S2H course - June 2026

[hebertbrian]

Conditions is a useful framework, to me these 4 are the higher order rules. Ive seen someone's safety fail in the field (discharged while doing a mechanical check after engaging the safety, thankfully they were following #2) and been handed a rifle (from a safe in a bedroom) by someone with 100x more field time and hunting experience than me that they thought was empty but had one in the chamber (per #1 below). The first 2 deer rifles I used had the least secure (model 99 savage) and most secure (Model 81 Remington) safeties I've experienced, tang style is my favorite style but I trust none of them 100%. I'm glad to hear S2H classes focus on firearm safety.

Sent from my Pixel 10 Pro Fold using Tapatalk

 

[MtnW]

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.

B. Reynolds , Form,
Yes, I agree. That’s why I don’t do public classes with people I am not familiar with, especially with firearms. Not saying there is anything wrong with the instructors abilities or knowledge. Just saying that participants who show up with unsafe firearms, over pressure reloaded ammunition is not something I want to be around. Especially when they acknowledge they booked one year in advance and had all of that time to prepare.

I grew up around a gun club and actually did some work in my teens at registered shoots for my neighbor who owned the club, I have seen first hand what safety issues inexperienced shooters cause. I have a semi private range/club where I can shoot out to 900 yds. fifteen minutes from my home. I use my own reloaded ammunition for a dozen big game rifles from .416 Rigby to .223 from the Yukon to Africa and have NEVER head a single pressure problem, blown primer, etc. on any of my hunts. I have never been around anyone who was injured firing a unsafe firearm or over pressure ammunition but I have seen photos on what can happen. I have no problems filling my tags, and shoot ethically to my practiced limits with my quality , proven, tested ammunition .

 

[TradLife406]

This is probably one of the coolest things we learned. It's a note saying what ammo the gun was zeroed for and where on the turrets zero is. Obviously your zero stop on the elevation is set. But just a fail safe.
I added more tape for my guns wind number or other notes.

 

[Pilsner]

Loved the Winter Class gear replacement lists - what gear have folks replaced or plan to replace after this Spring Course?
I'm certain the spring class won't create a run on nearly $400 sweaters...

Also, I saw it once but can't locate it again after 0.27 seconds of searching but what bino harness is Form recommending now? Due to replace my AGC bino harness now that I've finally got RF binos.

 

[Ajsomp]

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.

Yeah I think you have a misunderstanding of the skill set of people attending.

 

[Ajsomp]

Loved the Winter Class gear replacement lists - what gear have folks replaced or plan to replace after this Spring Course?
I'm certain the spring class won't create a run on nearly $400 sweaters...

Also, I saw it once but can't locate it again after 0.27 seconds of searching but what bino harness is Form recommending now? Due to replace my AGC bino harness now that I've finally got RF binos.

Stone glacier harness and accessories

 

[Epfd217]

B. Reynolds , Form,
Yes, I agree. That’s why I don’t do public classes with people I am not familiar with, especially with firearms. Not saying there is anything wrong with the instructors abilities or knowledge. Just saying that participants who show up with unsafe firearms, over pressure reloaded ammunition is not something I want to be around. Especially when they acknowledge they booked one year in advance and had all of that time to prepare.

I grew up around a gun club and actually did some work in my teens at registered shoots for my neighbor who owned the club, I have seen first hand what safety issues inexperienced shooters cause. I have a semi private range/club where I can shoot out to 900 yds. fifteen minutes from my home. I use my own reloaded ammunition for a dozen big game rifles from .416 Rigby to .223 from the Yukon to Africa and have NEVER head a single pressure problem, blown primer, etc. on any of my hunts. I have never been around anyone who was injured firing a unsafe firearm or over pressure ammunition but I have seen photos on what can happen. I have no problems filling my tags, and shoot ethically to my practiced limits with my quality , proven, tested ammunition .

Cool story.

