Matt in TN

Happy to be of service! And I know you know this already, but seeing as how we have people from 21 different states registered already - I'll let everyone else in on a little secret: Kentucky has hills!!! Here's an elevation map of the 5k Course: And here is the 10k Course elevation map:

Me too - glad you got in!

Wow - the 5k sold out in 11 minutes. I am humbled, and excited, and will do my best to meet and exceed your expectations! Be sure to get on the waitlist if you didn't get in. We normally have several cancellations as we get closer to match day for various reasons. We still have 39 10k slots left. Who's up for a bigger challenge?!?! https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register

Just a reminder - registration opens tomorrow morning at 10:00am central time. This match sold out in 20 minutes last year, so make plans to be there if you want to get in! Also - please note this is being run as TWO SEPARATE MATCHES: the 5k on Saturday and the 10k on Sunday. You can sign up to run in either, or both. But be sure you sign up for the correct match! Here is the link for the 5k registration: https://practiscore.com/5k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register Here is the link for the 10k registration: https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register

I wasn't going to share this until later, but with all the discussion it's had on Facebook I figure I need to repost it everywhere so it's fair for those anti-FBers. You might want to practice this before March if you're going to do the 10k:

Total required hit count: 68 rifle and 45 pistol (10k) 51 rifle and 31 pistol (5k) Now you know everything you need to know to decide whether you're going to register December 16th at 10:00am. I'll also post the obstacle details as we get closer, but there will be one obstacle for every shooting stage. Who is ready???

Stage 7 (10k), which also happens to be Stage 5 (5k): Magpul’s Fight To Your Rifle Pistol Bays Begin sitting in a chair with your pistol holstered and your rifle unloaded on a table. On the buzzer, hit 5 steel pistol targets while seated. The 5th target will activate a moving paper target, which takes 3 hits to neutralize. Move to next shooting position and hit 5 more steel pistol targets, and once again the 5th target activates a moving paper target which takes 3 hits to neutralize. Reholster hot pistol safely. Retrieve your rifle from the table, load, and hit all six plates on the 50yd rifle plate rack to finish. 10 second FTN penalty for any steel not knocked down or paper with less than 3 hits.

Two week warning: Registration will open at 10:00am Central Time on Saturday, December 16, 2017. Below are the links to the TWO match registrations. Note that this will be run as TWO SEPARATE MATCHES on consecutive days. Be sure you register for the right match - or register for both if you want to do the unofficial "15k Challenge"! https://practiscore.com/5k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register https://practiscore.com/10k-rockcastle-run-n-gun-2018/register We've had some issues with people who register and don't show up at past matches, which really sucks for everyone on the waitlist who can't get in. So I'm requiring full payment at the time of registration now. Be prepared to pay your match fee online when you register. The cancellation policy is firm and no exceptions will be made. It will also likely take several days and multiple communications to get a refund issued, so please be patient if you end up having to go this route. Full refunds will be given if you withdraw more than 30 days before the match. Half your fee will be refunded if you withdraw between 14-29 days before the match. NO REFUND will be given if you withdraw less than 14 days before the match. Lastly - I'm trying to simplify match day a little, so I'm collecting all the data I can during registration instead of on match day on your scorecard. This is purely voluntary - but I'd appreciate very much if everyone filled out the registration form completely.

Stage 6 (10k), which also happens to be Stage 4 (5k): Sierra Bullets' The Rifleman Powerline Cut On the buzzer, make two rifle hits from standing on 10” 120 yd targets, two rifle hits from sitting or kneeling on 10” 200 yd targets, and two rifle hits from prone on 10” 300 yd targets. Targets will have a high contrast backer to be more easily visible this year, and if nothing goes wrong we'll have two targets at each position so the ROs won't have to try to call hits on an already swinging target. This is essentially identical to last year's stage at this location. This is such a great test of the fundamentals of positional rifle shooting I plan to have it as a "standard" stage until everyone is complaining that it's just too easy. :-) And please take a moment to thank Sierra Bullets (https://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm) for sponsoring this stage and providing $1,150 in bullet certificates for the prize table!

