Long Range Shooting Training FAQ
Can you send me a copy of the upcoming schedule? Yes, we can provide you with open dates for our long range shooting classes in a given month or series of weeks. Just email us and let us know when you'd like to come, and we will get back to you with available classes in that time frame. We do not send out a full yearly schedule at once, as some dates may be altered or completely moved due to unforeseen events.
What are the credentials of your instructors? Are any of you ex-military snipers? Currently, we don't have any ex-military snipers on our instructors' list. Most of us are self-taught, just like the first military snipers would have been. We're skilled at what we do, as our unsolicited online reviews will attest. We employ competition shooters, long range hunters, and other knowledgeable individuals to help you achieve your goals in rifle training. Please read this article if you've ever been influenced to attend a school because there is an ex-military sniper on the instructor's roster. Competition shooters have proven to be more accurate than military snipers, according to a US Army study. While military sniping is more complex than simply hitting long-range targets, our instructors are dedicated to providing the right training to help you become an outstandingly accurate American Rifleman and a valuable asset to our nation's security.
How should I mount my scope? Loose scope bases can be a significant problem for many of our clients in long range shooting. Gunsmiths are notorious for under-torquing mounts. Scopes mounted in big-box hunting stores should be removed, with all mounting hardware checked and mounted as described below: Use a degreasing agent such as brake parts cleaner, Gun Scrubber, acetone, carb cleaner, etc., and clean the screws for the scope base. Clean the bottom of the base and the top of the receiver. Use a pipe cleaner or dental proxy brush to clean out the screw holes in the receiver using the degreasing agent. You need to remove the oil from these areas to ensure that the thread locker will work properly!
Then, using blue or purple thread locker (you can even use red; just touch a toothpick into a drop and apply a very small amount into 2 or 3 of the threads), mount the base with 20 to 25 inch-pounds of torque (do not use the 15 inch-pounds often specified by manufacturers). You don't need to thread-lock the scope rings caps. While you're at it, check action screws and torque them to manufacturer specs. If you can't find action torque numbers from the rifle maker, 40 inch-pounds is normally about right, but don’t exceed 50 inch-pounds unless specified by the manufacturer. Savage action screws are hardened and can gall into the receiver; grease the threads before torquing. It’s okay to bed the scope base with the blue or purple thread locker. Some rifle builders will use red thread locker, but be aware that it will require a bit of heat to remove screws sealed with the red stuff.
Can you send me your prices? Please read the "course outline" page linked above, and you will see the prices for the various long range shooting classes we offer.
How many people will be in the class? If you're taking a regular 2-day class, which runs on Friday/Saturday, there will typically be around 6 to 8 persons in the class. Some classes may have more, while others may have less. Many classes can accommodate as few as 4 persons.
If I leave a personal item behind, will you mail it to me? Yes—but you'll need to send us a pre-paid flat rate USPS box addressed to yourself, and we'll pack your item in that box and get it back to you. (Email for our address)...
Do you all sell t-shirts? Yes, they are available in our Teespring store, and at various times throughout the year, we will sell shirts to raise funds for law enforcement shooting classes (watch our Facebook page for updates). A link to the Teespring store is https://bangsteel-4.creator-spring.com/
What time should I arrive on class day? We typically meet at 10:00 am at the Subway sandwich shop in Bland, VA. Special start times may be used on certain occasions—please read your emails!
Can I schedule a "bad weather" backup date for the class? Yes—but only during the winter months. If you book time with us, please plan on honoring your commitment, even if the weather looks a bit disagreeable. We have a sheltered area to shoot from in the event of rain, and high winds can actually be quite enjoyable once you understand how to gauge the wind and make corrections. We do not cancel classes as a rule; there is no situation (on our end) where a class gets "rained out." We feel that shooters should take full advantage of every opportunity to practice long range shooting, even in less favorable conditions. Remember our motto: "This ain't golf." :)
I want to rent a Saturday range day, or private class day; can I do that? If you've taken a class with us in the past, you may join a weekend class on Friday or Saturday for $160 for the day (or $180 if you're shooting past 1200 yards). Alternatively, you can book both days for $300. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for any updates to this policy.
What happened to the Bolt Action 101 class? We still offer BA101, but we have found that the best format for this class is to conduct it during a private day clinic. (See the next question below).
