If you expected a list of what is cover, and what is not, you’ve come to the wrong place. It would be impossible to compile an all inclusive list like that. You need to research this to find viable data that will help you to determine what cover is.
Try this site for eye opening testing: http://www.huts.com/Huts'sBallisticTest.htm
Example of one caliber, distance, earth berm thickness combination from a book written by Sniper John Plaster:
wet soil- 28"
dry soil- 19"
wet sand- 19"
dry sand- 16"
wet clay- 35"
dry clay- 24"
.308 caliber at 100 yards
There is really not much, short of thick steel,that will stop a bullet. So be aware.
During my years in the military I learned a lot about combat shooting. The first time I competed in shooting I failed miserably. I had “too much” training in shooting from cover. When you compete, you may shoot from around things or under them, but no one is actually shooting back! The goal in competing is to shoot quickly and accurately. When I shoot, I am more concerned with number 1. I was “slicing the pie” and “rolling” in and out of cover as you would in combat. In competition those things take too much time! But those nasty steel targets would never get me! I could see that competition shooting was not for me even though I was accurate. I am too much of a defensive shooter. It would take some work to change that. I don’t think I want to change that.
This is what I learned in the military: “Cover: The bad guys can’t shoot you. Concealment: The bad guys can’t see you. One of these things is better than the other. But either is better than neither.”
You should always know where available cover and concealment is located in your area. To shoot effectively from cover we must understand what cover really is. Cover stops a bullet. The problem is, Hollywood and TV have taught us many things are cover, when they aren’t. In a movie an interior wall is cover. So is a car door. This is simply not true and can get you killed. If you have trained in certain circles you may have heard about the “X”. The “X” is simply where the target of the bad guy is. The theory is that if you move off the “X” your opponent must re-orient himself and essentially start over through the process of attacking you, giving you precious seconds to respond. (see blog The OODA loop – Combat Concept 3/20/14) As you move in combat you should be aware of where you are moving toward. That should be cover. Cement walls or buildings, the engine block of a vehicle, a tree that will completely cover your body, these are just a few things that are cover. Concealment is hiding. You opponent can’t hit you if he can’t see you, right? So bushes, any walls, cars, shadows, all these things are concealment. There is much more concealment out there than cover but you should be familiar with both enough to know the difference.
In most cases it’s best to exit the area rather than engage the shooter. If the threat is near and you can extract yourself then you should. If you, or your loved ones, are in harm’s way, then that’s when you engage. To extract yourself should not be difficult with concealment alone if the concealment is used effectively. The threat may not even know you are there. Once you recognize a threat, you should look for extraction from that area as soon as possible. If that is not possible, find cover and use it to prepare a fight.
Shooting from cover tips: (see blog Shooting from Cover 3/26/14)
Shoot, move, communicate!
Fire around cover instead of over it. When you are shooting over something you are silhouetted against it and this makes it easier for the enemy to see you.
Don’t crowd cover. Get back away from cover. This diminishes the enemy’s ability to see you without seriously limiting your field of fire. It makes it easier for you to move because you don’t have to back away from your cover before moving.
Move your body to shift fire instead of your rifle barrel.
Modify the regular shooting positions. You will probably shoot from unusual positions when shooting from cover. Be prepared for that and train applicably.
Change your elevation often when shooting from cover. Don’t let the enemy know from where your next shot will come from.
If shooting with others try to overlap your fields of fire.
Reload from behind cover and reload before breaking cover.
When on the offense be aware of the terrain you are moving toward. Have the next cover spot located before you break cover.
Remember that bullets ricochet. Whatever you use for cover will not usually take the round, but repel it. So be aware that along a wall that bullet will continue to travel. This is another reason not to plaster yourself against (crowd) your cover.
Train like you fight, fight like you train.
If you stand on a firing line and shoot at a target there is only so much you will learn. That’s a good way to learn grip, sight picture, and trigger work. Some say that’s how you practice stance. That may work in competitive shooting, but not so much in combat shooting. How often will you stand, like at a firing line, and have a firefight? How about, never! If you plan to live through a firefight, you will train shooting from cover and moving.
Semper Paratus
Burn
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