The Gun Run July 17th @ The Sawmill in Laurens, SC

Tim

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The Gun Run is a 5k +/- Centerfire Biathlon that'll take you over the hills, through the woods, across the river...Carry your rifle, pistol, water and enough ammo for 5 stages of shooting fun. Run, walk, mosey, skip...do it all at your own pace. But most of all it's just a blast with great people hanging out together doing fun stuff with guns.

Round count is usually ~40 each rifle and pistol, so it's definitely manageable.

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The Gun Run is a center fire biathlon. The Gun Run provides shooting events for Second Amendment supporters.
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July 17th at The Sawmill in Laurens, SC.

Camp on-site the night before for the full immersion experience!

If you're an LEO from South Carolina, hit me up. I have 1 ticket to give away for an SC based LEO. I should say Ellis, the match director, has a ticket to give away, I'm just the messenger.
 
No SC LEOs are up for the challenge?!
 
Would be fun to dress like a cowboy and use a lever gun / revolver.
 
GeorgeBush said:
Would be fun to dress like a cowboy and use a lever gun / revolver.
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The last Gun Run actually had a “Lever Gun Challenge”. Several ran levers and single actions. This group is all about the fun.
 
Well, wish me luck. Running with the RO's tomorrow, working it Saturday. This seemed like a much better idea when it wasn't 90* and 100% humidity!

Anybody else going?
 
Today was RSO day. Meaning all of the runners today are veteran Run-n-Gun types that have been there done that.

It was hot as freaking Hades. And humid beyond belief. And…the route is steep, through exposed areas with no shade.

I did not finish. That’s a first for me. I tapped out about 2/3 of the way through when my heart was racing, getting dizzy and feeling faint. I had been hydrating all week and drank 82oz of sugar free Gatorade and water this morning before running around 1pm.

At least 1 other RO tapped out. To a man they all said this was the hardest one they’ve been to.

Tomorrow we have ~80 runners coming through. Heat is no joke, we are going to keep a close eye on every one of them as they come through.
 
Tim said:
Today was RSO day. Meaning all of the runners today are veteran Run-n-Gun types that have been there done that.

It was hot as freaking Hades. And humid beyond belief. And…the route is steep, through exposed areas with no shade.

I did not finish. That’s a first for me. I tapped out about 2/3 of the way through when my heart was racing, getting dizzy and feeling faint. I had been hydrating all week and drank 82oz of sugar free Gatorade and water this morning before running around 1pm.

At least 1 other RO tapped out. To a man they all said this was the hardest one they’ve been to.

Tomorrow we have ~80 runners coming through. Heat is no joke, we are going to keep a close eye on every one of them as they come through.
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Gatorade isn't good enough. You need pedialyte or drip drop next time
 
Just got home from the festivities. Ellis, the Match Director, put on an awesome match as usual. Super well organized, no admin glitches at all.

Total course length was only 3.5 miles. Along the way you waded the river, crawled under barbed wires, climbed a 3 story conex box tower (think Navy ship ladders) carrying a 60# sandbag dummy, went over a log obstacle, and generally climbed or descended hills every step of the way. In high heat and humidity.

It was a few degrees cooler for the event today with a bit of cloud cover compared to RO day yesterday. However, we still had ~10 folks drop out along the route. No heat injuries/emergencies as the staff was on top of it the whole way.

biggest “training” lesson I learned was that HEAT will mess with your mind, and gross motor skills. My stage was #5 of 6 and at the end of a mile long climb along an exposed dirt road.

It was super simple. 2 torso sized targets at 75 yards, 3 hits each with rifle. Safe your rifle and 2 Mozambiques with pistol at 25 yards, but you could move and close within 7 yds.

A significant portion of shooters needed several repeats of the stage brief. Many shooters wasted huge amounts of time simply getting their rifle loaded. And pistol (12” chest, 8” head) was atrocious. Folks were just spent. Heat takes it all right out of you.

So, after 2 days of running the stage and attempting the course myself, I am beat. But…if anyone asks, I’ll tell you these events are the most fun I’ve ever had in the shooting sports.

