US Training a good place to "start"

[kellogg2185]

So I'm pretty much bare bones new to the precision marksmanship world, I've lurked here for a year or so, and can finally afford to do more than just read. I'm still looking for my rifle, which will be a bolt action .308, but I don't have it just yet. I qualified "Expert" while I was in the Corps with the rifle 5x, and pistol 2x, so I'm not completely green, but I have zero training in shooting with optics. Going off of what I've read on here, I'm going to get a basic Remy 700 Tactical, with a 10x SWFA SS, and possibly a DBM for it. I am looking at the US Training Precision Rifle I course, pretty excited about it. What else should I do to get ready for all this? I don't have any ranges (that I know of) past 100 yards around here in St. Charles, MO, so aside from making sure my rifle is set up sufficiently, what else should I be doing? And as far as ammo goes, I know nothing about reloading, so I'll be going with factory loads, what should I buy to adhere to the "match grade" 200 rounds that are require for this course?

 

[WhiskeyWebber]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

Check out and download the the Shooter Ready Sim to get some practice with reticle based ranging. If you can swing it, the online training here in the 'hide is awesome too.

The Rem700 with a SS10X is a great platform. Don't skimp on your rings and base. Harris swivel bipod is great but the Atlas is better. The only other thing you might want to try is a stock pack to have some type of adjustment for stock height.

for Match grade ammo: SW Ammo or FGMM 175g loads

 

[Rthur]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

Checkout St Louis benchrest club, they have 100-600 yards and aren't far from you.

 

[kellogg2185]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

Thanks for the replies fellas, sorry it took so long to get back. I work out of town for weeks at a time (currently in lovely Wichita), but finding a decent price on a 700 is my primary concern, when I can find the free time.

 

[KM375]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

There are lots of options for you out there, I would look into as many courses as I could, There are lots of options out there here are a few. Based on travel, you may be able to find one closer to you and save some money on air fare and put that into the purchase of your rifle/scope set up.
I would look at the list of instructors and find out about them, and make sure they will be teaching at the course, many hire adjuncts and the name that brought you to the training will only be there to give you the intro. Do the research on the courses like you are doing the research to find the gun you want.

here are some examples in no particular order

GPS sniper school,
http://www.sniperschool.com/

Central Virginia Tactical
http://www.centralvirginiatactical.com/

Rifles Only
http://www.riflesonly.com/

Magpul Dynamics
http://www.magpuldynamics.com/precision-rifle.html

Spartan Tactical
http://www.SpartanTactical.com/

Tiger Swan..... Eventually they will have a long distance course set up but for carbine and pistol this is the place I am going next.
http://www.tigerswan.com/site/training/
http://www.tigerswan.com/site/training/

 

[jerseymike]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

I've been to the sniper course down there, and their facilities and cadre are freakin awesome. If u stay on site, don't be surprised if you have some Canadian csor guys bangin rooms at 0300 hours next to your bunk room.

 

[easygoose]

Re: US Training a good place to "start"

Also Vapor Trail Tactical
http://www.vaportrailtactical.net/