Gunsite 250, budgeting the $2000+

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Doc7

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Class, ammo, etc... lucky for me, it is now driving distance from my house in Richmond VA (won’t need a hotel or transportation costs).

I am about to get my annual bonus.

As I do every year around this time, I start cruising the Winchester, Browning, Ruger catalogs, Leupold also. Googling constantly

“is my 7mm-08 enough for elk?”
“Should I buy a Model 70 Featherweight for my 4 year old to use when he is a few years older?”

Instead I am trying now to convince myself to stash this money away - I’ll get 1K to myself for “Fun” money after saving for retirement, tithing, family needs - and wait till next year’s bonus to stack them up into a Gunsite 250 course and a defensive Carbine course.


I think the answers to my questions are that I have enough guns for now, and I need to start spending money on ammunition, reloading components, and training (including a clay thrower for wingshooting), not accumulating more “stuff” that I shoot a couple times a year. Model 70s won’t be banned before I get around to buying one for the boy (or my daughter), and even if they were I already have a muzzleloader, 7mm-08, M1 garand, and 20 gauge with a slug Barrel that is 1.5” at 100 yards - plenty for the 3 of us to sit in a tree stand together. The Tikka T3 Lite SS In 7mm-08 will be enough for an elk or antelope hunt if one emerges in the next 2 years (unlikely, but possible).


Right??
 
AZAndy said:
Gunsite moved to Virginia? I did not know that. I think of them as being up the road from me here in Prescott.
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They have a satellite class at colonial shooting academy in Richmond for a couple years now. I believe it’s the only remote course location.
 
The X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed In 300 WSM and a Model 70 Fwt Compact In 243 or another 7mm-08 sure would be nice to go along with my T3 though...
 
The first two things I suggest you do is join the NRA, only $45.00 and VSSA (Virginia Shooting Sports Association) only $25.00. I realize that many THR members are anti-NRA but you apparently have a big gun rights fight coming in Virginia.

I am a recovering "buy another gun" addict and am working on buying gear, ammunition and reloading supplies. I would like to attend a high quality training class but there are not any located in my part of the country. Personally I would attend the Gunsight class.
 
BSA1 said:
The first two things I suggest you do is join the NRA, only $45.00 and VSSA (Virginia Shooting Sports Association) only $25.00. I realize that many THR members are anti-NRA but you apparently have a big gun rights fight coming in Virginia.

I am a recovering "buy another gun" addict and am working on buying gear, ammunition and reloading supplies. I would like to attend a high quality training class but there are not any located in my part of the country. Personally I would attend the Gunsight class.
Click to expand...

Myself and my 4 year old boy and 11 month old daughter are card carrying, magazine reading, sweepstakes entering NRA members. I am also a Virginia Citizens Defense League, our local 2A group, member.
 
I’ve been to 3 Gunsite classes, all at the academy in Paulden. After the first class, I stopped considering it a “training” class and started calling it a “gunfighting vacation”.

Please don’t take that the wrong way...their training is outstanding! I’m sure the courses in VA, TN, and IN are top notch.

But there is really something special headed up that bumpy dirt road first thing every morning...trying to not spill your hot coffee or jar a filling loose. Then, you pull up under the gate, and you know that, while the rest of your world is doing the “day to day grind”....focused on emails, customers, traffic, bosses, coworkers, deadlines, or whatever, you will be focused on “front sight......pressssss!” You keep hearing...”Draw swiftly....shoot accurately....holster reluctantly.” “Only hits count!”. And whether you have 3 or 4 instructors, and regardless who they are, the instruction will be steady, polite, consistent, and professional. And you will be treated well.

All facilities, from Classrooms to the Pro Shop to the range bathrooms are clean and in excellent condition. The staff is a friendly bunch of awesome folks, all packing a pistol and a quick to shoot you a smile and kind word. Lunch is a time to get to know your classmates...the young newlyweds, the old guy and his grand kid, the middle aged couple on their third trip. Doctors, cops, salesfolk, housewives, computer geeks, engineers, and college students...all come together, making a pilgrimage to the “school that Jeff built” to learn how to shoot, but we learned so much more. If you’re lucky (as I was on every class), you’ll end your week with Mrs Cooper, a beautiful lady, on a tour of the Sconce, eating brownies and sipping ice tea, checking out the places the Colonel spent time writing, studying, and relaxing with family and friends.

It’s been a few years from my last visit, that time with my oldest daughter. She arrived at the class timid...an almost brand new shooter with only 50 rounds of 9MM experience to her name (all I could get her to shoot) and left a confident young lady (22 years young), capable of drawing her handgun and putting 12 rounds in the kill zone of 3 targets, including a reload, in under 12 seconds. She shed some tears while we were there, on the last day of class, on the drive in from the hotel. I asked her if her allergies were acting up. She said no...she was just very sad this would be our last day driving to class. Now, I’m almost shedding a couple myself remembering how memorable our 10 day “daughter-father” Arizona vacation was.

It’s truly a great experience, and one I recommend wholeheartedly!
 
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I've also stumbled across this class at CSA Richmond. I wonder how a "satellite class" is compared to actually being at their facility.