Stage 5 (10k): Shooter's Choice Cedar Point On the buzzer, hit 4 steel pistol targets from first position/barricade strong hand only. Move to second position/barricade and hit 4 more steel pistol targets weak hand only. Move to third position (VTAC wall) and hit 4 final steel pistol targets. The first 12 pistol targets will range from 10 to 25 yds. Make two hits on a B/C zone steel torso at 50 yds to finish. Shooter can either make those 50 yd hits with his pistol, or safely holster his hot pistol, unsling and load his rifle, and make those hits with his rifle. Training tip: If you can reliably make 50yd hits with your pistol you'll have a HUGE time advantage over those who have to transition to rifle to make the last two hits. Put in some practice time making longer pistol hits and it will pay off well! Oh yeah - practice shooting a pistol strong hand only, weak hand only, and from awkward positions too. :-)

I'm happy to announce Rockcastle Training (https://www.rockcastleshootingcenter.com/online-store https://www.facebook.com/rockcastletraining/) has agreed to not only sponsor an obstacle, but design and build it as well! Justin Vititoe already asked me if he could make everyone start a fire with a bow drill as the "obstacle" - I told him we'd be there all day long waiting for people to finish! I would love to see a hundred bow drills going in the parking lot after the match though. Be sure to come to one of Justin's classes so you can learn how to do it - and post up here some ideas for him to consider for obstacles!

OK - after Stage 3 is where the route splits. Here is Stage 4 for the 10k folks. We'll rejoin the 5k people in a few weeks. Supported Shooting & Moving: Pistol Mountain, Stage 4 (10k) On the buzzer, move to the first position and make one hit on each 10” rifle target at approximately 100, 200, and 300 yds. Move the next position, putting three hits on a paper torso on the way (WHILE MOVING), and hit the same targets again. Move to the final position, putting three hits on a second paper torso on the way (WHILE MOVING), and hit each target one final time. Various means of support will be available at each position for the rifleman to use or not use as they see fit. The three “supports” will be a tank trap, some kind of natural support (tree, rock, etc.), and whatever else I can find nearby for the 3rd.

I am excited to announce Sierra Bullets (https://www.sierrabullets.com/) just joined on as a stage sponsor. They have pledged $1,150 in bullets for our prize table!

The hits just keep on coming - please welcome Zero Bullets as a sponsor! https://www.rozedist.com/

:-(

Stage 3: Booby Traps! The Cave Leave your rifle (and pack, if necessary) outside and enter the cave. Move forward on your own, keeping your pistol HOLSTERED, until you see a “Wait Here” sign or find an RO and start your wait time if necessary. You will need a light NOT ATTACHED to your weapon for navigation just to get to the start line – if you do not have a light on your person when you arrive you will not be allowed to enter, and will zero this stage. You may have any type of light you wish, and you may use a weapon light in the stage if you wish – but you CANNOT draw your pistol before you begin the shooting stage. There will be ROs and other shooters in front of you, and they will not respond kindly to having the business end of your pistol pointed at them. On the buzzer, move forward and put three pistol hits on each of 5 targets from marked shooting boxes as you find them to neutralize. Hidden along the path will be multiple booby traps that trigger “claymores” (bright lights). For each booby trap you trigger, 60 seconds will be added to your shoot time. Tread carefully! Any hits on “no shoot” targets will add 20 seconds to your shoot score for each target hit.

I am pleased to announce Dillon Precision (https://www.dillonprecision.com/) just signed on as a sponsor. Please thank them for their support of our match!

I am thrilled to announce we just signed our first Stage Sponsor: Magpul Industries Corporation (https://www.magpul.com/) has generously donated almost $3,000.00 worth of product to our match!

