Good Training Classes

[DataGuy]

Sorry I try to read more and post less, but I am struggling to find a good "intermediate" training class.

I've done basic training (into to long range, how to dope your rifle, fundamentals of marksmanship, etc...) but I feel like I need further assistance.

Even if F-Class (I mostly just practice), I struggle to get out of the 180s for 20 rounds. PRS has its moments, but the barricades still drive me nuts, and I will occasionally zero a stage (I don't go very fast, even on a good day I'll get off maybe 5 shots per stage). Don't get me wrong, I can hit 50% up to 75% of my shots in PRS, I just only take maybe 50-60 shots a match as I time out.

Whats really sad is I can help other people improve their scores (I'm really good at doping rifles) but my physical skills are junk. I've asked at matches and gotten answers from "I just practice" to "I dunno I just shoot"

Maybe it is time for another fundamentals class, but in mine, we basically spent 3 days doping our rifles to 1k, and I could really use some exercises or practices to get some feedback on "how to learn" Was even going to go get a go-pro and start filming my shooting sessions.

What I really need is a good trainer. But I don't want to spend $$$ just to dope my rifle again, so if you have a good class recommendation or trainer I'm all ears.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Dry fire more barricade stuff for prs and work on your platform setup to be solid and balanced

F class pay more attention to conditions, slow down.

I'm just throwing things out there not ever seeing you shoot.

 

[Dos XX]

K&M Comprehensive Precision Rifle Course | K&M Precision Rifle Training LLC

kmprecisionrifletraining.com

 

[bfiles]

Sorry I try to read more and post less, but I am struggling to find a good "intermediate" training class.

I've done basic training (into to long range, how to dope your rifle, fundamentals of marksmanship, etc...) but I feel like I need further assistance.

Even if F-Class (I mostly just practice), I struggle to get out of the 180s for 20 rounds. PRS has its moments, but the barricades still drive me nuts, and I will occasionally zero a stage (I don't go very fast, even on a good day I'll get off maybe 5 shots per stage). Don't get me wrong, I can hit 50% up to 75% of my shots in PRS, I just only take maybe 50-60 shots a match as I time out.

Whats really sad is I can help other people improve their scores (I'm really good at doping rifles) but my physical skills are junk. I've asked at matches and gotten answers from "I just practice" to "I dunno I just shoot"

Maybe it is time for another fundamentals class, but in mine, we basically spent 3 days doping our rifles to 1k, and I could really use some exercises or practices to get some feedback on "how to learn" Was even going to go get a go-pro and start filming my shooting sessions.

What I really need is a good trainer. But I don't want to spend $$$ just to dope my rifle again, so if you have a good class recommendation or trainer I'm all ears.

It will be a little over your head but you would get a lot out of a JTAC class from the okie boys.

If you’re actually in WI, reach out to 5x5 precision/chad heckler and see what he has to offer….he’s in MI but it’s still closer than OK or TN.

You need a solid positional shooting class. Work on target acquisition, dry fire to iron our your pre-recoil fundamentals and to ingrain good process habits, shoot paper at 100 to easily see what positions give you trouble and to come to grips with what it means to be “zeroed”.

Target acquisition: build a barricade or get a barrel or something at your house. Pick something small, far away, point your gun at it…drop into the scope. Repeat until the small, far away thing is in view once you are on the gun. If you are hunting around for your target, you need more practice. Do this at 15x on your scope…that’s all the more you should ever have on the gun at a match. Never zoom in or out on the clock.

Dry fire using .2 mil targets until the reticle doesn’t move when the pin drops. Pay attention to everything. Your feet, your hip-shoulder alignment, your grip, shoulder pressure, trigger finger movement as it relates to hand muscle tension, cheek pressure, breathing, EVERYTHING. Make your breathing a part of your bolt cycle until you physically can’t open the bolt without breathing in and can’t close it without exhaling. I drive Sheetrock screws into the trees 30 yards out my basement windows. Put fluorescent 1/4” dot stickers on the heads, make a dot with a sharpie. Use those for targets year round. If you can’t do something like that, get a DFAT system.

Take the barricade you built to the 100 yard range and shoot paper. I use the Kraft rifle drill target. Your standing, kneeling, sitting, prone accuracy should all be the same under no time stress. Work on the positions that aren’t until it is. If you should 1/4” groups prone but 1” groups from kneeling, work on kneeling until they match. The Kraft target has you shoot 3 shots from each height at 1” diamonds. Do this until all the shots are in the colored diamond. Don’t be surprised if it takes 6 months of bi-weekly range sessions. Google Kraft Target and you can find the details of the original drill on SnipersHide. Attached is the positional target (gen two).

Don’t shoot distant targets or with time pressure until the above is complete. If you shoot a 600 yard target from a barricade but your 100 barricade groups is 1”, you have absolutely no idea why you missed or what to do about it. Same with adding time pressure now. Running a clock will make you rush and will lead to bad habits and frustration.

At a PRS match, focus on executing good shots no matter how long it takes. You can’t miss fast enough to win and your goal should be to have a high raw hit percentage (total hits/total shots taken). 2 hits for two shots is a lot better than 2 hits for 10 shots at this point. The speed will come with better target acquisition and faster position building. Get in the habit of memorizing the 4 elevation inputs after the first target (first target might be 2.8 mils…no need to memorize it….but targets 2-5 you should know without having to look at your dope card.

Finally, the MOST IMPORTANT THING is you simply have to see where each bullet lands and take appropriate action so the next shot hits the middle of the plate. Without this, everything else is lost.

It sounds like a lot. It is. But it sure beats the hell out of playing golf.

 

[Sheldon N]

PRS has its moments, but the barricades still drive me nuts, and I will occasionally zero a stage (I don't go very fast, even on a good day I'll get off maybe 5 shots per stage). Don't get me wrong, I can hit 50% up to 75% of my shots in PRS, I just only take maybe 50-60 shots a match as I time out.

Whats really sad is I can help other people improve their scores (I'm really good at doping rifles) but my physical skills are junk.

All the classes recommended above are great resources, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them. Good advice too from bfiles.

I am somewhat curious what you mean by "my physical skills are junk". Do you mean physical limitations like age, muscular ability, fitness, mobility, or inability to stand still and hold the reticle on target? If so then a class will certainly help, but there is an element of underlying physical skill required for the sport that a class might not easily be able to address.

I don't want to presume your status or belittle you since I don't know anything about you, but if I knew someone who was 75 years old with dwindling physical capability I wouldn't necessarily be suggesting they fly across the country to a JTAC or K&M course. Unless of course it was something they'd enjoy and want to do. If that's not your situation, then please disregard the comment.

Regardless of the classes, if you're only getting half your shots off in a match then the thing you need is to get more efficient at getting in position to shoot. A class can give you a good foundation for how to build a stable position, but you'll still need to go home and put in thousands of reps.

You can do that without a class too. Every time you go to the range, stand with your gear in hand and build a position on target and break a single shot. Pick up all your gear, and repeat. One shot at a time, one position built each time. Barricades, prone, all types. You'll find that the repetition builds efficiency and that you'll have far more time to get off your shots at the next match.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Have you watched any "Winning in the Wind" videos? Or MDT videos? They might give you some ideas of what to try. Also, Winning in the Wind has a Patreon membership in which the owner might give you some tips.