John Chambers
Member
Suarez International Advanced M4 Sniper/DMR class review
We worked from 0-700+ yards, trained on patrolling, principals of camo, and the use of the .22 LR as a sniper weapon system. Many lessons were learned!
The AARs from the attendees are spot on, but I want to point out a few things that were confirmed and a few sacred cows that were turned into BBQ!
1. The Howa 1500 Varmint in .308 is a sleeper of a sniper weapon system. The rifle Doc brought with him had the barrel trimmed to 20 inches and he mounted a SWFA Super Sniper optic. The rifle was already pillar bedded, and the trigger was adjusted to a crisp 2.5 pounds. With this simple system, he wore out the targets at over 700 yards. Every example of this rifle I have seen has been a stellar performer and they are regularly available for under $400!
2. Motion is one of the primary target indicators and it is of paramount importance to BE STIILL when you are in your fighting position. One of the drills had the students creating hasty camoflaged fighting positions using a mixture of local foliage, brush, and the burlap "sniper's cloak." After 30 minutes, we sent someone to the 600 yard line with binos and had them check the effectiveness of their camo. I stood directly behind the positions and the observer signaled whether they could see the shooters. As long as they did not move, they remained unseen.
3. Dead Cow Alert: AKs suck at distance, right? Nelson (Rafaga) and his son JR. were regularly connecting with a man size target at 700 yards. WITH A 7.62 x 39!!! The rifle had a TWS top cover, forearm, and a Vltor stock adapter. Optic was the Leatherwood CMR. The wind had quite the effect on that stubby little bullet, but once they had their dope figured, the hits just kept coming! BTW, this was witnessed by multiple spotters!
4. Dead Cow #2: Some will tell you that only those with infantry experience make good snipers. Not true at all, especially if you are working as an unconventional warrior. Highly creative persons come up with highly creative and unconventional ways of accomplishing the mission. Do not underestimate the ability of a "scum sucking civilian" when it comes to sniping. They do not look at things in the same way as a trained soldier or marine, and their methods will quite often surprise you! Their vehicle hides were crafty and very effective.
5. The ability of SI students to execute complex small unit tactics in a live fire setting is always impressive! Conventional, lowest common denominator training orgs would have multi-cam kittens over the exercises our students execute on a regular basis. Live fire cover of an assualting element? By civilians? Oh, the carnage that will ensue! Bravo Sierra, especially when it comes to our warriors!!
6. An integrally surpressed bolt action with subsonic ammo should be owned by all Guerrilla Snipers! Doc's weapon was impressive to say the least. It was quieter than a spring piston air rifle, and it was deadly accurate to over 200 yards. Doc tells us that the 220 grain RNSP at just over 1000 FPS is deadly on piggies! Quite simply, I must own one!! Only change I would make is to add a folding stock.
To conclude, do not miss the opportunity to come out for the DMR week next year! We will cram a weeks worth of training into five days, you will not regret the experience!
Full Student AAR: Advanced M4 Sniper/Designated Marksman
The AARs from the attendees are spot on, but I want to point out a few things that were confirmed and a few sacred cows that were turned into BBQ!
1. The Howa 1500 Varmint in .308 is a sleeper of a sniper weapon system. The rifle Doc brought with him had the barrel trimmed to 20 inches and he mounted a SWFA Super Sniper optic. The rifle was already pillar bedded, and the trigger was adjusted to a crisp 2.5 pounds. With this simple system, he wore out the targets at over 700 yards. Every example of this rifle I have seen has been a stellar performer and they are regularly available for under $400!
2. Motion is one of the primary target indicators and it is of paramount importance to BE STIILL when you are in your fighting position. One of the drills had the students creating hasty camoflaged fighting positions using a mixture of local foliage, brush, and the burlap "sniper's cloak." After 30 minutes, we sent someone to the 600 yard line with binos and had them check the effectiveness of their camo. I stood directly behind the positions and the observer signaled whether they could see the shooters. As long as they did not move, they remained unseen.
3. Dead Cow Alert: AKs suck at distance, right? Nelson (Rafaga) and his son JR. were regularly connecting with a man size target at 700 yards. WITH A 7.62 x 39!!! The rifle had a TWS top cover, forearm, and a Vltor stock adapter. Optic was the Leatherwood CMR. The wind had quite the effect on that stubby little bullet, but once they had their dope figured, the hits just kept coming! BTW, this was witnessed by multiple spotters!
4. Dead Cow #2: Some will tell you that only those with infantry experience make good snipers. Not true at all, especially if you are working as an unconventional warrior. Highly creative persons come up with highly creative and unconventional ways of accomplishing the mission. Do not underestimate the ability of a "scum sucking civilian" when it comes to sniping. They do not look at things in the same way as a trained soldier or marine, and their methods will quite often surprise you! Their vehicle hides were crafty and very effective.
5. The ability of SI students to execute complex small unit tactics in a live fire setting is always impressive! Conventional, lowest common denominator training orgs would have multi-cam kittens over the exercises our students execute on a regular basis. Live fire cover of an assualting element? By civilians? Oh, the carnage that will ensue! Bravo Sierra, especially when it comes to our warriors!!
6. An integrally surpressed bolt action with subsonic ammo should be owned by all Guerrilla Snipers! Doc's weapon was impressive to say the least. It was quieter than a spring piston air rifle, and it was deadly accurate to over 200 yards. Doc tells us that the 220 grain RNSP at just over 1000 FPS is deadly on piggies! Quite simply, I must own one!! Only change I would make is to add a folding stock.
To conclude, do not miss the opportunity to come out for the DMR week next year! We will cram a weeks worth of training into five days, you will not regret the experience!
Full Student AAR: Advanced M4 Sniper/Designated Marksman
