Transform your build for any purpose with the LSS GEN3 Chassis. Swap out grips, forends, buttstocks, and buttstock interfaces without removing your action and losing your zero.
As someone who teaches long-range precision shooting for a good chunk of the year, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to refine how I explain the key ingredients to consistent success behind the rifle. We’re just about to wrap up our fourth five-day long-range precision course this year—and it’s only mid-March. Over time, I’ve found it helps to break things down into three core components. Each one has layers and subcategories, but looking at them as a whole gives you a clear picture of what it takes to hit your targets consistently. Of course, reading about this stuff only gets you so far. Real progress happens when you’re behind the rifle, under instruction, and making mistakes in a controlled, safe environment. That’s where the lessons sink in. And yes, that’s exactly why I designed my five-day long-range precision course the way I did. But for now, let’s dive into these three critical components. Programming Your Rifle and Optic Executing the Fundamentals of Accuracy Observing and Understanding Your Impact These three phases are the framework for success in long-range shooting. Mastering each individually and together is where things start to click. COMPONENT ONE: PROGRAMMING YOUR RIFLE AND OPTIC This is where everything starts. Nothing else matters if you’re not setting up your rifle system correctly and programming your optic for the shot you’re about to take. This phase is all about dialing in your data for known distances or using your reticle to range unknown distances and make solid decisions about how to engage. Sometimes, you’re working inside a distance where your caliber and speed make holdovers quick and easy. Other times, the target’s small enough or far enough away that it makes more sense to dial and settle in for a more precise shot. Knowing when to dial, when to hold, and how to confirm your parallax and magnification before breaking a shot is key. Understanding your equipment is key to long range success. Photo courtesy of Nick Setting. If something goes wrong in this phase—maybe you dialed the wrong number, your data is off, or a piece of gear worked itself loose—you may not even realize it until after the shot breaks. Worse yet, bad shooters don’t realize it at all. They take the shot, miss, and have no idea why. And in hunting or tactical situations, that can lead to disastrous outcomes—whether it’s an unethical shot on game or a failed engagement on a critical target. One of the best skills you can develop here is knowing when not to take the shot at all. Recognizing when something isn’t right—and having the discipline to fix it before pressing the trigger—separates decent shooters from true professionals. COMPONENT TWO: FUNDAMENTALS OF ACCURACY We’ve all heard the old phrases—“steady breathing,” “smooth trigger press,” and so on. And while there’s truth to all that, I’ve found that some people either overthink it or neglect certain areas that matter much more than they realize. Over the years, after working with hundreds of shooters, I’ve rethought a lot of what I was originally taught about precision rifle shooting. Some things still hold true. Others… not so much. The trigger press is, of course, a big deal. Slow, steady, and consistent. But hand placement on the stock also plays a huge role in maintaining precision, especially as you stretch the distance. That said, the most important factor in my book is cheek weld. If you’re not placing your face in the exact same spot every single time, you’re introducing inconsistencies in how your eye aligns with the reticle. Even small shifts change your perspective through the scope, and that can translate into misses—especially at distance. The fundamentals of accuracy are important whether prone or in a hasty position. Photo courtesy of Nick Setting. It’s not the sexiest piece of advice, but mastering your head placement and making it repeatable is one of the biggest game-changers for precision shooting. COMPONENT THREE: OBSERVING AND UNDERSTANDING YOUR IMPACT This is where good shooters become great shooters. Being able to see your impact—and understand why you hit or missed—is crucial. If you’re shooting a bolt-action rifle, that often means holding your position and watching for the strike before running the bolt. If you cycle the action too fast, you lose sight of your impact and the feedback it gives you. Gas guns don’t struggle with this as much, but the principle still applies: you need to see where your round lands before you make your next move. Being able to spot hits or misses through your scope is a skill that must be developed. Photo courtesy of Nick Setting. Once you spot your impact (or miss), you need to know exactly what correction to make. That’s how you stay in the fight and stay effective. This step is a huge part of growing as a shooter. How do you learn to see your own impact? It comes down to body position, recoil management, and following through after the shot. Over the years, I’ve been exposed to a lot of different techniques—some better than others. My time in the Marine Corps, and later running high-threat contracts in Baghdad, gave me a chance to really challenge some of the old ideas and develop new techniques that worked under pressure. These methods have helped shooters of all levels become more effective in less time. When you can see your shot strike and immediately make an informed correction, everything changes. Whether you’re working a precision rifle or a belt-fed machine gun in a sustained engagement, being able to track your impacts makes you significantly more effective. FINAL THOUGHTS At the end of every failed engagement, I like to ask my shooters a simple question: “What of the three steps went right, and what of the three went wrong?” The answer is simple. A poor shooter misses and doesn’t know why. A good shooter misses and knows immediately. An excellent shooter knows before they take the shot that something’s off—and they fix it before sending a round. That level of awareness only comes from mastering all three components: programming your rifle and optic, executing solid fundamentals, and watching and understanding your impacts. This has been a deep dive, but it’s the culmination of years of experience teaching people how to shoot at distance. Whether just starting out or fine-tuning your skills, these three components will always be at the core of long-range success. And while there’s no substitute for hands-on instruction, understanding why these elements matter is a solid first step. Articles from Rob Orgel of Emergency Response Tactical Long-Range Hunting and Shot Placement Eye Dominance and Handedness Maximizing Speed and Efficiency Are You Ready for Your Hunt? Combat Readiness Regaining Mental Balance Bullet Expansion for Rifle Hunting Three Biggest Dangers During a Hunt Five Common Questions About NFA Items 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Suppressor Physical Fitness In The Military Sig Sauer SniperFest: Review and Key Takeaways 7mm Backcountry: A Promising Caliber With Potential Pitfalls Winchester 21 Sharp: Is It Worth the Investment? There Is Only One Way to Buck the Wind Check out the latest video on our YouTube Channel!
