I started my marksmanship training early on at the age of 9 years old. Hunting in the plains of North Texas and the backwoods of Central Oklahoma. At the age of 18 not even past my 3rd happy birthday text, I was in my local gun shop trying to buy a Rem 700.
One thing growing up in the south has taught me, you don’t need the latest fancy’s to be some body.
and; never be ashamed of what you got.
I meet a lot of people looking to get into the hobby of LRS, they’ll ask me what i think is a good starting “this”, or a good starting “that”. They’re supersized when I don’t recommend a $2000 & a $3000 scope. People nowadays are so caught up in trends they’ll DO and PAY anything to fit in.
I once met a guy at a range in Arizona, buddy had a Ruger Precision Rifle with a Khales scope. Easily $4000 dollar package. This encounter was in late 2017, buddy said he bought it earlier that year. Only shot it 3 times.
Laid his rifle flat on the table (He had a bipod) tried to shoot in a position that you would had to be there to fully understand. I have the same rifle, so I guess he catches on and finally flips his bipod legs down. Buddy shoots a couple shots and looks at me. “I think the barrel is shot out” he says. “NoOOO” I say. I ask to hop on the gun,
RED FLAG #1: In the scope mount, he had the scope pushed WAY forward. Past eye relief.
I should have just stopped, and got to work correcting this guys rifle, but I ask “Do you have her 0 @100?”
RED FLAG #2: He Says "Yea, just turn the knob to the “1’’ (Hes talkin about the scope turret) for 100 yards and 2 for 200 ect.”
I stopped buddy there. It was then I knew what I was dealing with. I spent 4 hours giving him the best crash course I could of basic setup and shooting. I even position and zeroed his scope. Something a Shooting Instructor would have charged a couple hundred bucks maybe more. It was like teaching cavemen to make fire.
At the end I was so curious to how someone like him found his way to such an expensive setup.
RED FLAG #3: “I saw it a video on youtube and really wanted it”
SMH. Buddy had money and was some sort of VP at a company, even told me he doesnt even have time to shoot.
New shooters…listen. Even if you have the money never be afraid to shop for on a budget. For $4000 you can get so much more than a rifle and a scope. Some excellent starter rifles that get the job done (Hunting/marksmanship):
Rem 700
Savage
Ruger American
Ideal Calibers:
.223-Good for coyotes.
.308: Great for Long range and basic hunting. (Deer,Hogs&Black Bear)
6.5 cm: Is a good long range too.
Starter Scopes :
SWFA SS 10x42 FFP
Vortex DIAMONDBACK TACTICAL 4-16X44 FFP
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 .450 Bushmaster
Lessons On Shooting :
This Gentleman has a whole 100+ video course that give you EVERYTHING you could wanna know. FREE
Spend your time and money wisely. Invest in things like ammo, training and most importantly researching!
