Police Designated Marksman Rifle
Police Designated Marksman Rifle
COST: $650 (does not include lodging and meals)
Course Dates: TBD
Course limited to 10 officers
Instructors: Bill McCormick <wjm1776@gmail.com>
Joe Lidbury <joelidbury@lightningtac.com>
Course hours: Course begins at 0800 and ends approximately 1630 each day. All attendees will meet in the main classroom at The Site on the first day of training.
Course description: With ever increasing challenges facing law enforcement, there now requires a need to employ accurate, mid-range fire beyond the capability of the iron or reflex sight equipped patrol rifle when qualified snipers are either unavailable or unable to respond to a time critical situation. Whether providing overwatch at high-profile public events such as parades, stadium events, crowd control at mass protests, or perimeter defense at a critical crime scene, the ability to provide preemptive or protective accurate fire at greater distances is becoming the norm.
The 2-day Police DM course is specifically designed for the tactical application of the AR platform configured with a lower power variable magnification scope with MRAD or MOA reticles (Horus TReMoR 3 / 5, H59, Vortex EBR-7C Mil or MOA, Nightforce Mil-XT, MOA-XT) etc., combined with match grade ammunition for enhanced, longer-range accuracy. Police DM will focus on extended range distances; 100 – 500 yards thus bridging the capability gap between the tactical carbine and law enforcement sniper rifle.
Topics covered will include:
- DM Rifle set up
- Establishing 100-yard zeros from 100 to 500 yards, optic windage and elevation adjustments
- Maximum Point-Blank Range concept
- Fundamentals of long-range shooting
- External and Terminal Ballistic considerations
- Basic wind reading and affiliated holds
- Rapid target engagements at varying distances using reticle holdovers vs dialing for elevation
- Limited exposure, variable speed moving target engagements and lead computation
- Supported and unsupported positions
- Use of the tripod for supported position shooting
- Understanding reticle dimensions for wind holds, holdovers and moving target leads with both First and Second Focal Plane optics.
- Documentation and Liability
- High angle considerations
- Issued DMR rifle capable of 1.5 MOA or better with match ammunition
- Variable low power optic in the 1-6x, 1-10x, 2.5-10x or similar magnification with MIL or MOA type reticle. Note: Because of the extended ranges required for DMR capabilities, precise elevation holdovers, moving target leads, wind holds etc., Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticles are inadequate for this course, as are reflex sights with magnifiers
- Sling
- Bipod
- 3 magazines
- Tripod, adjustable from sitting to standing position. Recommendations: https://vortexoptics.com/switchback-carbon-tripod-kit.html, https://vortexoptics.com/radian-carbon-ball-head-tripod-kit.html
- Mlok or Keymod (forend dependent) Arca rail tripod rail adapter for direct tripod mounting
- Hog saddle if not direct tripod mountable
- Rite in the Rain notebook or data book
- Eye and Ear protection
- Tactical type range bag or backpack
- Ball cap
- Sunscreen
- Spotting scope (optional)
- Shooting mat
- Cleaning equipment / lubricant
- Clothing appropriate for the weeks weather conditions
- Bug repellent (gnats can be thick during Spring and Summer months)
300 rounds of match grade ammunition.
Note: for the 5.56; 69, 75 or 77 grain match is required
Must be a current sworn Law Enforcement Officer
Attending officers need not be snipers to attend
Attendees should already be proficient in the care, maintenance and use of their firearm as this is not an entry-level rifle course.