Tac Pro Shooting Center Hosts Snipers Paradises 4^TH Annual Sniper Challenge

by

Jacob Gottfredson

Tac Pro Shooting Center

I had traveled from Corpus Christi to Utah, to Rapid City, South Dakota, then turned back south through Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and finally crossed the northern border of Texas once again, relishing the first 3 weeks of my retirement. The shooting center I was looking for was west of Dallas and about 18 miles north of Stephenville, Texas on highway 108. I glanced from the map to the road and then to the rolling, wooded hills. I had to be getting close. The entrance is marked by a large white sign with an English crest a fierce, red lion rearing on its hind legs.

Finally, there it was. I entered the grounds and drove 100 yards or so up a hill to where I saw a house that, to someone who did not know any better, looked every bit the typical Texas working ranch. And in some ways it was. Geese took an immediate dislike to me, horses and cattle grazed in the north pasture, and your everyday friendly 4 dogs and 3 cats greeted me. The shooting ranges I expected to see were not immediately evident.

A knock on the door produced a lovely young lady with auburn hair and an English accent, who, I might add, was busy as all get out.

Tac Pro Shooting Center is the creation of Bill and Alice Davison. Bloody Brits, they are, and fascinating. She is sweet, English aristocracy of the fox hunting and dressage crowd, while he is the sharp witted, no nonsense, Royal Marine. It didnt take 30 minutes for me to realize I wanted them as life long friends.

They offered tea, I opted for coffee, and they introduced me to their (almost) 3 year old daughter, Katy. I listened intently. Alice had been an accountant at a large corporation in England. On her off hours she had become an equestrian champion in the sport of dressage, cross-country, and jumping, a three day event. She was, I learned, also an avid foxhunter. Pictures of both adorned the walls near the table where we sat.

I asked how she had come to meet such a burly fellow as Bill. A slight smile crossed her face as she explained that among her many other interests, she was the treasurer of a shooting club we all familiar with: Bisley. Bill was a bodyguard at the time that he visited the club. You can figure out the rest.

Bills story is a montage of military training and expertise. He had spent a stint in the Army, didnt care much for it, and left for other opportunities. The other opportunity turned out to be the Royal Marines, a unit much more to his liking. He trained hard and steadily for many years in the Marines. It was his extraordinary training that finally led him to form his own company, True Line Associates, a company of security consultants, bodyguards, and surveillance specialists. It was during this period (or thereabouts) that Bill worked as a bodyguard for royalty, rich oil sheiks, and other notables.

Two things happened to Bill and Alice in approximately the same time frame. First they were married in Victoria Falls, Africa while on Safari, and second, the handgun ban in England got under way. Having traveled in both Africa and America, Bill and Alice began planning their exodus from what Bill saw as an intolerable infringement on his privacy and rights. Where to go: Africa or America? Bill had been to the Texas Hill Country on training engagements and was taken by it. The decision was made. Bill and Alice packed all their belongings and headed to the new world. Once here they began building what is and will surely soon be known as one of the finest and foremost professional tactical training centers in the country.

Bill has over 20 years of firearms experience, 14 of which was with the British Special Forces. He was instrumental in developing the firearms training for Special Forces in the United Kingdom and the United States. He has instructed worldwide and has been featured in Elite Special Forces documentaries.

While Tac Pro Shooting Center continues to run courses for law enforcement and military, it is also available to civilians. The center has the ability to shoot 1000 yards and is as diversified as sporting clays, autos, and pistols. The courses at Tac Pro are too numerous to list here. His stats are at the end of this article.

The Rains Came, The Earth Softened To A Sticky Mud, And The Shooting Began

At the hotel that night I could hear the rain begin. I had skirted its wrath for 25 days in 9 states. I knew it had been too good to be true. I woke and with cigarette in hand stood outside my hotel room watching it come down. The match would start in few hours, and the surprises would soon begin as well.

This match was populated with a lot of people I did not know and had not seen shoot before. I watched as they dropped on their bellies in the mud and bolted cases into their rifles for a long series of speed events. Meanwhile, other groups were on the long courses, others at unknown distances, the logistics of which I did not doubt would soon break wide open. After a couple of hours of this, I could not recognize even the fellows I did know.

The rattle of bolts, the spin of hundreds of bullets, and the firm shouts of the range masters broke the silence and the tranquil beauty of the Hill Countrys wooded surroundings. Soon soaked, cold, and weighted by mud, I surprised myself by realizing that I was happy as a hog in to be a part of it.

