Miles to Matches: Recent Episodes
Miles to Matches
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.
In this episode, Chad and Francis try and remember what it was like to shoot their first match and just getting into the sport. This episode has bullet points for new shooters and seasoned shooters alike...
When you can't spend as much time improving and training as you would like...what do you to leverage your other assets to climb the ranks of competition?
In this episode, Chad and Francis discuss their experience at the 2025 Peterson Cartridge challenge. Spoiler alert, they won it...lol
In this episode Chad and Francis revist one of the most important topics in your precision rifle journey...E.W.S.P.
Are you identifying and working on your deficiencies between matches? If not, you should be...
Visualizing and mentally rehearsing everything you need to execute will take you to the next level. Listen to this episode and try to internalize the concept and adapt it for what will help you improve your scores.
In this episode we discuss RMAC 2025. The Rocky Mountain Air Gun Challenge is truly a World Championship air gun match with shooters from over 20 countries battling it out for $100k in prize money. Great event, great people, and great finishes for your hosts!
Is the sport or Precision Rifle more art or science? Hear the guys debate this topic. What are your thoughts?
In this episode the boys recount the 2025 K&M Kahles PRC. This AAR covers the match itself, lessons learned, and what went really well for the hosts. This range rewards perfection and the fundamentals of marksmanship. Have you been there? If not, what are you waiting for?!?
Sometimes you just need to step back and ask yourself "Why did I do that? I know better..." This episode is a good reminder of why we do the things we have been sharing with all of you in the last 145 episodes. It's always good to have a little reminder once and a while! If you are someone who enjoys hearing of other people's struggles, then this episode is for you.
This week, Chad and Francis discuss their experience at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge presented by Utah Airguns. This unique experience put their general shooting skills to the test: could they compete against the worlds best in a completely different shooting sport and succeed? Listen in to learn all about the awesome event, what they learned and what they will do different in the future!
This week on Miles to Matches, Chad and Francis talk about Chad's recent archery hunt and some of the ways that precision rifle competition and practice have helped him become a better bow hunter. From thermals to NPA to equipment selection, learn the aspects of "precision rifle" can span from multiple disciplines.
Chad and Francis catch up after a several weeks working on other projects, including Chad's preparation for the World Championships. The major theme of this episode is working to building stronger approaches to time and what you need to focus on. Task orientation is an important characteristic to accomplish goals. However, periodically taking a step back to evaluate the fit of your current plan with your goals is critical to building success.
Chad and Francis explore the most commonly overlooked mistakes to ensure your shots hit their mark. They cover dozens of normal mistakes that new and expert shooters alike make before, during, and after matches. At the end, they put the "Mistakes" against one another to find out what they feel is the root cause of missing shots. Check this fully loaded episode to see if you can pick up some pointers for your next training session!
This week Chad and Francis deep dive on "Neck Tension" and areas related to keep the bullet stable and square in the case. Take a listen to pick up a few pointers to you use in your reloading process.
Goodbye Betty, Hello H.A.M. Chad and Francis chat on the way home from the Pigg River H.A.M. match in the new match rig! They've gotten a TON of questions about Betty and the duo share some of the funny memories from the Tactical minivan. Regarding shooting, they cover some of the challenges they encountered during the match and how they would have changed their approach to a few critical stages throughout the match. This episode highlights the importance of staying mentally tough even after a bad stage (or two.)
Chad and Francis cover some of the important "Do's and Dont's" for competitive shooting matches. Our sport is incredibly positive and we have a fantastic community of shooters, so taking advantage of the advice in this episode will make everyones match more enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, we - including ourselves - can all get better at finding ways to stay positive and have our best matches!
Chad and Francis hit on an open discord on building habits that support success. This episode should hit home for those struggling or working towards an "easier" way of hitting your goals. Sometimes the best way to get faster gains is hitting the pause button to evaluate how you structure your commitments. In addition, the pair talk about ways they use this principle to gain an advantage in matches.
Chad and Francis have created a number of "inventions" or new ways of solving common problems. This episode is all about how to approach challenges that you encounter and how the pair created the products they've helped design or manufacturer. From the MDT CrushIt timer to the Armageddon Gear Tripod Caddy to the 5x5 Grip to the MDT Dampers and more, the hosts walk through the back story on the products they've designed to be more effective in matches.