For this type of training I'm a little skeptical of second hand instruction.

Those of you in the know feel free to enlighten me.
 
It is not secondhand. Reviewers clearly state that the instructors include the head of instruction at Gunsite, etc.

It is only offered 3 times a year - presumably, weeks that they aren’t offering it at the original ranch.
 
Also, I have budgeted for 2019 and 2020 $2500 for professional training at this location, costs include the Gunsite 250 course and a one day Defensive Carbine In-house (not Gunsite) training class, 1050 rounds of 9mm, and OWB holster and mag pouch, 5 new G19 mags, 300 rounds 5.56, and a chest rig or mag pouch for the Carbine course.

I also set aside $1000 for 2019/2020 for self guided practice to include clay target shooting, 5.56 Carbine practice, practicing my hunting rifle 7mm-08 to include reloading rounds for it (previously I’ve only shot to sight in prior to deer season, it’s time to start taking advantage of the hunt club lease I have in the off season to shoot 100-450 yards in field positions and develop loads), 9 mm and 22lr pistol practice.

Hopefully now I can actually shoot the stuff I own instead of simply buying more stuff that I am not saving money to feed ammo.
 
I've also stumbled across this class at CSA Richmond. I wonder how a "satellite class" is compared to actually being at their facility.
Click to expand...


I have suggested to you once before that you, having chosen that photograph of Jeff Cooper as your avatar, learn more of the man and the school he started. Start reading everything you can, or please choose another photo. You do him a disservice until you do.

The present proprietor of the Gunsite Academy in Paulden AZ strives to run the school as Jeff would have it run. It is with this assurance that you need not question any satellite-location training authorized to use the name Gunsite.

That said, I have not yet attended, although I have been a student per se of Cooper for about 7 years now. I nearly shed a tear reading Buzznrose's wonderful post. I wish to attend a 250 before I may never have the opportunity to meet The Countess.
 
Today I started my training plan budget and bought 1000 rounds of 9mm and 1000 rounds of XM193 with 10 PMAGs from PSA, instead of a nice Vortex FFP scope or a new gun. Time to start shooting and practicing! I have components to load 200 rounds of 7mm-08 and will finish my reloading bench by this Friday.
 
Gimme an F
Gimme an A
Gimme a Q
What have I got?
FAQ

"You should bring the most powerful handgun that you can control. Typical calibers are .45ACP, 9mm Luger and .40 Smith & Wesson.

9mm Kurz (also known as .380) is not an acceptable caliber, nor is .22LR.

Semi-automatic pistols are preferred for many reasons, but you may bring a revolver in .38 Special (or larger caliber) if that is what you carry.

This is a good time to point out that Gunsite DOES rent firearms by the day."
 
That’s unfortunate. Maybe I’ll open a better course with little bullets and better training.
 
200Apples said:
I have suggested to you once before that you, having chosen that photograph of Jeff Cooper as your avatar, learn more of the man and the school he started. Start reading everything you can, or please choose another photo. You do him a disservice until you do.

The present proprietor of the Gunsite Academy in Paulden AZ strives to run the school as Jeff would have it run. It is with this assurance that you need not question any satellite-location training authorized to use the name Gunsite.

That said, I have not yet attended, although I have been a student per se of Cooper for about 7 years now. I nearly shed a tear reading Buzznrose's wonderful post. I wish to attend a 250 before I may never have the opportunity to meet The Countess.
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If you haven’t attended the school I’m curious how you can have an opinion of the quality of the satellite courses.

Cooper wasn’t sent here by the Lord to redeem our sins. You’re defending him like he was the head of the Church.
 
Doc7 said:
Right??
Click to expand...

Guns, and gun ownership is a personal thing. One should always do what they feel is best for them and asking random folks on the internet for confirmation is....well, it is what it is. Sounds like you have a good grasp of your needs and have your own priorities. You seem to consider seriously what to do with your monies and plan far in advance.

Sounds right to me........at least for you.
 
Doc7 said:
Time to start shooting and practicing!
Click to expand...

From Gunsite FAQ
"If you’re an experienced shooter, DON’T PRACTICE SHOOTING before coming to school. You may only succeed in further imprinting bad habits. At the end of their 250 class, some people with no prior experience in shooting prevail over those who consider themselves long-term shooters. How do you think they did that?"

The Liberal said:
That’s unfortunate. Maybe I’ll open a better course with little bullets and better training.
Click to expand...

That sounds interesting. "Little bullets" are easy. Tell us about "better."
 
Jim Watson said:
From Gunsite FAQ
"If you’re an experienced shooter, DON’T PRACTICE SHOOTING before coming to school. You may only succeed in further imprinting bad habits. At the end of their 250 class, some people with no prior experience in shooting prevail over those who consider themselves long-term shooters. How do you think they did that?"



That sounds interesting. "Little bullets" are easy. Tell us about "better."
Click to expand...
Concur, I more or less meant with my 223 and 7mm-08 also discussed . Although I do need to at least practice a little pistol and not wait until late 2020 to use my Glock 19...
 
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