Squeeze
10-26-2021, 12:51
Since I did not see a thread here talking about training at Front Sight, I thought it would be a good idea to put one here. I'm sure a lot of us here are members and for some who might be on the fence about joining, here is my AAR on the 4-day Rifle Marksmanship Class that I took from Oct. 18-21.
I used an Aero Precision AR-15 carbine that I built. Rifle had a 14.5" barrel with a Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1x4 optic. I quickly realized I brought the wrong platform to the class. The gun ran like a top and it far exceeded my expectations, but didn't quite make the cut at the 300 & 350 yard range.
I also didn't have a bipod or proper rest which I fixed after day 1. A bipod or rest (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Vangua.../dp/B0034361BC/ref=sr_1_3... (https://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-Porta-Aim-Gun-Rest/dp/B0034361BC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=porta%20aim&qid=1635259932&sr=8-3&fbclid=IwAR3bcLyy7_dxclvSbEN1RERqxo4SYYAiQyl6POSCc pSJRsK0xRICN6fBElk)) really makes a world of difference. Depending on your upper body strength, lighter is better. Harris and Atlas bipods are amazing, but heavy. I plan on getting the Magpul bipod. I seen rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, .308, 30-06 and 5.56. One excellent shooter was using a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and got DG. Very impressive considering shooting that in the standing position was very difficult. The 6.5 Grendel guy was also on-point. .308 shooters did well also. I firmly believe you can DG this course easily with .223/5.56 provided you are shooting it out of the right platform. I would recommend something that can adequately stabilize the 75 grain or heavier bullet in case of high winds.
Triggers. I wasn't aware you could use a trigger with less than 4.5 lbs. until I got to the class. I had already switched out my Geissele SSA-E for an ALG-QMS and hated it the entire time. So if anyone wants to buy that hot turd of a trigger, let me know.
Optic. A good 3x9 optic would work, but I would recommend something more in the range of 4x12. This class is 100% focused on accuracy. Being able to see the 9" circle at 350 yards clearly in your optic is huge. I saw some AR folks using 1x8 optics and from my observation, they were struggling as well. Definitely spend the money on a good quality optic.
Ammo. Use quality ammo that you have already tested in your rifle to know it shoots it well, especially out to 350 yards. Use that ammo through the entire course. One shooter running a sweet .223 bolt gun suppressed started out using PMC Bronze 55 grain which his rifle loved, but had to switch ammo part-way through the course and his gun hated that ammo. I desperately wished they would allow shooters who reload their own ammo to use it in this course.
Sling. I used the VTAC Padded sling. It worked extremely well. I highly recommend it over other slings. It adjusts quickly with little effort and is very comfortable.
Knee & Elbow pads. You will 100% need these. You can use a shooting mat, but you have to lug it to each shooting position along with the rest of your kit. Knee and elbow pads are simpler and work extremely well.
Instructors. If you are lucky enough to have Kevin Colter as one of your instructors, listen to everything he has to say. He?s extremely knowledgeable and knows more about shooting accurately than I?ll ever know.
I used an Aero Precision AR-15 carbine that I built. Rifle had a 14.5" barrel with a Leatherwood Hi-Lux CMR 1x4 optic. I quickly realized I brought the wrong platform to the class. The gun ran like a top and it far exceeded my expectations, but didn't quite make the cut at the 300 & 350 yard range.
I also didn't have a bipod or proper rest which I fixed after day 1. A bipod or rest (like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Vangua.../dp/B0034361BC/ref=sr_1_3... (https://www.amazon.com/Vanguard-Porta-Aim-Gun-Rest/dp/B0034361BC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=porta%20aim&qid=1635259932&sr=8-3&fbclid=IwAR3bcLyy7_dxclvSbEN1RERqxo4SYYAiQyl6POSCc pSJRsK0xRICN6fBElk)) really makes a world of difference. Depending on your upper body strength, lighter is better. Harris and Atlas bipods are amazing, but heavy. I plan on getting the Magpul bipod. I seen rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, .308, 30-06 and 5.56. One excellent shooter was using a Ruger Precision Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and got DG. Very impressive considering shooting that in the standing position was very difficult. The 6.5 Grendel guy was also on-point. .308 shooters did well also. I firmly believe you can DG this course easily with .223/5.56 provided you are shooting it out of the right platform. I would recommend something that can adequately stabilize the 75 grain or heavier bullet in case of high winds.
Triggers. I wasn't aware you could use a trigger with less than 4.5 lbs. until I got to the class. I had already switched out my Geissele SSA-E for an ALG-QMS and hated it the entire time. So if anyone wants to buy that hot turd of a trigger, let me know.
Optic. A good 3x9 optic would work, but I would recommend something more in the range of 4x12. This class is 100% focused on accuracy. Being able to see the 9" circle at 350 yards clearly in your optic is huge. I saw some AR folks using 1x8 optics and from my observation, they were struggling as well. Definitely spend the money on a good quality optic.
Ammo. Use quality ammo that you have already tested in your rifle to know it shoots it well, especially out to 350 yards. Use that ammo through the entire course. One shooter running a sweet .223 bolt gun suppressed started out using PMC Bronze 55 grain which his rifle loved, but had to switch ammo part-way through the course and his gun hated that ammo. I desperately wished they would allow shooters who reload their own ammo to use it in this course.
Sling. I used the VTAC Padded sling. It worked extremely well. I highly recommend it over other slings. It adjusts quickly with little effort and is very comfortable.
Knee & Elbow pads. You will 100% need these. You can use a shooting mat, but you have to lug it to each shooting position along with the rest of your kit. Knee and elbow pads are simpler and work extremely well.
Instructors. If you are lucky enough to have Kevin Colter as one of your instructors, listen to everything he has to say. He?s extremely knowledgeable and knows more about shooting accurately than I?ll ever know.