2024 Vortex Vengeance is complete and the hosts recap some important items they learned during the match. From staying mentally engaged to simplifying their approach to wind calls to the importance of staying on the rifle through the shot, this episode hits the highlights for the weekend.
This episode, Chad and Francis cover all things front support, including bipods. But not all bipods are the the same and no bipod is PERFECT for all scenarios. They duo deep dive on the mechanics of what your rifle experiences during recoil on a bipod and how it can be optimized for precision. Construction tolerances, materials and design can all have a direct impact on your shots down range.
This week, Chad and Francis discuss when experimenting is the correct approach to advance your skills. Sometimes the easiest path forward is to follow those that blazed the original trail. However, there is a fundamental difference between "Learning" and "Exploring". In the learning phase of new skills, working within known boundaries helps set a baseline for successful outcomes. In the exploring phase, it can be beneficial to approach challenges from a different angle to see if results can be improved.
Our sport has continuously evolved to find new levels of precision and accuracy. From bullet design to chassis to optics, virtual no area of precision rifle shooting is the same as it was even 10-15 years ago. However, bag fill is one of the most important areas of our sport that SpexLite is making major advances in material science to increase precision and minimize weight. We talk with David Schabel to understand how they are advancing the sport with new materials optimized for different applications! Spex-Lite and BoxToBench Precision have created a discount code for the listeners! Use code "Matches" to receive a 10% discount on all orders including shipping costs!
Traveling to matches is part of the experience. However, sometimes choosing your method of travel - either driving or flying - is not straight forward. This week, Chad and Francis discuss how to make the most of your trip and considerations regarding when to drive vs fly. Along with common tips and tricks to get your gear to match safely, this is a great episode for those wanting to plan their next cross country match!
Chad and Francis hit the road for one last trip with Betty, the tactical minivan! Barrels have life span. How do you identify and solve challenges with groups, SDs or ES. Listen in to hear how they diagnose changes in requirement that cause problems.
VPRC 2024 is in the bag! Chad and Francis debrief on the ride back from the stellar Virginia range VPRC. The match was a great mix of learning moments and success when it comes to dealing with switching winds (angle and velocity).
Francis and Chad pick up where they left off the last episode, finishing the GREAT DEBATE: Mils vs MOA vs IPHY. While this may seem like a trivial or mundane topic, it hits some solid points on how they "think" in terms of units as often as possible. Learning the units of measure for angles vs horizontal equivalents is critical to your journey in precision rifle. You WILL be a more effective competitor and hunter by mastering the "language" of long range shooting!
Besides discussing the number of speed traps, Chad and Francis have a solid discussion around one of the most common topics in precision shooting: statistical significance. Rather than delving into a college level stats course, they talk about statistics in practical terms. Rather than working on statistical significance, they prefer to start with practical significance. Being able to identify a difference is not the same as being able to DO something about it.
Frostbite 2024: Chad and Francis recap what they learned at one of the coldest matches of the season. Dealing with switching wind directions, angle changes, cold weather gear and more.
Thank you! We've made it to our 101st episode! Chad and Francis recap their journey across the podcast and cover some ways they've seen match directors create awesome experiences. With that, they walk through ways shooters can build towards success even when something goes wrong at a match.
Our 100th episode! This week Chad and Francis discuss the ideal of creating "Exponential Incremental Improvements". Finding ways to define your areas of improvement, setting a prioritized plan and building focus around that specific plan. The phrase "Where there is a will, there is a way" guides the core of our discussion in the centennial episode of Miles to Matches!
This is one of our FAVORITE episodes that we've ever recorded! We walk back through the equipment that gave us pivotal improvements throughout our careers in PRS. From Maverick and Goose in Top Gun to scopes to rear bags to the venerable 17 HMR, the some of the most innocuous purchases gave us the opportunity to advance our learning curve. This nostalgic episode is funny, memorable and epitomizes why we love the sport of precision rifle shooting!
Trust is complicated: it's required to perform at a very high level but can also lead to disaster if not placed and verified properly. From equipment to techniques, the source and testing methods you employ can help you gain points by avoiding problems. Tune in to find some critical pointers on finding the best way to "trust but verify".
