Here is the opportunity you have been waiting for!

Morning and afternoon sessions for shooters on the LIFE range to build up

and apply techniques of defense using your handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

Organization: Lessons In Firearms Education/Hawaii Rifle Association

  

HRA/LIFE Training & Fun Shoot timeline 2022

Sun 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM setup morning attendees: common sense = help with setup Mandatory safety brief at 8:00am training session 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM midday 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM cleanup   $5 per attendee, AM and/or PM 2nd Sundays $15 per attendee [bring your Covid facemask]

Fun Shoot - morning session - HRA members only All who attend: bring your handgun(s), longgun(s) etc, a hat, water, eye and ear protection mandatory! Please wear shoes. No tank tops; ejected brass can fly... Want to participate but not a Hawaii Rifle Association member yet? Sign up at the fun shoot for just $20/year! Participants must be present for sign-in & safety brief to participate and shoot for morning session. please rsvp at: kaneohegs@yahoo.com See below for equipment list / pictures

lunch 11:15 AM - 12 noon break Mandatory safety brief at 12noon open shoot 12:00 noon - 3:15 PM afternoon attendees: common sense = help with takedown Sun 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM takedown   $5 per attendee, AM and/or PM 2nd Sun AM $15 per attendee (if PM only: $5 per attendee)

Fun Shoot - afternoon session - HRA members only All who attend: bring your handgun(s), longgun(s) etc, a hat, water, eye and ear protection mandatory! Please wear shoes. No tank tops; ejected brass can fly... Want to participate but not a Hawaii Rifle Association member yet? Sign up at the fun shoot for just $20/year! Participants must be present for sign-in & safety brief to participate and shoot for afternoon session. please rsvp at: kaneohegs@yahoo.com See below for equipment list / pictures

 

Minimum equipment that each person should bring for training and practice:

Example equipment handgun: Eye & ear protection, quality belt, permanent marker, ballpoint pen, quality holster, double mag pouch, pistol, minimum of 3 mags, ammo.

Example equipment semiauto rifle: Eye & ear protection, quality sling, permanent marker, ballpoint pen, 2 mag carriers, minimum of 3 mags, rifle, quality optic / iron sights, ammo.

 

Having the right equipment and gear = solid training and preparedness for YOU

Good idea to bring your own gun tools, quality blade, and quality supplemental flashlights.

        

HRA/LIFE Training and Fun Shoot schedule 2022

 

