Shoot2Hunt University

[Ajsomp]

1,000 rounds of practice ammo. Shoot it in your rifle first to make sure it is ok. AAC has not been consistent at all- wouldn’t recommend it. ADI 55gr Blitzking, 69 and 77gr SMK is good to excellent.

I also have a bunch of AAC 77 grain SMK and TMK that I am going to burn through. Wasn’t impressed with the groups before but figured it was practice ammo. Seeing some of those groups I know it’s likely better to buy the ADI instead

Also- got the golden ticket to the course in 26. Looking forward to it. Do guys usually bring out their primary rifles too to get good groups and data, and just burn the 223s?

 

[Castle Rock]

Athlon seems to stay within .2 in any direction- so, both aren’t exactly stellar.

ADI 55gr Blitzking, 69 and 77gr SMK is good to excellent.

It chafes a bit that you blokes can buy it cheaper than we can
My Athlon is still solid, a few weeks ago I was dialing in 25 mils and holding 2 for hits on the mile gong with my 243.

 

[Formidilosus]

It chafes a bit that you blokes can buy it cheaper than we can

That sucks.

My Athlon is still solid, a few weeks ago I was dialing in 25 mils and holding 2 for hits on the mile gong with my 243.

I don’t doubt that. At least in my experience, it seems to be drops that breaks them.

 

[Wprinkle]

Today at 7:59 AM
Feedback from the June 9th class.

I attended the June 9th class of 2025. The following are my observations and opinions.

The class is without a doubt a complete game changer. The weather was great with some rain showers almost every afternoon. Food is amazing, living quarters were very comfortable. Note: you are so tired every night you could sleep on an ant bed and not wake up. As far as the students we ranged from never having shot a bolt gun to hunted our entire life. As, for the most part, we all started at different levels of proficiency but, for the most part all ended at the same very high, on demand at 600 level. You will learn the things that matter and what does not. You will start with how to properly assemble a rifle to hammering rocks at 1400 yards and everything in between. The cadre could not have been better. Complete pros in every aspect. Their knowledge and skills do not stop at “teaching you to shoot.” They are just good humans that pair knowledge with experience. To the point that I had a safety infraction and received the absolute best behavior changing “talk” I have ever received. The “I’m not mad just disappointed” feeling that resonates to the core and stops you from EVER letting it happen again. This is not a splash and giggle, money grab program. The cadre truly give you the feeling they want to see you improve and establish a base of skills and knowledge that you cane take home and perfect.



For future students, if you are on the fence, just do it. It will pay incalculable dividends.

• YOU SUCK!! Embrace it and own it. You will be provided with the opportunity to prove how bad you suck. Sucking will be the only thing you shine at from day one.
• Submit to the process! There is a process, it has been unequivocally proven to work so trust it. You WILL get frustrated, down, doubt the process and yourself. And it is not until the end that you see the “why.” But, when you do see it, the result is beyond expectation.
• The best teacher is failure. And you are allowed to fail A LOT. Then shown the proper way and become successful. TRUST THE PROCESS!! You will also see gear/ delivery systems fail. There is a reason for the recommended rifles and optics.
• If it is easy or comfortable you are probably doing it wrong. I’m sore in places I didn’t know boys even had. Bring a good shooting pad, and long sleeves or elbow pads.
• Gun Safety, I can not stress enough to show up knowing safety fundamentals. You will learn true/ different but better safety procedures. It is one thing to “be safe” when you only have to worry about yourself and 1-2 other people. But when you have 15+ people in all different locations, you realize how diligent you must be with safety.
• I highly recommend showing up having spent some time on Rokslide reading and listening to Ryan and Form on podcasts. A base knowledge of Shoot 2 Hunt, Form, and the processes they deploy will help the class achieve more and allow for deep dives into pertinent topics.

TRY NOT TO SUCK
#maketruckhuntinggreatagain

 

[Braaap]

@Wprinkle summed it up really well. I attended the same class and wanted to say the class actually exceeded my expectations and I went into it with really high expectations. If you think you’re good at shooting (you’re not) you will learn a tremendous amount and the system they teach just works. Class is also just super fun. So much fun that I will definitely sign up for the Shoot2hunt road hunting course in 2026!!!

 

[wind gypsy]

I already knew the answer before i asked it. If you let people train in perfect conditions then the tide might shift!

I'm looking at a Tikka build now thanks to what I saw at the first class. But I have my fingers crossed on the MRC lefty availability timeline. That's my preferred option.

What issues were observed?

 

[Braaap]

What issues were observed?

We had two R700 based guns at the June 9-13 class. Neither really worked. My buddy
attended the class with me and had one of them and isn’t active on here so I’ll speak for him. His brother puts together “custom” R700 based guns for him. He’s selling all of them and buying Tikka or the MRC. He gave up on his R700 rifle after the pre test on Sunday and shot his Tikka 223 exclusively through the rest of the class.