The walk between the ranges built by Bill and Alice was sometimes long and arduous in the mud over the 550-acre facility. But each new course was an interesting challenge. The different type of rifles and scopes used caught my eye.

Equipment at the Match

Statistics Provided by Thomas Blahnik of Snipers Paradise

31 teams

62 shooters

12 Range Officers

Rifles/Actions Listed

Rem 700 31

M1A 2

Savage 2

Winchester M70 5

AI 2

M25 2

KMW 1

AR15 1

HS Precision 2

AR10 1

McMillian 1

Optics Listed

Leupold 28

USO 2

Night Force 9

Horus 6

Nikon 1

Redfield 1

Springfield 2

S&B 4

Tasco 1

Burris 1

Calibers Listed

.308 35

.223 1

.224 1

.284 1

6.5/08 1

6.5/284 1

6.5 1

30/06 1

300wm 8

7mm 2

260 1

Ammo Listed

Black Hills 10

Federal 15

Sierra bullets (handload) - 5

Winchester 2

Handloads (unknown) - 21

Military 2

(Authors note: Black Hills uses Sierra bullets. Federal uses Sierra bullets. There were 5 people who we know used Sierra bullets to handload. By my count, that means that at least of the competitors used Sierra bullets, and it was probably more. While the list above is not complete, it does give you some idea of what shooters are using.)

The Anatomy of a Hit

Many of the readers of this magazine and Precision Shooting are rifle competitors in the traditional sense of the word, meaning that the target at which they shoot is static, is always the same at every match, and the delivery varies little from competitor to competitor. And within those types of competition, a hit is often scored for either size of group (precision, if you will) or where on the target the bullet hits (accuracy). Range accommodations and physical demands are generally comfortable. Stress is largely a self-induced (imaginary) emotion.

I am not giving you new information by saying that sniper and tactical matches are about as opposite to that of other rifle competition as could possibly be. Stress is both self-induced and match induced. If fact if a mind could sweat, sniper competition is a mind sweat. Range accommodations and physical demands are not only difficult, but they are meant to be. One might imagine then that the anatomy of a hit is different as well.

To a sniper or tactical shooter, a hit has situational significance. If a bad guy has a hostage in close cover, a hit must be accurate, and the rifle, the components, and the delivery must be precise. The accommodations and physical demands of the event will vary considerably from any previous shot the Law Enforcement or Military shooter has every taken before. It is for this reason that training and matches for the sniper and tactical shooter are the product of the range officers imagination. No two matches are alike and should not be. Thus, since there is no strict process or rulebook procedure for determining a course or event, there is no strict process or rulebook procedure for determining a hit. A hit has to be productive. That is, a hit has to be what the Range Officer tells you it has to be prior to sending the shot or shots. Another way to put it is: A productive hit has situational significance. And the process must challenge the shooter to determine how best to make the hit in all kinds of conditions, both fair and adverse.

The top 3 teams and the top 3 shooters in this years Snipers Paradise Challenge shot approximately 68 percent. That is extremely good considering the stress, accommodations, rain, mud, and the 600 yard walks from one firing position to another over 3 days. Targets ranged from 1 inch dots at 100 yards to 12" LaRues at 1000. And from identifying a face from among 60 others and hitting it 10 times to remembering 12 or so objects that the competitor was shown an hour earlier. And from identifying, ranging, and hitting a target, to shooting the rifle sideways, to shooting over their partners back in the standing position.

Consider, for example, that a sniper rifle is acceptable that is only good for 1 MOA accuracy. A benchrest shooter would faint. But the anatomy of a hit has less to do with pure accuracy than it does with producing the hit. While that might sound inconsistent, consider this. A 1 MOA rifle will produce 10 inch groups at 1000 yards, all things being equal. A standard LaRue steel target used in competition is about 11 inches wide. The main body is about 12" tall. The head is about 6 inches tall by 6 inches wide, making the body + the head about 18 inches tall. The very bottom of the LaRue tapers in for about 4 inches, making the overall height about 22 inches. Thus, the target is 11 x22 inches, the head and bottom being less wide. Consider further that the standard 175 grain, .308 bullet moves sideways about 100 inches in a 10 mph wind and climbs to an altitude of about 145 inches. Thats about 10 inches per 1 mph lateral movement. Think about it: The range officer tells the sniper to fire. He must do so in the next 10 seconds. If the wind changes or switches just one mph, the sniper will miss the LaRue 5 inches if he does not change his hold. A 1 MOA rifle is not the problem, the conditions are. The sniper is fighting conditions, not the lack of pure accuracy of his rifle. And at all distances the sniper must concentrate on technique if the shot is to be productive.

