Red Dead Rio Bravo ‘26 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 takes large pistol primers or is “magnum”. Fowty Short and Weak is not magnum, nor is shooting 38 Special in your 357. If you have questions if your caliber is acceptable, please contact me for approval.

Senior Division: 55 years or older in open or heavy division.

Lady Division: A woman in open or heavy division.

Youth Division: 13 years old and younger. May use .22 Long Rifle pistol and rifle but won’t be enough gun for all stages. Adult supervision required.

Cowboy Division: MANDATORY HAT AND ONE COWBOY GUN. Scored separate with modified stages. Earn a points modifier of up to 5x for including each of the following 1800’s era kit:

+1x modifier - Single action revolver (no wild bunch 1911’s)

+1x modifier - Lever action (tube fed, no DBM) or period correct rifle (no modern optics)

+1x modifier - Double barrel (O/U OK) or 1800’s pump action or lever action shotgun

+1x modifier - Period correct clothing

+1x modifier - Slip on cowboy boots.

***May mix and match western with modern for 1x-4x modifier.

DATE AND TIME:

Friday, January 9th - RNG Range Officers

Saturday, January 10th - RNG Competitors

Sunday, January 11th - .22LR “Gun Golf” for everybody!

AOR:

Rio Bravo Ranch - 17211 FM170, Presidio Texas 79845

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

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. Run orders will be adjusted for no shows. Arrive to start/stop table 10 minutes before your run time to fill out liability waivers and score card. Bring everything you will need on the course.

Once leaving HQ on your run, 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. There are no shortcuts without flagging and you may wander into an impact area. 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 showing a clear rifle to RO's at each stage, you may start your wait time if there is a line to shoot. You are responsible for tracking your wait time. If there is nobody shooting when you arrive then you get no wait time. If you need extra time, it is on your time not RO’s time. Shooters will shoot in the order that they arrive at the stage. Once an RO asks for your wait time, you are back on scored time.

Once up to shoot, RO’s will give instructions and loading commands as the stage design dictates. No time will be given to admin gear 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 on the card and send you on your way. Get your stuff and leave. Do not linger. What RO’s say goes, do not argue.

Repeat the above procedures from stage to stage and so on until back to HQ. Show a clear rifle one more time, then give the RO your score card. 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:

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

***Cowboy Division will shoot modified stages with around half of above required hits***

22LR Gun Golf:

18 Holes on a ~2 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:

Weapons will be completely cold during course and only loaded at RO command during RNG or up to shoot during Gun Golf. We will not transition away from loaded weapons including hot holstering. Weapons will be unloaded before leaving stages, competitor responsibility.

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.

No part of the course is unmarked. If you do not see flagging, you are lost. Go back to the last flagging witnessed and pick up the course from there.

-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: