Now I know why snipers are young

This weekend I took two days of training from a Marine sniper who served in Afghanistan. This guy is GOOD. but he is 34 and I am 84. There is a big difference!!! But he was able to take me from 50yds to 955yds in two days. I had never fired a 6.5CM. Sun afternoon I was consistently hitting 10" plates at 955yds. Thats not brag, that is comment on a great instructor. He taught me the reading of mirage....its Zen. Intelect cant do it , just hooked my eyes directly to my brain and I could do it consistently, but if I tried to "think" it, I couldnt see it. Fired 60 rounds with only one early miss...until the barrel hit break in and I had two high shots as the barrel sped up. Paul then tried two and they were both high so we re zeroed and went on. It was a GREAT weekend with an awesome instructor. Just wish we had been able to shoot my new Lapua 338 Mag but the scope mounts didnt come in time.

That's really good shooting. I can't imagine that he didn't learn a thing or two from you as well, maybe not shooting related, but probably a fair trade.
Sounds like a fun day.

I have just begun this discipline and what I have learned about it is that it is similar to sex. Its very satisfying and you can do it lying down.

Its better in that you can still do it at 84.........lol

A little beer about came out my nose when I read that one!
Just make sure your muzzle is always pointed in a safe direction, accidents in this sport usually have life long consequences.
Never shoot a target too late at night, you'll probably regret it in the morning.
Leave your gun at home if you've had a few beers.
Proven and trusted is usually better than new and sexy.
Fast is fun, but hard on parts...and expensive.
Cheap is usually a bad idea.
You get what you pay for.
The big ones don't always make sense, but they can be a lot of fun!!!!!!

Even the small ones are loud and fast, always use protection.

I don't see how this is related to sex at all.

Thanks for the laughs...both of you
Keep on shooting Jim

Seeking training is smart. Great job

Haha thats awesome. Wish I had that option to do that around here, I would do it in a heart beat...............The shooting course that is.

All in, lodging, meals for two days (awesome cook at the Lodge), instructor, ammo, gun, travel, (400 miles RT), everything, it cost me $1200. It saved me twice that in poorly advised equipment purchases and months of lost time to reach where he took me in two days. It was money well spent!!!

can you give us the who and where on this course. Sounds like you enjoyed very much and learned alot quickly

Instructors name is Paul Butler. The 777 Ranch is just west of Hondo, Texas. The ranch is an Exotic Game hunting ranch of 5500 acres owned by Jeff Rann who is a big game hunter from South Africa where he has another ranch that makes this one look like a home in the suburbs. He spends 6 mo here and 6 mo there every year. Lots of experience and the accommodations are superb as is the food (Exotic meats for sure). Had Dove breasts for dinner Sunday night. For what you get, its not expensive.

jimisbell said:

All in, lodging, meals for two days (awesome cook at the Lodge), instructor, ammo, gun, travel, (400 miles RT), everything, it cost me $1200. It saved me twice that in poorly advised equipment purchases and months of lost time to reach where he took me in two days. It was money well spent!!!

Click to expand...

Not to mention wasted ammo to learn on your own to accomplish what you did after some instruction

I am now looking forward to a range where I can get out to a mile. Cant wait.

jimisbell said:

Instructors name is Paul Butler. The 777 Ranch is just west of Hondo, Texas. The ranch is an Exotic Game hunting ranch of 5500 acres owned by Jeff Hann who is a big game hunter from South Africa where he has another ranch that makes this one look like a home in the suburbs. He spends 6 mo here and 6 mo there every year. Lots of experience and the accommodations are superb as is the food (Exotic meats for sure). Had Dove breasts for dinner Sunday night. For what you get, its not expensive.

Click to expand...

It's Jeff Rann...he also has a dangerous game shooting school course over there which is pretty fun with a big-bore double rifle or Africa-sized bolt gun!

Best thing a guy can do is get proper instruction. Definitely sets the mind on the right path vs figuring things out the hard way. I have been self taught, instructed, and now instruct and it's a learning event on all sides. Money well spent for sure. You did it right.