The Sniper Challenge Course of Fire

I believe the Course of Fire (COF) will have considerable interest to many to see what this particular sniper organization includes in their matches. I also think it will have a lot of interest to those among us who are into hunting, field shooting, etc. Keep in mind that these events were shot in 2.5 days in rain and mud. Remember also that this is a team event, meaning a spotter and shooter. However, individual scores are followed to name the top individual shooters. This COF is not given to the shooters until registration the day of the match. No shooter knows exactly what the COF will be until then. Note that even though the COF is given to the shooters the day of the match, the distances are not always given. For example, the match may be at only one distance, but the information given is: 25 to 800 yards. The distance is not known until the target is approached.

"5-Dot Precision": - ( 20 seconds)

A standard 5-dot drill consisting of (5) 1" dots placed on a simulated paper head at 100 yards. Shooters will begin firing at the whistle and stop firing on the whistle. Any shots taken before or after the command will be scored as a penalty (-20 points for that shot).

10-Dot Right: - Similar to 5 Dot Drill but a Bit More Time

10-Dot Left: - Similar to 5 dot but a bit more time, However, each Competitor must shoot from his/her weak side.

Pinpoint Repeatability: - (5 minutes)

This is designed to test the shooters ability to repeatedly find their same cheek weld and engage a pinpoint target. This will try to simulate LEO situations where the shooter may find himself getting off and on his optics repeatedly over the entire course of a callout. Shooters will be given a target with (9) 3" bullseyes, 9 rounds of ammunition at 100 yards, and a 10 question test. Only Xs are counted.

"Standing": - (5 minutes)

A drill consisting of (5) 3" dots placed at 100 yards. Shooters will begin firing at the whistle and stop firing on the whistle. Any shots taken before or after the command will be scored as a penalty (-20 points for that shot). Shooters will be given 5 minutes to engage all 5 targets. The shooter can use his partner as a steady rest.

"Sniper Golf"- (2 minutes)

Shooters will engage 5 golf balls each. Two golf balls at each distance of 100, 150, and one at 200, hanging by a string (and possibly blowing in the wind). Each ball at each distance is painted one of five colors (IE blue, green, red, orange, yellow) to help each shooter identify their target (same color at all three distances) and to help the ROs determine if a ball was "nicked." Any round that does not make contact with the golf ball will not count as a hit (I.E. breaks the string or ricochets off the steel).

"Target Detection" - (1 minute)

This event will test the shooters ability to pick out a target among many non-targets. A target area with approximately 60 different faces will be presented to the shooter at 50 to 200 yards. They will then be given a picture and 1 minute to study the details. The shooters will then have to find their target in the target area and place one round in the kill zone when given a green light. Shooters will be required to stand up, then get down and be given 1 minute to engage a second time. This process will be repeated 5 times.

"Know Your Limitations"- (2 minutes)

A series of targets that get progressively smaller to simulate varying exposure levels or sizes and from 50 to 100 yards. The team will engage only the target(s) they feel they can successfully hit. Points will be rewarded for hits while a miss will be scored as a zero for the entire event. The team may stop at any time and keep the points they have earned up to that point. Point Value: 100 total [(10) 1 hit | (30) 2 hits | (60) 3 hits | (100) 4 hits

"1000 yard wonderland" or "1000 yard wonder where itll land?" - (3 minutes)

Shooters will engage a single steel silhouette target at 1000 yards. Each shooter will engage the target with 10 rounds. The target is scored as a hit or miss. The target is a 12" steel LaRue (11.75 inches wide by 22 inches tall).

"Cold Bore" - (45 seconds)

A standard "Cold Clean Bore" shot. Both team members will fire at once since a spotter has nothing to adjust or change for the shooter. The target will be a 1" dot on a paper target between 25-100 yards.

"Unknown Distance Cold Bore" - (2 minutes)

A standard "Cold Clean Bore" shot, except the team must locate the target, range the target with any available tools or equipment, and engage with (1) one round. 25 to 800 yards on a hidden steel LaRue. (Author: It was about 600 + yards away)

"unknown Distance" - (2 minutes)

Pond Events

"The Pond" events will be a combination of several events that will thoroughly task the team. This event is designed as a learning tool for target detection, range estimation, wind call, shot placement, as well as a team cohesion test. If the team members do not work together, then this event will exploit that weakness.

