This weekend I was fortunate enough to join a hunter prep class with a group of friend and clients for some formal training. We did a two day course at Rifles Only here in Texas. The class was taught by Greg Rodriguez and Jacob Bynum.

To be honest it was an extremely humbling experience, I consider my self to be a good shot, with decent form and good control, but honestly when it is tested against correct form breathing and trigger control taught by pro's you realize how much improvement you can use.

It may sound silly, but I have been shooting for 30 years, and the difference was tremendous. Not only from a rested position but informal field positions. I would highly recommend something like this for anybody heading to Africa or anywhere on a hunt.

Relearning the fundamentals and then the practical application in field positions and moving targets is an eye opener.

JJ

I agree with bwanajcj about rifle training in general. I have taken a few classes at Gunsite. Basic Rifle (5 days), and hunter prep (3 days). Then we developed one together its a combo of 3 days basic rifle and 3 days hunter prep. They will run you ragged, you'll put 600 rounds tyhrough your rifle testing both of you. I HIGHLY recommend it.

If you want the 3 and 3 day class ask for the TJSafari combo class. Gunsite is tops in this field.

www.gunsite.com

Todd

This is a great thread AND great advice for anyone thinking about or preparing for an African safari.
It is shocking to see how many clients come over on very expensive safaris, often after dangerous game, who really are poor shooters at best.
We can all be better shots with practice, of that there os no doubt, and a course like those mentioned here would be a wonderful insurance policy for your trip! Greg is a really good guy, and a fine shot so I am sure you will benefit from the time spent with him.

I agree with you totally ,i have been teaching 3 gun since im 18 ,now im 40 ,before i competed in rifle shooting ,and IPSC ,im a ministery of defense instructor -shooting and tactical med-and i consider this courses a real improve ,so i always take a course with another instructors if i can.I believe in USA there are instructors with an incredible combat-hunting experience so we must take this advantage.As a guide here sometimes is very sad to see so called hunters that dont know how tooperate different rifles or worse how to shoot at all.
Im trying to take a course with DON HEATH ,he has a big experience in shooting big game and combat bush shooting.
I congratulates you for taking this courses ,i hope in the future we can see better shooters in the field.This is one of the schools i teach.
www.cietac.com.ar .Irecommend magpul videos if you are interested in carbine shooting.Juan

So where was this weekend's class?

James, you have any picturess of the shoot/set-upe??

Keith

Hey Keith, I don't have any pictures but Greg took a few I'll try to post a few of them.

The class was held at Rifles Only, in Kingsville. it is considered one of top sniper/tactical schools in the world. I think we are going to do it again in the fall.
JJ

Next year ill be again at USA hunting ,attending shooting schools and visiting friends ,im planning taking courses at GUNSITE as my friend billinthewild lives near the ranch .Wht do yourecommend on rifle shooting .Did you attend to RIFA-RIFA in Zimbawe .Juan

Juan,
The Gunsite course is an excellent course no doubt about that! We did Rifles Only as Jacob is a friend of Greg's and it is only about 3 hours from us. They normally only teach government agencies and professional marksmen. I did not attend the RIFA did you?
James

James, what were most of the shooters usin?? I would not think they were using a Lott. 600 rouds, right?

Keith

Most everybody was using .308's and .260's one guy was shooting a 300 win mag carbon barrel rifle. We shot about 200 rounds, during the class.

We would like to see some photos of the course.I didnt attend RIFA-RIFA but DON HEATH invited me to train and hunt with him,he now lives in Sweden working for NORMA but hunts in ZIMBAWE and has several friends former SELOUS SCOUTS ,and game rangers that teach there.I have a wing shooting farm and teach professionally here,but i would like to see and learn from different schools as my training is mostly by american instructors military and civilian.
For example GABE SUAREZ gave courses here at least once a year ,and some local instructors were trained at GUNSITE or similar academys.Juan

Here is one more you might try!

Try the SAFARI SHOOTING SCHOOL by Monty Kalogeras

Cell Phone: 512-217-4252

Ranch: 325-265-4387

Website: www.safarishootingschool.com

E-mail: Monty@safarishootingschool.com

Kevin (Doctari) Robertson, and the DRSS are impreed with this facility, and with Monty as well!

I took several clasess from Juan after being trained in the ARMY -IM AN INFANTRY OFFICER,and he has an encyclopedic knowledge of techniques and tactics ,so is his partner SEBASTIAN FARAH a commando and fort benning sniper trained all over the world ,i recommend his clases ,his very demanding but after that i can hit several times running hares with my cz375hyh open sigthed ,i took mp5,pistol,shotgun,and wing shooting courses too all with him.In wing shooting his instructor FEDERICO MARENGO is incredible good .

Don't laugh, but one of the best and cheapest things you can do is to buy an adult airgun (find one that handles like your rifle) and put a few thousand pellets through it before your trip.

You'll be amazed at your results.

IM ALWAYS LEARNING AND I BELIEVE I CAN LEARN A LOT with another instructors.
My advice is to shoot a lot OFF THE BENCH ,IN EVER SHOOTING POSITION,with air rifle,22,an then with your safari rifle.If you will use an express shoot first hundreds of shells trough a side by side shotgun ,hunting or at clays then began with your express,indoors you can use the excelent copys on airsoft guns ,but train 3 months before at least once a day ,your PH will be very happy .
www.cietac.com.ar