POTD: Competing in DMR - Designated Marksman Rifle
Some people are bored with Precision Rifle Series (PRS), with difficulties stacked upon each other, and ever-increasing challenges, with smaller and smaller targets. Enter DMR, which is gaining in popularity in some countries in Europe. We’re not going to go into detail, as this is a Photo Of The Day, but as you can see the sun is always shining, and the competitors are having a lot of fun, as they engage targets on open fields (shut off for the public, of course) at ranges usually around 200 to 600-700 meters maximum. Some targets, however, were down to 70 meters, so you need to know your zero and hold-overs - or hold-unders!
The basis of the rules comes from IPSC Rifle, but there are some important differences, like the safety MUST be switched on unless you have a clear sight picture, even if you’re “just” switching target groups. Bump fire is also a no-go, as you have no clue where the second (or third) shot is going to land. There’s a maximum time for each stage, and if you hit all targets, you get bonus fraction points for each second you finish early. If you’re fast and do everything right, it’s going to matter. There’s also a maximum amount of rounds you’re allowed per stage, so you can’t afford to blast 5-6 rounds in the general direction and expect to make it.
Most people use a semi-automatic in 5.56, 6.5CM or .308 Win from the AR-platform, but there are divisions for bolt-actions as well. Most people run with 3-20x, 5-20x, 5-25x, 6-36x and similar optics, but there’s a new division for Low Power Variable Optics as well, with a maximum of 10x.
On the fixed 300-meter ranges only, some people have started to run red dots with magnifiers, and they do surprisingly well.
Below: Position two in one of the stages, wear and bring absolutely everything you brought to the competition through the stage and its four positions. That’s about 150 meters of running, in 4 positions. Find a suitable location and support and engage four steel targets at 420 meters, left to right. Hit to move.
If you bring your large backpack and tripod, that’s what you wear through some of the stages. In reality, you’re not going to be able to hide your stuff and expect to go back and find it - there’s going to be more enemy drones in the air than you can count.
The person to the right is obviously the range officer with the timer, also checking for safety angles and overall security. There’s also a spotter checking and calling the hits, outside of the image. The small, almost invisible dots are some of the steel target groups.
All images by the author, who at least managed to finish first in the last training match.
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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Did I miss where that range is?