Steel Safari Advice

[Delfuego]

Looks like I am going to get a spot for this years Steel Safari.
I will need some advice on gear and training though...

Gear:

1. (Packs) I need a new backpack for sure, I have a shop down the street that does Eberlestock. They have the Gunslinger 2 (Intex frame) and the X3 Lodrag for a good deal, but in camo, I am not really a camo guy though. They say they can order them in other colors but... I really thought I would like the G2 but it seem pretty big. I do like that it is sturdy and I could probably use it for hiking, hunting and camping also. Is this too much pack for this match? I used my snowboarding pack 26L with my sling in Raton with out problems.

2. (Tripod) It looks like a lot of people have tri-pods on certain stages. Is this a necessity or a luxury? I have been thinking about getting the PRS tri-pod/saddle for a while now. It could also pull double duty for my spotter on certain trips and as a tall bi-pod at Raton matches too.

3. (LRF/Bino) I have the Bushnell Fusions 10x Bino/LRF combo. Is this good-to-go?

4. (Bi-pod) I just got an Atlas (boy was that pricy) do I need the Spike-Feet or will the rubber work fine? Don't want to through more money at this bi-pod right now.

5. (Kestrel) Don't have one. Do I need it or another wind meter? I have been doing dope cards at home with different alt/temp/wind values so far. Will I need to measure wind at different positions? Is trying to read mirage gonna work?

6. (Boots) I have trail shoes and hiking mid-tops will I need some fancy desert boots?

7. (Clothing) I don't do well in the sun and it will be HOT. Recommendations? Padded elbow shirts and/or knee pads seem like a good idea too.

Training recommendations:

1. Shooting and match practice
2. Conditioning

Accommodations:

1. Where to stay? Not much lodging options in Logan, hotels? Camping?
2. Anybody else going and want share a room / ride?

Any and all help would be appreciated; please chime in if I left things out.
And to you guys that have seen me shoot; you know I will need lots-o-luck (and not the Irish kind)

[Pike10]

This is, IMO, the best and hardest individual rifle match in the country. Congrats for taking the leap!

Packs - ditch the eberlestock idea. A simple three day pack is all you need. You will waste a ton of time monkeying with your rifle getting it in and out. A good vtac style or tab gear rapid adjust sling will be perfect.

Sticks/tripod - get either now and start practicing setting it up under time.

Bino/LRF - you can be successful with the ones you got. May be hard to see some targets early in the AM but they will work fine.

Practice - kitchen timer and the silhouette range at CRC. Put all your shit on, set the timer for 5 minutes and practice ranging the 6 steel targets, write them down then get into position and shoot. You need to be able to shoot off the tripod/sticks in about 2 minutes (faster if you can). You'll be surprised how long it takes to range and find targets. Do this a lot! Dry fire practice at home in different positions for an hour every night.

Atlas - fine. Rand one last year - you don't need spikes.

Kestrel - if you can judge the velocity of the wind - you don't have to have one. If you can get one with Density Altitude (run your dope on DA rather than temp/alt) you'll kill two birds with one stone.

Boots - lightweight breathable is fine. Seen guys do the course in running shoes and daisy duke shorts.

Clothes - light colors if possible. Pack lightweight rain gear - it does rain hard there at times. If you are on the course you'll have to weather it out then continue shooting.

This match is an excercise in critical thinking, shooting skill, doping the wind quickly, spotting you hits and time management.

hope this helps!

James

[Hoser]

Just a normal 3 Day pack is fine.

Tri-pods are nice to have but not a must have. If you get a tri-pod, make sure it is light and easy to adjust elevation in a hurry.

Your Fusion rangefinders will be fine.

A non-Spike Atlas has worked just fine for me for several years. In fact even Harris, AI and Sako bi-pods work fine.

I spend a lot of time outdoors estimating wind for a living and can be within 1-2 MPH below 20. Density altitude is where you make your money. Although I cheat, I just use a 7,500 DA card and go with it. If you are not good with guessing wind speed, get one. And get a good one.

I wear regular old GI Issue Rocky Boots. I have seen some guys in tennis shoes but there is some nasty cactus out there that can kick your ass.

Lots of light weight clothes in layers. It might start out at 50-60’ and get over 110 by the time you walk off the range. Be sure to get a good hat. I wear Crye pants with the knee pads. For me they are worth their weight in gold.

Start hydrating 7-10 days in advance.

Shoot as many of the CRC, Pueblo and Raton matches as you can. When you practice, get off your belly and use sticks and your pack.

Do lots of rucking with a 30-40 lb pack. Walk 3-5 miles when you get home from work.

I normally stay at the Yucca in Logan. Nice and quiet with a gag and puke right next door.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...#/e1dcb56f/162

[offgrid]

Delfuego,

I too will be shooting the Steel Safari for the first time, look forward to the challenge.

Last two times at the Chaffee range been working on shooting faster. I surprised myself with some practice how fast I can shoot while maintaining accuracy. I set up the targets at Chaffee, know where there at. I know it will be much tougher/take longer to go from target to target when shooting the match.

At the next Raton match, considering just giving myself 2 minutes to shoot and ask the squad I'm shooting with not to say out loud what their holding for wind.

Don't have a pair of bino/RF'ers yet, will get a pair soon and take Pike10's advice and start practicing with a timer with all my stuff and figure out where best me and all that stuff should be.

Not sure yet how/what I'm going to use to write down distances/dope.

[Delfuego]

I built my analog dry-erase iPad v.01
Got my Ketrel, tripod and a timer, now I need lots more practice!

[C Ward]

Dry erase pens don't fair so well down there in the heat , wind , and low humidity . They dry out and stop working real fast .

Grease pencils and wet erase pens have worked well . Whatever you use make sure it won't blow away in the wind and have a back up plan .

I've tried a bunch of things and keep coming back to 5x8 index cards tied together and a pencil . Works when wet and use a fresh one for each stage .

[Pike10]

For writing down/building a range card on each stage - I use a wrist coach with wet erase markers. There are a lot of decent ones in at a few of the tactical supply web stores. Don't get one with a cloth flap. You don't want to have to keep opening it every time. Another that works well is a roll of 1.5" masking tape or athletic tape. Just put a new piece on your wrist while in the holding area before each stage and when you are done just pull it off and replace.

[XC700116]

For writing down/building a range card on each stage - I use a wrist coach with wet erase markers. There are a lot of decent ones in at a few of the tactical supply web stores. Don't get one with a cloth flap. You don't want to have to keep opening it every time. Another that works well is a roll of 1.5" masking tape or athletic tape. Just put a new piece on your wrist while in the holding area before each stage and when you are done just pull it off and replace.

That's a great idea, I've been beating my head off the wall trying to figure out what will work best for that myself. Thanks, easy cheap way to go about it and it's not going anywhere.

I have a LOT of getting ready to do for this match myself.