Preparing for Black Badge

themikea

themikea

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I'm trying to get in as much practice time as I can before my Black Badge course and just wanted to see if anyone had any tips to share.

Right now I am mainly using (approx 12") paper plates out to about 20m and alternating between two hands, strong hand, weak hand. Is it better to start shooting out to the furthest distance and work my way in closer? Or just shoot at the furthest distance consistently? I'm shooting about 150 rounds or so at each practice session. Any issues with this?

How exactly are you evaluated on accuracy during the BB course?

Thanks
 
I just finished my Black Badge and from my point of view it is more about safety than anything. Yes there is an element of shooting skill but if you are hitting 12" plates at 20m you will have no problem. Plan on shooting between 400 and 800 rounds over the weekend - that is the worst part since it is a lot of shooting - much more than a match. A lot of it depends on how well everyone preforms on the various drills.

Good luck, have fun and be safe...

Mike
 
Thanks, good to hear.

I said I was shooting "at" 12" plates at 20m :) Most of my two handed shots hit the plate, but still working on grouping a bit better and also my strong hand / weak hand accuracy.
 
Work on Safety, handling and understanding your gun. Also work on draw form the holster and keeping you booger picker of the trigger until its time to shoot.

Leave all the other stuff to practice nights with the boys.
 
I have actually been leaving the holster at home and just working on accuracy as that is where I needed the most work. I have previous experience/training with drawing from a holster and shooting and moving, so was fairly confident with my safety. I could probably stand to do some more work on my draw technique and timing, but I figured that was less important for the course. Is that not the case?
 
The course is, I'd say, about 75% safe handling and 25% accuracy on target. Yes, they mark you on hitting the target so that you know you are a competent shooter, but it is way more important that you understand the 90deg rule, drawing, mag changes, transitioning from target to target, etc.
 
You don't need to work on shooting near to far or far to near...For the course...afterwards it is helpful, especially if you shoot out of province or in the US, in Ontario you'll see a lot of banks of targets stapled together. That being said practice both ways, there are reasons you may want to shoot near to far OR far to near, it all depends on the stage. Don't even worry about that for now. If you can hit a paper plate at 20m every shot you are good to go. If you are using a double action gun, CZ, sig, beretta etc. it's a good idea to work on hitting targets in DA mode every shot at 20m. If you can do this you should fly through the course, now that they have increased the time limits on each string (and removed some altogether) the course is so easy as long as you can keep your finger off the trigger and hit the targets you'll breeze through.
 
As you already have holster experience - that's fine, but I'd suggest leave holster alone for now, instructor will show you required technique during the course.
Just practice in general safe shooting now, may be try 2 shots strings - double action and single follow-up.
You will not be DQ from the course for misses, only if you are not safe.
Good luck !
 
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Study up on tactical words. Make sure you have a good supply of low IR face paint and make sure that any gu logos on your clothes don't contradict what equipment you are actually using. Almost done forgot bring 7 #2 pencils presharpened to a #4 point
 
Don't rush the exercises. They give you plenty of time. Listen to the instruction and focus on each movement - speed comes later. The BB course is all about safety and proper technique. It’s more or less expected that you already know how to shoot.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
 
Madness said:
Study up on tactical words. Make sure you have a good supply of low IR face paint and make sure that any gu logos on your clothes don't contradict what equipment you are actually using. Almost done forgot bring 7 #2 pencils presharpened to a #4 point
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ROTFLMAO -There is now Coca-Cola all over my monitor...nicely played.
 
If you are shooting production, and do not have a decocking lever on your firearm, practice lowering the hammer "HOT" while maintaining all appropriate safety precautions. This is done during matches when shooting multiple short stages "HOT". A slip of the hammer due to nervous tension and sweaty fingers will sometimes happen. Something never done on the practice line and an AD will send you home.
 
Mike_Wood said:
If you are shooting production, and do not have a decocking lever on your firearm, practice lowering the hammer "HOT" while maintaining all appropriate safety precautions. This is done during matches when shooting multiple short stages "HOT". A slip of the hammer due to nervous tension and sweaty fingers will sometimes happen. Something never done on the practice line and an AD will send you home.
Click to expand...

Why would you practice something that is not done on a timer? For loading, lowering hammer and holstering you can take all the time you want. There is nothing to be nervous about.
 
I just took this course 2 weeks ago.At home practice mag changes and grip.The way they score is at each challenge you must score all Cs or better or Half As and the rest on target.A definite big thing is to always keep your trigger finger on the frame.If you have any specific questions just pm me.
 
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