The Long Range Precision Rifle Training Course is designed to give shooters a practical understanding of the skills, equipment, ballistics, and decision-making required to consistently engage targets at extended distances.

The goal of this course is not simply to make hits at long range. Students will learn how to develop a repeatable shooting process, understand what their rifle and ammunition are actually doing, evaluate environmental conditions, build reliable ballistic data, and apply that information to achieve first-round hits with a precision rifle.

Training will progress from rifle and optic setup through data collection and practical engagements, with students working toward targets at 600 yards and beyond, range conditions permitting.

This course is appropriate for shooters using either bolt-action or semi-automatic precision rifles who want to develop a stronger foundation in practical long-range shooting.

Students will receive instruction and practical application in:

• Firearms and Range Safety
  
  • Safe handling and operation of precision rifles
  • Range procedures and communication
• Precision Rifle and Equipment Setup
  
  • Rifle configuration
  • Optic setup and evaluation
  • Bipod and support equipment
  • Understanding adjustments, reticles, and equipment limitations
  • Confirming equipment before beginning long-range engagements
• Fundamentals of Precision Marksmanship
  
  • Building a stable shooting position
  • Natural point of aim
  • Rifle-to-shooter interface
  • Sight picture
  • Breathing
  • Trigger control
  • Follow-through
  • Recoil management
• Cold Shot Procedures
  
  • Understanding the importance of the cold-bore/cold-shooter shot
  • Establishing a repeatable pre-shot process
  • Recording and evaluating cold-shot performance
• Range Estimation
  
  • Understanding target size and distance
  • Practical range-estimation techniques
  • Using available equipment and technology to verify distance
• External Ballistics
  
  • Understanding bullet trajectory
  • Muzzle velocity
  • Bullet characteristics
  • Elevation corrections
  • Environmental effects on bullet flight
  • Understanding the difference between predicted ballistic data and actual rifle data
• Environmental Factors
  
  • Temperature
  • Atmospheric conditions
  • Density altitude
  • Shooting angle
  • Changing range conditions
• Reading and Applying Wind
  
  • Identifying wind indicators
  • Estimating wind speed and direction
  • Understanding wind value
  • Determining appropriate wind corrections
  • Making adjustments as conditions change
• Developing a Shooting Solution
  
  • Gathering available information
  • Evaluating distance and environmental conditions
  • Determining elevation and wind corrections
  • Dialing versus holding
  • Developing a deliberate pre-shot process
• Shooting Positions
  
  • Prone shooting
  • Bipod and rear-support techniques
  • Building stable positions
  • Introduction to alternate or supported positions as time and range conditions permit
• Data Collection and Record Keeping
  
  • Developing reliable DOPE for your rifle
  • Recording ammunition and environmental information
  • Tracking elevation and wind corrections
  • Recording impacts and observed corrections
  • Building a useful precision-rifle data book
• Spotting and Shot Correction
  
  • Reading impacts and misses
  • Shooter/spotter communication
  • Identifying shooter error versus incorrect ballistic or wind data
  • Making intelligent corrections instead of simply "chasing" impacts
• Weapon Maintenance
  
  • Basic precision-rifle maintenance
  • Equipment inspection
  • Understanding how maintenance and equipment issues can affect accuracy and reliability

The primary objective is to develop the shooter's ability to create a repeatable process for achieving a first-round hit.

Students will learn that successful long-range shooting is a combination of marksmanship fundamentals, reliable equipment, accurate ballistic data, environmental observation, and disciplined execution.

Rather than simply being given a firing solution, shooters will be expected to understand why a particular solution is being used and how to make corrections when conditions change.

Students should leave the course with a better understanding of their individual rifle system and with usable data they can continue developing after the class.

Participants should bring:

• Precision rifle suitable for long-range shooting — bolt action or semi-automatic
• Rifle caliber .308 Winchester or smaller
• Quality magnified optic with:
  
  • Externally adjustable elevation/windage turrets, and/or
  • A usable holdover/holdoff reticle
• Bipod
• Rear bag or sand sock
• Approximately 200 rounds of quality ammunition
• Rifle data book or other method for recording DOPE
• Notebook and writing materials
• Rifle cleaning/maintenance kit
• Appropriate wrenches, scope tools, and tools specific to your rifle and optic
• Smartphone capable of running a ballistic application
• Eye and hearing protection
• Appropriate clothing and footwear for range and weather conditions
• Water, food, and other personal range necessities

Ammunition Note: Whenever possible, bring ammunition from the same manufacturer, bullet weight, type, and lot number. Consistency becomes increasingly important as distance increases.

Students are also encouraged to bring:

• Additional ammunition
• Shooting mat
• Spotting scope
• Binoculars
• Rangefinder
• Extra rifle or backup equipment
• Backpack or shooting pack
• Shooting sticks, tripod, or other field supports
• Additional batteries
• Weather meter
• Any other long-range, competition, hunting, or field equipment the shooter would like to evaluate during training

A magnified precision-rifle optic is strongly recommended. Students should understand the basic operation of their optic before attending, including magnification, turret adjustments, zeroing procedures, and reticle use.

Certain red-dot or nontraditional optic configurations may be accepted depending on the rifle, optic, and shooter's training objectives. Please contact Realistic Defense before the course if you have questions regarding whether your equipment is appropriate.

This course is intended for shooters who already possess safe rifle-handling skills and want to develop or improve their ability to engage targets at extended distances.

Whether your interest is precision rifle shooting, practical/field shooting, hunting, competition, or professional development, the course is designed to build a better understanding of the complete rifle system—from the shooter and equipment to the ammunition, ballistic solution, and environment.

The rifle, optic, ammunition, shooter, and environment all work as one system. This course teaches you how to understand that system, collect reliable data, and use it to make the first shot count.

*Note: Some red dot sights are accepted. Please contact me with questions regarding this.