"The Pond" is comprised of 6 scoreable events worth a total of 500 points per shooter, or 1000 points for the team. Consists of 4 hidden targets per shooter. 2 minutes allowed for each shooter. 25 to 800 yards.

"Barricade Positions - (7 minutes)

Stress will be self-induced in this event. Shooters will begin firing at the whistle and stop firing on the whistle (7 min). Any shots taken before or after the command will score as a penalty (-10 points for that shot). The spotter may help spot impacts and hand over ammo. The target will be (10) ten 2MOA circles on paper. Shooters will put 1 round in each circle. Only 1 round per target will be scored, anything more will be discounted.

At the barricade:

2 shots side prone (bolt side up)

1 shot weak side Prone

1 shot weak side sitting

2 shots (strong side) standing

1 shot strong side kneeling

1 shot strong side sitting

1 shot strong side prone

"KIMS"

Each team will begin by having 2 minutes (1 team at a time) to view 10 items for the KIMS event. The shooters MAY NOT record the items or details about the items at any time prior to the scoring portion and ONLY THEN on the official score sheet. If any "cheat sheets" or notes of any kind are taken, used, or discovered by range officials, the shooters will receive a score of zero points for that event PLUS they will be penalized 200 points on their overall scores. After the initial 2 minutes the team will move to the firing point and continue "The Pond" events. The actual test portion will be at the end of the Pond Events.

"BeamHit Virtual Sniper "

This is a "virtual" event put on and run by BeamHit. BeamHit has a new military grade sniper training system that they will be running this event on. This event as well as all scoring will be conducted by BeamHit personnel.

"Range Estimation"

The Range Estimation will be scored separately from "The Patrol," but will be run in conjunction with it. Shooters will find the target and write in the range on the supplied score sheet. Shooters must be within a +/- 5% error margin to get credit for that target.

"Tie Breaker"- (5 minutes)

At the end of normal competition, any shooters that are tied for the top three places will shoot. These shooters will engage a paper target with a 3" shoot-n-see. Ties will be settled by the following order if necessary: 1) Number of rounds inside the black 2) Number of rounds inside the x-ring 3) Group size. Distance 200 yards.

The list of events (that were changed slightly during the competition) was completed in 2 days with approximately 62 competitors. A logistical challenge (nightmare) that I thought was extremely well executed. The total points were worked out to be approximately 3600 points per team and 1800 points per individual. Even though the conditions were difficult, the top shooters did very well, shooting around the 68% level.

Top 5 Teams & Scores

1. Bennie Cooley & Michael Voigt . 2418

2.  Trina & James Anthony . 2411

3.  Pete Carpentier & Alen Donaldson . 2232

4. Brad Cole & James Darst .. 2200

5. Dan Barber & Chris Rogers .. 2196

Top 10 individuals, Scores, and Caliber Used

1. James Anthony 1234.5 / .308

2. Michael Voigt . 1231.5 / 6.5x284

3. Michael Dowd . 1206 / .308

4. Bennie Cooley 1186.5 / 6.5-08

5. Trina Anthony . 1176.5 / .308

6. Jim Clark .. 1169 / .308

7. Dan Barber .. 1160 / .308

8. Jay Martin 1155.5 / .308

9. Alen Donaldson . 1131.5 / .308

10. James Darst 1126 / .260

I have entered the caliber above from that given to Snipers Paradise by the competitors. Some individuals

did not submit the information, and I took a guess from what I remember.

Some of the Winning Shooters and Their Equipment

I took pictures of some of the winners at the match. However, when the winning team was named, there was no one there to accept. The picture, shown below, included only the trophies. I attended the Shot Show in February, 2002 following this match that was shot the end of October, 2003. While walking the floor and checking the booths, I ran into Michael Voigt and Bennie Cooley, who were absent from the first place photo, checking out the scopes at the Horus Vision booth. I had to take their picture in front of the Horus Vision banner as they were the primary sponsors, and it seemed fittingly apropos. I also felt quite guilty at not knowing that both are famous within the shooting world. The next day, in fact, I spent time watching Michael give a demonstration with such notables as Rob Leatham, Doug Koenig, and one of the Olympic shooting team members at the Safariland booth in front of about 200 idolizing spectators. I wondered what in the world I had been doing at a match with such icons of the shooting world. Taking best hold of my reporter nature, I cornered Michael and made him write down the equipment he and Bennie were using.