Fellow Long Range Shooters/Enthusiasts:
After seeing this post about Darrell Holland and requesting others experience with him I stopped in my tracks. I must admit I am new to the subject of LR shooting as well as accuracy in shooting.
I would have considered myself a "trigger puller" in that all I did was try to put the crosshairs on a target, pull the trigger and hope my intended result occurred. If it didn't, I didn't have a clue, but always tried something. As of late, there is the internet and forums such as this in which a great number of knowledgeable individuals unselfishly share their gift.
In the least, this is my opportunity to give back…
After a dire need of more knowledge and ability in LR shooting, I was on the internet and bumped into Darrell's Advanced Reticle Technology and shooting school information. We visited via phone and email regarding what I wanted and what he could do to help close the gap.
Later, I ordered a Schmidt-Bender with his ART system and "played" with it for a bit and read all documentation provided. The San Antonio, South Texas area is rather somewhat of a vacuum on LR shooting or ranges past 100 yards. One can drive 6 hours and not get half way across the state. I visited with Darrell about his LR school and was very concerned I would be a complete neophyte in a class with pros. I voiced and emailed my concern to Darrell and he was confiding and appeared honest.
A couple of months later I found myself up in Oregon and shaking Darrell's hand for the first time. The course was unique. There was no wasted time. We started soon after daylight and I did not get back to my room till long after dark. Yes, there was homework and dry-firing in our rooms. We had class in the morning and learned, we went into beautiful mountains and shot every afternoon. Each moment was exponentially more enjoyable than the previous.
My classmates were from all walks of experience and each were a joy to be with. Everyone was just soaking in the newfound knowledge and Darrell along with his assistant instructor, Gary really knew their stuff. At times I felt like I was the only one in the class because of the one-on-one attention.
My learning curve took off, but I must admit being a newbie to shooting, sometimes I felt like I was sipping out of a fire hose. You are given books and information along with your own notes. I have gone over them numerous times since returning and, in fact, have reprinted them on index cards to review in the hunting stand.
Darrell built me a 708 that is sexier than Ann Margaret. The silly thing about it is it will shoot factory ammo really well. Since class last year, Darrell advised me that I was about as good as I was going to get unless I started to precision handload. I purchased ammo by the case and had no interest in his recommendation. After a few months of thinking about it I called him back and asked Darrell to make his own recommendations for handloading equipment, gather it up and send it to me. My intent here was simple, he had been forthright and extremely effective up to this point, I wanted a sale (read; my money) to be accountable to someone. If he made a mistake or I was not happy, I knew he would make it right.
Now I now precision handload and love to shoot more each day, seeing definite results. Even if out of hunting season I piddle and learn each week. Darrell is always a phone call away or a quick response to my emails. He is simple, brilliant, and confident in his ability. He is the consummate gentleman, a wonderful husband and father. I truly feel it is an honor to spend time with Darrell, his wife and son. I will not be up for the this year's class but I feel certain I will go back again to re-learn and hone my skills and knowledge.
Concluding, I look at LR shooting from, most likely, a different perspective. I want immediate, humane kills on animals I remove from our ranch. Bloodtrails are not pleasant for me. Before I pull the trigger I know that animal will fall tail first, being lights out before its head hits the ground.
This being said, perhaps the majority of those reading this have sincere interests in hunts all over the world or maybe a mule deer or elk hunt in the northwest. To most, money IS an object. I could not imagine being on a dall sheep, elk, or deer hunt, spending real dollars, seeing my trophy of a lifetime and not being able to humanly take a sportsman shot because of its distance and my ability and my equipment don't jive. This costs real money!
I realize now how expensive inexpensive factory equipment is in comparison to my Darrell Holland 708 and ART system more than I wish. I had purchased two factory 708's and spent, spent, spent in an attempt to bring them up close to speed. They were truly more expensive in the end. Hunts have to be expensive and limiting oneself going into them make them super-expensive.
Happy shooting and hunting!
