Making The Shot

Bobby Hart’s Long Range Shooting School is all about helping its students become better shooters. 

Learning to take long range shots in actual hunting conditions is not something that can easily be practiced. Bobby Hart, owner of Hart Custom Rifles and long-time competitive shooter and hunter, has developed a course that simulates different hunting scenarios to help improve confidence for when it’s time to “Make the Shot.” In an effort to learn from one of the best and try out his long range shooting course, JL, Zach and I put TRACT and Hart Custom Rifles to the test.

400 Yard Shot is Very Doable

One of the more challenging scenarios was a 385 yard shot taken from an elevated box blind. Our prey is a deer (steel target) underneath the canopy of pine trees on the edge of a field. It seemed like a realistic situation where bigger bucks stay back in the shadows and don’t come out into the open until it’s too dark to shoot. According to Bobby, the average hunter has never taken an animal at 400 yards but with good optics and a good rifle, a 400 yard kill-shot is a very doable.

Besides building custom rifles, Bobby enjoys helping people improve their confidence in making long-range shots. However, he has seen all too often that “most of the misses happen before the bullet is out of the barrel.” Why is that? Simply put, they move before the bullet exits.

Shooting Techniques

Bobby believes without a doubt that it if a shooter will follow a few simple principals, they will increase their odds of success:

• Keep the gun in position until the bullet exits the barrel
• Come in from the bottom, pass through it, settle into it and make your shot while watching the crosshairs break-off the target
• Role play (practice) where you think the deer is going to come out. Take a couple dry fires and watch where the gun breaks.

Role playing the situation is critical. As we all know, this sometimes is easier said than done. That’s why coming to a course like this is a great opportunity to practice like you hunt.

Stoney Point Shooting Sticks & Sand Bag Provide the Stability to Make Long Range Shots

Use the Available Resources

Preparation for all types of shooting situations is one element of success. That’s why Jon LaCorte when hunting in a box blind, never leaves home without his sand bag and Stony Point shooting sticks.

Benefits of using this system:
• Provides a sturdy rear point of contact
• Keeps the rifle from rocking back in forth.
• Can settle in on the rifle get in the scope and keep the cross hairs steady even when excited.

“Making the Shot” Set-Up

• Hart Custom 300 Ultra Mag built off a Remington 700
• TORIC 3-15×42 BDC
  Barnes 180gr TTSX Round
  Impact Ballistic Program Data below showed Jon exactly where to hold to make that 385 yard shot.

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Bobby Hart’s Long Range Shooting School

Hart’s professional instructors are skilled in the art of long range shooting, utilizing minute-of-angle correction, and Mil-radian range finding techniques. Our instructors will vary depending upon training schedules.
Classes are small, providing the student with more personalized instruction. Our unique blend of instructors offer field proven techniques, allowing you to make that shot of a lifetime.

All instruction is held under realistic outdoor conditions, under the same conditions you may encounter in the field.
Their trained staff will provide detailed instruction and practical exercises in the following areas: Equipment Selection, Ballistics, Range Finding, MOA Correction, Uphill-Downhill Shooting, Rifle Maintenance and other Advanced Shooting Techniques.
Call (570) 752-3655 today for current rates and availability.

“The pace is demanding, but the results are worth it!”