It's almost comical sometimes—hearing the guy behind the sporting goods counter preach about "God's caliber" being .30-06. Back in the days of World War I and II, we really believed that was the optimal warfighting cartridge. Then came its shorter, lower-recoil little brother: the .308. A very capable round, no doubt, and it served as the military's workhorse for decades. But here's the thing: we've barely evolved since then—especially on the military front. During my time in the Marine Corps (2004–2014), the only calibers we ever saw as infantry riflemen were 5.56 and 7.62 NATO (.308). That was it. No matter the mission, terrain, or role, your options were limited to those two. EVOLUTION IS NOT OPTIONAL—IT'S ESSENTIAL On the civilian side, we have the freedom to evolve faster. We're not stuck waiting for military contracts or bureaucracy. But even so, many shooters hesitate.I get it—there's comfort in the familiar. Maybe you've got a stockpile of ammo for your go-to cartridge, or you like the simplicity of sticking to just a couple of calibers. Maybe your logic is: "What if I run out of ammo mid-season and have to stop at Walmart? What will they actually have in stock?" That's a fair concern. However, once you acknowledge the barriers, it's worth looking at the real benefits of embracing cartridge evolution. Calibers and Rifle Technology are constantly advancing. Photo: Nick Setting. FROM .30-06 TO .308… TO 6.5 CREEDMOOR AND BEYOND There was a time when .308 fans laughed at .30-06 as outdated and clunky. But now? Many of those same shooters are getting passed up by 6.5 Creedmoor. And it doesn't stop there. You could argue 6.5 PRC beats out the 6.5 Creedmoor, especially if you can accept a little more barrel wear in exchange for a flatter trajectory and more downrange energy. Personally, I'm a big fan of 6mm Creedmoor—arguably the best all-around cartridge, provided you're not hunting large game. This type of evolution doesn't come from reading spec sheets. It comes from hands-on experience. I'm fortunate to be on the range four or more days a week, shooting and analyzing ballistic performance—both rifles I own and those brought in by clients. That level of exposure has taught me a lot about real-world performance and the subtle differences between rounds. PERFORMANCE ALONE ISN'T ENOUGH—SUPPORT MATTERS We often forget that success isn't just about performance—it's about support. Take the .260 Remington. A great round on paper. In practice? It fell short because it didn't get enough backing. There are not enough rifles chambered for it, and not enough ammo manufacturers producing it. On the other hand, 6.5 Creedmoor got the full support of the firearms industry—rifle makers, ammo companies, and more! That's what made it take off. The truth is, .260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor are nearly siblings in ballistic terms. The real difference is the ecosystem that formed around the 6.5 Creed. Photo: Nick Setting YOU DON'T HAVE TO UPGRADE—BUT YOU SHOULD STAY OPEN Now, I'm not saying you should throw away Grandpa's .30-06 or your trusty .308. They've earned their place. But I am suggesting that if you're still hanging your hat on those rounds without ever exploring the newer options, you might be missing out on serious advantages—in recoil management, wind performance, trajectory, and overall efficiency. The cartridge world has evolved quickly in the last decade, and we now have better options—built with logic, efficiency, and industry support in mind. So don't feel pressured to run out and buy a brand-new rifle. But do yourself a favor: look around. Pay attention to what's out there. Try some of these modern calibers if you get the chance. Because evolution isn't about abandoning the past—it's about building on it.
