I know a few of you have seen this video, but it hadn't made it's way onto the blog. I'm not sure why, but here it is. God bless those men and women who gave their lives for freedom throughout the year. They gave everything and asked for nothing in return. I hope this small video that I made honors those brave souls in some way. Our deepest condolences to the families affected by their sacrifices; they were all true warriors.
To my Cavalry brothers and sisters...I'll see you on The Green.
Top: .300 AAC BLK (7.62 x 35mm) 220 gr. Bottom: Standard NATO Green Tip M855 (5.56 x 45mm) 62 gr.
I've gotten alot of questions lately about the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. I had read a good deal about it and had found some good resources on the web, but I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. I have, however, shot comparable 7.62 cartridges. After doing more research and scouring for more info, I wanted to post some of the better findings for you guys to use as future reference if you wanted to make the jump to the 300. Here's what I found:
The system was developed to launch 30 caliber projectiles from the AR platform without a reduction in magazine capacity and compatible with the standard bolt.
It's full power [115-125 grain] ammunition matches the ballistics of the 7.62x39mm AK, and eclipses 5.56mm with much higher-mass projectiles for a more dramatic effect on the target. This enables the shooter to choose subsonic cartridges for optimal use with a sound suppressor i.e. 220 grain Sierra OTM (open-tip match) bullets vastly outperforms a 9mm MP5-SD in penetration and long range accuracy.
Ammo and brass prices are low - Remington 115 grain UMC ammo is $12.99 a box MSRP and it's not bare bones. It has waterproofed primers, crimped and cannelured open-tip match bullets, and a low-drag design.
At 300 meters, the 300 BLK has 16.7% more energy than 7.62x39mm. Max effective range, using M4 military standards for hit probability, is 440 meters for a 9 inch barrel, and 460 meters for a 16 inch barrel. The 300 BLK from a 9 inch barrel has the same energy at the muzzle as a 14.5 inch barrel M4, and about 5% more energy at 440 meters [even though the barrel is much shorter].
For hunting - think of it as like a 30-30 but from an AR. After you are done, you can remove your 5-round magazine and put in a 30 for plinking or home defense. For ammo, Remington has you covered with the Premiere AccuTip 125 grain.
Want industry-wide support? Over 60 companies have already announced or sell products for the 300 AAC Blackout.
Also, due to the high efficiency of the cartridge, less powder is used than 5.56mm, which results in a rifle that is a comfortable to shoot [even with a short barrel].
Here's a great link to a PDF version of an overview of the 300 ACC Blackout development, comparisons to other common ammunition, ballistics info, and host weapon system comparisons: 300 AAC Blackout Facts Sheet
I hope this answers some of the questions out there about the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge. Hopefully you'll learn a little bit more about ammo and ballistics from reading this...I know I did.
I had the pleasure of meeting an individual last month at LaRue Tactical's Range Day. We met via Facebook, made contact and met up at the range. I quickly realized that he and I shared the same views and interests [on a lot of things] such as training, tactics and doing business. I want to share his website with you guys because he's not only a very experienced and professional instructor, he's just an all around good dude.
F.A.S.T Inc. or Field Advisory Services and Training, centrally located in Wellborn, TX, specializes in custom training courses that are tailored to the specific needs of the end user. They provide standard training classes to basic and advanced shooters looking to train in a group enabling the customer to view various types of guns and gear further enabling the ability to compare and compete against other shooters in a safe, controlled and enjoyable environment. F.A.S.T. Inc. is owned and operated by a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant Major who served as an assaulter, sniper and combat leader in the Army's highest priority Special Mission Unit. With over 25 years of experience in a variety of weapons and training and combat in Central and South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan, F.A.S.T. is the only logical choice for quality weapons training from a well-qualified team.
You can contact F.A.S.T. by:
Checking out their website at www.fast762.com for schedules and information about their services.
Calling their office at (979) 224-3779
Contacting them by email at fast762@hotmail.com
Tell them MADCAT Aviator | Operator sent you. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
I read an article today and had to write about it. The article involves NYPD officials asking police officers to stop carrying the Kahr K9 pistol as an off-duty sidearm due to the number of accidental discharges it had produced. This 9mm pistol has led to over a dozen of these "ADs" with the numbers increasing. The NYPD have purchased thousands of these weapons for their officers since 1997 and has since modified the pistols to increase the trigger weight pull from 7 1/2 pounds to 13 pounds. 13 pounds!!...really? The article goes on to talk about this increase making it more difficult, etc.
