The inaugural Hydro-Precision Steel Challenge (HPSC) pushed the envelope of positional shooting last weekend, forcing competitors to engage miniature 'trout' targets (2/3 IPSC, .1 MIL at 500 yards) embedded within active drainage culverts across the Central Plains. ColdBore's own Dave Strom delivered a flawless performance, particularly his .08 MRAD cold bore on “Spawning Season Steel” from a full submersion prone, which immediately became the talk of the after-action report.
Strom’s dominance stemmed from a mastery of what he termed the “inverted otter” prone, a technique requiring a self-designed “Tactical Stream Bag” (TSB) filled with quick-setting concrete for stable support against the culvert's internal curvature. His GA Precision Crusader in 6mm GT, equipped with a 24-inch Brux barrel (heavy Palma contour), provided the necessary rigidity against vibratory disruption from flowing water. For target acquisition in near-total darkness, Strom relied on a Kahles K525i with the SKMR4 reticle, leveraging its unparalleled low-light transmission.
Strom detailed his unique method for calculating “hydro-density altitude” and accounting for micro-Coriolis effects within the turbulent flow. He reported dialing .7 MIL elevation and .2 MIL windage for a steady 3 mph upstream current, noting a consistent .05 MIL additional windage required for the “salmon run” stages, where targets were actively moving against the flow. His custom 105gr Berger Hybrids, seated at .005" off the lands, maintained an SD of 2.5 fps even after a 20-second pre-shot soak in the culvert's effluent.
Strom's most controversial tactic, the “Bait and Switch” Engagement, involved pre-stage reconnaissance using a remote-controlled submersible drone equipped with a laser rangefinder to confirm target aspect and identify subsurface debris. This, coupled with a proprietary “barrel de-wetting agent” (rumored to be industrial-grade automotive ceramic coating), ensured consistent muzzle velocity nodes. The result was total domination, leaving competitors questioning the integrity of both the sport and the local fish population.