If you think you can’t do it, I’ll just say that most competitors walked the course. We had everyone from ultra-marathon runners to older ladies that are significantly out of shape compete.

Best thing I saw all weekend was a lady (she’s a member here) that cleared my stage with just seconds to spare. She turned to me and said ,”that’s the first time I ever finished a stage without timing out”. And I’ve seen her at at least 4 events. The spirit is definitely “compete against yourself”.
 
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Outstanding write up of the event! Sounds difficult, but fun!!! Always enjoy reading your match write ups. Thanks Tim


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I’m literally training for things like this!
I call it “combat fit”
Being able to have the stamina to do the running and shooting and stuff, and I cannot wait until I’m in shape enough to do it.
This is actually the goal for my training.
 
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TheMikeL said:
I’m literally training for things like this!
I call it “combat fit”
Being able to have the stamina to do the running and shooting and stuff, and I cannot wait until I’m in shape enough to do it.
This is actually the goal for my training.
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Next one is in Ellerbe, NC in September. Don’t wait to “be” fit enough for it. Sign up and see where you’re at. There’s no better benchmark than doing it!
 
Tim said:
Next one is in Ellerbe, NC in September. Don’t wait to “be” fit enough for it. Sign up and see where you’re at. There’s no better benchmark than doing it!
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I’m 175# overweight Tim lol plus I need a battle belt and I haven’t ordered one yet and more pouches
 
@Tim keep this thread alive please, I am going to follow it closely, I don’t think I’ll be ready in 3 months, maybe 6
But I want to do this so bad
 
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I am also interested in this. I'll prolly just hafta take the time off work to make one of these matches. It never seems to work out for me otherwise
 
Tim said:
Best thing I saw all weekend was a lady (she’s a member here) that cleared my stage with just seconds to spare. She turned to me and said ,”that’s the first time I ever finished a stage without timing out”. And I’ve seen her at at least 4 events. The spirit is definitely “compete against yourself”.
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Great AAR!

I thought that Sawmill did not have memberships and was geared towards structured training as opposed to individual practice. Or is it the case that any membership is by invitation only? At least their website says, "We are not a public range offering memberships."

Please enlighten us. This facility is conveniently close to me.
 
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Howland said:
Great AAR!

I thought that Sawmill did not have memberships and was geared towards structured training as opposed to individual practice. Or is it the case that any membership is by invitation only? At least their website says, "We are not a public range offering memberships."

Please enlighten us. This facility is conveniently close to me.
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They host events, matches, classes, etc that are open to the public. But their main business is as a training site for various High Speed .gov entities.

To the best of my knowledge they do not have any type of membership available.

Clinton House Plantation is just a few miles from there. Similar layout, but open to the public.

Edit: “she’s a member here” meaning a CFF member.
 
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Thanks @Tim, first get my hopes up, then remind me how some really low flying stuff still manages to go right over my head.

I'd already be a member at Clinton House if my .338LM were welcome on their 1,000 yard range. Alas, I'm not feeling that love. That it is welcome on their 1 mile range that is only open sporadically isn't enough to justify the cost of membership.
 
Howland said:
Thanks @Tim, first get my hopes up, then remind me how some really low flying stuff still manages to go right over my head.

I'd already be a member at Clinton House if my .338LM were welcome on their 1,000 yard range. Alas, I'm not feeling that love. That it is welcome on their 1 mile range that is only open sporadically isn't enough to justify the cost of membership.
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Yeah….I doubt ANY range wants that hitting their steel!
 
Tim said:
Yeah….I doubt ANY range wants that hitting their steel!
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We have one plate on the 400 yard line (the furthest berm) at my range. Between my brother and I we have pelted that sucker many times and it hasn't dented or anything. I want to say that it is 3/4 inches but now I'm curious. I'll measure it the next time I get over there. The AR500 destroying reputation is undeserved but Clinton House gets to make the rules for their plates on their range. I've got no quarrel with them for that. It just makes no sense to join.

Now the Dragon's Teeth we have right next to our plate at 400 are a blast! They are bulldozer teeth set into a piece of rebar so they act as spinners. When a .223 hits them it tinks and swings. The .338LM makes a definite thunk and really spins them.
 
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