Red Dead Rio Bravo ‘27 Concept of Operations
SITUATION:
Red Dead Rio Bravo. The American Western Frontier is not dead; it continues to thrive in spirit. While it may be old, it remains undeniably wild and untamed. The diverse geography, rich history, enduring folklore, and unique culture associated with American western expansion still live on vividly today. Challenge yourself by boldly tackling the frontier using modern, state-of-the-art equipment. If you believe you possess true grit and determination, bring along some authentic, vintage gear and see firsthand how you would have fared in the rugged conditions of the past.
MISSION:
Open/Overall Division: Any rifle from .223 to 30-06 and any pistol from .380 to .44 Magnum.
Heavy Division: Any rifle caliber that usually takes large rifle primers and uses a short or long action magazine. If it fits in an AR-15, it ain’t heavy. Any pistol caliber that usually takes large pistol primers or is magnum.
Cowboy Division: MANDATORY HAT AND COWBOY RIFLE or PISTOL. Scored separate with modified stages. Earn a points modifier of up to 5x for including each of the following pre-WW1 era kit:
*Weapons used must match specs from designs prior to 1914 in action and magazine type. Aftermarket iron sights are open, however telescopic sights must be period correct.
+1x modifier - Single action revolver or single stack automatic.
+1x modifier - Lever action, single shot, or bolt action rifle.
+1x modifier - Double barrel, pump action, or lever action shotgun.
+1x modifier - Period correct clothing, button up shirt and wranglers OK.
+1x modifier - Full leather boots, slip on or lace up. No synthetic materials inside or outside. Rubber soles allowed.
***May mix and match western with modern for 1x-4x modifier.
Senior Class: 55 years or older in open, heavy or cowboy division.
Lady Class: A woman in open, heavy or cowboy division.
Youth Class: 13 years old and younger in open, heavy or cowboy division. May use .22 Long Rifle pistol and rifle but won’t be enough gun for all stages. Adult supervision required.
DATE AND TIME:
Friday, January 15th - RNG Range Officers
Saturday, January 16th - RNG Competitors
Sunday, January 17th - .22LR “Gun Golf” for everybody!
AOR:
Rio Bravo Ranch - 17211 FM170, Presidio Texas 79845
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Download and install http://rgtimer.com to your home screen. You will need to carry your phone on the course for safety and ease of scoring.
Run ‘N Gun:
Mandatory safety briefs at 0700 each day of competition. Briefs will start promptly on the back porch of the house, be early. Roll call off roster, then safety instructions. Up to date run orders will be available after safety brief on the RG Timer App. Arrive to start/stop table 10 minutes before your run time to fill out liability waivers. Bring everything you will need on the course.
Once the RO enters the start code on your app, you are now on your scored run time that factors into overall score. Follow all high visibility flagging and signage. Flags are hung in line of sight of each other. If you are not in sight of a flagging, you are lost, stop and go back to your last flag to pick up the next. Caution tape is hung for a reason, do not cross it. Do not go to stage canopies that your flagging does not lead to, that’s not your next stage. Red and white arrow signs will designate hard turns or spurs on the course.
Upon arriving at each stage, you may start your wait time by entering the provided code. Shooters will receive the written stage brief then shoot in the order that they arrived at the stage. Once an RO asks you to end your wait time, you are back on scored time. Purposely dragging your feet on wait time will result in denial of any wait time.
Once up to shoot, RO’s will give final instructions and loading commands as the stage design dictates. No time will be given to admin gear (except chamber flag) or do stage recon. Upon the beep of the shot timer, shooters will perform the stage while strictly adhering to all firearms safety rules. Once finished with the stage, RO’s will record your shoot time and FTNs on the app and send you on your way. Leave the stage, remember you are on your run time.
Repeat the above procedures from stage to stage and so on until back to HQ. The RO will enter the end code on the app. You are done, good job! Go recuperate and hang out until dinner and awards. Dinner will be tacos, rice, beans, fixings, bread, and pie. BYOB. Awards will be afterwards, with a prize table donated by sponsors.
22LR Gun Golf:
Mandatory safety brief at 0800 on the back porch of the house. Pick up your score card with assigned tee times at end of brief. Competitors will go out on foot in groups of 2-6 people and keep score for each other. Follow the course flags to each hole. At each hole will be a sign, 1-18. Targets will vary in size and distance as indicated on the score card. Record your number of shots to make the hit on each target for score. Pick up your brass as you finish at each hole. If another group comes up while at a hole, please let them play through. They’re likely faster than you. Turn in your cards at HQ and leave. If legible, complete, and honest, then they will be scored later against everyone else. Results will be emailed out when finished. Winners in Optics and Irons divisions as well as Senior, Youth, and Lady will receive discount codes to future Mystery Operations Events!
COURSE OF FIRE:
*2027 COF To Be Determined*
The course is roughly 7 to 8 miles long.
Nine blind stages loosely inspired by these western movies:
Unforgiven
Outlaw Josey Wales
True Grit
Young Guns
Rio Bravo
Open Range
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Django Unchained
3:10 to Yuma
***Estimated Required Hits***
OPEN/HEAVY = 20 Shotgun - 70 Pistol - 70 Rifle
*Lead birdshot only! #6-#8. Everyone needs to bring shells regardless if using stage provided guns.
***Cowboy Division will shoot modified stages with around half of above required hits***
22LR Gun Golf:
18 Holes on a ~1.5 mile course. Varying target sizes and distances will be supplied on card. Rifle and pistol only holes. Rifle to 200-300 yards and pistol to 50 yards. Youth may use rifle on pistol holes. Target velocity ammunition highly suggested!
LODGING:
Camping is free and encouraged on the ranch from Thursday night through Saturday night. Campfires controlled in pits are welcome as it will be January. Average high is 68 and average low is 35. It will be really nice during the day for a RNG and cold at night. Dispose of ashes in brush line once fully extinguished.
There are limited VRBO/AirBnB properties in the Presidio and a couple hotels. Three Palms and Reata are the two hotel options. Terlingua, Marfa, and Alpine are all an hour or more away with far more lodging options.
EQUIPMENT:
-A tourniquet is mandatory, other medical supplies highly suggested. Find training for the TQ and first aid. YouTube is a good start but don’t stop there.
-Water, bring more than you need.
-Snacks. The course will be ~8 miles, you’ll need them.
-Pack or load bearing equipment
-Required weapons, ammo, and magazines, see Rules.
-Safe pistol holster
-Proper clothing and footwear.
SAFETY:
-See Rules for comprehensive match safety regulations.
-Long guns will be clear and chamber flagged unless shooting a stage or navigating a dirty obstacle. You may admin the chamber flag as needed to ensure operability along the course, but flags are required at each stage. RO’s will make you clear and flag rifles after shooting each stage. This accomplishes a visual and physical inspection that it is clear. Mag blocks are discouraged as they do not physically occupy the chamber.
-Pistols will remain holstered at all times other than shooting a stage. Admin from the holster. Western guns without transfer bar safeties must be carried with the hammer over an empty cylinder.
-Weapons handling skills vetting will be in place. Vetting will occur on Friday after RO’s are done and immediately after the safety brief. Those who have been vetted at a previous match are grandfathered. See Rules for vetting procedure.
-Everyone is a safety officer. RO’s and Competitors must clear the shooting area visually and verbally before starting the shot timer. If anyone may call a ceasefire.
-See Rules for comprehensive match safety regulations.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
-House is limited to Range Officer staff only.
-Use the provided porta-potties.
-Cell phone reception is OK on top of hills. Spotty below.
-See Rules for comprehensive administrative directions.
ADDENDUM:
