This episode Francis and Chad cover the most common wind question they hear from shooters: how they make their initial wind call. From terrain to speed estimation to mirage to bullet speed, they cover as much as possible related to tips and tricks to learn this valuable skill. Every shooter will second guess their initial call at some point, if only for a fleeting moment, but the art of learning to "read" the wind is a fluid game...pun intended. It takes practice, patience and courage to trust your senses each stage. Grab insights from the hosts to help you be more consistently on plate for the first shot of any match or any stage!

This episode Francis and Chad cover the most common wind question they hear from shooters: how they make their initial wind call. From terrain to speed estimation to mirage to bullet speed, they cover as much as possible related to tips and tricks to learn this valuable skill. Every shooter will second guess their initial call at some point, if only for a fleeting moment, but the art of learning to "read" the wind is a fluid game...pun intended. It takes practice, patience and courage to trust your senses each stage. Grab insights from the hosts to help you be more consistently on plate for the first shot of any match or any stage!

EP76 - Your Initial Wind Call

This episode, your hosts Chad and Francis cover their learning moments from the Hoosier Hellfire Match. Chad walks through his experience using a new caliber, the .25 caliber. From quickly adapting to a different high BC bullet to managing recoil anticipation to fighting through challenging stages late in a match, this episode covers great tips on how and when to try new gear but still managing your mindset towards success.  Francis lands a win by focusing on his impact location throughout the match in very high temps.

EP75 - Trade Up or Stay the Same?

This episode, Chad digs into Francis' experience at the Nightforce ELR Challenge match. With only a little over two weeks to prep a new rifle for a new style of shooting in an unknown environment, Francis breaks down the learning moments from shooting a 300NM at distances from 700 to 2000+ yards.  From making solid wind calls to trusting your gut to learning quickly from mistakes, this episode will have some good info on making the most of the learning process.    How do you maximize your return on the time invested for prepping a new rifle? What expectations should you set for yourself in a new environment?  Take a listen to grab some of the cool insights the hosts uncover as they discuss this uniquely challenging match!

EP74 - Outside your Comfort Zone

Steve Anderson

It's time to "Get to work!" Chad and Francis connect with USPSA Grand Master, author, and mindset coach Steve Anderson on speed, focus, and learning to explore you limits. The conversation leads to some amazing insights into the evolution of training speed while maintaining precision and accuracy. This episode is packed full of great nuggets that will help you in matches and training!

EP73 - Steve Anderson - Speed & Mindset

The Positional Punisher 2023 is a wrap and did not disappoint! This match is one of Francis' favorite of the season and duo talk through there learning moments, favorite aspects of the match and some critical moments that led to successes (and a few less successful outcomes). Each match has a unique flavor to stress shooters on the clock and this event manages to challenge a nearly perfect mix of skills to crown the winner.  Tune in to hear their thoughts and a few tips on shooting changing wind conditions.

EP72 - The Ultimate Positional Match

Barrels are a core element of every precision rifle. Chad and Francis walk through everything barrels, from break in to cleaning to precision to selecting the right barrel to balance. All of these small aspects lead to a better system that will put you on target.  When should you consider a barrel "shot out"? Do you know your barrel and what is your process to learn it's tendencies?  Take a listen to get insight into making the most of your barrels.

EP71 - Get the Most Out of Your Barrel

This topic is straight forward: are you shooting small enough groups to be competitive? And what is the acceptable standard to compete at various levels? What causes your groups to be larger/smaller and what can you do to improve size and consistency?

EP70 - Are Your Groups Small Enough?

"Destroy" is a very visceral word, generally negative ...but the internal meaning of words can be different from person to person, changing the context and personal meaning. Chad and Francis cover the idea of finding flow state: attitude, triggers, detractors, and motivators. Some days the rifle is a natural extension of the shooter and others it feels clumsy and unnatural, begging the question: how do we find the former more often than the latter?  This cerebral episode will challenge you to look inward to find the moments that can help you unlock "flow" faster and more consistently.

EP69 - I'm Gonna Go Destroy

This episode, Francis and Chad debate, discuss, and decide whether "Super Squads" exist. Is there a benefit to getting into that squad of all Pro shooters? Should it be random? What about sponsor slots? The hosts dive into the deep end of the real truths behind squadding, shared wind calls, super squads and more. Do the pro's play " squadding leapfrog" on Practiscore to gain an advantage or to shoot with friends? You'll find the answer inside this episode of Miles to Matches... Maybe!

EP68 - SuperSquad or RandomRoulette?

Andy Slade

This episode is special as Chad and Francis catch up with Andy Slade: teammate, instructor, competitor, and seriously amazing dude with an awesome message. There are some INCREDIBLE discussions on everything from flow state, checklists, caliber selection, balance in training and so much more! Rifleman's Path is is not just a fancy name to be catchy, but a lifestyle that helps drive success through better process, procedure and dedication to your craft.  This episode captures incredible insights from one of the best shooters in the world.  This is a MUST listen episode... Twice! ...and then listen again.

EP67 - Rifleman's Path with Andy Slade

Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about life, friendship, discipline, Precision Rifle Competition, and many more things...while on the road putting on Miles to Matches.

2023 K&amp;M Kahles PRC is in the books. Chad and Francis recap their experiences and learning moments from the "Augusta National" of our sport.  From match shooting to filming with Team MDT, this episode highlights how analyzing your smallest errors can make a HUGE difference in placement.  Simple take away: always assume there is another stage to shoot even after your last round is fired.  A perfect plan can easily be foiled by imperfect execution.

EP66 - K&M 2023 - Videos Coming Soon...

Chad and Francis catch up between matches and discuss shooting in the East vs the West. This detailed episode covers the nitty-gritty on some less obvious equipment and strategy changes between square ranges and western open ranges.  Taking a trip across country? Listen to this episode to be a bit better prepared for you next match or even hunt!

EP65 - East is Least, West is Best

This episode Chad and Francis work out the backbone of being successful despite setbacks. No one - literally - can claim 100% success in all things at all times under all conditions. In fact, it is more likely that the progress toward your goals is proportional to the number of "failures" you experience in pursuit of your goals.  They candidly discuss the challenges that we all deal with frequently, on and off the match clock: failures, surprise twists of life, burn-out and more! The hosts work to find the common points that helped get past road blocks to find meaning in the areas of competitive shooting that matter most: Friendship, dedication and positivity. If you need a good pick-me-up before you next match, listen to this episode...twice! 

This episode Chad and Francis work out the backbone of being successful despite setbacks. No one - literally - can claim 100% success in all things at all times under all conditions. In fact, it is more likely that the progress toward your goals is proportional to the number of "failures" you experience in pursuit of your goals. They candidly discuss the challenges that we all deal with frequently, on and off the match clock: failures, surprise twists of life, burn-out and more! The hosts work to find the common points that helped get past road blocks to find meaning in the areas of competitive shooting that matter most: Friendship, dedication and positivity. If you need a good pick-me-up before you next match, listen to this episode...twice!

EP64 - It's the Climb

This episode Chad and Francis catch up on a couple of cool topic: troubleshooting loads, spotting impacts, and recoil management. These all interplay with one another creating making it easier (or harder) to hit your point of aim. Generally speaking, load development has been fairly easy for us over the years, but occasionally, we find ourselves scratching our heads with new components or having trouble seeing shots shots on target.  The hosts deep dive into some technical aspects of bullet flight time, load development and spotting shots.  Tune in to learn a new way to think of tuning your "speed"  to help you see more on target.  

This episode Chad and Francis catch up on a couple of cool topic: troubleshooting loads, spotting impacts, and recoil management. These all interplay with one another creating making it easier (or harder) to hit your point of aim. Generally speaking, load development has been fairly easy for us over the years, but occasionally, we find ourselves scratching our heads with new components or having trouble seeing shots shots on target. The hosts deep dive into some technical aspects of bullet flight time, load development and spotting shots. Tune in to learn a new way to think of tuning your "speed" to help you see more on target.

