S2H course - June 2026

[Tail_Hunter]

Because I am at the Ready if I am on a blood trail. The rifle is already shouldered, so a round is already in the chamber, but the weapon is on safe since I am not sighted in on my target. I’m moving very slowly and basically doing 5’s and 25’s. The priority there is ending a rodeo as quickly as possible in a situation where I know the animal is close, wounded, and alerted. And terrain has a say here as well.

Again, if this gives you heartburn, you do you. I understand why everyone wants to argue this topic, but I really don’t care what you do since you will never be hunting with me.

I'm just trying to learn from someone who has recently been convinced to change their stance and I hoped you had some compelling insights I hadn't considered. Didn't realize it was such a touchy subject, my bad.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I'm just trying to learn from someone who has recently been convinced to change their stance and I hoped you had some compelling insights I hadn't considered. Didn't realize it was such a touchy subject, my bad.

You haven’t had three PMs asking about this same topic. And you probably haven’t been through this debate at least five times before on this and other hunting forums.

 

[Bluumoon]

You haven’t had three PMs asking about this same topic. And you probably haven’t been through this debate at least five times before on this and other hunting forums.

Meh just be blunt. You’ve never been taught correctly. Or conversely, it only feels funny bc you’ve been doing it wrong your whole life.

 

[Snowhunter11]

I think we can all agree that safety training is important. For the guy who walks out to his stand by himself and goes back to his truck 10 hours later, he can probably get away with less. Once you’re in the mountains with a partner where a gunshot would likely mean a serious emergency or even death I look at things very differently. Another thing thats brings safety to the top of my list is kids joining now with firearms. They need to be taught correctly as well.

Glad the shoot2hunt class has safety as a top priority!

 

[Epfd217]

IMO the quietest way to load bolt action rifle is insert a single round by hand and close the bolt ultra slowly. Even slowly out of a magazine is pretty loud and the Tikkas I own are comically loud.

How do you take a Tikka from 3 to 1 without going to 0 first? I have some 3 position safety Savages you could do that with but without modification the Tikka can't run the bolt without the safety being off.

It sounds like this aspect of the training was quickly getting a round chambered but didn't address eliminating noise and minimizing/slowing movement to avoid detection at close range. The speed aspect seems pretty irrelevant since you're still taking the time to identify your target and ensure you're safe behind the target which is a longer process than getting a round into the chamber.

I'm curious why you make an exception for being on a blood trail? What are you doing differently in that scenario that you wouldn't do any other time? I assume you always carry gun in hand, thumb on safety, muzzle pointing at the ground.

You're right that going from Cond 3 to Cond 1 requires manipulating the safety, but If you're loading the round to take a shot, you're really not putting the safety back on. You're going, safety off, run the bolt, shoulder the rifle and finger on the trigger. If the shot isn't there, then you hold on target til it is. If the shot opportunity disappears, then you "safety on", deliberate unload and reset the rifle to Cond 3.

As someone who often hunts alone, I wasn't doing this. I also frequently didn't even use the safety. I was lazy and didn't 'think I needed it. I have never had an ND, but thats just pure luck. I know this, because i experienced an unintended trigger pull while riding in a vehicle with an unloaded rifle.

Safety and fundementals are far more important than "what-ifs" surrounding the one-off ideas about trying to kill an animal quickly. I've missed more animals by having a safety on that I never used than I have taken by trying to hunt with a safety off. I will be safer now overall and have some skills and practice to operate my rifle from a safe position to a firing position and convert more of those shot opportunities. Especially since I learned several "positional" techniques that are not prone.

 

[ckt3]

To echo Drew, if I was starting over from scratch, I’d own a Tikka T3X in .243 or 6mm Creed with a 16-20” 1:8” twist barrel, S2H scope, and an OG 6.5 suppressor, in a wooden Rokstok. This would be my “big gun.” I would use it anytime I wanted killing capability over about 450 yards or was required to by law.

Then I would have a Tikka T3X in .223 with a 16” 1:8” twist barrel, SWFA 6x gen 2, and an OG 22 suppressor (it’s gonna happen eventually) or OG-6 S, in a wooden Rokstok lite. I would hunt with this everywhere it was legal.

I’d have a bolt action .22 LR for even cheaper practice, especially offhand. Tikka T1X or CZ 457.

I would keep one or two “fun guns” as my project rifles. In my case, that will be my old .25-06 (with a rebuilt trigger) and a Sauer 100 in 9.3x62.

Why the OG 6.5 on the 6mm instead of a 6mm bore can?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Why the OG 6.5 on the 6mm instead of a 6mm bore can?

…

I actually have a prototype OG 6mm can on my .243. I got it at the Black Friday sale. But if I didn’t have that, I’d use my OG 6.5 because my other large bore rifle is .257 caliber.

