Need tips and tricks for team matches

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

So my partner and I shot in last year's Thunder Beast Arms team challenge. While we're both pretty good shooters, we were really SLOW. We timed out on the first two field stages. There were multiple issues with our performance that killed us. My major problem was my inability to spot targets as the carbine shooter. Coming from a range only background, the need to find targets out at 500 yards was difficult for me. We have made some changes in our optics to improve this and I've been doing some more field shoots to build my experience. But not having shot team stuff before we don't have any idea of what the most efficient way to organize our operation once we arrive on the shoot position.

What we were doing was arrive at the shoot position and both of us getting on the glass. Once all the targets were located I would range them and my partner would write them down. Then I would engage my required number of targets and get up. My rifle partner would then take the same position that I was in, set up and engage his targets. What I wondering is if we should both get in our shooting position at the same time and work from there. Are there any other tips on how to do things smooth and quick?

Thanks!!!

 

[Woodlanddude]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

Lower your optic power until you learn to pick up targets if speed is a factor. If you can see it on that power you can hit it. Most shooters use more than needed. Decide ahead of time whether you will call hits or adjustments and stick with it. Use matching gear MOA or MILS. Look at how others are carrying thier gear and emulate what you like. If it works well for you, use it. Some trial and error, and practice will help. Put up multiple targets if you can find a farm or open land to shoot. Have a 3rd person pick your position and target and then give you a command such as "on your guns". Do this always with safety in mind first. Start with unloaded guns, as most matches will start you the same. Good luck

 

[Okie Gordon]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

A couple of things come to mind from reading your post.

At the range (or even in your back yard) you can practice "Rapid Deployment" drills.
We use these for both known target drills and for target identification drills.
Specifically, you and your partner need to start back off the line with all gear you would normally utilize.
Make sure and use a timer to verify the time to do the drill.
At the command, hoof it to the line with all gear, get set up and ready to either begin locating targets or to shoot if the targets are already.
A third person needs to watch so you can get good feedback.
Look for one person being ready ahead of the other and look for equipment not being smoothly and rapidly set up.
Is the rifle pointed in the proper direction and in the correct location for the shooter to get right to his job?
Is the spotting scope properly set up to act as both a target locater and as the spotter's eyes during live fire?
Are both rifle and spotting scope at the correct elevation for the range conditions (grass, brush, humps, rocks)?
Are the secondary items (data book, ammunition, PDA, backpack, etc)set out where they need to be for efficient access?
Is there any excess stuff laying around getting in the way that is not going to be utilized?

Remember, the faster you can get the gear set up, the more time you will have to do the primary job of target identification and engagement.

 

[Okie Gordon]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

Another thing that is important is to do the rapid deployment drill multiple times.
By that that you need to move forward, do the drill, do a quick AAR with the third person (observer), then take all your gear back from the line a ways and do it again.
Repeat until you are doing the drill efficiently with no need to comment by the observer.
Once that happens do the drill, then move your whole position to a different point and make ready again......and again....and again.

VERY important.
Switch up the shooter and spotter roles until both are quick and efficient in both capacities.
You both have to know where everthing goes and you bth need to put the same item in the same location when you switch roles. For instance, where is the loaded magazine setting when the drill is done? Does shooter #1 like it to the left of the rifle just ahead of the trigger and shooter #2 like it on the right side up near the bi-pod? Unacceptable! Both people must put the same piece of equipment in the same location every time. If you have to switch roles for some reason in the middle of a stage the stuff better be exactly where you expect.

 

[Okie Gordon]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

Are you using drag bags when you set up?
If not you need to think real hard about doing so.
Not because your body needs something nice and soft to rest on, NO, NO.
The reason is that you need to locate part of the drag bags ahead of the muzzle so that when the rifle is fired the blast won't toss up dust and debris to cause problems with the spotter seeing the trace and/or impact.
Some places it doesn't matter at all but some places it will make the difference between having an effective spotter or just having another person laying there saying "Unobserved".

 

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Okie Gordon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you using drag bags when you set up?
If not you need to think real hard about doing so.
</div></div>

No drag bags. Rifles are slung and we're using small packs. I use my pack for a rest but my partner is a bipod guy. Rules don't allow the carbine shooter to use a bipod. No dust issues at all most shoot position are rock without loose dirt or gravel.

 

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Re: Need tips and tricks for team matches

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Woodlanddude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lower your optic power until you learn to pick up targets if speed is a factor. </div></div>

That was part of the problem. We were using 12x binos that had too much power despite being really good quality. I've dropped to a 8x mono from Vortex that seems to work okay. The carbine optic will be a 1.5-6x this year. Last year it was a 1-4x so that was a tough deal trying to find targets out at 500 yards with that little bit of magnification. It's a dual role optic and has to be used at close range, almost contact distance, so I'm not brave enough to go higher on the magnification.