I'm happy to announce ASE Precision (https://www.facebook.com/ASEPrecision/) has signed on as an obstacle sponsor, and chosen the Pistol Bays (Stage 5 for the 5k and Stage 7 for the 10k) for their obstacle location. Dustin Downard (the owner) told me he had a great idea for an obstacle that involves shooting one of his ACRs. It was a punishment in Basic that he wanted to do in an event but "no one wanted to get dirty".

Stage 2: $%#&ing VTAC Cowboy Town Begin outside barn. On the buzzer, make three rifle hits on the paper torso to neutralize. Move into barn and make three rifle hits on paper torso outside of barn from within barn. Move to the VTAC Board and shoot any of three 100yd 10” steel targets through all nine ports (one hit through each port). Shoot the targets that are NOT swinging to help ROs make the hit calls. Any hits on “no shoot” targets will add 20 seconds to your shoot score for each target hit. Training Tip: If you can shoot while moving you will be MUCH faster getting through the first two targets. Just don’t get in TOO much of a hurry as “no shoots” will be nearby to keep you honest. The VTAC barricade is designed to test your ability to shoot a rifle from awkward positions. I highly suggest not only practicing from awkward positions, but understanding exactly where your rifle shoots when it is canted at various degrees. The targets will be small enough and far enough away canted ballistics will come in to play.

Nooooo!!!!

The Supernova is the easiest answer for an "out of the box" shotgun. The 870 is cheaper on the front end and works well until you start to get faster with it - then it needs a modification to the action bars to keep up with you. It's a pretty simple mod if you have a welder and a file (or even better - a mill), but it's not something anybody really does commercially. I shoot the 870.

I'm going to do things a bit differently this year: there will be no "blind" stages with the exception of the cave (you'll see!). I'll post every detail of every stage BEFORE registration opens you can not only know what you're getting into and decide if you want to come, but also know what to practice. The entire point of this kind of match is to develop a bunch of skilled marksmen in great physical shape - and if posting a detail of the COF inspires you to train in a new way, then GREAT! So here's Stage 1: Grenade!!! The competitor will throw a dummy grenade into a “campfire” (empty tire) around which 3 enemies have gathered, then duck fully behind cover to guard against shrapnel from the grenade. On the buzzer, the RO will call “CLEAR” if the grenade stayed in the tire, and you can consider those 3 targets neutralized and move on. If the RO calls “ENGAGE” the grenade did not remain in the tire and you must put three rifle hits on each target to neutralize. Move to next shooting position and hit 3 targets on the 50 yd rifle plate rack around the left side of the barricade. Move to the next shooting position and hit 3 targets on the 50 yd rifle plate rack around the right side of the barricade. Move to the final shooting position and make three rifle hits each on three targets. Fault lines are set back from edge of barricade to give an advantage to people who can shoot from either shoulder, but close enough that people CAN shoot from the “wrong” shoulder and just be super awkward/contorted. Each side of the barricade and 3 targets on the plate rack will be painted the same color to make it clear which gets shot from where. 10 second FTN penalty if you shoot the wrong targets from the wrong position, or for failing to get 3 hits on a paper target. Paper targets may be moving.

Thanks to everyone who braved the rain. This was the most challenging pistol match I have shot in a long time. Hard on the ego; GREAT for the skills!

Here's the 5k Course Map. Anyone who has run here before will recognize it is identical to what we ran in September, and pretty darn close to what we did last March. I'm leaning toward making this the LAST time we use this same course - but I'd like to hear from everyone about it: Would you like the variety of running new places every few matches, or would you rather be able to compare your times on the same course year-to-year to track your progress and see how much you've improved? It's not like the course will get any easier every time you do it! And if you want new courses - how do you like the idea of carpooling to a remote start line and running in to finish at the Lodge? Or backtracking/crisscrossing in paths that don't necessarily make as much "sense" as a nice loop, but still provide the mileage and get you to interesting shooting locations and obstacles? Rockcastle Shooting Center is so huge and has so many trails the possibilities are almost endless - the only hard part is keeping the mileage down to something reasonable, and keeping anyone from wandering downrange of shooting locations while running.