Here's where I lose my mind on this one: the article says that Police departments generally require a heavier pull because they want officers to realize the serious nature of opening fire.
REALLY??? If you cannot grasp the concept of pointing a weapon and knowing that, when you pull that trigger, that bullet is going to destroy whatever it steps in its path, you should not be carrying a weapon...period. Police officers and law enforcement officials [I would assume] understand the gravity of a situation where a drawn gun is needed. I've seen plenty of accidental discharges in the military, mainly due to lack of training or personal disregard for safety. I've seen a soldier in Balad, Iraq attempt to clear his weapon into a clearing barrel outside of a chow hall and inadvertently discharge a round. This individual was immediately scolded publicly by a senior Non-Commissioned Officer. Not one minute later, the same senior NCO, who was next in line to clear his weapon, drew his Beretta M9 and burned a round right into the barrel before the last guy's ball round had even cooled. I think his astonishment and utter embarrassment in front of the others in line was enough that he silently crept into the chow hall never to be seen again. But I digress. It is ludicrous to think that an entire law enforcement agency would alter the sidearms of their officers to allow them "more time" to think about the situation. Accidental discharges or negligent discharges or whatever you want to call them should never happen...especially by professionals who carry firearms every day. The truth is that they do occur. The point here is that increasing a trigger's pull is not going to fix the problem. The problem lies in training and discipline. Fix that and you fix your discharges. Plain and simple.
Chris Costa, former president of Magpul Dynamics, has started his own venture with Costa Ludus. They offer handgun, carbine and shotgun training and a vast array of other weapon classes.
Chris Costa spent the last 4 years as the President of Magpul Dynamics. Before founding Magpul Dynamics, Costa spent 7 years in the private sector at Applied Marine Technologies Inc. on assignment with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Risk Management Division (RMD). At AMTI, Costa specialized in teaching Police Tactical Assault Operations for both Maritime and Critical Infrastructure take-back. Costa also provided Red Team Vulnerability Assessments on critical infrastructures for the US Government. Prior to this, Costa spent 12 years with the United States Coast Guard, conducting counter-drug operations and special missions in Europe, the Middle East, and South America with such units as; the International Training Division (ITD), Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, Plank-Owner of Port Security Unit 302 and the Taclet Law Enforcement Team North.
Dave over at Fight and Flight Tactical is continuing to push the innovative envelope with his gear. Now he's expanded his K-9 line with the Proioxis Collars. Proioxis was the spirit of onrush and battlefield pursuit in Greek mythology. I can't think of a better name for what they do over at F&F.
The base of the collar is 1.5" stiff scuba webbing, overlaid with 1.5" mil-spec 17337 webbing for adjustment. Sewn securely to the base layers is 1" tubular nylon webbing, which has a 1" parachute-grade cast V-ring, 5" of loop fastener for a nametape, and a 1" welded loop for attaching tags. The collar secures with a contoured 1.5" side-release buckle.
This is a video from Bravo Troop "Banshees", 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry Regiment from Ft. Campbell, KY in Afghanistan 2008. This is my old unit doing what we did best. I was with these guys for 5 years, and they truly are the finest air cavalry squadron in the Army. Out Front!!!
The Army-Navy game is one of the oldest and most traditional rivalries in all of college football. The Black Knights and Midshipmen first met on The Plain at West Point on November 29th, 1890. Both schools, rich in tradition and heritage, faced off and began a 120 year bout; each slugging it out every year earning the winning contender bragging rights for the following year. The Navy Midshipmen currently remain the leader in the series with 55 wins, 49 losses and 7 ties. I'm obviously an Army guy, but anytime two great teams such as these meet on a gridiron, steeped in historic precedence, the outcome matters not. The important aspect to remember here is that these men are future leaders of our military that come together once a year to battle one another and keep military tradition alive. A good portion of these traditions are being lost or overlooked, and this is one that will [hopefully] carry on for years to come. God bless the men playing for their respective services on Saturday, and keep them safe so that they may lead others onto the field of battle and wield the sword of victory over the enemies of our nation.
The Army Black Knights (3-7) and the Navy Midshipmen (4-8) will meet for the 112th time this Saturday, December 10th at 2:30 p.m. EST on CBS. This year's meeting, sponsored by USAA, will be held at FedEx field in Washington D.C.
For all the news, updates and media on this year's Army-Navy game, log on to armynavygame.com.