 

[Pilsner]

B. Reynolds , Form,
Yes, I agree. That’s why I don’t do public classes with people I am not familiar with, especially with firearms. Not saying there is anything wrong with the instructors abilities or knowledge. Just saying that participants who show up with unsafe firearms, over pressure reloaded ammunition is not something I want to be around. Especially when they acknowledge they booked one year in advance and had all of that time to prepare.

I grew up around a gun club and actually did some work in my teens at registered shoots for my neighbor who owned the club, I have seen first hand what safety issues inexperienced shooters cause. I have a semi private range/club where I can shoot out to 900 yds. fifteen minutes from my home. I use my own reloaded ammunition for a dozen big game rifles from .416 Rigby to .223 from the Yukon to Africa and have NEVER head a single pressure problem, blown primer, etc. on any of my hunts. I have never been around anyone who was injured firing a unsafe firearm or over pressure ammunition but I have seen photos on what can happen. I have no problems filling my tags, and shoot ethically to my practiced limits with my quality , proven, tested ammunition .

Not sure how any one idiots hot hand loads (or even inadvertently hot hand loads from an otherwise safe reloader) is gonna endanger ME - even in my role as an RO. Endanger their rifle and their face - certainly. But me at the next lane over or behind them as an RO... Not so much.
To be fair to the OP I also wont knowingly shoot with morons of any stripe reloaders or new shooters.
Seems to me that you are making more of this risk than is actually present.

 

[RockAndSage]

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.

 

[ckt3]

I’d like to buy 10x RF binos. Did any stand out as particularly good in the class? How about good value? I’d like to save money if possible but not at the expense of functionality and dependability. No ballistics needed, just ranging. I’m considering Vortex Fury 5000 but don’t want to buy them and regret it later. Hoping to take this class next year.

 

[Ajsomp]

I’d like to buy 10x RF binos. Did any stand out as particularly good in the class? How about good value? I’d like to save money if possible but not at the expense of functionality and dependability. No ballistics needed, just ranging. I’m considering Vortex Fury 5000 but don’t want to buy them and regret it later. Hoping to take this class next year.

Leica geovid 10x42R

I’m putting a post together on my bino experience. But if you just want good binos and integrated RF, hard to beat.

I’m also running the GPO 8x40s but I’m not sure if they would be the “one” Bino if you were to sink your money. Certainly punch above the price point but not the same as the leicas.

 

[Bluumoon]

I’d like to buy 10x RF binos. Did any stand out as particularly good in the class? How about good value? I’d like to save money if possible but not at the expense of functionality and dependability. No ballistics needed, just ranging. I’m considering Vortex Fury 5000 but don’t want to buy them and regret it later. Hoping to take this class next year.

It’s been discussed elsewhere but the Revics (1st gen’s are popping up used) and Geovid Rs were the two recommended. Other rangefinders and RF Bino combos quickly failed to function in cold weather.

 

[Wacko]

I guess one of the only things I do different so far is my "Condition 3"...

I start at condition 4, close the bolt and let the firing pin down. Then load the magazine in. Now my rifle has to also be cocked to load. I've never had a bolt open doing this. It also isn't any slower to me.

Not sure if that goes against anything....but I'll listen to any reasons why not to do it.

 

[Ajsomp]

I guess one of the only things I do different so far is my "Condition 3"...

I start at condition 4, close the bolt and let the firing pin down. Then load the magazine in. Now my rifle has to also be cocked to load. I've never had a bolt open doing this. It also isn't any slower to me.

Not sure if that goes against anything....but I'll listen to any reasons why not to do it.

I see a few reasons. “Firing” a gun to prove it’s clear creates a dangerous habit IME.

You also can’t put the rifle on safe with a dropped hammer. On a tikka for example, putting it on safe prevents the bolt from opening at all. So even if you haven’t experienced it, the bolt could open while on your pack for example.

 

[Bluumoon]

I see a few reasons. “Firing” a gun to prove it’s clear creates a dangerous habit IME.

