Optics Are In The Eye Of The Beholder!!!!

            Choosing a gun sight, can be fun, exciting,  and complicated.  There are SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM.  They range from under $100 to well over $2000 , so how do you know which one to select?  You need to ask yourself a question.

What kind of shooting am I going to do?

The question is simple, but the answer is not. Like, many other parts of shooting, a lot of things come into play.

So, I am going to break down the 3 most popular sight types.

Iron Sight System

 The most common of all the systems. Almost, all firearms come stock with some form of iron sights. These sights are normally secured to the weapon directly. They come either fixed or removable. Most, are adjustable.  This system can be used for both short range and long range shooting.

They work, by lining up a rear sight with a front sight.

Example 1

Example 2  

As you can see in the images above, there are different styles of iron sight combinations.   All of them work in the same manner.    

Iron sights do not offer magnification.  In other words, if you can't see your target with your naked eye,  you have passed the effective range of your sights.


Red Dot System

This system is designed for close quarter shooting and rapid target acquisition. Red dot systems are secured to a rail mounted on the weapon. It work by lining up a dot (red or green)with your target.

The system  requires batteries to illuminate the dot.  Red dots are ALSO  limited to what your naked eye can see to be effective.  Unless!!!, you add a magnifier.

Pretty cool huh?

The magnifier, does just that. It magnifies the red dot, so you can see farther than the naked eye.


Scope System

Scopes are meant for long range shooting.  You can hit a target over 1 1/2 miles away, with the correct scope. This system uses cross hairs to be placed on the target.  Some are fixed magnification and other are multiple magnification.  Rings are used to secure the scope to a rail system on the weapon.  Scope rings come in either a set of 2 individual rings or in a 1 piece style mount.

                                                                       Scoped Rifle

                                                                   Basic scope crosshair

                                                                      Single Magnification

Example Of Multiple Magnification

scope mount

                                                                          scope rings

Some shooters combine 2 systems together,  so they have a "back up sight".  Many use offset sights or flip up sights, with there scope or red dot.  In case your primary system fails, you still have something to aim with.

                                                                    Offset Red Dot

                                                                   Offset Iron Sight
                       

Flip Up Iron Sights

ALL 3 of these systems require adjustments, also know as "Zeroing" or "Sighting In" to be dead on accurate.  (That is another post)

Figure out the range you will be shooting the most, then select the appropriate optic. Or use a combination of them.

First Shooting Day of 2015

Our 1st shooting day of this year is next Saturday.

Skeet shooting, contact me with any questions

Don't Get Your Panties In A Twist!!

OVER BARREL TWIST, THAT IS.

The last few days,  I have been getting  a lot of questions about barrel twist ratios particularly AR 15 rifles.

Here is my attempt to explain barrel twist in a not so technical manner.

First, there are two kinds of rifle barrels:

Smooth bore and Rifled.

What is a Smooth bore barrel?

   A smooth bore barrel is completely round and smooth on the inside of the barrel.  A good example would be a canon on a pirate ship or in most shot guns.

What is a Rifled barrel?

  A Rifled barrel,  has small  grooves inside the barrel, called Rifling.   What is rifling? The grooves inside the barrel make the projectile spin, which makes the projectile stabilize. Which means more accuracy.

Now that you understand rifling, let's get into rate of twist.

 Rate of twist is measured in inches.  Example  1:9  = 1 complete  revolution  in 9 inches. So, a rifle with a 1:9 twist, means the projectile  has to travel 9 inches to make 1 full turn.  A 1:12 twist barrel, means the projectile  has to travel 12 inches to make 1 full turn.  1:7, 1:8, 1:10, etc..... you get the point.


Are you asking yourself "What the heck does all this stuff mean?"  I will  break it down for you.

1:7 is a fast twist
1:14 is a slow twist
1:9 is a compromise between the both


Confused yet?

1:7 twist will stabilize a 62gr and higher bullet best
1:14 twist best stabilizes a 55gr and under best
1:9 twist will stabilize anything up to 70gr best
There are many more twist out there (I am using these 3 for this example)
I am using an AR 15 in 5.56 for this example.

It is possible to over-stabilize and under-stabilize

over-stabilize; light bullet in a fast twist barrel.  The projectile can disintegrate or fly with the the nose of the round pointing up. Affecting accuracy.

under-stabilize; heavy bullet in a short twist barrel. The bullet will fly through the air sideways. Again, affecting accuracy.

*Rule of Thumb*

• Bullet weight influences length
• The longer the bullet, the faster the twist needed

Remember:      Different caliber rifles require different twist.

For 95% of AR 15 owners 1:9 twist is more than good enough for the shooting they do.  Unless you are shooting Varmints then you would want a slower twist (1:14), or if you want heavy bullets at long range (1:7) would be a better choice.

Check the manufactures recommendations for bullet grains and twist rate, and find the one that best suits you!

AR 15 Build or Buy?????

This is a VERY COMMON QUESTION!!!!

          There is no simple answer for this question.  It  ALL boils down to what You want to do...

Price wise you would probably break even.

