'Deadly' Canadian snipers cut down enemy fighters

The Globe and Mail ^ | March 14, 2002 | DANIEL LEBLANC

[sargon]

'Deadly' Canadian snipers cut down enemy fighters

"Aim small, miss small."

[r9etb]

You want to judge a unit by its name? Let's get into it, asshole.

It was joke, son. I suggest you use a suppository and get straight to the doctor.

[Cap'n Crunch]

I haven't shot for score since I was in the service. I do have to qualify with all my weapons at the dept. but that's different.

I'd like to get out there and shoot iron sights all the way back to 1000. That would be great.

[NMC EXP]

I started with my rack grade DCM Garand in '85. Shot that for two seasons and maxed out at about 425 out of 500. Bought the M1A Supermatch, got it zeroed at 200 yards and at the first match (Illinois State Championship)with the M1A, shot a solid master score and I was in marksman class. Had my first clean in sitting (100-6X). I've never heard the word sandbagger (and a lot of expletives deleted with it) used so much since. So far, that was my highpoint.....I'm still an expert.

The AR15 types are interesting. The low recoil has got to be an advantage in rapid fire. Several of the guys I shot with went up a classification when they switched from the M1A to the AR. For me with the .30 calibers, if my position is tight and natural point of aim is correct, when I come down out of recoil my front sight is at 6 oclock. Take up the slack, and let it go.

Regards

J.R.

[Shooter 2.5]

I have a Remington 700 in .223 with a Leopold 20X. I thought that it wouldn't work for 1000 yards but yesterday I received a call from a friend that said that the new "Precision Shooting" magazine for this month has an article on shooting a thousand with .223's.

I can pick up the magazine at the next gunshow and see what they're talking about. There is a tactical[?] shooting range about 3 hours away that teaches a day class on 1000 yards. I wasn't all that interested because they won't allow .223's.

I would like to find a really good range and wind chart for my .223 loads. It's very easy to find charts for the .308. I put WeatherBug on my computer so I can learn to read the wind. I think anyone can learn to shoot and to write down elevation clicks. It's that wind that is so difficult. www.shooterready.com helps.

[Shooter 2.5]

"The low recoil has got to be an advantage in rapid fire. "

Absolutely. My last three sitting scores were 98, 99 and a 96. I noticed that when the group was running a verticle string, I wasn't leaning forward enough. The rifle was bobbing. I have to pay very close attention to the sling tension. The other thing I noticed about the AR was that I don't take the rifle off my shoulder to reload. I also cant the rifle just a little bit in order to hit the release button and I'm good to go. I also noticed that I was shooting faster than others even with the high scores. I think I was able to get them all in 45 or 50 seconds. Where I fail is the standing. I used to shoot .22 silhouette rifle and when I switched to high power, my standing scores were in the 90's. I have a hard time doing that now. The Texas wind is kicking my butt.

[Steve0113]

bump

[NMC EXP]

I never have been able to shoot a round group in rapid prone. I generally string vertically. The only time I averaged much above 90 offhand was when I dry fired 30 times every night offhand, and had an air rifle range in the basement. Air rifle at 10 meters will make you tough. Its easy to see your mistakes in sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control. The wind is tough. A Marine coach at Perry taught us to place the butt out of the pocket and actually on the arm. The rifle is then laying across your chest (don't know if it's legal) for more support. That keeps the rifle from blowing around, but doesn't stop you from blowing around. In the wind, I end up with the trap and skeet approach: See the bull flying toward my front sight and slam the trigger when it gets there. Dry firing a lot helps. Builds strength to allow you to hold in aiming position long enough for a lull in the wind to allow a controlled shot.

Gotta go for a while.

Regards

J.R.

[tet68]

Canada's snipers -- there are only a few dozen -- learn their trade at the Combat Training Centre at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick.

Now that's sad, just a few dozen, and they are trained in New Burnswick too. They should have a school in Afganistan!!!

Snipers up!

[gortklattu]

Damn, but that's an awful name for a military unit.

I think it's a great name!! Can you imagine the Taliban units saying that they were picked apart by a unit named for a princess??

[Chemist_Geek]

Can you imagine the Taliban units saying that they were picked apart by a unit named for a princess??

"Abdul, what happened to your unit? Who did this?"

(highly embarrassed) "Sir, it was... Pr... P... P... Princess Patricia's!"

Whoo-hoo! (looking to my south) Thanks guys!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Oh, I agree...I was quoting r9etb...

[Snowyman]

www.ppcli.com/home.htm

[Snowyman]

A Yank in the Pat's

Sgt. George, Harry Mullin, VC, MM George Mullin was born on the 15th of August 1892 in Portland, Oregan, USA. He enrolled with the 28th Infantry Battalion, joining the Princess Patricia's Light Infantry in the field on the 1st of March 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 6th of May 1915 and to Sergeant on the 2nd of June 1916. For his actions during the Battle of Passchendaele on the 30th of October 1917, he was awarded The Victoria Cross. The Citation accompanying the award reads as follows:

While machine gunners officer Hugh MacKenzie drew the German fire, Sergeant Mullin actually performed the incredible feat of taking the pill box single-handed. He rushed a sniper post in front and destroyed the garrison with bombs and crawling on top of the pill box, shot the two machine gunners with his revolver. Sergeant Mullin then rushed to another entrance and compelled the garrison of ten to surrender. His gallantry and fearlessness was witnessed by many and although rapid fire was directed in his purpose, he not only helped to save the situation but also indirectly saved many lives. "

Sergeant Mullin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and subsequently struck of strength of the Regiment in 1918. He died in Regina, Saskatchewan on the 5th of April 1964.

[Shooter 2.5]

"I never have been able to shoot a round group in rapid prone. "

I think that's common. The recoil upsets your position. Using that spray adhesive might help.

My problem with standing relates to my sleeping habits. I spent the last ten years on second shift and I can't seem to wake up. The first relay causes me to be sleepy, shaky and a bad disposition. I've noticed that it takes a week for my body to get on the early shift so I can shoot a match. I shoot with country types that are up at 5 AM. I have an IDPA match this weekend and I was up until two yesterday. Since I help to run the match, I can delay my shooting all the way until 10:00.

[arm958]

Operation Harpoon is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran of the Canadian Forces. He is leading 500 soldiers from the Edmonton-based Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and about 100 U.S. troops from the 10th Mountain Division. I'm a little surprised that no one's commented on this yet.

We're talking Canada here; the same Canada that stormed the beaches of Normandy with us. They aren't the stinking U.N.

[watcher1]

I hope his rifle is registered.

you boys still don't scare me

[Snowyman]

you boys still don't scare me

This may come as a bit of a shock to you but his job is not to scare you.