Sunday January 23 $5 per attendee	AM: Handguns : defense application and drills to build up smoothness 3 mags/speedloaders, holster, mag pouches for handgun 50rds handgun  (rimfire will work just fine for these drills!) Accelerate ability w/ movement and fluidity in various situations AM: Rifle work: defense application and drills to build up smoothness 3 mags & sling for rifle  50rds rifle  (rimfire will work just fine for these drills!)  PM: Open Shoot
Sunday February 27 $5 per attendee	AM: Rifle and Handgun Minimum 50rds rifle, 50rds handgun  (rimfire will work just fine!)  Manoeuvers and positioning drills    AM: Focus on foreign military rifles - hands on familiarization Variety of rifles that many may not have opportunities to handle or fire Variety of rifles will be provided, & some ammo will also be provided - Take advantage of this and learn; build up knowledge and experience! For those who want to bring factory ammo to enjoy even more of these foreign military rifles, bring extra .22, 223, 7.62x39, 9mm factory ammo   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday March 13 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Handgun   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday March 27 $5 per attendee	AM: Handgun 3 mags/speedloaders, holster, mag pouches for handgun Minimum 50 rounds handgun  (rimfire will work just fine for these drills!)  Team tactics, working with two or more individuals AM: Rifle 3 mags & sling for rifle  Minimum 50 rounds rifle  (rimfire will work just fine for these drills!)  Manoeuvers and positioning drills Informal Competition - with prizes !! PM: Open Shoot
Sunday April 10 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday April 24 $5 per attendee	AM: Handgun - with a focus on double action revolvers for defense 3 mags/speedloaders, holster, mag pouches for handgun Mix of 50 rds minimum (for revolvers; bring .38 special / 9mm / .22lr) Increase abilities left and right handed operation and firing of handguns AM-PM: Rifle and Handgun; rimfire to centerfire 3 mags & sling for rifle Minimum 50 rds rimfire rifle, 50 rds rimfire handgun Minimum 50 rds centerfire rifle, 50rds centerfire handgun Firing from grounded positions, left and right handed work on rifles Crossover teaching methods from .22 rimfire to centerfire calibers PM: Open Shoot
Sunday May 15 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday May 29 $5 per attendee	AM: Pistol Caliber Carbines and Handguns Carbine: bring 3 mags, sling, mag pouches             * if it utilizes handgun mags: abide by State Law; 10rd max * Handgun: bring 3 mags, holster, mag pouches Minimum 100 rds total Carbine and Handgun  !! There will be majority steel target usage !! Transitions and one-handed emergency drills PM: Open Shoot
Sunday June 12 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday June 26 $5 per attendee	AM: Shotgun Pump or semiauto shotgun, sling, ammo pouch/carriers Minimum 40 rds Birdshot/Game loads Firing from both left and right shoulders / firing from different positions Optional: 10rds Buckshot to check your patterns at varying distances PM: Open Shoot
Sunday July 10 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle and Pistol Transitions   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday July 24 $5 per attendee	AM: Rifle to Handgun Transition, Tactical Communication Carbine: bring 3 mags, sling, mag pouches             * if it utilizes handgun mags: abide by State Law; 10rd max * Handgun: bring 3 mags, holster, mag pouches Bring minimum 60 rds Carbine and minimum 50rds Handgun PM: Open Shoot
Sunday August 14 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle and Pistol Transitions   PM: Open Shoot
Sunday August 28 $5 per attendee	AM: Rifle to Handgun Transition, Tactical Communication Pistol caliber carbines preferred (examples: 22lr, 9mm, 40cal)                [then many targets utilized can be steel] Carbine: bring 3 mags, sling, mag pouches             * if it utilizes handgun mags: abide by State Law; 10rd max * Handgun: bring 3 mags, holster, mag pouches Bring minimum 60 rds Carbine and minimum 50rds Handgun PM: Open Shoot
Sunday Sept 11 $15 per attendee	HRA Skill Builder training AM:  Rifle and Pistol Transitions   PM: Open Shoot
Shop will be open on Sunday Sept 25 come on over to KGS Sun Sept 25 instead! Sunday Sept 25 $5 per attendee SEPTEMBER 16: Apperently KokoHead is already in shutdown: Projected thru October	AM: Shotgun and Pistol Caliber Carbine Pump or semiauto shotgun, sling, ammo pouch/carriers Minimum 40 rds Birdshot/Game loads Firing from both left and right shoulders / firing from different positions Optional: 10rds Buckshot to check your patterns at varying distances Pistol Caliber Carbine, sling, ammo pouch/carriers             * if it utilizes handgun mags: abide by State Law; 10rd max * Minimum 50 rds pistol caliber ammo Firing from both left and right shoulders / firing from different positions PM: Open Shoot

      

 

KOKO HEAD SHOOTING COMPLEX CLOSED FOR BERM RENOVATION

Link: KokoHead berm renovation

 

  

   

 

 

PICTURES FROM VARIOUS FUN SHOOT EVENTS:

 

Animal Crackers and .22s

Fun with animal crackers... We don't play with the food - we're shooting them to bits

 

.22 caliber precision shooting - common category, fun targets

 

 

 

Good shooting practice for sure! Solid technique is still required on them pesky animal crackers...

 

'1911 Single Stack Classic' competition

Here was the chance for competitors to prove to themselves that they could bet on their ability with

what so many Americans brag about - the legendary 1911. Ergonomic, historical, wonderful trigger,

etc etc... how do we really perform with this or any category of handgun? This was like a skills test.

Anyone boasting of their skills with pistols (especially with the 1911 category) better clean this test!

We'll have segments of this in upcoming fun shoots so it'll be plenty fun to reinforce shooting ability.

 

Simple test: first stage was incredibly basic. Standing: 5 rounds. Kneeling: 5 rounds. 8" target, 15 yards.

Second stage:  Kneeling: 5 rounds.  Standing: 5 rounds.  Reduced size B-27 silhouette target, 15 yards.

Recoil proves to be an unavoidable factor with 1911 platform and in very popular .45acp caliber. Hits only

counted within 7-ring for the reduced silhouette targets above. Many did not make perfect on stage 1 or 2.

