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 ...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 10 min
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!
Apr 06, 2023•45 min
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!
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 5 min
This episode, Chad and Francis tackle the vast assortment of 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 one of a two part segment; listen in to see if we covered your question in this episode or the next!
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min
This episode, Francis and Chad hit on one of the most requested topics since the start of the podcast: analyzing your matches and areas for improvement. Practice only helps if you practice items that actually need work and, more specifically, areas that are actually costing you points in matches. Why focus on better precision and handloads if you are timing out? Should you work on wind calling exclusively if you have a wobble zone that tends to be wider than it is tall? What order do you focus o...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 25 min
Chad and Francis chat about very common challenge: procrastination and choosing the right tasks. The "Big P" is a very dangerous habit that can lead to even bigger challenges that can seem unrelated. When you have items that COULD be done to get you ahead, tackle them now... You never know when life will throw you a wrench in your plans that could upend your "plan" to get ready for a match. Listen in for some solid tips on improvement for getting the most of your schedule, practice sessions and ...
Mar 09, 2023•40 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad and Francis have a candid conversation on the last leg of a long drive home and it turns into something special. We all have the blessing of interacting with so many people from so many different walks of life on a daily basis. Some of them may be experts at something that we know nothing about, while others may have something more simple to teach us. if you are willing to listen and learn something from everyone, you will be continually evolving to be the best v...
Mar 02, 2023•44 min
This episode, Chad and Francis kick off their season at the MDT FrostBite, with tough conditions and difficult terrain to spot corrections. Even the best of us will make mistakes and early season matches are typically where they can be made. Catch up with the hosts as they walk through what the learned and their plans to improve for the coming weeks.
Feb 23, 2023•56 min
This episode, Chad and Francis tackle a simple question posed by a listener with a not so simple answer: Is something really "wrong" if you get the result you are working towards? On one hand, the correct result - hitting a target, reducing wobble, creating a habit - is what we ultimately need to arrive upon. Yet, finding the result you want by a less than ideal methods can create bad habits or, worse, lull you into a sense of false security. The hosts talk through the ramifications of finding "...
Feb 16, 2023•53 min
In this episode, your host’s Chad and Francis talk to Jeff Guerry who tied in series points with the 2022 golden bullet winner Austin Buschman, only to end up in second place via the tie breaker at the finale. They talk about his amazing 2022 season and try to figure out how he was able to rocket to the top in such a short time. Enjoy the discussion, because we sure did!
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr
In this episode, Francis and Chad connect with Michael Beemer, Match Director for 11 National PRS matches and the 2023 PRS Finale. The upcoming matches, including the Box Canyon Showdown and the Positional Punisher, are two incredible matches with unique styles. They cover the aspects that make their matches awesome for new and veteran shooters in PRS. The core of great match design combines mental and physical challenges that test shooters continuously in fair, predictable ways. Listen in to un...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 12 min
In this episode, your host Chad and Francis discuss what could be considered by some as a rather emotional topic. Any organized sport has rules to create a level playing field across all competitors and venues. Does that mean that the rules should stay the same forever? When is the right time to update or append them? Who should get to decide? Addressing the tough scenarios that arise by using the current rules and having a good process for their evolution will allow them to be applied in a firm...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Have you ever been distracted by weather conditions at a match? To some degree, we all have. In this episode, your hosts Chad and Francis talk about their thoughts on how gear and apparel can help create a competitive advantage if you are the one who is prepared and your opponents are not. Even the slightest amount of discomfort can be a distraction and take some of your focus away from the task at hand…yet other more serious issues can cause gear failure and cost you even more points. Join us i...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Chad and Francis discuss "change". We have an innate desire for stability and consistency in our daily lives which can lead to stagnation or dissatisfaction. The value in choosing the correct time to change aspects of your equipment and practice routines cannot be overlooked. Most of us will struggle with how often we should explore new gear, whether its too frequently or too infrequently. The tradeoff is real: constantly shuffling equipment may lead to never mastering your existing system. Howe...
Jan 12, 2023•47 min
Chad and Francis cover their experiences with the rifle setup process. Is it a once and done routine or does it evolve with the shooter? Their setups have slowly changed over time as they have experimented with refining their technique. From the critical areas to the overlooked aspects, they cover the bases on what you should be examining to get the most out of your system.