You also can’t put the rifle on safe with a dropped hammer. On a tikka for example, putting it on safe prevents the bolt from opening at all. So even if you haven’t experienced it, the bolt could open while on your pack for example.

Yeah... People around here do it. Had never seen or heard of it. I've heard from 2 people here that had NDs doing exactly that. I'm far from perfect, but that habit is bound for trouble.

 

[Wacko]

Interesting. I have always made sure the rifle is full clear visually and physically then while closing the bolt I pull the trigger and ride the bolt down. Then load my mag. I've never had a bolt open because it has to be cocked which is quite a bit of resistance. Safety only needs to be applied if I have to hold off on shooting once I load. Obviously obeying the never point your rifle at anything you don't want to destroy applies as well.

I also drop the firing pin in the same manner when storing the rifle. Nobody stores their rifle cocked do they?

I'm just running this through my head....

 

[Tom-D]

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.

I fully understand that there is no way online would be as good as in person but i was really hoping the online version would still happen. Being in Aus the cost of travel and time and renting rifles and buying ammo as i wouldnt be able to fly with all my own gear makes it pretty much not achievable for me. Was hoping to see an interactive version where you could film yourself an submit for review. But i get thats a pretty big ask of the instructors

 

[colby12]

I fully understand that there is no way online would be as good as in person but i was really hoping the online version would still happen. Being in Aus the cost of travel and time and renting rifles and buying ammo as i wouldnt be able to fly with all my own gear makes it pretty much not achievable for me. Was hoping to see an interactive version where you could film yourself a submit for review. But i get thats a pretty big ask of the instructors

One random internet guys opinion.
The method of instruction and the way the material is presented is a big part of what makes the course. I’m fairly confident Form could write a book, hand you a syllabus, or write down every step and it wouldn’t click. Personal bias, ego, and a slew of other things would stand in the way. The course is not just a basic course. It is pretty high level instruction on very fundamental things. I get it, Australia is a journey but if you’re ever in the states during the time of a class you would not regret it.

 

[Tom-D]

One random internet guys opinion.
The method of instruction and the way the material is presented is a big part of what makes the course. I’m fairly confident Form could write a book, hand you a syllabus, or write down every step and it wouldn’t click. Personal bias, ego, and a slew of other things would stand in the way. The course is not just a basic course. It is pretty high level instruction on very fundamental things. I get it, Australia is a journey but if you’re ever in the states during the time of a class you would not regret it.

Yeah absolutely, but im sure you would gain maybe 50% of what you could in person which would still by a vast improvement for a lot of people.
Fully understand i wouldnt regret it. I had hope to do the course that included the bear hunt to make the trip more worth the travel but i believe my commy government just banned importing bear parts into the country. Still hope i can tie it into a family trip or something one day just not on the cards at the moment

 

[hebertbrian]

Interesting. I have always made sure the rifle is full clear visually and physically then while closing the bolt I pull the trigger and ride the bolt down. Then load my mag. I've never had a bolt open because it has to be cocked which is quite a bit of resistance. Safety only needs to be applied if I have to hold off on shooting once I load. Obviously obeying the never point your rifle at anything you don't want to destroy applies as well.

I also drop the firing pin in the same manner when storing the rifle. Nobody stores their rifle cocked do they?

I'm just running this through my head....

I follow this method (close bolt slowly while holding down trigger) when I put bolt actions in the safe (mag/loading part never comes into it in that scenario) but never in the field. I do a 'pinky check' physical inspection and a visual, then repeat both steps again, and then watch as I close the bolt. Unless specifically setting up to dry fire practice, usually with Snap caps, I personally don't like pulling the trigger on a closed action unless aiming at something I'm trying to shoot, even if I'm the only one that's handled it. Some folks pull the bolt for storage, others leave the bolt open, I just prefer 2x confirmed unloaded (3x counting the initial field unload for transport) and decocked with bolt closed.

Sent from my Pixel 10 Pro Fold using Tapatalk