The ‘deadliest’ Marine on Parris Island reveals the secrets to his record-setting shooting

taskandpurpose ^

[AggregateThreat]

Marine Pfc. Austin Ferrell made headlines when he earned the title of deadliest shot at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, but the 21-year-old who grew up shooting in Culpepper, Virginia was actually hoping to shoot better than his record-breaking rifle qualification score.

Shooting an M16A4 rifle equipped with a 4X, fixed-power rifle combat optic, Ferrell broke the depot record for Table One rifle qualification in July with a total score of 248 out of 250.

The previous record on Table One — which includes shooting from the prone, kneeling and standing positions at target ranges of 200, 300 and 500 yards — was 247 out of 250.

[oh8eleven]

Not only use readers but have dry eye and cataract problems. Maggies' Drawers for sure.
  Can't (won't) go to the eye doctor until this Covid crap is over.
My area (Rochester NY) is one of the worst, averaging over 700 new cases a day.

[oh8eleven]

Gheeze, a tracking/shooting solution for a rifle?

[TokarevM57]

.....someone needs to do some proofreading...it is “Culpeper” Virginia, not “Culpepper”...a commomly made mistake but a mistake nonetheless.......

[kvanbrunt2]

“I am excited, but to be honest with you … I grew up shooting long-range, so a rifle that I built at home — at 500 yards, I could put all the shots in a coffee mug,” Ferrell told Military.com. “So me personally, I am not all that impressed with it.” In his own words

[SuperLuminal]

Definitely not the deadliest Marine...
The deadliest (for the moment continuing to use that asshole definition for "deadliest") Marines are the ones who qualified "expert" with iron sights... As I did in July 1951

Actually, it used to be that the "deadliest" Marine was any Marine that survived boot camp...
Of course that was before the pussification and wokeness of the last couple of decades became part of the training strategies...

IAC, it is performance in combat that is the principle measure of the term "deadliest"...

[MikeSteelBe]

Deadliest Marine?

Charles “Chuck” Mawhinney, more confirmed kills than Carlos Hathcock...

https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2020/02/07/this-marine-sniper-left-vietnam-with-103-confirmed-kills/

[PGalt]

T post HOORAY Marine Pfc. Austin Ferrell. CONGRATULATIONS, sir.

[PGalt]

My instructor, Marine (RIP) Ron Webster wanted me to go to Camp Perry, Ohio for civilian competition. Never made it. Family, life and work got in the way. Learned a lot from Ron. Thank you, sir. love

[Manly Warrior]

Uh, actually the A4 indeed has a pic rail fore end.

[MHGinTN]

Some luck indeed! The cartridge variations alone would be a negative. A granule or three of powder can make a difference at 500 yards

[Gay State Conservative]

When I arrived at Fort Knox in late 1969 I was a kid from the suburbs of Boston who had never even seen a firearm,let alone fired one.Yet I qualified as "Expert" with the M-14 (and "Sharpshooter" with the M-16).

I obviously can't be sure how I would have done qualifying as a Marine recruit however.

[Gay State Conservative]

I was lucky to have served under only two Commanders-In-Chief...Nixon and Ford.I swear I’d desert rather than serve under Obama,Plugs or Heels Up!

[doorgunner69]

I fired 241 with an M-14 with iron sights on pre-qual day at Parris Island in Feb 1968.

Qual Day we had a snowstorm. Blew snowflakes the size of quarters off my rear sights. Fired a 213 - bah humbug!

Similar to my experience at Edson range in 1965. Shot expert (do not recall score) on pre-qual day and the wind kicked up on qual day and I was lost what to do with the windage at 500 yds. Now I know I should have left it alone and watch the range flags for a lull, if that ever happened.

[SuperLuminal]

There you go!
😃
Excellent...

[itsahoot]

Gheeze, a tracking/shooting solution for a rifle?

I watched a video of a 12 or 13 year old girl shoot one of them and she never missed. Just have to have the money to pay for it and anyone can be a deadly sniper.

[RitchieAprile]

I’m suprised anyone shot expert with the battered old M14s we had, abused by countess trainees for years.

[Cvengr]

Double expert for 18 yrs, one yr I was the Range Safety Officer, and didn’t get to shoot till the last relay. Took a weapon from the rack uncalibrated, took 3 rounds of Maggies’ Drawers before I could find the hit off target. then show a high Sharpshooter.

Besides, the Sharpshooter Badge looks so much more impressive than the Expert except for those in the know.

Met lots of Distinguished Shooters since I got out though.

I still drive by young Marines walking with 4”-6” flash suppressors on their M16s today. A different Corps.

[nonsporting]

Uh, actually the A4 indeed has a pic rail fore end.

Unutilized. Extra $$$ for no functional benefit. Downside: heavier forearm, decreased ergonomics, heavier OAW.

Free-floatrd barrel?

[oh8eleven]

I remember when I shot Expert the first time I didn't want to give up the SS badge. Much more impressive!
Semper Fi ...

[Manly Warrior]

No, actually it has a knights armament or clone hand guard. Non free floating. Basically an A2 with flat top A3 upper receiver.

That said, the ACOG is a decent optic.

I shoot NRA /CMP High power and my A4 clone has a issue pic rail hand guard over a white oak free float tube.

With 75 or 80 grain long loaded bullets for 600 yds, it keeps them under a minute if I do my part. The leupold LPO certainly helps but I use irons as well for the mid range prone strings when required.