 

[Braaap]

What issues were observed?

Feeding issues, mag issues, maybe more?

 

[wind gypsy]

Feeding issues, mag issues

Suppose it depends on the specifics but that seems likely to be an assembly and mag choice/setup thing than a m700 platform thing, no?

 

[Braaap]

Suppose it depends on the specifics but that seems likely to be an assembly and mag choice/setup thing than a m700 platform thing, no?

Perhaps. @Formidilosus can speak to it more but it sounds like they’ve never had anything but issues in the course with those rifles.

 

[philcox]

I was also in the class with @Wprinkle, @TimberHunter, and @Braaap (should be Mustacio ... IYKYK) and will add a few things that I think are relevant to anyone thinking about attending:

1. @Formidilosus is as good as you think he is, maybe even better. He shot just about everything we did in about 1/3 the time and 3x the accuracy. If you listen to him, you will learn a ton. The rest of the staff we had (Chris, Mike and Mike) were also very helpful and knowledgable in many other areas as well.
2. Bring your hunting setup (glass, rifle, pads, etc.) so when you get the opportunity to "use" it, you'll see just how screwed up most of it is for "on demand" shooting. I brought my Exo 2200, and wish I would have brought my 5000 with the lid. Now I have to try all the "setup" with that one. The 2200 was completely inadequate for the "on demand" part. It is a great "haul stuff", but when trying to be efficient with getting off a shot ... very sub-optimal
3. I will never look at my hiking sticks the same way. They are arguably as important as any piece of equipment I have when it comes to on-demand shooting
4. If you are a GREAT shot, and we had one of those in our class, still trust the process, as you WILL get better and learn a ton.
5. The class will have VARYING levels of skill and knowledge, remember that everyone is there to learn, and you may get a chance to help someone else out. If you do, it will make you better, as "helping" someone means you need to know what you are doing (e.g., it exposes your weakness)
6. Leave your expectations at home, you won't need them, and they may be wrong (e.g., What you think you want, you really don't want), BUT bring your questions. The amount of knowledge in the room may be unparalleled.

With that said, I would strongly encourage anyone (everyone?) to take this course. It likely falls into the top 10 things I have ever done in my life (and I'm almost 61). My life is fuller having spent the week learning and hanging out with the other guys in the class.

"Notable" Things

• Midnight is just a spot on the clock, embrace it
• Tape with bullet holes doesn't unwrap well
• @Shaymos94 may be the most pleasant person I have ever met
• @Formidilosus is both right and wrong on his views on the topic of "social media"
• When they say "no cell service" they mean it (at least my AT&T was horrid)
• The Ranch is available on AirBnB

As @Wprinkle said earlier "post event melancholy is real"

 

[Bluumoon]

I was also in the class with @Wprinkle,
@TimberHunter, and @Braaap (should be Mustacio ... IYKYK) and will add a few things that I think are relevant to anyone thinking about attending:

1. @Formidilosus is as good as you think he is, maybe even better. He shot just about everything we did in about 1/3 the time and 3x the accuracy. If you listen to him, you will learn a ton. The rest of the staff we had (Chris, Mike and Mike) were also very helpful and knowledgable in many other areas as well.
2. Bring your hunting setup (glass, rifle, pads, etc.) so when you get the opportunity to "use" it, you'll see just how screwed up most of it is for "on demand" shooting. I brought my Exo 2200, and wish I would have brought my 5000 with the lid. Now I have to try all the "setup" with that one. The 2200 was completely inadequate for the "on demand" part. It is a great "haul stuff", but when trying to be efficient with getting off a shot ... very sub-optimal
3. I will never look at my hiking sticks the same way. They are arguably as important as any piece of equipment I have when it comes to on-demand shooting
4. If you are a GREAT shot, and we had one of those in our class, still trust the process, as you WILL get better and learn a ton.
5. The class will have VARYING levels of skill and knowledge, remember that everyone is there to learn, and you may get a chance to help someone else out. If you do, it will make you better, as "helping" someone means you need to know what you are doing (e.g., it exposes your weakness)
6. Leave your expectations at home, you won't need them, and they may be wrong (e.g., What you think you want, you really don't want), BUT bring your questions. The amount of knowledge in the room may be unparalleled.

With that said, I would strongly encourage anyone (everyone?) to take this course. It likely falls into the top 10 things I have ever done in my life (and I'm almost 61). My life is fuller having spent the week learning and hanging out with the other guys in the class.

"Notable" Things

• Midnight is just a spot on the clock, embrace it
• Tape with bullet holes doesn't unwrap well
• @Shaymos94 may be the most pleasant person I have ever met
• @Formidilosus is both right and wrong on his views on the topic of "social media"
• When they say "no cell service" they mean it (at least my AT&T was horrid)
• The Ranch is available on AirBnB

As @Wprinkle said earlier "post event melancholy is real"

Specifically with the EXO 2200 what did you find lacking/sub optimal? The 2200 w R3 wings was my go to last year for truck based hunting.

