring and Fall months of 2009. I have instructed there previously for many years and I can’t think of a better place to shoot. The people there are great, the facilities are first class, and it’s very beautiful – making each course into a very memorable experience. Our courses will still include ammunition relative to the course, food, and lodging (unless you choose not to stay on site at the cabins).
The 2009 NRA Whittington Center Course Schedule:
PM .50 Caliber: February 24-26, 2009
PM .30 Caliber: March 1-3, 2009
PM: The Distance: March 5-7, 2009
PM Sniper Sustainment: Long Range Engagements: April 6-10, 2009 (only available for active duty military and law enforcement personnel)
Mobile Training Teams
We will also have the ability to instruct at your local range, if you would like to host a course for your local shooting club or group of friends. We travel with all the equipment necessary for each course; you will just be responsible for the facilities and your personal shooting system.
New Courses:
We’ve added a few new courses for both recreational shooters and tactical marksmen that we feel really round out our 2009 training lineup:
PM Precision Carbine
This course is focused towards the accurized gas operated, semi-automatic rifle platforms and the unique capabilities they possess. The course will be offered, as a scheduled course, twice in 2009 but is available on a private group instruction basis to those interested. The Neighbor Range Complex is constructed with this type of rifle platform in mind, with our reactive steel targets, unknown distance range obstacles, and moving target systems. We also have roughly 20 acres of Prairie Dogs on the range that works very well for a “Final Exam” for the course. This three day course will highlight the 5.56mm, 6.8mm, and 7.62mm rifle platforms and the specific application for hunters and target shooting.
PM: The Distance
I had written in a previous issue of the PM Data Book on The Distance and I had touched upon some of the cartridges that we would be discussing during the course. This has been adjusted somewhat to allow a broader range of calibers in the course, as long as they perform past 1000 yards. This is an interesting proposition because there are many wildcats and magnum cartridges that are very well capable and fit with The Distance. We welcome your hand loads in all of our courses, as long as they are safe and we’ll chronograph them prior to shooting to make sure they are loaded within the tolerances. But, regardless, this is a course developed around your long range rifle and we believe that every precision rifle needs to have its ammunition tuned to it to perform with the expect results, so we do not limit what you can use. We do offer to supply your ammunition if you choose not to bring your own and will have everything ready for you when you get there. This course will be offered at the NRA Whittington Center and the Neighbor Range Complex in both scheduled courses and private training.
PM Sniper Sustainment: Long Range Engagements
This course is designed for the tactical marksmen who will be entering into an environment that will warrant the need for long range engagements. This five day course is designed around the long range calibers: .300 WM, .338 Lapua Mag., and .50 BMG. (If a unit wishes to bring an additional caliber, this is fine for the course). The five day course is broken down into
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Classroom Instruction:
- Ballistics, Marksmanship
- Optical Adjustments
- Maintenance
- Movement Techniques
- Night Engagements
- Sniper OP/FFP Construction
- Ballistics, Marksmanship
- Known Distance Engagements
- Unknown Distance Engagements
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Stalking Live Fire
- Day and Night
- Day and Night
The PM Sniper Sustainment: Long Range Engagements is also offered at the NRA Whittington Center as both a scheduled course and as private unit training. The parameters at the NRAWC allow for more mountainous terrain to maneuver through and are designed as more of a pre-deployment course for Afghanistan bound Sniper Teams. This is a demanding and fast paced course that is combat focused from the first morning’s PT session to the final Live Fire Night Stalk on the fifth evening. It is very important to us to provide units with this type of training before they go into a combat environment.
PM Sniper Sustainment: MOUT
The course, like the PM Sniper Sustainment: Long Range Engagements, is only available to active duty military and law enforcement personnel. We will only be offering this course on a private unit basis at the Neighbor Range Complex only, to utilize the MOUT Site and the rest of the available training area we have to offer. Military Operations on Urban Terrain is one of the most difficult terrains to operate in, especially against an enemy who has no regard for civilian casualties. It is important to train towards the eventually of combatants mixed with non-combatants, because no matter what – it’s going to happen. We have the facilities and capabilities to put our students through realistic scenarios to help broaden their tactical mindset as a Sniper in the urban environment. This five day course includes:
-
Classroom Instruction:
- Ballistics, Marksmanship
- Optical Adjustments
- Maintenance
- Movement Techniques
- Night Engagements
- Sniper OP/FFP Construction
- Moving Targets
- Angle Fire
- Ballistics, Marksmanship
- Known Distance Engagements
- Unknown Distance Engagements
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MOUT Engagements
- Day/Night Live Fire Stalks
- Day/Night Live Fire Stalks
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Aerial Platform Shooting
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Day/Night Live Fire
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2009 – The Year of the Rifle
We’re really looking forward to next year. Now, more than ever, there is a need for firearms. With the asinine legislature trying to go through federal and state government, it is very important to educate as part of our 2nd Amendment Fight. Training builds camaraderie and brings people together who share a common interest. I still talk with people who have attended some of my first training courses and I have never met a fellow shooter that I didn’t like. Professional Marksmen Inc. will fight for our rights as part of this free nation until we can’t fight any more. We hope to see you sometime this year, either in New Mexico or with us in beautiful South Dakota. We support all shooters, regardless of whether or not they attend our courses or use our products, so please let us know if we can ever be of assistance to you.
Professional Marksmen Inc.
PO Box 1231
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
866-716-7477 Toll Free
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