I haven’t bought an OG-6 S yet, but it’s probably in the works before hunting season.

 

[ekupp]

Cant state enough, arrive prepared for the hunt of a lifetime be prepared to hit the ground running. I second guessed the scenario and brought more range toys vs field hunting gear and regretted those decisions. Leading up to the class I had a new Tikka and new scope and kept messing with the setup resulting in showing up with 2 rifles not dialed/zeroed/zero stops set. Not a good way to show up to any hunt and great lesson on not winging it, show up to every hunt prepared with you gear 100% sorted out.

I brought heavy range spotter and tripod, vs hunting spotter/tripod and it was a clumsy mess for certain parts of the course but great for the range work. I should have brought both or just brought the hunting setup.

My Rem 700 did not fail (I may get corrected) but was not used continuously through out the week, it did have one magazine (Magpul) failed to feed a couple of rounds during testing/drills, MDT mag zero issues. The Rem700 bolt was dragging but once wiped off cleaned up the drag somewhat. The manufacturer said zero lube and thats what I did, not sure if they were aware of the fine grit at this location. With that said I never want to hunt with Rem 700 again, its not a field gun, bolt pops open, safety does not lock bolt, safety easy to bump. I have used for many years but after a week with a Tikka I am sold. Also a fan of short barrels and smaller calibers.

NDr Tikka magazines completely failed, to the point the mag had to be removed and tapped every shot. Tikka Waters in limited testing had zero failures, Mamba used extensively had zero failures.

Minox MR4 reticle was not ideal for field scenarios (its still awesome and works well) but the center dot was really small, great for shooting tight groups but harder to see zoomed out for wide field of view scenarios. I found myself playing with the zoom some vs shooting but now have that figured out. I now appreciate that MR4 and NX8 reticles are similar and not ideal for this form of shooting. SWFA and THLR even Maven were easier to use in these situations, minute of animal shooting zoomed out vs zoomed in tight group shooting.

I am new to wearing eye glasses full time and also have variable focus lens, getting used to these glasses and using scopes meant I needed really consistent cheek welds and eye relief. Once I got away from a chin weld and moved to full cheek weld my consistency and confidence increased. I was about to move forward without glasses for shooting but glad I figured it out so I dont have to worry about removing glasses to shoot.

Norma 69gr Golden Bullet, did not over pressure in my Tikka but heard it was an issue elsewhere. Was not the best grouping ammo, but was able to get 30 shots in an orange pasty. Testing prior to class had it shooting much better before travel. 6.5 CM handloads once zeroed/calibrated grouped well and were average gun.

Not sure I see a reason to have a ballistic solver in binos or range finder moving forward for hunting distances. Quickdrop and gun number work so well and are often faster that the electronic devices.

Really glad I put foam tape on my scopes, will always do that moving forward.

I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in marksmanship for hunting. The amount of time and effort that the instructors put in to the students is way more value than the cost of this course. Its hard sometimes to grow especially when you find yourself performing subpar on things you know how to do (but you aren't doing). Its better to fail here and learn a better way to perform than to do it on a hunt with long distance travel and live animals at risk.

Hope this helps anyone planning to attend in the future.

Forgot to add: if you can go with a hunting partner you will have great benefit to have at least one other hunter educated on how to spot and communicate. Its great to think you can educate your friends and family but most of the people I hunt with are highly opinionated and not open to learning new things.

 

[RockAndSage]

Really glad I put foam tape on my scopes, will always do that moving forward.

Could you explain this? First time I've seen it mentioned.

 

[MtnW]

The Rokslide threads on proper gun setup, positional shooting, “don’t F with your trigger”, “Don’t get cute with your hand loads” etc., are about as close to an online course already, yet WKR’s continue to show up with unsafe and un zeroed guns.. there really is no substitute for the in person classes. So yes, I concur with your estimation. There’s so many things we think we’re doing right, but it takes one of those guys yelling at you or flicking your fingers to make you aware of how much you suck.

Sounds like a percentage of the class is made up of novices/inexperienced shooters and reloaders.
Hard to believe participants show up with untested, unsafe rifles, BUBBA’D gunsmithing , triggers with improperly installed springs and components and untested and unproven rifles.

Also participants showing up with out of spec reloaded ammunition that caused failures and had pressure issues blowing primers etc.. And all of this when participants state they booked the event one year in advance and had one year to prepare. Hard to believe they showed up so unprepared , with unsafe rifles , ill performing rifles and untested ammunition for a class that should be for shooters with at least the basics.

I feel for the instructors . Sounds like a percentage of the instructors time was used for baby sitting some of these participants and keeping the range safe for the other more advanced prepared participants.

 

[MagnumHntr]

Sounds like a percentage of the class is made up of novices/inexperienced shooters and reloaders.
Hard to believe participants show up with untested, unsafe rifles, BUBBA’D gunsmithing , triggers with improperly installed springs and components and untested and unproven rifles.

