I have recently completed CKA's Reloading and Long Range Rifle 1 Course. And I have to say that it was beyond what I imagined. You start by getting to know Jay Ruby (Captain Kick Ass, here on the Hide) and if you have a pulse, you will like him immediately. Second, he will give you the standard Safety Briefing and his personal dos and don'ts. After that have your notebook, tape recorder, and memory ready because the information will come quickly. The speed of instruction is not a bad thing. We covered ground that was a refresher for me. He slowed down when we started crossing into the processes I was less familiar with. Though I set the new worlds record for the slowest reloading, but Jay didn't rush me or take over as often happens when someone that is experienced deals with someone who is not. I finished the Reloading Course with 200 rounds .308 and confident that I could go home and replicate what I learned on any caliber I own. I have to give a special note to Mrs. Ruby for preparing an AMAZING meal for us after the day of reloading was done. That night Jay checked my rifle, scope, and gear for the next day. RANGE DAY.
Precision Rifle I, began by confirming my 100 yard Zero. I had never fired match grade ammo before and my groups were AMAZINGLY small (for me.) At this point Jay started showing me how to work up a load based on the ammo I made the night before. With chronograph set and targets hung, I started learning how the process works. I saw the the numbers that were best and that became MY load. We then moved back to the firing line and started the fun. My first block of instruction was in wind reading. The environmental conditions that day were not bad, but they weren't good either. There was a steady 10mph cross wind and it rained on and off. To me, this was another outstanding aspect of the training. How often do you shoot in PERFECT conditions? Probably not often. Within 3 shots I knew the effects the wind had on MY bullet and could still engage the steel, even as the wind gusted. From there I started engaging Steel reactive targets from 300 yards to 500 yards. This developed more confidence in myself, equipment, and rounds. Jay was there every shot coaching, mentoring, and teaching. And.... reminding me to breathe. By the time I was on my second box of 100 rounds I was hitting a 6 inch target at 800 yards. We took a break at this point and started playing with a pair of Bushnell's Fusion LRFs. I was throughly impressed.
At the end of the break I was introduced to positional shooting. I figured I would have been good at it, having done it for years in my current line of work. But there is a DIFFERENCE in positional shooting with an M16A2/M4 and a Remington M700, IOR Scope, and Harris Bipod. But the method, tips, and tricks Jay taught had me hitting steel again, repeatedly. There was never a range, position, or condition that Jay did not shoot first, to show me that it could be done, on my rifle, with my scope zeroed for me. I never questioned his method because it worked for me. We finished the 100 round box with only a hand full of fliers/missed rounds. I feel bad for Jay in this because I took my time with every shot and he called them all. We were able to pack up and get headed back to McKinney, Texas before a MASSIVE rain storm hit.
My final thoughts on NTRP courses are, if you are looking for the BEST 1 one on 1 instruction don't look any further. After the classes were done, I would have gladly paid twice what NTRP charges for the quality instruction I was given. Not once did I ever feel like I was anything but the center of attention of NTRP. I also don't feel that there were any "Secrets" that were not imparted, and no special ways to go about hand loading or shooting he didn't teach because one day we would be on the competition firing line together. I know that NTRP taught everything he could. Forget the distance you may have to travel, forget the time at work you might miss, go to www.northtexasrifleprecision.com and get signed up for a class. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Chances are you will be like me and already be signing up for Long Range II. On a personal note, Jay and Mrs Ruby are the nicest, most sincere people you will ever meet. If you don't walk away with two new friends that treat you like family, you probably need to have your heart examined, because it isn't beating.
5 GOLD STARS. I will use NTRP again and again, or until Jay tells me to go away.
David Gray
El Paso, Texas
Precision Rifle I, began by confirming my 100 yard Zero. I had never fired match grade ammo before and my groups were AMAZINGLY small (for me.) At this point Jay started showing me how to work up a load based on the ammo I made the night before. With chronograph set and targets hung, I started learning how the process works. I saw the the numbers that were best and that became MY load. We then moved back to the firing line and started the fun. My first block of instruction was in wind reading. The environmental conditions that day were not bad, but they weren't good either. There was a steady 10mph cross wind and it rained on and off. To me, this was another outstanding aspect of the training. How often do you shoot in PERFECT conditions? Probably not often. Within 3 shots I knew the effects the wind had on MY bullet and could still engage the steel, even as the wind gusted. From there I started engaging Steel reactive targets from 300 yards to 500 yards. This developed more confidence in myself, equipment, and rounds. Jay was there every shot coaching, mentoring, and teaching. And.... reminding me to breathe. By the time I was on my second box of 100 rounds I was hitting a 6 inch target at 800 yards. We took a break at this point and started playing with a pair of Bushnell's Fusion LRFs. I was throughly impressed.
At the end of the break I was introduced to positional shooting. I figured I would have been good at it, having done it for years in my current line of work. But there is a DIFFERENCE in positional shooting with an M16A2/M4 and a Remington M700, IOR Scope, and Harris Bipod. But the method, tips, and tricks Jay taught had me hitting steel again, repeatedly. There was never a range, position, or condition that Jay did not shoot first, to show me that it could be done, on my rifle, with my scope zeroed for me. I never questioned his method because it worked for me. We finished the 100 round box with only a hand full of fliers/missed rounds. I feel bad for Jay in this because I took my time with every shot and he called them all. We were able to pack up and get headed back to McKinney, Texas before a MASSIVE rain storm hit.
My final thoughts on NTRP courses are, if you are looking for the BEST 1 one on 1 instruction don't look any further. After the classes were done, I would have gladly paid twice what NTRP charges for the quality instruction I was given. Not once did I ever feel like I was anything but the center of attention of NTRP. I also don't feel that there were any "Secrets" that were not imparted, and no special ways to go about hand loading or shooting he didn't teach because one day we would be on the competition firing line together. I know that NTRP taught everything he could. Forget the distance you may have to travel, forget the time at work you might miss, go to www.northtexasrifleprecision.com and get signed up for a class. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Chances are you will be like me and already be signing up for Long Range II. On a personal note, Jay and Mrs Ruby are the nicest, most sincere people you will ever meet. If you don't walk away with two new friends that treat you like family, you probably need to have your heart examined, because it isn't beating.
5 GOLD STARS. I will use NTRP again and again, or until Jay tells me to go away.
David Gray
El Paso, Texas
