'Marksman' Or 'Expert' Rating No Big Deal In Army, Soldiers Point Out

Tacoma News Tribune | October 25, 2002 | Michael Gilbert and Eijiro Kawada

[Shooter 2.5]

I think and hope the mistakes in this article are from the author. I would hate an instuctor would say a rifle on a "tripod" or a retired veteran would mention he can hit coins with an M-16 with iron sights.

It was a very big deal for my son and I to earn our Expert badges, although earning an NRA badge is much harder. I'm presently stuck at expert and I need at least five more points on my average to become an NRA Master.

[JoeSixPack1]

Ah! leave it to the "RAW"krootes!

I'm an old PI guy. I got both my expert badges so long ago that the weapons I used are now dust. and...........
We didn't get sunglasses like those Hollywood Marines... :-)

[Poohbah]

Sunglasses?

We don't know nothin' about no sunglasses...

We don't have any sunglasses...

WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' SUNGLASSES!

[JoeSixPack1]

ROFLMAO!

uh huh....:-)

[ChicagahAl]

You have to be a Naval Aviator to be issued sunglasses. And a leather jacket, too.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Thanks you for that product recommendation! It looks like it is worth a try.

[vetvetdoug]

I have a Remington 700 Police special in .308. It is far more the rifle than I am a shooter and at anything under 300 yards it makes me look good. I even got a coyote at 400 yards. I have no idea what the minute of angle is in this thing but it is small in comparison to all my other rifles.

I qualified on a Navy Range north of the NCBC in Gulfport with the M-16 and .45 1911 pistol. I made the expert marksman grade. It was almost too easy. I was accused of being from some other branch of the service other than the USAF.

[taxcontrol]

According to Remington the Police Specials are 1/2 MOA min out of the box. My local deal says they consistantly come in at 1/4 MOA. They are very nice.

There were only two reasons I went with the VS

1) I hunt in Colorado and the changes in temp / weather / altitude play heck with a wood stock's accuracy

2) I could get it in 28" barrel (the extra 4" adding 200 fps making the balistics of my Federal Match 180 grain BTHP look like 165 grain 30-06 and in left handed.

That extra velocity makes my hunting a bit easier on me. Not uncommon to have a 200 to 400 yard elk shot out here. Due to bum knee and being 1/2 deaf (US Army Infantry) I cant get as close as I used to.

[taxcontrol]

Thanks you for that product recommendation! It looks like it is worth a try.

No problem - I swear by it!

Takes a bit of working with it to get it tuned well. I highly recommend having a gunsmith install it in the forestock.

Once installed be prepared to go through 500+ rounds firing from bench. Use your hunting ammo, not your practice ammo. Different ammo will make a difference. The down side for me is that my hunting ammo is match grade and costs nearly a buck per shot.

After tuning twice I would make the following recommendation. First screw the block in as far as it will travel (don't force) in one direction. Then screw it as far as it will go the other direction, counting the number of turns. Start a chart with the left hand side recording the block position by turn(s) and the right hand side recording the MOA (a good caliper helps). Each chart entry should be measured in whole turns.

Once you have the lowest MOA per whole turn, then try adjusting by 1/4 turns off from the full turn using another chart. This will help find the sweet spot as rapidly as possible - especial the second time you go to do this. This is something I did not do and wish I had.

If you hand load, get a consistant load worked up, work with it till you get the smallest group possible, and then make MINOR adjustments in your loads. You might even be able to get that .08 MOA.

Good luck!

[sparkomatic]

I just remembered. Many of these pop-up targets will go down if you get enough dirt to pepper the target from a too low shot.

[Glimmer31]

Shoot, 20 years ago we had electronic pop-ups at 25,50,100, 200, and 400 mtrs. you had to get 36 out of 40 to score expert. The Drill Sgts. would tell you to fire
in front of the target to kick sand on the target to score
because they were so holey that even if you hit it, the
blasted thing wasn't likely to score a hit. Took his advice and scored 38 out of 40.

[tje]

You are so correct.. When I did night fire in basic with tracers, the rounds spiraled out of my rifle.. It was about 4 inch diameter. I think that barrel was pretty much worn out. It wasn't until I got to my unit that I received a new weapon.. Still not MOA, but no spirals..

[sparkomatic]

Wow! You've responded to a 3 year old post. Anyhow, it's good to meet you.

[tje]

jeez, that was a little after 8 in the morning.. I'm sure I hadn't reached my recommended daily allowance of coffee...

anyway, nice to meet you too...