Also participants showing up with out of spec reloaded ammunition that caused failures and had pressure issues blowing primers etc.. And all of this when participants state they booked the event one year in advance and had one year to prepare. Hard to believe they showed up so unprepared , with unsafe rifles , ill performing rifles and untested ammunition for a class that should be for shooters with at least the basics.

I feel for the instructors . Sounds like a percentage of the instructors time was used for baby sitting some of these participants and keeping the range safe for the other more advanced prepared participants.

Curious what your proven setup might look like? Rifle, ammo and gear?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Sounds like a percentage of the class is made up of novices/inexperienced shooters and reloaders.
Hard to believe participants show up with untested, unsafe rifles, BUBBA’D gunsmithing , triggers with improperly installed springs and components and untested and unproven rifles.

Also participants showing up with out of spec reloaded ammunition that caused failures and had pressure issues blowing primers etc.. And all of this when participants state they booked the event one year in advance and had one year to prepare. Hard to believe they showed up so unprepared , with unsafe rifles , ill performing rifles and untested ammunition for a class that should be for shooters with at least the basics.

I feel for the instructors . Sounds like a percentage of the instructors time was used for baby sitting some of these participants and keeping the range safe for the other more advanced prepared participants.

You should attend the course.

 

[Formidilosus]

Sounds like a percentage of the class is made up of novices/inexperienced shooters and reloaders.
Hard to believe participants show up with untested, unsafe rifles, BUBBA’D gunsmithing , triggers with improperly installed springs and components and untested and unproven rifles.

Also participants showing up with out of spec reloaded ammunition that caused failures and had pressure issues blowing primers etc.. And all of this when participants state they booked the event one year in advance and had one year to prepare. Hard to believe they showed up so unprepared , with unsafe rifles , ill performing rifles and untested ammunition for a class that should be for shooters with at least the basics.

I feel for the instructors . Sounds like a percentage of the instructors time was used for baby sitting some of these participants and keeping the range safe for the other more advanced prepared participants.

Oh no doubt. Including high level competitors and guides that have attended…

Couldn’t possibly be that people are not nearly as knowledgeable and skilled as they think they are on the internet. Or that shooting on sterile ranges for a whooping 100 rounds a year doesn’t result in the same things as actually shooting and using the equipment in real weather and conditions.

 

[MtnW]

You should attend the course.

I think I will pass. I would not feel safe , would not have the patience, and would be bummed out paying big bucks to be around participants who have unsafe rifles, out of spec ammunition. unsafe over pressured ammunition blowing primers, misfiring etc..
NO THANKS I will save that class for you.

 

[hibernation]

With practice, in a snapshot situation, starting from condition 3, the rifle is in condition 1 by the time it’s at your shoulder. We also practiced a lot with going from 3 to 1 while getting into prone or sitting positions.

This is pretty similar to how I hunt now, I also used to carry condition 1 until I started hunting with others more regularly. I'm curious if the class drills a particular sequence for shots where you build a position - are you usually loading a round while getting into position, safety back on, build the position, acquire target, safety off, shoot? Or are most people building the whole position, then loading as the final step before shooting?

Thanks for the writeup. Lots of stuff to glean for us folks who can't make it to the class / haven't made it yet.

 

[ekupp]

Could you explain this? First time I've seen it mentioned.

Could you explain this? First time I've seen it mentioned.

 

[naked wombats]

Is it for scope protection, keeping the scope cool to the touch or a different function?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I think I will pass. I would not feel safe , would not have the patience, and would be bummed out paying big bucks to be around participants who have unsafe rifles, out of spec ammunition. unsafe over pressured ammunition blowing primers, misfiring etc..
NO THANKS I will save that class for you.

100% chance you would find the same thing at ANY class, it just might not be exposed as much as most schools don’t shoot nearly as many rounds or in conditions outside of a flat range. S2H classes are as safe or safer than any other type of shooting event I’ve been around, and that’s because of the extremely high level of competence of the instructors and their hawk eyes catching every small mistake, because they care enough to truly teach the students to be better rifleman, not just run through a curriculum.

High levels of training expose more flaws and weaknesses than any mediocre one would.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I think I will pass. I would not feel safe , would not have the patience, and would be bummed out paying big bucks to be around participants who have unsafe rifles, out of spec ammunition. unsafe over pressured ammunition blowing primers, misfiring etc..
NO THANKS I will save that class for you.

Sounds like you should start your own clinic with all that knowledge and skill set.

 

[ekupp]

Its totally unnecessary just a little protection from scratches and dings. Especially important if you think you might want to resell. I have been known to fall in rocky terrain and scratch up gear, guess its the novice in me.......

Is it for scope protection, keeping the scope cool to the touch or a different fu