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Redcoat Target ~ A measure of PRONE Performance

2K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  navybowhunter 
#1 ·
For those that have yet to attend an Appleseed, the first and last target you will shoot each day will be a Redcoat Target.

The first target you will shoot, there will be zero instruction given (aside from safety stuff). You are told you can shoot the target in any position, with or without a sling for support.

Viewing your first Redcoat target can be embarassing, especially if you do not know the fundamentals of marksmanship. But, it is a GREAT training tool, and a great baseline measurement of your performance. I wish I had saved mine.

The Redcoat has 4 targets stacked vertically, silhouette type targets, and then 1 one inch (4 MOA) square off to the left. You have 13 rounds (magazine of 10, magazine of 3) to put 3 rounds in the top target, 3 below that, 3 below that and 1 in the one inch square.

Why 3 shots? 1 time is luck, twice could be coincidence, three times you are showing some skill.

The stacked targets are representative of distance. Largest to smallest, it is 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards and 400 yards. The targets get significantly smaller as you progress.

Then one shot on the 1 inch (4 MOA) square.

If you clean that target, be proud of that! If not, the distance where you got 3 consecutive shots is what we would consider your maximum effective range, or.....your current skill level.

Your goal should be to improve upon that morning redcoat performance at the end of the day.

If you listen and try what is being taught, you will absolutely improve.

I personally LOVE the redcoat target from an instructor perspective. After we teach the prone position, the proper use of the loop sling, natural point of aim, and the 6 steps to firing a shot, I can use the afternoon redcoat target to slam some points home.

Here is 1.....Front Sight Focus, or Reticle Focus.

I have seen thousands of Redcoat targets, and hundreds of "cleaned" Redcoat targets, but very few properly cleaned targets.

If a shooter can place 3 shots in the 400 yard silhouette and one shot in the 1 inch square, that is usually a very TINY group. Often times the shots look like a cloverleaf. But as the targets get larger, 9 times out of 10, the groups get larger. the 100 yard group of 3 is usually a 3 inch sized group. Why is that?

A properly cleaned (in my opinion) Redcoat target would have cloverleaf sized groups in all 4 silhouettes.

Here is why the groups get larger on the larger targets....

THE SHOOTER IS STARING AT THE TARGET! LOL....that simple.

The target sort of invites that, our standing targets on the AQT are HUGE and the 100 yard target on the Redcoat target is also huge.

The shooter has neglected front sight focus, or reticle focus in the case of a scope and has shifted the vision to the target, resulting in a very large group.

I hope this is making sense to those that have shot the Redcoat target. Self Analysis of your targets with the above in mind, just may result in an improvement.

If using a scoped rifle, you can train yourself to concentrate on the reticle by turning that scope power down to its lowest possible setting. No more than 4X would be what I would recommend.

We must follow the fundamentals of marksmanship on the large targets as we do with the tiny targets.

Perfect Practice will result in Perfect scores.

R/
Chris
 
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#2 ·
I have yet to attend an event so I haven't shot the Redcoat target properly but what you say here about "properly cleaning targets" at all distances is something I've had in my mind but haven't been able to put into words.

Starting out, I am trying my best to put all of the principles into action and wondering why I can get smallish groups on small targets but then they open up on larger targets.

Everyone has heard "aim small, miss small" or some variation of that theme but for me it has been more difficult than I had imagined. Now I see that I must have been staring at the target and not truly focusing on my reticle and THAT is perhaps a big reason why my groups change with a larger target.

I have a fixed 4x cheap scope at the moment and have been looking forward to the day when I get a 3-9x Leupold but, maybe what I have now is a blessing and will help me with fundamentals.

Thank you for presenting another fantastic topic of discussion - and giving me more work on :)
 
#3 ·
Flynn,

Your going to do just fine! Keep in mind, that this is only discussing prone. Group size will absolutelty grow larger in the seated and standing positions, and that is to be expected. BUT.....for all 3 positions, you still must focus on the reticle or front sight.

That 4X will work just fine for you!

One thing I would suggest/recommend, make sure that scope eyepiece or ocular, is as far FWD as you can get it on your rifle. Check that in seated and prone, for proper eye relief. That is something that can hinder performance.

What I have done for scopes on my 10/22s is I use the Tactical Solutions extended eye relief (cantilever) mounts.

I look forward to hearing how your first event goes.

R/
Chris
 
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