I'm a novice at rifle shooting. Can you still work with me? Yes! Your best option in this case would be to book a private day clinic at the $380 rate for the day, and we will treat it as a "Bolt Action 101" class, getting you up to speed very quickly. We promise—you will hit steel at 1000+ yards on the first day and you'll know how to do it independently when you leave the class. That said, you will also do fine in a regular 2-day weekend class—because we meet each shooter where they are. We will have 3 or more instructors working with small weekend class groups to ensure effective rifle training.
Can I come to the range to "just shoot?" Unfortunately, no. The shooting facilities we use are generally working cattle or sheep farms; we must supervise all shooting activities to ensure the safety of the livestock and farm equipment. Our business is focused on long-range rifle training—not providing an open range to the public.
I want to bring more than one rifle. Is that okay? In most cases, yes. If you're booking a private class and have already taken the basic 2-day course that we offer, you might want to gather trajectory data for 2 or even 3 different rifles during a private 1-day class. That said, to truly master the art of long range shooting, you'll want to focus on the best rifle available to you and stick with that specific rifle throughout the course. It’s perfectly acceptable to bring a backup rifle in case something goes wrong with your primary rifle.
Do you have rifles we can rent? Yes, we have rifles available chambered in .308 Winchester caliber. You will just need to bring good match ammo (factory match, not hand loads), and you can rent the rifles for $30 per day of shooting. (Note: hand loads are acceptable if you're using your own rifle). We need to keep the brass from your factory loads for the $30 rate. Rates are higher if you want to keep your brass; please email us for specifics.
Are there motels in the area? Yes, there are dozens of motels in the Wytheville area. The best way we've found to secure a motel room is by visiting booking.com to reserve a room one day ahead of time, or even the morning of your stay. Hotels do not like to have empty rooms; hence, they will often offer some rooms at half price, or even less when you book "last minute" through booking.com.
That said, we do have a corporate rate agreement with Hampton Inn at 950 Peppers Ferry Road in Wytheville, VA. It's currently $125 per night, accommodating up to 4 per room. Call 276-228-6090.
What about camping? Yes, check out Deer Trail Park. 276-228-3636. Tell Ted and Kathy we sent you. :)
Can I bring my .338 Lapua Magnum, .50 BMG (or other heavy magnum) to a class? We prefer to keep the rifles used during regular classes limited to a power level of .300 Winchester Magnum and lower. However, you are welcome to shoot the big magnums and even the .50 BMG during a private class.
What about muzzle brakes or suppressors? Both are allowed for our classes—there's no problem with using them.
I have a group of 4 to 6 shooters who want to do a private weekend class. Is this possible? Yes, just check with us about the weekend you'd like to book, and we will inform you about pricing and availability. Such weekends will need to be scheduled well in advance, and a deposit (non-refundable) will be required. We will base the private weekend class on a six-person minimum at $420 each (totaling $2520). So for that amount, any lesser number can attend a private weekend class.
Do you teach position shooting other than prone? Yes, but we incorporate that within the context of a private class. See private class details on the "course outline" page.
What is the minimum age for a student? If accompanied by a parent, and the parent is confident that the child is ready for the class, we actually do not have a minimum age. We've had shooters as young as seven years old excel. This decision will need to be made by the parent.
Can you advise me on what rifle or scope I should get? Yes—but only after you have booked a class with us. We can't accommodate equipment recommendations for everyone, so we limit our resources to advising only those who have already committed to a class. However, there are recommendations on the equipment list page to help you make a good decision. You may also choose to take advantage of the phone consultation option; see the link on the "equipment needs" page.
What are the most common cartridges people use in these classes? The most commonly used cartridges in our long range shooting classes are .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6mm Creedmoor also performs excellently for this work. Following those, we see .243 Winchester, 260 Remington, and other 6.5mm cartridges—including the 6.5 Grendel. In the magnum realm, we often see the .300 Winchester Magnum, along with other "short mags" as well as the 7mm Magnum and Weatherby mags. Of course, the .30-06 does a fantastic job, as do the .270 Winchester and .25-06. For smaller bore cartridges, be sure to select heavier bullets for the best results. As noted elsewhere in these pages, the .223 Remington, when using bullets heavier than 68 grains, will adequately hit the 1000-yard plate.
Can you recommend a cartridge for long range shooting? The most common cartridge we are seeing is the 6.5 Creedmoor. The .308 Winchester is also a popular choice and, with the right bullets, will also perform exceptionally well in our classes.
Do you offer any group discounts or any other type of discount? No, not at this time. If you check around the web, you’ll find that we are the lowest-priced long range shooting school available. We don't have a large land lease to pay, and we’re not trying to get rich—allowing us to keep the costs low. We believe our prices are very fair.
