Next month – over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25/26 – I will be teaching a class which will largely relate to the AR-15 platform. I’ve been thinking about doing this for a while, and a fantastic opportunity has presented itself. Sniper Country in northern Utah offers a phenomenal environment for shooting – with a known-distance range out to 1800 yards – as well as a lodge which students may stay in as well as use for classroom portions.
The course has been designed to fill gaps left by other training courses that do not or cannot address certain skills and types of knowledge relating to the AR-15 rifle. The unique environment in which this class is held will allow the student to push themselves and their firearm beyond what they might have thought possible.
There will be an emphasis on making the time and ammunition invested by the student count. Students will receive a significant amount of classroom instruction which will be reinforced by range time tailored establish the skills discussed in the classroom. Marksmanship will take precedence over a high volume of fire, but the skills learned during the class may be applied to all aspects of shooting with an AR-15. Unique evaluation and feedback methods will be used to ensure that every student is learning and developing as much as possible throughout the course.
Classroom time will also be devoted to helping the student gain a higher understanding of the rifle seeing it as a system, not as an assembly of discrete components. Through this process, the student will move from basic manipulation of the rifle’s controls to a thorough understanding of how and why the rifle functions and malfunctions – as it does. The ultimate goal of the class is to enable the student to use their rifle in a variety of environments and situations with maximum effectiveness.
Because education is a primary consideration, two instructors will ensure that each student receives the instruction they need to develop necessary skills and knowledge. Jim Staley and I will be teaching the class. Jim was a Scout/Sniper in 1st Force Recon. My bio may be found at the “about” link on this blog.
The round count will be under 400 of centerfire rifle (.223/5.56/5.45 recommended). Price is $300 plus $50 per night for food/lodging (optional, but considering location, it’s a pretty good deal).
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I’ll go if rick taylor is also a adjunct instuctor
this will probably be the most comprehensive and complete course on the market
-Tire kicking/Voyeurism-
Engagement distances? Round count? Focus on precision shooting or effective defensive use?
Do you also offer a plane-pooling option?
Out to 600 with 5.56, perhaps farther with other cartridges (supplied by instructors).
Maximum of 400 rounds.
A combination of precision shooting and defensive/duty use. Mostly showing that marksmanship has relevance to defensive use.
Not sure on the last one…will have to see 😉
Is that where TopShot is filmed? looks like a similar lodge and setting.
Top Shot is filmed in California. Sniper Country is in Northern Utah.
Should participants bring red dot/irons or magnified/scope setups? Recommended grain 5.56?
I think this sounds interesting and I’m checking to see if I can cruise down.
We’ll be covering the use of EOTech, Aimpoint, ACOG, irons, and probably 1-4s as well. So whichever sighting setup the student chooses to bring is fine, and there will be a portion of the curriculum dedicated to their sighting system. At this point, anything you can find, although M855 would be a good choice due to the higher BC.
Totally interested… if only flights were cheaper out there. What airport would I be trying to fly into to get closest if I had the opportunity to do this?
Salt Lake City (SLC) is the closest major airport… about 90 mins to the South.
Not sure if I responded elsewhere, but Salt Lake City would be closest. We should be able to pick everyone up on Friday night.
Andrew, is this the same place that hosted the sniper endurance challenge you competed in last fall? My neck of the woods. The wife and I would jump on this if we weren’t headed out of state over Memorial Day. Maybe next time!
Yep, same place. If this works out, we’ll have more courses at the same location.
How I wish I could escape the confines of cook county, Illinois. If just to take my Acog out for a little training. I really wish I had the vacation days, and trainfare to spare. Damn.
This sounds like a good thing.
Sounds interesting! However, ammo availability & transport is a challenge. Any chance you could arrange an ammo purchase?
We should be able to pick everyone up from the SLC airport on Friday night. And if you can’t find ammo, we have some available.
Semi unrelated, what is the coyote tan shell jacket you are wearing in the Remy vs Mosy video?
Arc’teryx Alpha in “crocodile”
If I had an AR15 and/or the money, I’d be there. Good luck to you and congrats on becoming an instructor!
This sounds awesome. Unfortunately can’t make that date (wife is already signed up for a course that weekend and I’ll be wrangling the kids), but hoping it goes well and you offer more in the future. I would definitely be all in for this!
Good luck, and please post a follow up for those of us who couldn’t get there this go around.
Sounds like a refreshing break from the HSLD “if you’re shot in the face and both arms here is how you’ll clear a double feed and re-engage” class.
Mike
I’m so jealous. Looks like an awesome event. I love your videos also. I know you use 4-5 cameras on your youtube vids so your proficiency is superior with the lense. I wonder if you thought about taping (showing my age) I mean video taping this and selling it ?? I have to admit I’m too much of a noob for this but would still like to learn.