 

Stage 3 had practical skills put to test on one-handed shooting both sides left and right, and work

proactive reloads in between. Right handers load up, fire 3 rounds right hand, transfer gun to left,

fire 3 rounds left hand, proactive reload as left hander, fire 3 rounds left hand, transfer gun to right

hand, fire 3 rounds right hand. Left handers conduct this stage in opposite format. This promotes

the importance and ability to use one's handgun without hesitation under either-handed situations.

These 7 yard one-handed shots had to land in the blue 8x11 paper. Edge hits don't count.

There were no pick-up shots allowed for any stage except for two steel discs on stage 5.

For this first 1911 competition, all 5 stages had no time limit; just don't take all day on your shots.

Time constraints to add more wonderful, urgent stress were naturally occuring among the shooters

and no electronic timers were needed. Over-confident shots - misses - also were natural deciders.

The much-touted hostage-taker shot. Two examples to be attempted, with one simple requirement.

Only one shot allowed on each - medium difficulty target on left, high difficulty on right. Distance 7 yards.

There is no pick-up shot; no redeeming second try. (Same for all stages; no extra hits would count.)

Red-lined area drawn in roughly represents the ideal area that should have been hit with one shot attempt.

Concealed/open carry proponents must be able to perform this on demand, with their chosen carry gun.

Same with everyone armed with their choice for home defense handguns. Anyone proclaiming they know

or are capable with "all kinds of firearms" (I hear that so many times in or out of my shop) better be able

to do this unerringly on demand, with all guns they say they are expert with, in 2 seconds from any basic

ready position. Otherwise, refrain from giving war stories and proclamations about how much you know.

  

This stage was prime time to step on the gas with some urgency... 3 threat targets are taken in any order

but with the requirement that you need to get a hit on each one quick then send second shot upon return

especially with wide distances between the three and considering they already could be firing upon you.

Three threats were 5, 6, and 7 yards from defendant's initial firing position. If real, they wouldn't stay still.

Firing sequence example: 1 on left - 1 on middle - 2 on right - return toward left -1 on middle - 1 on right

Standing in one spot conducting El Presidente 2 - 2 - 2 shot drills net unlikely survival in real situations,

so competitors were recommended to move while firing at the trio of threat targets and disperse quick hits.

After sending 6 (and only six) rounds at the 3 threat targets, the competitor would proactively reload and

fire another sequence preferably altered (right to left or middle then each side) with 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 1 order.

 

Then the competitor had to hit two 8" steel discs suspended on chains about 17 yards away. Redeeming

missed shots were allowed, but inevitably meant additional time was spent making sure hits were made.

No emergency situation with active threat shooters would allow defendant to keep firing till hits scored..!

Again; anyone boasting they shoot outstanding with their preferred gun(s) better hit every time with

each shot attempt, especially standing still!  Otherwise, shut up about how good you or your gun is.

Satisfying clang of metal impact and jolt of the disc with torquing chains signified a good hit on the steel.

 

'All American Ruger 10/22' competition

Undeniably the most popular and versatile semiauto rifle in America for decades (since 1964!)

and thus fitting to be paired with the 1911 single stack competition for challenge and sheer fun.

Optics (red dot or magnifying scope) give an edge indeed, so iron sight shooters had a 2-point

 scoring handicap to make tallying easier. Stages were straightforward; truly testing your ability.

However, the moment one thinks optics give too much advantage, sight-to-bore differences

need to be considered at various distances 5 to 15 yards and iron sights prove to be easier...

 

Stage 1 and 2; 15 yard standing: 10 rounds into 6" shoot-n-c target, 10 rounds into prairie dog target.

Scoring zone for prairie dog was a demanding 4" circle. The pesky varmint nearly 'got away' for some.

 

Stage 3 was to fire 5 rounds at three .75" shoot-n-c pasters, one each at 5, 6, and 7 yard distances.

Scoped rifle shooters often forgot on the first shot how their higher sight line would net a shot 1" low.

 

Competitors had to hit the 5 rounds per shoot-n-c pasters successfully but also had to maintain their

constant dot choice per paper. Thankfully everyone kept their shots on their left, middle, or right dot.

 

^ Three different results. 4 points, 2 points, 3 points.      ^ Stage 4: truly fun rapid-fire 10 rounds on steel!

 

Thank-You Appreciation Shoot for Shooting Sports Fair volunteers

   

 

Lunch is served! The bell always gets them running...       A hearty thank you to all the SSF volunteers!

