I believe we're going to schedule a precision rifle class for 2007. What follows is the course description from the class we held in 2005.
It's not posted yet but being from Pittsburgh you might want to bookmark us for future reference.
http://www.fireinstitute.org
Fundamentals of Precision Rifle
July 24 - 25, 2005
Sunday and Monday
Location: McDonald Sportsman's Ass'n
25 mnutes SW of Pittsburgh
Driving directions
Daily starting time is 10am
Instructor - Giles Stock
This course is for law enforcement and non LE personnel who desire formal instruction on the fundamentals of precision rifle. Emphasis is placed upon obtaining first round hits on small targets out to 200 M. and body hits to 550 M, as well as communication and teamwork between shooter and observer. All shots fired will be observed and recorded. The course entails 16 hours of instruction over two days and one evening. The following topics and skills will be covered:
Equipment. Rifle (including design and construction), rifle accessories, optics, and equipment needed for deployment, and maintenance of same.
Precision Marksmanship. Aiming, breath control, hold, trigger control, body position.
Gun Handling for the Precision Rifle. Loading and unloading, safety manipulation, bolt work while shooting positions, malfunction clearance, etc.
Ranging. Range estimation with mil-dots and electronic rangefinders.
Target identification and Decision to Shoot. Target identification, shot placement and considerations in taking a shot, with related exercises.
Ballistics. Internal, external and terminal, including ammunition selection.
Positions. Supported by sandbags and bipods.
Failing and Dim light shooting.
Cost: $275. Includes range fees, targets, range supplies and handouts. Students to provide their own ammunition, personal gear and meals. (Members of the host club receive $25 discount.)
Course format: Lectures (approximately 4 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 12 hrs.). There will be one night session, and classroom work. This course does not include field craft or stalking exercises. Students will work in pairs throughout the course. Those who do not enroll with a partner will be assigned a partner.
Ammunition & Equipment: Each student will need a minimum of 300 rounds of match-grade ammunition.
Instructor: Rangemaster will be Giles Stock. Mr. Stock served with the Phoenix Arizona Police Dept. for 20 years, during which time he was the training supervisor for their SWAT unit. He is a Rangemaster for Gunsite Training Academy as Rangemaster for pistol, carbine and Precision rifle, and has instructed there since 1981. Now retired from the police department, he is a full-time as a trainer and training consultant. At present, he is the primary instructor for the precision rifle program at the Hornady Academy.
Class size: Enrollment is limited to 16 students (eight pairs). Last day to enroll is 45 days prior to course date.
Prerequisites: None. It is expected, however, that enrollees will have experience shooting their rifles and be very familiar with their personal weapon.
Equipment which Is required:
Safety Equipment. Ear protection, eye protection (clear for the night shoot), billed cap.
Precision Rifle. Bolt action or semi-automatic rifle capable of 1 MOA accuracy (one inch groups at 100 yards)
Precision Telescopic Sight. It must be equipped with an optical sight of at least six power, which can be either fixed or variable in power. The optic must be adjustable for windage and elevation with target-style knobs, accessible to the shooter and adjustable without tools. The optic must have either a mil-dot or duplex reticle (mil-dot preferred). The optic must be capable of dialing out to 600 yards (20 minutes of adjustment from the 100 yard base-line zero). Rifle and optic must be zeroed to 100 yards when the student arrives at the range.
Bi-Pod. Click (not friction) adjustable for height and leveling.
Cleaning kit. Rifles will be cleaned approximately every 20 rounds.
Tool Kit. This should include all tools necessary to adjust and maintain your rifle, including those necessary to mount or remove your optic.
Shooting Mat. It should be full-length and waterproof.
Rear Shooting Bag. To support the rear of the rifle during firing. (Small "sand bag.")
Rifle data book. (If you don't have one, let us know and we will have one for you when you arrive at the course at an additional cost of $12.)
Spotting scope. Must be at least 20 power, with tri-pod. Two shooters may share one spotting scope.
Knee and elbow pads.
Notebook and writing implements
Equipment which is useful, but which is NOT required:
Wind gauge. If you do not have one of these, do not buy one for the class. They will be discussed in the class, and there will be several there for participants to examine and with which they can experiment. There are good ones and there are bad ones, and so it is wise to wait until after the class to purchase one.
Electronic range finder. As with the wind gauges, if you do not have one of these, do not buy one before the class. These are very expensive, and some are junk.
The attributes that make an electronic range finder a good buy or a poor one will be covered in class, and there will be several there for participants to look over. You will be in a better position to select a range finder after you have had the class.
Mildot Master.™ You may wish to use this device to assist you in ranging with a Mildot equipped telescope. You can order one from Mildot Master (505-565-0760).
Water container and snack-food items for the range.
Small, battery powered calculator. This should be small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.