Jan 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Chad and Francis cover a major reason for missing small targets, the "switchy" wind and why should IGNORE wind calls you hear from other shooters coming off the line. A canted scope will simply add error that you cannot afford and many shooters (including us) have been caught off guard by a slight miss caused by such an easy fix. Listen in on how to eliminate this source of error in your shots.
Dec 29, 2022•37 min
Your hosts Chad and Francis discuss movers! This seemingly difficult target is actually quite easy to master but there are a few tricks to help you stay on target. In certain matches, mover stages can be a make or break your score and learning to overcome the stress of a mover can boost your confidence and placement at matches or even on a hunt!
Dec 22, 2022•37 min
2 of 2 - Francis and Chad review their performance at the 2022 AG Cup and talk with Ben "Mr. Clean" Gossett, the 2022 AG Cup Champion! AWESOME discussion on the value of staying focused to overcome challenges during the hardest match of the year. Congratulations to Ben and all the competitors that battled for the Belt!
Dec 18, 2022•1 hr 31 min
1 of 2 - The drive down to the AG Cup and discussion about our strategy for this season and some recap of the 2021 AG Cup that ultimately led to Chad becoming the AG Cup Champion! Fun stories and good chatting about why YOU should consider shooting the AG Cup series.
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, Chad and Francis deep-dive into the most complicated (and important) piece of equipment on a rifle: the scope. What attributes make a good scope vs a great scope? How should you choose your optic? Is it worth spending more money on a better optic? All of these questions and many more are covered in this week's episode of Miles To Matches! Enjoy!
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon interview the PRS Match Director of the Year, Ken Wheeler. This episode is one the MOST IMPORTANT we will ever make! We discuss match design, stage design, property maintenance, safety concerns and so much more. You will learn the tasks that happen behind the scenes to develop a facility, and, importantly, the skills that match directors work to challenge in each match. Every match director has a flavor that you can learn and each one fo...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 15 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad and Francis pickup where they left off with Erik Cortina from EP33. The fact that our community doesn't even agree if the term is spelled "flier" or "flyer" says just about all we need to know we need to know about these bastards! They create a feeling of uncertainty that is extremely difficult to shake and, worse, they can mislead shooters into making unnecessary corrections, leading to more missed shots. However, what if we told you fliers are preventable or ca...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 16 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk to the 2022 Pro series Golden Bullet winner Austin Buschman about his performance at the finale and his incredible year. Austin is no stranger to the show and the guys kick off the episode with a quote from Austin's speech at the awards ceremony. Enjoy!
Nov 10, 2022•55 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about the 2022 Pro series finale and the way down the K&M as well as on the way home from the match. They both have a lot to say about the match, the series, and the level of competition this year! Tune in and hear the good, the bad, and some things to focus on before heading to the AG cup in a few weeks.
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of Miles to Matches, Chad and Francis discuss a question asked by a friend and listener: "If you could start over again, what would you do differently?" What would have propelled them further faster? From gear choices to malfunctions that cost matches, from rifle cleaning to pushing barrels too fast, from cost-benefit analysis of equipment changes and so much more, your hosts share the details from their successes (and failures) when learning to shoot PRS. Listen in to the "Chanc...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Chad and Francis discuss the most common mistakes they witness by novice and pro shooters at matches across the country and how you can avoid them! Everyone at any skill level will benefit from the discussion in this episode. These seemingly small errors in process, concentration, preparation and execution can destroy your chances at hitting your goals or finding your next level. Sometimes the best way to improve your scores comes from the simplest strategies, but identifying th...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon take an unsolicited call from Erik Cortina, He has listened to their episodes and discussion on rifle cleaning and wants to share his perspective on the topic. What do you think he will say? Tune in and find out...
Oct 20, 2022•54 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about Chad's recent trip to Colorado to hunt for the one of the largest game animals in North America: the Elk! Along with discussing what it takes to prepare for his hunt, the duo discuss parallels between hunting and competition, managing stress and practicing pushing your boundaries for improved success in matches and hunts!
Oct 13, 2022•46 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about the most important match of the year: The GAP Grind. It is the single largest match of the year, with over 400 competitors, however, the format of the match is what makes it special. This amazing event pairs a Pro shooter with a novice or new shooter to help them learn how to shoot PRS and grow the sport we love. The concept of continuous growth and self improvement is fundamental to the hosts; spending the weekend having fun ...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 21 min
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon take on a few of the common and persistent questions... Hey Chad, "How do you trim and point your bullets???" Hey Francis, "What is your barrel break in process???" Listen and find out...
Sep 29, 2022•52 min