 

To all present and those who weren't able to attend, thank you for your incredible efforts at SSF!
Attendees were able to join in some challenging events shown below:

SHOTSHELL ELIMINATION

Team vs Team event: rows and rows of 12ga hulls on chopsticks. Firearms to be used: all 22s.

 

Each team on signal had to eliminate all their shotshells. Absolutely not as easy as first seen.

 

12ga hulls would often spin on the chopsticks even if shooter scored a hit, making it a tough challenge.

What worked: solid center hit higher than middle of hull, shotshell rim, or perfect cut on chopstick itself.

 

 

Knowing how your 22 handgun or rifle shoots will make all the difference. Understanding sight-to-bore

shooting characteristics with your particular setup will be most crucial at distances closer than 20 yards.

Winning teams were awarded CCI Minimag ammo, always a welcome prize in shooting events!

4 HANDGUNS MIX

Random lineup of handguns in these 4 ammo cans...

Two teams run simultaneously, guns set up inside cans in state of readiness by mfg's design with 1 reload.

Revolver: loaded, with 1 spare speedloader.  Beretta: loaded, safety on, with 1 spare mag.

Sig: loaded, decocked, with 1 spare mag.  1911: loaded, safety on, with 1 spare mag.

 

Team effort:  4 shooters per team, other teams got to scramble the guns up while two teams stood by.

Coaches were allowed in event of unfamiliarity with guns. In reality, what if no one was there to help?

On signal, team members ran to the firing line, opened up their mystery ammo can and began firing.

 

 

Targets for each team were specified Shoot-N-Cs; and hitting the wrong targets penalized the team...

 

 

 

Some team members shot much better than they thought they would, especially with unfamiliar handguns.

Super fun; competitors build more skills through challenging events like these with unknowns thrown in.

Prizes were awarded for teams that won their respective stages.  Ladies team all smiles after their win.

 

9mm ammo, Pepper Spray and the very desirable steel ammo cans were prizes for the winners.

more Thank-You Appreciation Shoot Events for Shooting Sports Fair volunteers

CHOPSTICK CUT

 

A different and difficult challenge: Chopstick Cut! [instead of traditional wood cut (2x4s, 1x2s) shooting]

*  .22s only  *  4 people per team  *  tough resilient bamboo chopsticks, not the weak shattering type

*  two teams attempt to cut their twin chopsticks and send their side of the 2x4 crashing down first

* any impacts on upper or lower 2x4; your team loses the stage even if team had cut their chopsticks first

*  best two of three stages = winning team  *  handguns, rifles, irons, optics - no time limit, no ammo limit

But one mistake and your team loses!  Bamboo chopsticks are strong!  Shoot carefully not recklessly...

 

 

In most cases, there is no worry of unfair advantages with gear or ammo count... 

shoot too fast and then the inevitable yanking of trigger will equal high/low mistakes

competitors need to know how their rig shoots, especially if gun has raised sights/optics!

 

Spackling compound / tape works for the coverage of holes to prepare for next round.

 

 

Example above: Even though left side cut their twin chopsticks, their one low hit means right side wins...

GRAND SHOOT COMBO

CLAYS, PAPER, STEEL & WOOD CUT

 

 

This combination event has a flurry of activity and (hopefully!) brings out the best in teams of four!

Shooters must know how their firearm/sights/caliber will hit, and take care of their areas of responsibility.

Each 4 person team must have at least: one centerfire handgun shooter, one centerfire rifle shooter.

Other two on team may have .22 rimfire guns but remember a wood 2x4 also needs to be cut.

(If necessary, three on team can shoot .22 rimfire; just need a fair pairing of team vs team.)

 

On start signal it's mass shooting action across the line!  Here's the course of fire for team vs team activity:

Competition is designed to have individuals take out their targets of responsibility and work together.

Clays can be taken out by anyone, but must be obliterated from rail. Center punched clays do not count.

Ideally, the one person minimum with centerfire rifle takes care of two shoot-n-c targets downrange.

Each shoot-n-c target (one left, one right) must have only 5 hits in each. Call for help from another if

absolutely needed. Remember, your team members don't have time to shoot and miss these far shots.

 

After all clays are destroyed another one person minimum with centerfire handgun then must hit steel target.

Only upon successful impact of steel, entire team can concentrate firepower on center of 2x4 to cut it in half!

