Why Attend a Long-Range Shooting Course?

[JW@TRACT]

Has anyone attended a Long-Range (LR) shooting course? If so, which one?

What were your takeaways, and would you recommend others to do the same?

 

[hereinaz]

It is one of the best things you can do, at a good school. The feedback and education is the fastest way to competency.

I went to one, and it was very good.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Kind of, Bangsteel. It's more of a "bring whatever rifle you have and I'll show you that you can shoot long range with it" sort of deal. I will be taking a LR class at Coleman's Creek in the spring though probably. I've heard very good things about them. I want to attend a more formal class with them because I need to rebuild my shooting form from the ground up and my fundamentals are terrible right now. And if I could swing the cost/travel I'd love to take a class from Frank Galli, Rifles Only, or maybe Caylen Wojcik because all of their classes have reputations for hammering the fundamentals the whole time.

 

[Schism]

I've attended two classes from Frank Galli and Marc Taylor. Both were 3-day, PR1 level with targets to 1250 or so.

After taking the classes I had better shooting fundamentals and subsequently more confidence in making first round hits on targets that I probably wouldn't have been willing to attempt before. It was beneficial to both learn from experienced instructors and to be able to watch other students shoot while hearing instructor feedback to them. All the people attending each class were great and we all were more than willing to let others shoot our rifles, look through our scopes, use tripods etc so we could "try before we buy" new shooting equipment.

I would definitely recommend these classes to others.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I used to instruct “long range basics” and then “long range advanced” programs. I am biased, but the vast majority of “long range schools” that I’ve seen, or heard feedback from recently, aren’t fantastic.

 

[Wapiti1]

Because it is in the future, your options are limited. You have to prove be can’t or won’t perform the agreement: anticipatory repudiation.

Suing and fighting in court takes a special type of person, or it can be the worst thing in your life.

Buyer beware.

Sucks, but any time and money you dump into this is likely good after bad. He probably doesn’t have the money to pay you and sounds like he might not be able to perform. You’ll have to sue in AK and a judgment could be worthless. See if he has assets before you go the legal route.

Are you in the right thread?

 

[Wapiti1]

To the OP, depends on your end game. Most shooting classes teach shooting in a pretty controlled setting. Lots of prone and solidly rested shooting work, and not as much positional shooting like you would find in real world hunting situations.

Good to get fundamentals worked out for a new shooter, not as good for someone that wants to improve hunt shooting skills. IMO.

Most are taught by competition shooters or folks trained for military or law enforcement. Can be good instruction, but it may not apply to your situation.

I'd ask a lot of questions on what they teach and how and wouldn't go if I couldn't shoot my rifle. I don't need to know how I perform with their, likely not hunting friendly, equipment. I want to know how I do with mine so I can know my limits.

Jeremy

 

[Hydra6]

I decided late in life to pursue PRS and also to use that knowledge to improve my shooting skills for hunting.
1) Took 4 day class at K&M Precision in Finger TN - this is PRS oriented. Excellent facility, knowledgeable instructors. Great foundational class. (They now offer more hunting oriented training too).
2) JTAC class in Oklahoma. PRS specific but great for wind calls. Taught by five of the "GOATs" of PRS.
3) Did one on one class with a PRO PRS competitor in South Carolina for two days. I needed this vs a group class to focus on my specific areas that needed improvement.

I highly recommend training - I look at it as a "vacation" - what would I spend on a cruise/Disney/etc. and then compare to how much I enjoy the learning in my hobby/sport. How many rounds will you spend to teach yourself what you would learn in a class (if you can do it yourself).

 

[hereinaz]

Are you in the right thread?

Nope. Weird…

 

[TaperPin]

Long range shooting could take the form of a dozen different directions, taught in a dozen different ways. Instruction from someone who really knows their thing is the best way to improve quickly, or to fine tune a system that’s already working well, but only if what’s being taught is applicable. Many attendees we never hear from, found out the class they attended wasn’t what they were expecting and it won’t move their ball towards the goal post much. Go with someone who is doing at a high level, exactly what you dream of doing, and don’t assume a class will somehow morph to take your interests into account.

It seems every outfitter, gunsmith, gun range, or gun nut is providing long range instruction at least on a small scale. Coming in cold, I can’t imagine how someone could figure out who to pick, other than recommendations and descriptions from attendees. Stay away from unknown options even if they are cheap, but to some extent you have to make a call based on imperfect information and you get what you get.

 

[Bama67]

Is there an info source somewhere that lists locations to find long range shooting classes?

Example, I live in North Idaho so it's not exactly feasible for me to drive to Arizona or TN.

 

[JoeB]

Fallowing this as too am interested in possibility of a class

 

[JW@TRACT]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

 

[wind gypsy]

Is there an info source somewhere that lists locations to find long range shooting classes?

Example, I live in North Idaho so it's not exactly feasible for me to drive to Arizona or TN.

My first thought was hat creek for stuff in ID but it looks like they don’t do much for civilian stuff anymore.

This is one place to see a bunch of courses:

Training Course Announcements

Local Matches can use this to advertise their local matches

www.snipershide.com

 

[Hydra6]

Is there an info source somewhere that lists locations to find long range shooting classes?

Example, I live in North Idaho so it's not exactly feasible for me to drive to Arizona or TN.

Look on the PRS home page for PRS ranges in or near Idaho. The PRS 2024 Finale match just finished in Idaho. A PRS range/club will know where training/trainers are available.

 

[JohnJohnson]

My first thought was hat creek for stuff in ID but it looks like they don’t do much for civilian stuff anymore.

This is one place to see a bunch of courses:

Training Course Announcements

Local Matches can use this to advertise their local matches

www.snipershide.com

This. That page is a very good resource for open LR classes.

 

[gentleman4561]

They can be good, but once someone has a basic understanding of how to zero, dope, use a bag etc. their time/money is typically better spent dry firing and shooting matches.

 

[ID_Matt]

Is there an info source somewhere that lists locations to find long range shooting classes?

Example, I live in North Idaho so it's not exactly feasible for me to drive to Arizona or TN.

I think Fritz Precision is just outside of Lewiston... that's one that rings a bell for the northern half of the state

 

[ballistictip1088]

The only 2 I can recommend are JTAC in Oklahoma and Brian whalens class in CO.
Jtac is focused on PRS. They cover a lot of stuff in class the first half of day one and the other 1.5 days are in the field behind a gun.
Brian whalens class can be more focused on hunting, nrl hunter, reading mirage and wind, along with fundamentals. I shot prs for about a year before I went to my first class. It was 100% worth it to me. I am always looking into new to me schools and seeing whose teaching. IMO most school are sub par taught by mediocre shooters with basic skills. If you really want to get good behind a gun even if you’re just hunting talk to the competition guys.

 

[ballistictip1088]

This. That page is a very good resource for open LR classes.

Brian Morgan opens up a few civ classes a year. I had a buddy that was an instructor there for the past year or so. It’s a top notch school and facility. I believe it was $3k for 3-5 days of training to include lodging and meals. Pretty good price with that included