The comparison:

Building:

100% customized to your liking as you go
You control the speed of the build
A lot of resources to help
A lot of parts to choose from


Buying:

Instant gratification (after 10 day waiting period of course)
Money up front
Many models to choose from


So, it is TOTALLY up to you which path you take.  Your need for the rifle may determine your AR path.

Plans for 2015

I hope everyone had a great holiday season.

This year; the Vanguard Shooting Club is going to take the club to the next level.

We are having a logo made, so members can have apparel.

We will have more steady post on the blog. (I will try to post every Friday morning ) other writers  will post whenever their  schedule allows.

We are also holding  more shooting day's.

As of right now we have 3 for sure scheduled

31 Jan 2015       Skeet shooting @ 3B's
28 Mar 2015.      Range 1B @ BC (about 90 yards )
06 June 2015.    Range  E1 @ BC  ( longest range they have (210 yards))

More are in the works now.

My first post will be this Friday, so check it out.

Happy Holidays! !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I promise to devote more time to the blog next year. I am going  to have a few more writers to help out. We will have some good stuff on a regular basis. Hold tight, we will get this blog running smoothly.

Again,

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! !!!!

Up Dates!!!!

Shooting Day  Dec 27th @ BC


Still working on the "Art of the Build" post

Still working on start a business

Sorry!!!!

I know I said I was going to start a series on building and AR 15 last friday.  I am, it is taking me longer to get the right pictures and information, than I thought. Between the kids Tae Kwon Do classes, halloween costumes, and just being a working dad, finding time to do the blog or extra stuff is hard.

Not to mention, I am trying to start a business. (Firearm related of course)

I will keep you posted on that.

Anyways, I will be TRYING my best to post something New every week. I will do the AR 15 build series, once I gather all the information I want to post.


But check out some of the work OUR FRIENDS AT AIRBRUSH ASSUALT DO!!!!!

The Art of the Build.

I have been asked to either build or help build AR 15th for quite some time.  Now, with the Internet and other resources,  you can find MANY places to help you build your own AR.

So, I am going to show you how to build your own complete AR in weekly series.   STARTING this friday. OCTOBER 24TH.

Stay tuned! !!!

Next Shooting Event

Dec 27th is the next shooting event @ BC. Contact me for more details

Why is Shooting a Stigma???

The story set up:

  Last weekend the family and I attend  my best friends sister's 23 birthday party. I have know her family  all of my life. Her brother and I have been shooting together for decades.  His sister has gone with us a few times.  For the most part I knew about 80%  of the party guest.  Out of the 80% of the people, maybe 5% are know shooters to me.

This is where the story starts:

A few of us guys are playing poker, smoking cigars,  enjoying beers and  Marker's Mark, while the kids are swimming, and the wives are talking. As our poker game goes on, and the Marker's Mark flows, then the smack talk starts to flows. During the smack talk , one of my buddies states, "I am a better shot then you!" To my best friend.  I know from experience that my best friend is a really good shot.  Those are fighting words to my best friend (not in the literal sense). Mainly because it was coming from possibly the worst shooter there.

Anyways, a female heard us talking about shooting and everything related to shooting.  She approached the poker table and started saying,

"I don't know why you guys like guns, they are dangerous and kill people. "

I reply, "Cars are dangerous and kill people too!"

Then she says,
 "ONLY crazy people would compare guns to cars"

Then the rest of the poker players chimed in. It got loud. Them the wives and the birthday girl got involved.

It got a little heated, but was entertaining.  The female babbled for about 15 minutes spitting out information with no facts.   She was countered by wives and the birthday girl with firearm knowledge and facts.

It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 To watch and listen to our wives defending their GUN GUYS husband's was AWESOME.  During this verbal fencing between women, us husband's were drinking our Maker's Mark and smoking our Gurkha cigars watching the magic.

Conclusion:

 The female now wants us to teach her how to shoot.  It was a good day.

VSC upcoming event!!!!

VSC is currently  putting together an shooting event.

"Take A Newbie To The Range Day"

we are planning this event in hopes of educating non-shooters, and turning them into shooters.

More detail to follow shortly.

Sorry, for the absence. I was on vacation

Now, back to work.

Summary of the Shooting Basics

         My 16 year old daughter looked at my blog and told me something was wrong with it. I asked her "What was wrong with it?" She told me "You forgot the basics!" I replied " I covered the shooting fundamentals." She said,  "Yes, but what about the basic safety rules?"  After looking at the blog really good, I noticed she was right.     I have posted  shooting fundamentals articles,  suggestions on choosing a firearm, suggestions on how many firearms you should own, but I have never gave you the basics in simple clean cut manner.

 So, here it goes

BASIC FIREARM SAFETY

1)  ALWAYS treat/handle the gun as if it is LOADED!!!

2)  DON'T point the gun at ANYTHING you are not     planning to shoot!!!

3)  DON'T put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot!!!

4)  KNOW your target AND what is behind it!!!


If you follow these BASIC safety rules you will really enjoy shooting.


BASICS OF MARKSMANSHIP

1) Choose a comfortable stance

2)  Good Grip

3)  Sight Alignment

4)  Sight  Picture

5)  Breathing

6)  Trigger Control

7)  Follow Through

For more detailed information on each fundamental,  read the appropriate post for what you want to know.