EP63 - Speed, Spotting, and Recoil

This episode covers an oddly difficult question to answer: What is a "Pro?" Is it your classification in the PRS? Your knowledge of shooting and ballistics? Your income related to your profession? These all have a distinct role in considering yourself a "pro" but the deeper question is whether you are focusing your efforts on areas that will help you get to your maximum potential as fast as possible. From practice routines to stage planning and from match scheduling to selecting gear, Chad and Francis work through the hard to resolve details on how they have moved through the ranks to get to their potential, along with tips to hedge your bet when you are working to find your milestones of success.

EP62 - What is a "PRO"?

This episode covers a major source of error behind the rifle: emotion. A mistake can lead to another mistake when emotion creeps into our mind. From pro golfers to pro shooters to daily internations, an emotional response can cause us to miss details, overestimate skill, inflate egos and generally hurt our ability to respond to most situations.

EP61 - Tenacity

Chad and Francis chase planes, trains and automobiles to get to Cameo Shooting Complex in Colorado for the Koenig-Ruger PRS AG Cup match. Awesome scenery, big stages, and huge altitude created some unique challenges and fun learning on (and off) the clock: from acclimating to high altitude to *nearly* getting special service from the TSA, the duo cover their pre- and post-match experience in the Rocky Mountains. Huge thanks to Ruger, Keith Baker and Doug Koenig for creating in intense match that challenged the field with big pans, difficult positions and smart stage designs. Great lessons learned from this incredible venue.

Chad and Francis chase planes, trains and automobiles to get to Cameo Shooting Complex in Colorado for the Koenig-Ruger PRS AG Cup match. Awesome scenery, big stages, and huge altitude created some unique challenges and fun learning on (and off) the clock: from acclimating to high altitude to *nearly* getting special service from the TSA, the duo cover their pre- and post-match experience in the Rocky Mountains. Huge thanks to Ruger, Keith Baker and Doug Koenig for creating in intense match that challenged the field with big pans, difficult positions and smart stage designs. Great lessons learned from this incredible venue.

EP60 - Epic Colorado Experience

This episode Chad and Francis deep dive on "truing" you data. This is arguably one of the most important terms talked about daily newer shooters and veterans alike and for good reason! Aligning your solver to what you see down range can be very gratifying... and very frustrating!   Because of the complexity of the variables around fire solutions, it is easy to induce an error that will not show up until the worst time.  Should you true you BC or your Muzzle Velocity at 700 yards? Should you change your Zero Height or Muzzle Velocity at 400yds?   Chad also walks through his tour of the Berger production facility and some really good news for shooters!  Tune in to hear all the details! 

This episode Chad and Francis deep dive on "truing" you data. This is arguably one of the most important terms talked about daily newer shooters and veterans alike and for good reason! Aligning your solver to what you see down range can be very gratifying... and very frustrating! Because of the complexity of the variables around fire solutions, it is easy to induce an error that will not show up until the worst time. Should you true you BC or your Muzzle Velocity at 700 yards? Should you change your Zero Height or Muzzle Velocity at 400yds? Chad also walks through his tour of the Berger production facility and some really good news for shooters! Tune in to hear all the details!

EP59 - Truing Your Ballistic Solver

This episode, Chad and Francis catch up after shooting separate matches across the country. Chad going to the Snake River Idaho match and Francis going to the Clay's Cartridge Classic, they discuss some of the challenges and learning moments between the two events. Big winds, big weather and big smiles!

EP58 - Idaho to Oklahoma

This episode, Chad and Francis pick up where they left off tackling questions posed from the listeners over the last few months and hammer them out. Some are easy questions and some take a bit of a deeper discussion. This is part two of the two part segment; listen in to see if we covered your question in this episode or the next!

EP57 - Listener Q&A - Part 2 of 2

Miles to Matches

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