This team challenge reinforces how each person must know how their chosen firearm + equipment shoots

- and proves that even the best laid plans go out the window once the shooting starts...

Irons, red dots, magnified scopes, raised sight-above-bore considerations, balance of caliber /shot recovery

and even when standing still- making hits count amidst yelling and shouting confusion is tough as heck.

 

 

 

Some images from Fun Shoot special events...

Classic-to-Modern Guns Challenge

   

1887 lever shotgun - modified with Cowboy Action method of fast load - one in the tube, one in chamber.

This replica comes from Italy. Targets were 2x6 wood blocks. Paper targets in background for rifle stage.

   

Competitors fired M1carbine and AR15 from prone, from both shoulders at 1" red grid paper at 20 yards.

The catch before firing this AR was that it had to be assembled from bolt group / charging handle / upper

and lower half, loaded then attempt your best group on target. KAC rear sight was large (battle) aperture.

Prominent results thus were the unexpected but explainable better groups with M1carbine over AR15.

   

Double barreled coach shotgun on the 2x6 wood blocks. Everyone helped check, score and set targets.

   

Firing the FiveSeven and Glock handgun stage began with loading of the magazine from boxes of ammo.

   

Competitors then fired from any adjusted prone position they favored at shoot-n-c targets 20 yards away.

   

A special classic stage involved another Italian replica; a Taylors & Co 'Half-Pint Sharps' in .22 caliber.

Another stage had a Henry octagonal-barreled .22. Targets were 3" steel targets. Single action revolvers

were a must - absolutely iconic for representing the classic era and development of repeating firearms.

   

Bridging the revolver category from single to double action lockwork: a S&W 625 using moon clips.

Speed in loading and unloading (that competitors had to perform on both revolver types) was obvious

with the .45acp moon clip Smith 625, but it had to be fired in double action. Much tougher in shooting

small groups on the 8 yard shoot-n-c targets. Some suprised themselves in their excellent scores.

Modern Guns Top Gun Challenge

 

 

With HK P30 fire 3rds left hand only, 3rds right hand only, starting from double action each time.

With Sig P229 fire 3rds left hand only, 3rds right hand only, starting from double action each time.

S&W model 66 .38: load and fire 6rds two-handed strong side, then reload 6rds with speed loader.

All rounds must print within a 8x11 paper, shot briskly with a purpose. Shots off paper do not score.

 

 

Competitor picks up loaded, round chambered Kimber Classic 1911 .45 with single sided safety,

using left hand only, take safety off, fire 4 rounds at a 3 inch circle. Edge hits on circle do not count.

Then with a Browning Buckmark .22, competitor fires 5rds into 3 inch cirle. Edge hits do not count.

 

 

Load 5rds into magazine, reassemble field stripped AK-47, chamber and fire 5rds into 2.5" square.

Load 5rds into magazine, reassemble field stripped Glock, chamber and fire 5rds into 2.5" square.

Edge hits of square don't count. 3 min time limit reassemble and fire 5rds into square per each gun.

 

 

  

AR-15 challenge drill: from ground both left and right sides, fire 4rds each side, from each shoulder.

Must reload and fire maintaining lowest height possible from ground to replicate necessity of cover.

Edge hits of 3/4" red stickers also count for score. Requires understanding sight-to-bore relationship

when viewed from each side of body being on ground, from both shoulders at target 10 yards away.

 

 

Ruger 10/22 standing: 10rds from left shoulder, 10rds from right shoulder. All must print in 4" target.

Savage MKII .22 target bolt action two-handed 5 rounds from strong side only, must print in 1" circle.

No time limit, but purpose-driven decisive shooting keeps in line with the goal of this firing sequence.

   

Sling empty Rem 870 with 6rds in sidesaddle shell holder. Carry a 1000rd case of 45acp 15yds.

 

From kneeling, load and fire 4rds from shotgun, knock down 4 wood targets, load 2rds and hit 2 more.

Handgun Gauntlet

Handgun gauntlet event. Competitors fired 32 different handguns for score at various targets.

 

 

 

Defense, target and hunting handguns - various calibers, manufacturers, manual of arms.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

-  more pictures from fun shoot training sessions  -

  

Here's a focused small target drill - the aiming points to be hit are not the two large bullseyes; they are

the four SMALL bullseyes... Knowing how your sight picture needs to be at these distances is crucial!

