This forum is a great resource for those of us that are new to this sport. I am very interested in learning more about long range marksmanship training, equipment, etc. I'm currently living out of state, but I should be back in Southern California next year. I'd like to see if I can arrange for some private instruction so I can get off to a good start. Can you recommend someone in Southern California that I can contact?

Thank you for your help.

While it may be tough for you to time it all out correctly, I would recommend the CAPRC clinics. Since it will save you quite a bit money vs private instruction. Also, don't forget about Appleseed.

But, if you do end up needing to do private... I have done some carbine training with Stan Lee at The Academy of St. Crispian which were all fantastic. Through his school he offers a Long Range Precision class taught by a former scout sniper. I haven't personally attended this class, so take my response with that in mind, but the training I have received from St. Crispian in general was top notch.

Info here, scroll down to bottom....
http://www.stcrispian.com/Rifle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Save your money for reloading components and a decent optic. Just start shooting matches. In the meantime, if you want a basic understanding of how this game is played and some of the equipment that we use, get the Magpul Precision Rifle video. Save yourself the headache and DON’T BUY A GAS GUN.

skunkdevo wrote:Save your money for reloading components and a decent optic. Just start shooting matches. In the meantime, if you want a basic understanding of how this game is played and some of the equipment that we use, get the Magpul Precision Rifle video. Save yourself the headache and DON’T BUY A GAS GUN.

....save yourself some money. DONT BUY THAT DVD. Its more of an infomercial than anything else!

What happened Esteban? Did you get hung up on the basic algebraic equations for the wind calculations and throw the DVD in the trash?

That DVD was horrible!!! I fell asleep after the first 45 minutes

Because $500+ worth of classroom instruction on marksmanship is just as titilating…

skunkdevo wrote:What happened Esteban? Did you get hung up on the basic algebraic equations for the wind calculations and throw the DVD in the trash?

Lets start off by saying that comments like that tend to rub me the wrong way. So on that note. The "basic algebraic equations" that you speak of did not "hang me up". The DVD was in my opinion a waste of time and really was nothing more than an infomercial for some manufacturers. I have taken the PR1 class offered my Magpul twice here in San Diego and the instructor basically has told the class that he does not teach those formulas or does he suggest that we try to learn them. Every time the DVD was brought up it was followed by a sarcastic comment by the instructor. What I took away from the conversation regarding those "basic algebraic equations" that you spoke of are that there better ways to deal wind reading.

I learned the way everyone should....by making mistakes...asking lots of questions....and just shooting. I never have attended a clinic as a shooter or paid for any formal training.

OP, i'll take you out shooting when you get in to SoCal. Just let me know. I can get you dialed in.

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Mobius38 wrote:

Lets start off by saying that comments like that tend to rub me the wrong way. So on that note. The "basic algebraic equations" that you speak of did not "hang me up". The DVD was in my opinion a waste of time and really was nothing more than an infomercial for some manufacturers. I have taken the PR1 class offered my Magpul twice here in San Diego and the instructor basically has told the class that he does not teach those formulas or does he suggest that we try to learn them. Every time the DVD was brought up it was followed by a sarcastic comment by the instructor. What I took away from the conversation regarding those "basic algebraic equations" that you spoke of are that there better ways to deal wind reading.

Maybe you should have prefaced your first response with this information first, rather than just writing off the suggestions of another club member.

^^^^^ DIRTRACER... I couldnt afford to take those classes so all I used to do was shoot groups from the bench. This all changed about a yr ago when I ran into Charley. He convinced me to shoot my first club match and I haven't look back since. There is a learning curve and you will make mistakes. The trick is not to make the same mistake. Work on your weaknesses. Shoot and shoot more! Learn to reload or you will be broke. Pay attention to how the old timers here shoot (Brad, Randall, Ray, James, and others). Take mental and written notes.

I would take James up on his offer.

gau17 wrote:^^^^^ DIRTRACER... I couldnt afford to take those classes so all I used to do was shoot groups from the bench. This all changed about a yr ago when I ran into Charley. He convinced me to shoot my first club match and I haven't look back since. There is a learning curve and you will make mistakes. The trick is not to make the same mistake. Work on your weaknesses. Shoot and shoot more! Learn to reload or you will be broke. Pay attention to how the old timers here shoot (Brad, Randall, Ray, James, and others). Take mental and written notes.

I would take James up on his offer.

It's working. You have been getting top Asian or Islander or whatever the award is.

Solomon... why do i have to be an old timer????!!!! Please don't put me in the same group as Grandpa and call me an old timer at the same time. It makes me feel.....



OLD!