In recent years, there has been a 300 magnum revolution. That revolution was kick-started by calibers such as 300 Norma and 300 PRC. These powerful cartridges combined modern case design with long, sleek, high BC bullets to create rounds capable of hitting targets at extreme distances. But what about the granddaddy of them all—the 300 Winchester Magnum? The question was: Is the 300 Win Mag still relevant? The cartridge debuted in 1963, just in time to be chambered in the beloved rifleman's rifle—the Winchester Model 70—before engineering changes the following year. The cartridge made headlines as a hunting round capable of taking down North America's largest game. Undoubtedly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a magnum caliber that had taken more game. It was also the cartridge used by famed Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock, as he rewrote the record books at Camp Perry and in Vietnam. But in 2025, was this historic belted magnum still relevant in an age of ballistics revolution? That's what Mountains, Mullets, Merica! discussed in his latest video. To answer this question, MMM tested the cartridge's limits in an Extreme Long-Range competition. These targets varied in size—from 1 MOA to 3 MOA—and at ranges from 750 yards to 2,310 yards. For the rifle, he selected a Pristine Long Action, Outlier 26" 1/8 twist barrel, Revolutionary Arms 5-port muzzle brake, and an MDT ACC Elite chassis. To help make an impact at extreme distances, MMM chose a Leupold MK5, 5-25x56 optic with a Tremor 3 reticle. To maximize the Win Mag's potential, he loaded 220-grain Sierra Matchkings. Many factory 300 Win Mag rifles—especially older ones—will have difficulty feeding and stabilizing these heavy bullets. Modern rifles have faster twist rates and longer magazines to maximize the bullet's potential. MDT ACC Elite, Triple Pull Ckye-Pod, Leupold Scope. Most of the video's discussion focused on the rifle's performance at the ELR Match. With a voiceover of the match's first day, we gained a clear idea of what a 300 Win Mag could do when loaded with high-BC projectiles. How did MMM perform at the match? Better yet, was he able to connect at 2,310 yards with the cartridge that was introduced during the Kennedy Administration? Check out the video to find out! For more Mountains, Mullets, Merica!, check out this link.
— Cultivating Reverence, Responsibility, and Respect The idea of women as hunters isn't new, but like most things worth passing down, I believe it requires care, intention, and cultivation. As a mother of two young daughters, I want to raise them to understand the natural world, their place in it, and the quiet strength that comes with being a capable provider. Yes, I want to raise hunters. But more importantly, I want to raise thoughtful, ethical ones. THE POWER OF SCARITY There's a beautiful lesson in wanting something just enough. As adults, we know it — too much of anything can dull the experience. The same holds true with kids. One of my daughters is old enough to go to the range. The other isn't quite there yet. But the one who is ready only gets to go twice a year. Not because I don't want her to shoot more often, but because I want to keep it special. Scarcity breeds reverence. She knows that range time is a gift, and that makes her stay focused for the full two hours. No "I'm thirsty" or "Can we leave early?" like we get at the playground. She knows if she calls it early, it'll be six months before she gets another turn. That kind of anticipation turns into attention. And attention is the foundation of discipline. MENTORSHIP STARTS AT THE DINNER TABLE We talk openly with our girls about where food comes from. We don't dive into the graphic details — they're still young — but we do ensure they understand that meat doesn't come from a plastic tray. It comes from life. From an animal. And with that, life comes responsibility. At dinner, we'll explain what's on the plate. "This meal came from the store," we'll say. "But this one came from Daddy's rifle." We have chickens, too, so they understand that the eggs we eat were laid just outside the kitchen window. It's all part of a bigger conversation — one that roots them in the natural world and builds respect early on. They're not yet ready to witness a harvest. But when the time comes, they won't be shocked by it. It won't feel foreign or cruel. It will feel connected. NERF GUNS AND TEACHABLE MOMENTS We also use Nerf guns to teach gun safety, and it's one of the best tools I've found for early education. It lets them mess up in a way that's safe. They get to learn about muzzle awareness, trigger discipline, and responsibility without the stakes being too high. Sometimes we'll even talk about "the rules" while playing with water guns — always treating them like they matter. Because they do. Gun culture shouldn't start with fear. It should start with understanding. And starting early gives them space to grow into it. RESPECT, ALWAYS We teach our girls that we love animals. We love our chickens, and they love us back — not with wagging tails or kisses, but with the quiet consistency of eggs in the coop. And we explain that hunting is an extension of that same relationship. It's symbiotic. It's not about domination. We don't kill more than we need. We harvest one deer at a time. We use everything we can. And we make sure the shot is clean and quick — out of respect, not just skill. We teach them that being a hunter is as much about knowing your limits as it is about knowing your capabilities. FINAL THOUGHTS In our home, hunting isn't a gendered tradition. It's not something reserved for the boys. It's a way of life, a mindset, and a tool of self-reliance — one that I want my daughters to have access to, just like their father does, just like I do. And while we're still in the early days — Nerf guns and dinner table talks — I can already see the seeds being planted. Seeds of reverence. Of understanding. Of quiet, confident strength. That's the kind of hunter I want to raise. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Basma Orgel lives in Phoenix, Arizona, and has a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. Basma has two beautiful daughters and enjoys hunting, hiking, cooking, and shooting. Basma currently works as a professional photographer.