  

Another fundamental and overlooked concept - firing at another demanding target thru a narrow port.

No bullet hits allowed on upper or lower barriers. Sight line 2.5 inch above bore must be considered.

  

Angled ports; challenging shots made from both shoulders - don't be comfortable only on one side!

  

Use of the common and affordable - and universally capable - handheld light such as Surefire . . .

Build up solid skills with all techniques AND from both sides. Dry then live practice reveals A LOT.

  

How many have regularly practiced this - and in live fire?? These skills need to be second nature!

Crucial, definite advantage to be accustomed to this should a defense situation occur in the future!

  

Being able to lock-in your grip and control both items smoothly is why one needs to train regularly!

Working out variables now , in daytime - is valuable for future opportunities in a night training class!

...and more Fun Shoot training sessions...

   

   

   

   

   

 Pictures from a HRA Fun Shoot event + ammunition testing:

Participants did lots of handgun and shotgun shooting . . .

   

Also, 'soaked phone book' tests were performed using different firearms and ammnition . . .

These tests are to show differences in bullet/projectile penetration with a very easy to prepare test (old phone (using old phone books) and give an indication of what the projectile can or cannot do . . .

   

12 gauge slug sent phone book flying off the table; revealing a small pass-thru hole upon landing.

Side view of same phone book shows more than average disruption of a soggy directory.

   

A .223 cal 55 gr FMJ zipped right thru another soaked phone book, yet fragmented completely.

The view of the phone book's exit of the bullet; at first look is impressive but remember:

(1) bullet totally fragmented, and (2) wet media has memory so it looks worse than if it was dry.

   

Another full metal jacket .223 showed keyhole effect upon exit. Further down this page there are more examples of bullet fragmentation, keyholing and deflection with other calibers as well.

   

This was a desired effect; a 45 grain .223 Hollow Point took the phone book down and all parts of the bullet remained in the phone book without exiting; dumping all its energy into the media.

   

A very challenging and learning experience was firing thru simulated hard obstructions and

observing different "sight height relationship to bore" situations. Using very common AR-15s

with a high sight plane (2.5 inches) above bore axis reveals what is needed to send bullets successfully thru a narrow opening as seen above. Left picture: bullets impact the 'obstruction'.

Right picture: requires more careful sight alignment but sends bullets unhindered to strike target.

Firing from side angle and from low perspectives is another training aspect; we will be training

for this in many fun shoot events; so bring out your carbines and rifles (calibers up to 7.62x39).

From another HRA Fun Shoot . . .

A very wet AK, more in the Firearms Tests section! The highlight is when it goes into the pond!

- Click here for extended abuse test on Vector AK -

 

Coverage of a HRA BBQ/Fun Match: many team events and lots of shooting!

   

LIFE instructors bring many of their firearms for others to try, helping others learn different guns.

After warm up and indoctrination to different handguns, the informal competition began at 1:30pm.

One of the competition stages was for the best 5 round group at 8 yards, two handed.

Sight picture and Trigger control truly makes the difference. It is much harder than one thinks.

Another stage required use of only the support hand to print the best 5 round group.

Using best technique is the only answer to stay in the running. You'll be amazed with the results.

Bowling pin (5 pins, 6 rounds) and wood cutting (team) events created even more excitement.

   

   

Dennis, Gordon, and Brian set up an array of ballistic test medium and cardboard witness sheets.

Instructors fired various calibers from rifles and handguns thru drywall and soaked phone books.

Phone books soaked in water (for days) and were placed on the test table to be shot.

Witness sheets reveal the bullet deviation (fragmenting pieces or keyhole tumbling) that occured.

   

Although bullet exits looked impressive, that is not necessarily occuring visibly in a real situation.

More wood cutting, this time with 12 gauge slugs fired from AK-type semiauto shotguns.

   

 The last hour of shooting continued hands-on live-fire practice as well as trying out more firearms.

   

Shown here is the blasting of water filled containers. Rifles and shotguns provide the best effect.

   

Sighting in with a newly set-up AR-15. This is a great time of equipment tests and camaraderie.

One of the abuse test AKs; hundreds of rounds fired in short order make for a smoking gun; and the smoke is coming from the laminated handguards - there was a wonderful smell of burning plywood, and the barrel steel was getting discolored. It took a while to for the metal to cool down.