6th Annual Oregon FAL Shoot OFFICIAL DEBRIEF

[brunop]

List your suggestions, gripes, atta-boys, and general observations here.

[4x401]

Next year it is imparative that we contact the local authority having jurisdiction of the area to Help BLOCK the East access road.

[snowhawk jockey]

Originally Posted by 4x401

Next year it is imparative that we contact the local authority having jurisdiction of the area to Help BLOCK the East access road.

+1



This is where I say thanks to all the donors that send me checks in the mail, which paid for the preparations enjoyed by all.
4x401 plates of steel, Tailback's wok under the awning, the Shootin' Chef's smoken' meat and of course our very own rolling green throne room. There was just enough left, after the donations were shared, to give Dom a bill for his next load of truck fuel, going home.

Can't imagine what it would have been like without the amazing background music of the beltfeds.

The pistol class work was an excellent time and I had fun with the stages. I skipped the middle stage to run an errand and
loved the three gun stage.

The MC, Brunop needs his own mention

[brunop]

Been thinking a bunch about it. Here are my observations:

1. I liked the delayed start Saturday morning given the weather. This is 'substantiated' (sorta) by the lack of participation we had on the TOTALLY BITCHIN' handgun and 3-gun event on Friday while it was raining. I would do this again.

2. I did NOT like the delayed delayed start Saturday morning for sight-in. We posted over and over that people should bring zeroed rifles. Now, that being said, we (meaning "I") did not have a good place for people to sight-in on their own, so I was trying to help as fast as I could for a couple of people to get a zero. And the truth is, I like helping people get on target - this is a friendly shoot, not a high-zoot competition. I would NOT do this again - but I would solve it another way.

3. I did NOT like the target visibility level when the sun went above (and then behind) the targets in the afternoon. We painted very regularly, and I could see them well enough, but we had several guys who just couldn't see/find the targets. I would get an earlier start (if possible) so that all shooters in one event shot it in the morning - under the same (roughly) light. Then, after lunch, all shooters shot the next event in roughly the same conditions again.

4. I did like the Drop 10 event (as always). I would do this again.

5. I did NOT like the distance we put the targets at. 8" round at 250 yards is 3MOA, which not everybody can hit. We were okay with that, and we said it in the FAL Shoot thread. But add in the gusting wind and the rain, and it made the problem even harder to solve. I would do this at 100 and 200.

6. I enjoyed the pistol 'qualification' that Tat2 put on. I've done some of that stuff, but the coaching was top-notch, and even some old dogs learned some new tricks. Excellent. I would do this again. Not the same 'intro' discussion next year, but definitely some clinic or coaching by Tat2 before the pistol events begin.

7. I liked the variety of events in the pistol arena. Qual, Speed Steel, and 3-gun. Loved it. I would do this again.

8. I liked the 3 gun match. Did I already say that? Outstanding. And thanks, Tat2, for providing the shotgun and the ammo! 3 Gun again!!

9. I loved the food. Period. End of story. I even got all the ABTs and ribs I wanted, which I was not expecting.

10. I hate the rain, but if rain has to come, I'd choose it just like we got it - and I LOVED the Saturday afternoon 'break' for dinner and campfire. Perfect.



So next year:

a) Set up a sight-in range that is independent of the belt-fed/plinking area AND is independent of the rifle range. This should probably be 'manned' by volunteer R.O.s with radio contact to the rifle range and the Belt Fed Area. I would use this, too, as there are always new builds and newly fixed, dropped, banged on, re-assembled, or purchased rifles.

b) Set up sight-in range on Thursday. Let people shoot Thursday afternoon and all day Friday to sight in.

c) Friday handgun is perfect, and I love that people keep shooting handgun all weekend long for practice and for coaching. I'd like to start rifles on Friday afternoon next year - and roll the first (early) handgun shooters into at least one Friday slot so we can get more time in.

d) I think that a few of us volunteer ROs are going to shoot on Friday next year. Maybe in the morning before the mid-morning handgun start?

e) We are going to do a Drop 10 next year again. I suggest that we do them at 100 and 200. I also suggest we do a mandatory mag change like we did a couple of years ago. Not a 2 round change (hat tip to Garand shooters), but more like 5 rounds to empty, then a reload. That gives 13 rounds to Garand guys on 10 targets, and if you miss more than three times, you weren't going to win it anyway? Thoughts appreciated.

f) I like the idea of high power. I'd like to do it next year. Maybe this is a Friday evening event - kinda like the King Shot on Saturday evening. If you want to participate, you make it a priority. If you're not that excited about it, great!! Don't shoot it - go drink some beer earlier than the high power shooters.

g) I like the gongs, but I'm wondering if the 8" re-setters are just too small for some sets of eyes. Those targets may be better for Precision Rifle or something like that, so instead...

h) I suggest we steal mercilessly from our FAL Files brethren in PA and SC for two new contests...

i) the '3 Clay Challenge' at 50 yards. Go look up rowjimmy's thread in the Competitive Shooting sub-forum, and

j) the Moses Special, which is 8 steel targets measuring 8" x 13" at 200 yards. This will allow us Westerners to practice and compare with Moses' matches, Stimpy's match (sometimes), and FAL Fest - all of which use the 8" x 13" rectangle at 200. I am looking at getting the steel in the coming months. Should be cheaper than a lot of other options.