Why don't you have a page of testimonials? Good question. We believe that any website builder can fabricate fake testimonials signed by "Bob K from Podunk, CA," for instance. We recommend searching the web for our school's name (BangSteel) along with the word "review" in a Google search. That way, you'll find authentic reviews. Also, check our unsolicited reviews on our Facebook page (search for BangSteel on Facebook)...
How much magnification do I need to shoot long range? We've had participants complete the course meeting all objectives up to 1200 yards using 6 power scopes. Our preference would be a scope with a high-end magnification of no less than 9 power; however, for normal long range work, the maximum magnification used should be around 16 power.
Can I use my hand-loaded ammo for the class? Yes, but we need to know the exact load recipe you plan to use. There are minimum velocity needs that must be met for your shots to reliably hit the 1000-yard plate. If you plan to use hand loads, please contact us before you prepare a large batch—just to ensure it meets the needs of long range shooting.
Will 168 grain Sierra Matchking bullets work for 1000 yards from a .308? Yes, contrary to what is often discussed on various shooting forums, the 168’s consistently reach our 1000-yard plates, and even our 1100-yard targets. Are they ideal? Perhaps not. Heavier bullets designed for long range shooting, such as the 175 grain Sierra Matchking and its clones, will likely provide tighter groups at ranges beyond 800 yards, all other factors being equal. However, the 168 grain Sierra Tipped Matchkings are an excellent choice since their G1 BC is around .535.
Will my 6 to 9 inch bipod work? Yes, but we’ll likely need to place the bipod feet on sandbags for longer shots. You'll find a 9 to 13 inch bipod to be much more user-friendly. Get the Harris SLM in 9 to 13 inch—you'll appreciate it later. :)
Do I need to bring a sand bag? Not necessarily; we have bags on-site for you to use. However, you can bring your rear bag if you choose to.
Do I need a shooting mat? No, we have carpet remnants available for shooters to lay prone on. However, you’re welcome to bring your own shooting mat if you prefer, as they can be helpful.
Do I have to shoot prone? Don't you have a bench I could shoot from? Starting from the 2017 calendar year, we cannot guarantee availability of a shooting table; however, you may bring your portable shooting bench and use that if you'd like. Shooting tables for regular weekend classes are not available. It’s best to book a private class if you'd like to use a shooting table, as we encourage our weekend class clients to shoot from the prone position.
Why do I need a rifle-mounted anti-cant device (scope level)? We will explain that in class. Please plan to acquire an anti-cant level before attending a class. If you arrive without a scope level mounted to the rifle or scope, you'll be creating an added challenge for yourself and the instructors.
Should I get a MIL scope or MOA? Either option is fine. We cover the differences between the two systems in class, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, both work effectively. We don't currently recommend one system over the other.
Why do I need a 20 MOA scope mount? This ensures your scope has enough elevation travel to achieve hits out to 1100 yards. Some fast, flatter shooting cartridges may not require the 20 MOA rail, but it’s safer to opt for it to be certain. Instead of a 20 MOA scope base, you can acquire Burris Signature rings with offset inserts. If you can't obtain a 20 MOA scope base or rings, you can still attend the class; we will provide solutions to maximize the distance practical from the equipment you have. Most scopes will dial out to at least 800 yards on a flat base for most rifles.
Do you hold classes in the winter? Yes, as long as the weather permits, we're there. During winter months, we prefer to schedule a preferred date for the class, along with a backup date in case of bad weather. We operate on a reduced class schedule from December through February. Our preference is to book classes on short notice during winter months to better anticipate weather conditions.
Do I need to prepay for the class? Not necessarily. You can pay when you arrive—either in cash or by credit card. However, we do not accept checks. Please note there is a 4% additional charge for credit card payments.
Can I get directions to the range just to scout it out? No, we prefer to keep the locations we use as private as possible. You will be shown the facility you will be using on class day. Generally, we utilize beautiful farmland settings, so rest assured, you won't be disappointed. :)
What is involved with shipping my rifle by airline, should I choose to fly? Since airline regulations may change without notice, it’s best to check with the airline for their requirements. If planning to check your rifle in the luggage on the plane, ensure you get a very high-quality rifle case, such as the Pelican or Starlight cases. Any case costing less than $200 is probably not going to suffice. Ammunition may need to be shipped separately. You can opt to have your ammo shipped via UPS or other carriers to our location ahead of time, or purchase ammo online and have it shipped to us.