S2H winter class 2026 observations and lessons learned

[24valve]

After the class, how are people feeling about spotting scopes for finding animals and spotting hits? It sounds like most/all spotters sucked for this purpose, but 10x RF binos left a lot to be desired as well.

Form and others hit on spotters for spotting shots, but in terms of finding animals I'll add that 15's are far more comfortable to look though for long periods of time and there's very few animals I've found with a spotter that I wouldn't have seen with 15's.

While not ideal, 10x RF binos on a tripod is still feasible for spotting shots if it's all you have with you. At closer ranges the extra FOV isn't a bad thing - I used 10x RF binos on a tripod to spot shots on an elk this past fall at 100 yards and it might've been the only time I wouldn't have rather had 15's.

 

[pattimusprime22]

As far as I am aware, no one used the on-board ballistics during the field shooting portion of the class. One of the things constantly brought up is to test your gear, and also understand workarounds when your gear inevitably fails. Quick Drop works very well for what it is (a method to make fast, accurate hits on target), and if you use a set of ballistic capable binos you will lose the reps required to build the QD foundation that will backstop the rest of your shooting process. QD also will let you give/receive drops for almost any rifle with ease, meaning you can switch to your partner's gun in the middle of a shot string and still be effective, vs having to take out a phone and reference a chart or re-sync an app.

For instance, I have Revics and use the onboard ballistics a good bit. My Revics no longer work after undergoing a bit of an impromptu drop-test-esque evolution last week. No worries; just back to a handheld RF and QD in my head and I'm hitting 10" steel at 600 yards with almost no loss in speed for the actual shot process.

And the only reason to use MOA is to pick out your dot size for your target stickers off the shelf at the gun store. You don't have to know mils going into the course, but there is no way you leave the class and don't want to shoot mils for everything.

Prior to the drop test on your Revics, were you getting the range from the Revics for the quick drop? I thought the Revics typically show the line of sight range as opposed to the angle compensated range. I know that doesn't matter much unless angles get steep, but wondering.

 

[RancherJohn]

Prior to the drop test on your Revics, were you getting the range from the Revics for the quick drop? I thought the Revics typically show the line of sight range as opposed to the angle compensated range. I know that doesn't matter much unless angles get steep, but wondering.

Revics in BDC mode will give the angle compensated range, however for most of the shots in the field shooting portion of the class angles didn't come into play. I do wish it would only display the angle compensated range as a default. Mine were BLR10b's, not sure if the newer model displays the data that way.

A 540 yd LOS on a 15* slope will have a compensated range of 520 yds, so .2 mil (~3.9") difference between the two for the rifle/load I have up on my app right now. It matters less on closer shots, more on longer range where Quick Drop typically falls off in accuracy relative to a ballistic calculator. It probably won't cost you an animal, it may cost you a target in a competition though.