Any gun owner who has spent even a little time online has seen video clips depicting a shooter's view through a riflescope. These clips typically show the moment a shot is taken, and the viewer sees the effect of a bullet's impact on a steel target or some type of game or pest animal being hunted. When well done, these videos are impressive and have led me to wonder if I could do this myself. Eventually, I caved in and started experimenting with cameras intended for mounting to riflescopes. It's been a long journey and one that's cost more than a few dollars, so I thought I'd share some lessons I've learned in hopes of helping others considering adding this accessory to their rifles. This is not a product review, but rather a discussion of real-world factors that I've found to affect all scope cameras. In a perfect world, we'd be able to slap a camera onto a riflescope and collect crystal clear 4K video of a bullet's impact, all with no effect on the rifle or scope's performance. Of course, the world isn't perfect, so some significant issues are involved. EYE RELIEF Rifle scopes are designed to provide the best possible view when the eye is held about 3- or 4-inches away from the rear of the scope. This distance provides a safe space for a hard-kicking rifle to recoil into without the rear of the scope striking the shooter's face and causing injury. Scope cameras always fit into this safe space, taking away anywhere from 1 to 2 inches of that safety zone. Therefore, they are best suited for low-recoiling rifles. Of course, reducing a rifle's recoil is possible by adding weight, a suppressor, and/or a muzzle brake. In some applications, these will be necessary safety modifications. Rimfires like this Tikka T1X chambered for the .17 HMR cartridge and settled into an ORYX chassis are great candidates for a quality scope camera. RECOIL Recoil presents a second problem as well. Inevitably, as the muzzle rises in response to recoil, hard recoiling rifles will cause the shooter to briefly lose sight of the target in the scope. Adding a scope camera does not make this go away, and while the camera will record the reticle position at the time of the shot, it won't record the moment of impact if recoil has moved the target out of view by the time the bullet arrives. Therefore, someone considering adding a scope camera to a hunting rifle should spend some serious range time shooting from field positions with that rifle and evaluating whether he can see the bullet's impact through the scope when no camera is attached. If not, the camera won't see it either. Again, adding things like a muzzle brake, suppressor, or just more weight can change this dynamic. Experimentation and honest evaluation are key to not becoming a disappointed consumer. Adding weight via a sturdy chassis and bipod and installing a muzzle brake will reduce recoil and increase the usefulness of a scope camera. LIGHT TRANSMISSION Because scope cameras position an assortment of lenses and mirrors between the rear of the scope and the shooter's eye, there is an inevitable loss of light reaching the shooter. Therefore, installing a scope camera will always result in the shooter perceiving a dimmer image through the scope when the camera is mounted. How much dimmer that image is depends largely on the quality involved in the camera's manufacture. High-quality mirrors, glass, and relevant coatings will reduce light loss. If a low-quality camera system is added to a low-quality scope, the result may be unacceptable. Therefore, a scope with top-notch glass and coatings combined with a camera utilizing similar quality components will produce much better results. The same holds true for what the camera sees. As a result, some cameras will perform poorly in low light because the scope and the camera's components just aren't up to the task. Quality matters. FOCUS Correct focus is, of course, critical to capturing good video. And a scope camera needs to be able to keep both the reticle and the image in focus, which seems far more difficult for a camera than for the human eye. Anyone watching even a few YouTube videos featuring these cameras will quickly see the results of poor focus. To be fair, not all are the result of poor focus; many, especially the long-range target shots, simply show the inescapable effects of mirage. Strangely, that mirage effect always seems magnified when seen on video as opposed to firsthand viewing through a rifle scope. The mirage effect is significantly reduced at shorter ranges and cool temperatures when the air is clear and thin. The best combination for collecting in-focus video results is when the camera has a focus adjustment for the reticle and the rifle scope has a side-mounted focus/parallax adjustment for the image. Once the camera is mounted, the reticle focus should only need to be set once, but the image/parallax focus will need to be adjusted for every shot taken at a different distance. This, of course, takes time, meaning high-quality video is easier to obtain in slower-paced shooting activities. Good lighting and sharp focus are critical to getting good images and video from a scope camera. CONCLUSION I believe these four areas are the four major challenges faced by consumers looking to add a scope camera as a rifle accessory. None of them are insurmountable, but they are things to consider before dropping a significant amount of cash. Buying quality gear and devoting some time, effort, and practice to learn how to use it can produce great results. Scope cameras can be useful and a lot of fun, and I certainly won't be selling mine anytime soon.
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