DirtRacer151 wrote:Solomon... why do i have to be an old timer????!!!! Please don't put me in the same group as Grandpa and call me an old timer at the same time. It makes me feel.....



OLD!

Well.. lets see.. House..check. Wife..soon to be.. Family..comes with the wife...yep, your an old timer...

I hate to admit it, but Steven has a point.

Gnzrme wrote:
Well.. lets see.. House..check. Wife..soon to be.. Family..comes with the wife...yep, your an old timer...

Steven.... go back to bed

Shit that means im an old timer now as well.

Wife - Check
House/Condo - Check
Kid - Check

FUCK

This forum is great. Thank you everybody for your thoughts and advise. I appreciate it.

James, a little time with you is exactly what a newcomer needs to get off on the right foot. I'll be in touch. Thank you very much!

I'm thinking of starting off with a Remington 700 mil spec 5R and a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 Mil-Dot and mil knobs. What do you think?

DirtRacer151 wrote:I learned the way everyone should....by making mistakes...asking lots of questions....and just shooting. I never have attended a clinic as a shooter or paid for any formal training.

OP, i'll take you out shooting when you get in to SoCal. Just let me know. I can get you dialed in.

Many people have gone far with that set up...

Gnzrme wrote:Many people have gone far with that set up...

Except this guy^^^

Short Action Precision wrote:

Except this guy^^^

I do not have that set up... and...BITE ME.. AND GO BACK TO CHANGING DIAPERS!!!!

Gnzrme wrote:
I do not have that set up... and...BITE ME.. AND GO BACK TO CHANGING DIAPERS!!!!

Pretty damn close..

<insert standard Steven response here>

DirtRacer151 wrote:
Pretty damn close..

<insert standard Steven response here>

Your time is coming too...

[quote="DirtRacer151"][/quote]
<insert standard Steven response here>

James you should make a emoticon for that...

Gnzrme wrote: <insert standard Steven response here>

James you should make a emoticon for that...

We just need to modify the one with the guy hiding behind the couch to sleeping on it instead...

Yep, thats usually where I am...

I was leaning towards a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 but would a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50 be a better choice? I'm planning on puttng this scope on a Remington 700 mil spec 5R to begin the process of learning more about long range shooting. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Gnzrme wrote:Many people have gone far with that set up...

Sweet17 wrote:I was leaning towards a Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 but would a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50 be a better choice? I'm planning on puttng this scope on a Remington 700 mil spec 5R to begin the process of learning more about long range shooting. Any advise is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I would suggest a Bushnell 3.5-21 DMR instead. Glass is not as clear but its FFP and a great reticle. I liked my NF but being SFP it holds you back a little in this game.

Id stick with a 3-15 and make sure you get the MLR instead of mildot reticle.

Bushnell DMR, ERS, XRS are also good choices.
Short action precision can hook you up if you decide on a Bushnell. I have 3-XRS's and 2 NF F1s and they're all aolid scopes

My choice would be a bushy 3.5-21 dmr ffp or the 3-15 NF f1 but given the price and extra magnification I'd say the Bushnell is a better value.

Look up Nathan (Short Action Precision) and he'll hook you up.

Also important to note, if you're gonna be rocking a .308, you're gonna find it's tough to stay on target at the higher magnifications. ~10x-12x has been my experience, anything higher and I'm usually kicked off target and can't see my impacts. I imagine, that as I explore calibers with less recoil (~6mm) that i may be able to go higher, so there is nothing wrong in purchasing for the future. I will not name different brands for you as I don't have enough experience with them, but the limits with magnification relative to caliber and recoil is something to keep in mind. IMO.

I third the "contact Nathan at SAP" opinion espoused by others. If I need a product, he's who I check with first.

khw9mm wrote:My choice would be a bushy 3.5-21 dmr ffp or the 3-15 NF f1 but given the price and extra magnification I'd say the Bushnell is a better value.

Look up Nathan (Short Action Precision) and he'll hook you up.

I agree with Kevin on that. I love my bushy!

My biggest pet peeve on the Bushnell is glass quality. Quite frankly....it sucks!! The scopes are solid though and get the job done for a reasonable price.

James is the glass better on a Razor?

Gnzrme wrote:James is the glass better on a Razor?

I don't know. I'd need to look through both side by side in the same conditions. There are some conditions where the Bushnell glass isn't bad. Then theres others where its difficult for me to even see 6mm holes on cardboard at 100yds. Coming from S&B and Premier it kinda sucks because even in poor conditions you could always see holes in anything.

Gnzrme wrote:James is the glass better on a Razor?

Nope, March, S&B and Premier have better glass but nothing tracks like a Bushnell.

If you put a good size brake on a .308 you'll stay on target just fine.