Rifle Competition Events January 2026 Mammoth Pre-Action Report

[Climbshootfly]

New guy here, so bear with me. There has been a lot of useful material posted in here, so I thought I would try to return the favor in some measure. Candidly, I’m more experienced than most at rucking and living in the field. By November, will have spent over 150 nights living out of my ruck this year. Less experienced than many with the shooting. Did “precision” shooting in LE and other shooting in combat arms, but nothing to write home about. LE sniper was really just shooting small targets at pretty close range under pressure. For those of you unfamiliar, it’s not as hardcore as it can be made to sound. For those who are familiar…well, you know.

First time competition (of any kind). January 2026 Mammoth. No sponsors. Thought I would toss out a “PAR” and follow up with an AAR. This has as much potential to be about what not to do/use as it does what to do. Critique is fine. I have thick skin.

Guns and gear are made up of what I already have and use. WMLRF would be great, but can’t swing the cost.

Position: Secondary (Primary is shooting 6mm)
Weapons:
DT A2 in .308 with 16” barrel, two five round magazines, MPA one piece mount, Arca rail, and DD LTI suppressor (It’s what I have. Prefer the 300NM barrel for her, but not allowed at Mammoth)
P365 (I built) Fuse-ish with 4.9” barrel and Holosun. It’s a basic-bitch gun. Maybe bringing a suppressor for it, but probably not. Has both 21 and 17 round magazines.
Ammo:
Maybe staying with factory FGMM, but will load up some Bergers if I have time
Federal match 9mm synthetic.
Glass:
NF NX8
Tripod(s): (All Spartan. Not bringing bipod.)
Springbok tripod head, lightweight tripod head (“Hoplite”)
1 set carbon legs short, 1 set carbon legs long (the latter also work for hammock suspension, trekking, and tarp tent)

Pack & Tent:
Warbonnet enclosure tarp with some custom dyneema rigging for use as tent with tripod legs
Warbonnet suspension hammock (I use on ground as well as hanging. Sleeping pad goes in its sleeve.)
Sleeping Bag and pad…haven’t decided yet. Will play some more in the mountains this fall with my setups. These are two items I’m not opposed to upgrading or changing (e.g., I have never used a quilt system.)
Bivy/Rain jacket/drag bag/backup shelter: Outdoor Research Wallcreeper (one of my favorite pieces of kit ever)

Exo Mountain Gear 7200 pack (won’t be very full, but way better design than the Dana Designs/Mystery Ranch I used on heavy carries for many years. Also quieter, more liveable, and better for stowing rifle or bow than my custom Alice setup.)
Lightweight Velcro belt and an outer molle belt (old version of “Misty Mountain Operator Belt”) with pistol, basic Alien holster, and dump bags. In warm to cool weather, I can (and sometimes do) carry rifle and this belt and pack everything I need to hunt and live in the woods. Not ultra light, but makes up for it in being tough and ultra useful.

Packed Clothes: (their stuff sack is also shooting bag and pillow)
4 pair socks
3 pairs Ranger panties
1 pair pants
1 light and 1 mid layer shirt
Eberlestock insulated pants
Mid and outer layer jackets

Other:
Kestrel
Razor HD 4000
Mystery Ranch pack rain cover
Notepad & pen
Maybe a phone
Clip on thermal? No idea if I might need it. Long nights and short days in January and don’t know if there is low light or dark shooting.
1 pair gloves, 1 pair mittens
Weapon & optic tool kit (my own setup, and I don’t go anywhere with rifle without it)
Baby powder & wet wipes

Food:
All cold and dry. Chia seeds, instant coffee, homemade fruit leather and jerky. Maybe some peanut butter. Not for everyone, but not my first rodeo on that front.

Ruck training:
Started with 5 mile runs, some with 70lb pack and some without pack. Rucking is my jam, but my body has banked some years and injuries. Never slower than 13 1/2 min/mile pace with or without pack. Curious what approximate longest movement is at Mammoth.

Shooting:
Primary focus is on odd and uncomfortable while under physical stress. That’s the reason I wanted to participate in Mammoth.

If it makes sense, I’ll add before Mammoth. Regardless, I’ll follow up with an AAR and whatever success or failure occurred.

 

[502Chevelle]

I have never done Mammoth, but I do shoot gas gun matches. Would strongly suggest bigger mags for your rifle. Love the Warbonnet, but have read in the past there was no where to set up a hang, so your back up plan of going to ground is a good idea.

 

[TheTank140]

I have shot it one and my friends have shot it a couple times. No need for a clip on thermal, all shooting is done during the day.

Most people will be running a WMLRF and it helps with speed, the five min stage times go very fast but you can do it with binos and a kestrel. I know you mentioned cost was a factor but I will mention you can find used Vortex Impacts for around 1k now, and while bulky work well and are significantly faster.

I will say that there were some stages where we were given “known” distances, trust but verify.

Tools for your rifle and optic are a very good idea.

It’s a lot of rucking somewhere and then sitting and waiting for your turn to shoot.

When it was at Ft. Gordon, my dad slept in a hammock and I slept on the ground but will depend on where they have you sleeping.

Make sure you have a good holster for your handgun with retention, if you drop your gun you are automatically kicked from the whole comp.

If you can bring larger mags I would. I shot 42 round on one of the stages.

Practice unorthodox shooting positions.

If you have specific questions you can shoot me a PM and I can try and answer or can connect you to my friend who has shot it multiple times.

 

[JustSendit]

I'd bring higher capacity magazines for your rifle.

Bipods for sure.

If you can't already, a way to clip in your binos to a tripod. Without a WMLRF, you'll want to be very stable to get ranges.

No can for your pistol.

Work up and do a 7mi movement and you'll be good for anything mammoth throws at you.

70s a lot, prefer a step off weight 60 kind of maximum if you can.

Male sure you shoot.. The pistol targets beat up people who are not expecting them.

I've finished it 4 times, 2, 4, 4, 6 finishes. Not trying brag just saying if you're already good at rucking and the movements don't scare you; then might as well try to finish well. Many people look at mammoth for just the physical challenge.

 

[ZCOklahoma]

I have begun training for the April Challenge. I am 48 and overweight by 40 pounds or so, and I am going to team with my son who is 20 and pretty fit. We both have around 100+ PRS matches under our belts, so the rifle shooting is the least of my worries at the moment. I have picked us up Mystery Ranch rucks and some pistols to begin getting ready. I plan to be the secondary shooter and shoot a carbon fiber barreled .223 bolt gun to keep my ruck weight down. He will probably shoot a 6 dasher. I am an Army combat vet, so I understand the rucking side, but it has been about 18 years since I have been in that kind of shape. Using this challenge to prove to myself that I can still push through the tough challenges and motivate me to get back in shape. So far, I have lost 13 pounds over the past couple of weeks, and have begun walking/rucking several times per week.