Accuracy Brush-Up: Change of Behavior class

[Bobevans]

Took a great shooting class with Change of Behavior in Valley Center this weekend, brushing up ahead of October, November, and December hunts! Targets out to 600+ from every position other than bench! 160ish rounds over 2 days, Highly recommended. He has a lot of gear you can try before you buy like kestrels, tripods, bags, etc.
(No affiliation with me)

 

[180ls1]

Interesting. What is the pricing and time commitment like?

 

[Bobevans]

This class was 2 approximately 7 hour days over a weekend for $500 flat. He does pistol, AR, etc. as well but I’ve only done the scoped rifle courses. The days are packed, essentially no breaks, so you get your money’s worth in my opinion.

 

[180ls1]

Sounds like I need to do this one of these days. What were your takeaways for hunting?

 

[Bobevans]

The way I decided to go was the realization that I don’t blink to spend money on defensive handgun/CCW classes but rarely did rifle training beyond the bench. Also I’ve heard about a million guide stories about misses, wounding, etc. and don’t want to be bad story….

- stability is everything, don’t force a bad position into a bad shot
-practice, glass, ammo, and shooting rests matter way more than rifle brand/cost/caliber
-shooting bags are lighter than they used to be and can be very practical for hunting
-I hate muzzle brakes
-even in dried up Valley Center the grass is often too tall for prone!
-extend your tripod legs bottom first to keep the controls close to you while you are on the gun. The minuscule stability benefit of doing it fat legs first is lost on fumbling when the height isn’t perfect

 

[ilovesprig]

Did they offer or have Tricer gear?

 

[PinTeal34]

The way I decided to go was the realization that I don’t blink to spend money on defensive handgun/CCW classes but rarely did rifle training beyond the bench. Also I’ve heard about a million guide stories about misses, wounding, etc. and don’t want to be bad story….

- stability is everything, don’t force a bad position into a bad shot
-practice, glass, ammo, and shooting rests matter way more than rifle brand/cost/caliber
-shooting bags are lighter than they used to be and can be very practical for hunting
-I hate muzzle brakes
-even in dried up Valley Center the grass is often too tall for prone!
-extend your tripod legs bottom first to keep the controls close to you while you are on the gun. The minuscule stability benefit of doing it fat legs first is lost on fumbling when the height isn’t perfect

Can you explain more why you hate muzzle brakes? Is that just from the perspective of you next to another shooter that has a muzzle break or is there something else wrong with them for you as the shooter?

I've seen on other forums that people hate on muzzle brakes because they can just use a suppressor instead but not a lot of info from people who can't use suppressors

 

[Bobevans]

They are incredibly, dangerously loud and blow debris everywhere especially when prone. In my opinion, for my purposes, the benefits don’t outweigh the consequences. I personally don’t use ear protection 100% of the time when hunting and it just takes one or two shots to lose your hearing from braked high caliber rifles. I would probably own a suppressor if I lived in a free state but am also perfectly content with unthreaded hunting rifles. Of note, the heaviest recoil rifle I shoot is 7mm rem mag (no brake)

 

[NBK]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Respectfully, I’m a huge fan of muzzle brakes, and I think the type and design of the brake matter a lot.

Radial brakes are notorious for kicking up dirt, dust, and debris. A well-designed baffle-style brake directs the gases differently and can greatly reduce or eliminate that issue.

Are they loud? Absolutely. But I wear OTTO electronic hearing protection in the field anyway. For me, that’s actually an advantage—I can protect my hearing while still hearing game, conversations, and whispered communication better.

The biggest benefit, though, is recoil and muzzle control. Being able to stay in the scope and watch your shot impact the animal is a huge advantage. It also makes staying on target for a quick humane follow-up shot much easier.

For me, it’s all about stacking as many advantages in my favor as possible.

Just my two cents.

 

[ilovesprig]

I'm not a rifle guy...That being said, I bought Stefanie a 6.5 CM for deer hunting...It came with a muzzle break (Oh boy, even less recoil for her)...I took it to The Greenhead Club and shot the 1st shot and it about blew my ear drums out...No thanks...........

ps...Got a threaded extension and it's perfect...Felt recoil is virtually no different...I know a 7mm is a LOT different........

pss...78 and I still have perfect hearing...No ear thingeze while hunting...........

 

[PinTeal34]

They are incredibly, dangerously loud and blow debris everywhere especially when prone. In my opinion, for my purposes, the benefits don’t outweigh the consequences. I personally don’t use ear protection 100% of the time when hunting and it just takes one or two shots to lose your hearing from braked high caliber rifles. I would probably own a suppressor if I lived in a free state but am also perfectly content with unthreaded hunting rifles. Of note, the heaviest recoil rifle I shoot is 7mm rem mag (no brake)

The normally not wearing hearing protection is a good point. I always intend to put in hearing protection before taking a shot but truthfully never do, maybe if I had electronic in-ear protection it would be different.

Last December I took a shot with a friends 300 win mag that had a brake on it and lost hearing in my left ear for the rest of the day and halfway into the next.

NBK mentioned it already but I have been trying to stay in my scope better and that makes a world of difference shooting at steel on the range. Always looking for anything to make it easier to accomplish that even with my small caliber rifle.

 

[Bobevans]

Did they offer or have Tricer gear?

Actually not sure of all the brands they have, I have an RP but was using other stuff in the class since I wasn’t hiking anywhere and was shooting a ton of rounds

 

[HATCHET1]

First thing I look for when they get out of the truck.....and when it's go time...I'm way back ..and to the left ... permanent tinnitus is real....uggh

 

[Ofdscooby]

Change of Behavior is Legit. He knows his stuff. He is a fan of the RRS tripods and doesn't like the inverted for some reason.

 

[NBK]

RRS is great stuff. He is not alone in his opinion. U.S. made, too.

 

[mulveymo]

They are incredibly, dangerously loud and blow debris everywhere especially when prone. In my opinion, for my purposes, the benefits don’t outweigh the consequences. I personally don’t use ear protection 100% of the time when hunting and it just takes one or two shots to lose your hearing from braked high caliber rifles. I would probably own a suppressor if I lived in a free state but am also perfectly content with unthreaded hunting rifles. Of note, the heaviest recoil rifle I shoot is 7mm rem mag (no brake)

You're losing your hearing from unhealed rifles too. Maybe not today, but that bill will be due eventually.

 

[Bobevans]

You're losing your hearing from unhealed rifles too. Maybe not today, but that bill will be due eventually.

For sure

 

[TRICER]

Brian is an awesome dude. I have taken a few of his courses and consider him a friend in the industry. Highly reccomend him and his courses.

 

[Stikbrandon]

I’d be interested in going to this class for sure !

 

[Coues]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Respectfully, I’m a huge fan of muzzle brakes, and I think the type and design of the brake matter a lot.

Radial brakes are notorious for kicking up dirt, dust, and debris. A well-designed baffle-style brake directs the gases differently and can greatly reduce or eliminate that issue.

Are they loud? Absolutely. But I wear OTTO electronic hearing protection in the field anyway. For me, that’s actually an advantage—I can protect my hearing while still hearing game, conversations, and whispered communication better.

The biggest benefit, though, is recoil and muzzle control. Being able to stay in the scope and watch your shot impact the animal is a huge advantage. It also makes staying on target for a quick humane follow-up shot much easier.

For me, it’s all about stacking as many advantages in my favor as possible.

Just my two cents.

I agree with NBK, you absolutely must see your bullet impact. Particularly when hunting along.