Intermediate
Rifle
VTAC 1-5
Used in: Defensive · Military Qualification · Police Qualification
Source: Kyle Lamb / Viking Tactics Inc.
5s
Par Time
5 yd
Distance
15
Rounds
1
Reps
15
Total Rounds
Most shooters default to two shots per target and call it good. The VTAC 1-5 Drill, designed by Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics, forces you out of that comfort zone by demanding a different shot count on every target. One round left, two center, three right, four back to center, five back to left — 15 rounds total in an escalating sequence that punishes autopilot shooting.
Set three USPSA targets side by side at 5 yards (5 m), spaced roughly one yard apart. Start from low ready with a 15-round magazine. On the beep, engage left target with 1 round, center with 2, right with 3, back to center for 4, and finish left with 5. Professionals run it clean under 5 seconds. Elite shooters push below 3 seconds. Add 1 second per hit outside the A zone if using scored targets.
The drill exposes two things fast: your ability to count shots while driving the gun, and how well you manage recoil through longer strings. When five rounds on the last target start grouping high or wide, the fix is almost always grip pressure and stock weld — not speed. Once sub-5 is consistent, push the par down in half-second increments. Move back to 10 yards (10 m) when 5 yards feels automatic.
Range Setup
Setup
3x USPSA targets side by side at 5 yd (5 m), spaced approximately 1 yard apart. Rifle with 15-round magazine loaded, safety on. Start position: low ready (muzzle depressed, shouldered). Shot timer required.
Scoring
All 15 rounds in the A zone under 5.0 seconds = clean run.
Add 1 second per hit outside the A zone.
Any miss = failed rep.
Elite standard (Level 1): sub-2.87 seconds, all A zone.
Log each string time and count hits by zone per target.
Tips
Count the shots out loud in your head — lose count and you'll short-change a target or dump an extra round. The transitions matter more than the splits. Drive the muzzle to the next target before you're done processing the last hit.
Progression
Push par time from 5.0 toward 4.0, then sub-3.0 seconds with clean A zone hits.
Move targets back to 10 yd (10 m) and reset par to 7.0 seconds.
Run the sequence in reverse: 5-4-3-2-1 starting from the right.
Add a mandatory reload mid-string (e.g., load 8+7 in two magazines).
Shoot from kneeling or behind a barricade to add positional difficulty.