Chad and Francis walk through their current brass prep methods. Some cool tips and tricks come out of this one to help with your SDs and keep your process consistent start to finish, with the goal of producing the best consistency possible for PRS-style competion.
Chad and Francis discuss practice routines and how they translate to a better understanding of your rifle and system. From short range practice to paper drills to rifle setup, the duo walk through ways practice and evaluate your performance for better precision and consistency.
What is your plan during the "Off Season"? Chad and Francis walk through there plans and process for the short 1-2 month period between each season. From equipment to training to goals to match schedule, they cover the details that matter most to set yourself up for a successful season.
Is there such a thing as "driving the rifle"? And if so, should you do it? This phrase is said frequently by Francis, but Chad has a different view on the topic. The pair walk through what they each think on the subject and try to set some baselines around this interesting topic that will help you create better clarity on interacting with your rifle system.
This episode is critical: Francis and Chad cover how they use combine multiple small processes into a single smooth flow that keeps them focused on the critical items at the right time. By reframing each task into a larger series of motions, dozens of small tasks can smoothly flow together in the proper sequence to boost your efficiency. The name of the game is saving time so you use it breaking better, more consistent shots and watching the result. Listen to this highly requested episode to gain a better handle on training for efficiency and not speed.
An interesting subject this week, as Chad and Francis discuss the pros and cons of sharing wind calls during matches. The difference between the AG Cup and difficult standard match is mainly the lack of strategy and wind call sharing, creating better separation amongst the best shooters across the field. However there is a practical benefit for newer shooters that helps the learning process. What's the right balance?
The host chat with Team MDT shooter Patrick Youngs on his experience winning the Australian PRS Finale. This episode has a lot of cool insight into what it's like traveling internationally to shoot PRS and how the cultures are similar yet different.
Chad and Francis chat on the way home from the AG Cup, recalling there experiences and learning moments during the most challenging match of the 2023 season. 1 MOA targets, 10+mph wind gusts and challenging stage design made for an epic battle between the top 30 shooters from across the country. Listen in to get the inside scoop!
Chronographs are important... And they just became even better and more convenient with the launch of the Garmin Xero. Chad and Francis share their experiences with the Garmin unit and how they use muzzle velocity tracking at various points to stay on target and understand their rifle system performance over time.
Priorities are critical to success. Whether it's your approach to gear, finding the challenge on a stage to setting up a dope card, finding "the key" to focus on can give you an advantage throughout the season. Some stages are mainly finding stability and others require continuous minor wind adjustments. Understanding where and when to apply continuous effort can help you avoid costly mistakes.
This week Francis and Chad connect with Clay Blackketter, one of the winningest shooters in PRS and owner of Clay's Cartridge Company. They discuss his development within the series as a shooter, as a trainer and as a match director. It is worth a listen to hear his approach on shooting PRS and how he has continually improved in this sport we all love.
In every sport, the highest level competitors find ways to push their mind, body and drive to new limits to train for success. Creating a "high performance" state is not simply practicing the specific sportor activity we compete in, but also finding areas that foster better habits in daily life that promote achieving your goals. Chad and Francis discuss parallels in other sports that have taken those athletes to new heights by focusing on the process of training. From gravitating to successful activities to reframing challenging situations to creating a new self-image, this episode is full of examples that the hosts have found across various sports, including our own. Link to High Performance Fernando Alonso Interview: https://youtu.be/MsH1wD20yvk?si=nqkx0UomjSaR43Bj
Francis and Chad connect on NRL Hunter and PRS. Both styles of competition are engaging and fun but they also have different learning curves. The hosts discuss what separates these to similar precision rifle disciplines and walk through their perspective on transferring skills between the two sports. Which is best for newer shooters? Which has more practical skill set? Are these two styles mutually exclusive? It's a great episode to put a different perspective the differences and similarities between the two genres and how each will help you in the future.
Natural point of aim or NPA is probably the MOST important skill set to learn as you work towards hitting smaller targets at further ranges under stress. Chad and Francis dissect the aspects of NPA that you should be looking for on target and how to incorporate them into your training. Even the most precise rifle will miss without following these simple guidelines when building positions and breaking your shots. Tune in to eliminate easy errors by building the best position possible.