If you rent the ranch do you get shooting privileges?

 

[philcox]

Specifically with the EXO 2200 what did you find lacking/sub optimal? The 2200 w R3 wings was my go to last year for truck based hunting.

If you rent the ranch do you get shooting privileges?

- Exo: I didn't have the wings, so everything was buckled. Way too long to get everything out when against the clock

- Ranch: I am not sure, but I don't see why not. If I rented it, I'd definitely check first.

 

[Bluumoon]

- Exo: I didn't have the wings, so everything was buckled. Way too long to get everything out when against the clock

- Ranch: I am not sure, but I don't see why not. If I rented it, I'd definitely check first.

So access to hiking sticks, tripod? I’m slow w those regardless, even when sticks start in hand. . Shooting to 200-250 I’m good w just the pack as a front rest for a 12” Target more or less.

 

[Formidilosus]

Suppose it depends on the specifics but that seems likely to be an assembly and mag choice/setup thing than a m700 platform thing, no?

Well, we have yet to have a single custom built R700 pattern action make it through all 5 days without significant failures. There are two right now in the class- both custom built with “excellent” actions by competent smiths; both malfunctioned multiple times in the first 20 rounds fired.

It isn’t that none will ever work, it’s that they fail at a significantly higher rate than other systems.

 

[wind gypsy]

Well, we have yet to have a single custom built R700 pattern action make it through all 5 days without significant failures. There are two right now in the class- both custom built with “excellent” actions by competent smiths; both malfunctioned multiple times in the first 20 rounds fired.

It isn’t that none will ever work, it’s that they fail at a significantly higher rate than other systems.

How did they fail in the first 20 rounds? are you doing anything to test reliability of the system right away at the beginning?

I only have one m700 pattern rifle left and its a range/match queen so limited concern but it just seems like you guys have an insanely high failure rate.

 

[SloppyJ]

What issues were observed?

Well since I was one of the few with a r700 footprint action (zermatt) and I was the loudest of the group that liked smarting off, I normally got the brunt of it. I didn't have issues with binding the bolt but I did have some issues with misfeeding and failure to pick up the last round in the mag with my MDT metal 10 rounders.

I borrowed someone's MDT 12rd plastic mag and the feed lips were different. That one worked just fine. I need to trim down the added plastic portion of the feed lips on my metal mags to make the front be able to stand up earlier in the bolt stroke. Like you said earlier, a little mag adjustment but I will have to test the hell out of it before I'm confident.

I believe someone else had a trigger issue but I could have got that mixed up with a Tikka spring that someone swapped and didn't tighten down correctly, That happened on the other side of the line from me.

Both of my TT specials worked just fine. We were not extra hard on the guns but the first day and half we were there it was raining so they got a wet and a bit nasty. They were laid on the ground, dusty, and just overall had a hard 5.5 days and over 1k rounds put through them.

With that said, I finished the class on my 223 as my loads for my 25w were way hot for some reason even though I down loaded them which bummed me out a bit. I didn't feel like the problems were as impactful as the others above who are ditching all r700 actions now or quit shooting them at the class. The misfeeds actually helped me after I embraced it and quit being a bitch. Things happen in the field and it never goes perfect so getting the opprotunity to work through those problems under stress did nothing but help me.... and frustrate the shit out of me at the same time. All in all, those problems are avoidable and it's just one more variable that you can take out of the equation with a different rifle platform. However, I'm not in a hurry to off-load my "custom" actions but I do see the merit in something that feeds better and will be eyeing a MRC in left hand.

 

[Castle Rock]

I have still got a couple of genuine AI 223 plastic mags that work every time, I wish they were still available

 

[Shaymos94]

@Jimbee and I are signed up for a ‘26 class. All these posts are getting me super excited. Looking for some feedback from recent students and Form. How many 223 rounds do you recommend brining? Anything you wish you brought that you didn’t or wasn’t on the pack list? What other fresh insights can you all pass along? Thanks in advance!

I think we shot close to 800ish rounds of .223. But that was due to some heavy afternoon rain showers. I think we easily could have went through 1k otherwise. I wish I had brought a 10 round mag for the .223. I think it should be considered “mandatory”. Luckily I was able to barrow one from a classmate. Bring a spotter if you have one. And if you end up sleeping in the hanger, ide bring a bag of pre ground coffee, and a French press(coffee pot was broke). Unless your willing to to wait for form to crawl out of bed before your first cup.

 

[weaver]

Just signed up for the 6/1-5 class next year. Will be flying so would be great to carpool with someone from Bozeman or Billings.