Some might say there are more than 7 fundamentals, but
for the most part, these are the 7 primary one's.  Following these would put you on the right path.

The fundamentals, know matter how many there are,  won't do you any good, if you don't practice them!!!!

Accurate Usus Facit!!!

Finish What You Start!!!

Follow through is as important in shooting as in any other sport. A lot of new shooter have tendency to overlook follow through.

What is follow through?

Follow through is the act of completing the motion, AFTER the action has taken place.
Example: A golfer continues the motion of his swing , even after he has hit the ball.

The same needs to be done when shooting. Smooth and equal pressure still needs to be applied to the trigger AFTER the shot has been fired.  Sight alignment also needs to be maintained,  for follow up shots.  So, once the shot is taken, continue to pull the trigger to the rear. Then allow your trigger finger to come forward with the trigger, to start the cycle again.

Follow through allows you to identify your shot placement,  this way you can make adjustments if needed. If you don't follow through you will not be able to trace your shots. Focusing on sight alignment should be your top priority in follow through.

Like ALL of the other shooting fundamentals, follow through has to be practiced. 

So, finish what you start!!!

Accurate Usus Facit!!!!

Put Your Finger In the Hole!!!!

Trigger control is more than just putting your finger in the hole (aka trigger guard) and pulling the trigger. As with anything in shooting , even the position of your trigger finger can effect your shot placement.  If you use the tip of your finger you can pull your shot to the right/left  (if lefty). To much finger and you can pull your shot to the left/right (if lefty).

The ideal location for your finger is the center of your finger pad at the center of the trigger. Now that we got finger location established,  let's talk about trigger pull. I am sure you have heard the phrase "anybody can pull a trigger." Physically that is true, but to do it right there is a process.  After you place your finger on the trigger, you must provide equal and steady pressure on the trigger while pulling it towards your body.  This action should be done by ONLY the trigger finger. New shooters have tendencies to jerk the trigger ( not having equal or steady pressure on the trigger) , which will throw off your shot. Some people also close their grip tighter as they pull the trigger, which can also effect your shot. That is why Only the trigger finger should be in motion as you pull the trigger. The pressure should stay smooth and constant until the hammer falls and the projectile is released.

A great training method for trigger control,  I was taught, is place an dime on the very end of the barrel and pull the trigger without making the dime fall off. It works. It can be done with both rifles and pistols.  I highly recommend adding this drill to your dry fire drills. For this and ALL dry fire drills you should use a snap cap or a SPENT CASING to prevent damage to the firing pin.

I know other shooters might  use a different part of their trigger finger to shoot. Like I have said before, whatever is comfortable to the shooter works best. I have seen some crazy and awkward shooting style, BUT they worked for those shooter's.  You need to do what works for YOU!!!


Accurate Usus Facit!!!!!

Sorry For My Absence!!!!

I have had some personal issues to take of, BUT now we are up and running again. Next week I will continue with the shooting fundamentals series.  I am going to try to post at least twice a week from now on. I have seen some traffic increase on the blog, so I owe you readers that much.

Thanks Again For Understanding.

Vanguard Shooting Club Team

Accurate Usus Facit!!!!

To Breath or Not to Breath. That is the Question!

        People of the gun; all have different opinions on breathing while you shoot.  Most were taught to hold their breath while shooting.  Some people say to take a deep breath and exhale right before they shoot.  The type of shooting you are doing, will effect your breathing.  Long-range shooting requires more breathing control, than plinking.

The best way to found out what works best for you, is to try BOTH techniques. Practice the techniques and see which one helps you put more rounds on target.

 I hope you have noticed the pattern of the Shooting Fundamentals.  They are all connected! Stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing ALL effect your shooting.  They all rely on the shooter to be relaxed. If you as a shooter are not comfortable, you are not going to have good shot placement.

Shooting techniques can be taught, but each shooter has to control their body to make a good shot.
So, do your dry-fire drills, work on your breathing, and MOST of ALL RELAX!!!

Accurate Usus Facit!!!!

What You See, Is Not Aways What You Hit

           The importances of sight alignment and sight picture. They are different things.

Let's cover sight alignment first.

Sight Alignment:  Is the alignment between the rear sight and the front sight.

Pretty self explanatory. Easy concept, but hard to master.

Sight Picture:  Is the relationship between your front sight (already aligned) to the target.

I know people think, it can't be that hard to align your sights, then line them up to your target. Well, I can tell you it is not as easy as you might think.  If it was that easy, everybody would be an expert marksman and you wouldn't have to put hundreds of shots down range.

A lot of things come into play. If your stance, or your grip is not good, it makes your sight alignment and sight picture harder to achieve. 

Practice aligning your sights, and your sight picture with dry fire drills. You will see a BIG change the next time you do a live fire shoot.  You can find dry fire drills everywhere on the internet.

Accurate Usus Facit!!!

Up Coming Shooting Event

May 17th is our next shooting event @ BC. So, clean your weapons and buy your ammo.

Contact me with any questions.

Accurate Usus Facit!!!