In the end, if we start on Friday, get rid of the R.O.s (Snowhawk Jockey, 4x401, Pluskat, myself, and maybe the Saturday shootin' chefs like sportsnut and Jason) by shooting Friday (Tailback and PSL54Junkie MUST be kept busy cooking on Friday afternoon ), AND if we actually start on time, we could actually get through more than a couple events.

Your comments are welcome and needed and appreciated.

[Tuscan Raider]

The pistol stuff was spot on, but individual instruction PER shooter was a hindrance and time consumer. I kept looking over at poppers standing patiently Friday waiting to be knocked over for time. This could have been done while itching for top notch instruction by one of the best pistol shooters on the West coast.We all can't afford Benelli M2's, so 3 gun might be a moot event in our group, for now.


I would like to throw in that the moto cyclists took at least an hour away from us. We might consider both the emma gees and rifles be at the same point shooting N. next year. This line had great range and good backdrop.
Little far from current camp but doable.

8"x 13" at 200yds, bring it.

We need a plinkin' year.

[Tailback]

My .02

It all rocked.

Oregon is Oregon. The weather is what it is. As we said in the Army, "It's just a thing".

TAT2's pistol class rocked. As my friend Ray said, "I'd have paid lots of money to get that good of coaching." He's right.

TAT2 put lots of time into the 3 gun and everyone raved about it. I hope the 3 gun sticks as far as events go. (I know, didn't shoot it, my bad, don't hate on me, I was cooking)

The drop 10 was a tough match. Brunop is on the right track with reducing the distances. I would suggest 100 and 150. If anybody thinks we weren't shooting well, I got a big ass invitation to try their hands under the same conditions. Shooting match grade 30.06 155gr HPBT handloads I was getting lateral spread of over 30 inches at 250 yards.

Otis Jr's expression after firing that first burst on the ma duece was worth the trip hands down. He'll have some stories to tell his friends at school.

[Pluskat]

I've been to all 6....this one was by far the best!

I'll start with the most important....

I must say to the following...Sportsnut, his buddy Jason(so we know which Jason), PSL, Tuscan and Tailback.....I am very humbled and touched by your efforts to not only tolerate my food 'preferences', but to go out of your way to accommodate them. Sportsnut and Jason did chicken, when everyone would have been blown away (again) by just the fatty's and ribs. PSL not only does some turkey bacon abt's, but does them on a SEPARATE GRILL so I don't deal with the pork on the same cooking surface! Tuscan goes out and buys me a T-bone steak and cooks it for me for breakfast so I'm not left out. And Tailback makes sure I'm comfortable with knowledge of the non-oyster sauce in his bad-ass stir fry.

I want to thank you guys sincerely. I am touched by your display of respect for my 'choices'. (there's apparently some dust in my eyes while I type this)

Brush511 even walked into the 'dining area' carrying that pot of beans, sets it down, walks over to me and says "next year I'm doing a pork-free version".

I don't rate this level of consideration, but then again...maybe somehow y'all aren't doing it for ME.....and don't even know it?

I want to thank Black Elk, PSL, Tailback, Sparky and whoever else stood there and showed genuine interest in my convictions. I enjoyed that conversation immensely and I hope I didn't come across as 'preachy'.

Erik and Karl, you guys have inspired me. I commit to there being..."less of me" by Oregon Fal Shoot #7.

Tat2, thanks so much for the instruction. It was great to see it immediately vindicated when my 2nd and 3rd runs went faster using the 'new' pistol hold.
(I'll practice using your instruction and smoke you on the steel NEXT year, mmmkay?)

Jeff and Rich...you guys put on a great show this year! Thanks for all your efforts.

Snowhawk, thanks for the dirt riding tips. I've got a long way to go to even be 'comfortable' off the pavement but I'll get there. FYI- when I reached the caution tape out on the road leading up to the final turnoff into camp, rather than spend 20mins taking it down and putting it back up, I said 'screw it' and blasted up the embankment and busted through about 75ft of turn signal-high brush to come out on the other side. (I fully expected to drop the bike but it went well and I've got some nice brush scratches on my forks to prove it)

Black Elk, thanks for looking past the Adam Henry I wear as a costume.

Dave, it was good to see you again Old Man! (you're looking younger rather than older....no sh_t)

Otis, your son is squared aWAY! He saw me riding out of camp and ran over to warn me that the King Shot was in progress. That young man looked me straight in the eye when I told him it was good to meet him and when he shook my hand. You are doing well through him and he will be an asset to society when so many young men his age are jacked up just outta the gate! Good work sir!

There were others present I didn't get to/take the time to meet/talk to......my loss.

I'll end my say this way....If something ever happens to me, it would be good to know, and I'd be honored to have....you bunch of folks rally around my wife and kids.

FWIW