Francis talks with Chad about a novel "training" method that he has recently been exploring to improve his coordination, response times and mental acuity. A shooter's ability to see, interpret and respond to downrange effects is critical for improving at certain levels. However, our sport is not unique in this aspect: nearly all sports demand some variation on this theme. From baseball to golf to hockey to Formula 1 racing, high level athletes tend to have incredible hand-eye coordination along with the ability to process information quickly and respond accordingly. The hosts discuss whether this can be trained indirectly without pulling a trigger... tune in to hear their experiences on training mental agility and processing speed.
Chad and Francis discuss details on the "Add Method" for shooting in wind and hope it can take away the stress of your initial call. Sometimes, a less defined plan can be easier to follow than a rigid one!
The W.A.R. Rifles match is consistently difficult and creates intense learning moments that make us better as competitors. Chad and Francis discuss their own challenges in the match and some profound moments that challenged our skills in ways beyond just pulling triggers. Between difficult props, fast paced stages, and wind calls that simply defy logic, this episode will give you tips to improve your game and help you recognize that when you find a problem on the clock, don't waste time: fix it now!
Francis and Chad connect with 2023 National and World Champion winning F-Class Shooter Erik Cortina. They chat about the challenges (and solutions) he encountered planning for the biggest match in his sport over a year in advance! The difference between ultimate success and moderate success can simply be your ability to plan for the future. With matches spanning the globe in different environments and travelling with security, just to name a few, Erik covers valuable tips on his mindset in preparation for the biggest match in the sport! The saying "Success Favors the Prepared" is more true in this case than you could imagine!
This episode, Chad and Francis discuss a common feeling that accompanies competitive sports: feeling stuck in a rut. Have you felt this way? If so, you're not alone. The hosts walk through some of the difficult aspects of improvement, specifically, the fact that incremental success can be taxing and barely be intermittently rewarding. Working through the field to find the next spot up on the roster is tricky both mentally and physically. Listen in to catch some tips on their approach to grinding out difficult matches and situations.
Chad and Francis cover the most commonly overlooked first step of any journey: Goals. The simple act of defining what you want to achieve can be the difference between personal growth and perpetual unhappiness. It's difficult to define the journey if you don't have a vision for your final destination. What are your ambitions? Do you actively create a desired end state? How difficult should your goals be to achieve? By just putting pen to paper to commit to your own journey to something real, you will create the framework to make better decisions and simplify your path to success.
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, 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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?
"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.
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!
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.
2023 K&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.
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!
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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!
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!
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 on areas for improvement to maximize your progression in PRS or precision shooting sports?
These questions are all answered during the course of this episode by understanding the acronym EWSP: Elevation, Windage, Stability and Preparation. Listen in to learn how the two of them assess stage and match performance, which naturally guides their practice regimes.
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 training routines.
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 version of yourself that you can possibly be.
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.
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 "a way" vs the finding "the right" way of hitting your benchmarks, sometimes trapping us into thinking we just need to keep working, instead of working differently.
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!
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 understand how match director's create smart challenges for shooters, create field separation and help shooters hone skills through a match design. Check out the PRS website for details on registering for Mad Beemer's matches.
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, fair and consistent manner…and that is good for the sport as a whole. Thinking about and discussing this topic left us wondering, Did we get it right?
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 in the discussion as match season kicks off in the middle of winter and we get to see how prepared we really are…
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. However, changing too late can cause points to be lost slowly to the competition, leaving the door open for those "If I had only..." scenarios that race through our minds after an important match. Your hosts discuss their philosophy on when, how and even IF you should look at experimenting with new products and strategies throughout the season.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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 focuses on slightly different skillsets that you can develop to improve scores.
By understanding the principles match directors use to build your course of fire, prop utilization, and what characteristics to look for when building your yearly schedule, your scores will improve quickly. We all know that shooting better scores is definitely more fun. Enjoy!
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 caused the shooter the majority of the time? Learn how Erik and your hosts deal with fliers, how they define them and how to respond in a match setting. This fantastic topic leads to some awesome discussion!
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!
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.
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 "Chancis" time machine and what we learned in our early years of PRS!
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 the right areas to improve can be very difficult when the root cause happens before you ever press the trigger. They cover several tips and tricks they use to find focused, get prepared, shooting without emotion, how sharing wind calls hurts your score and more! ... And Francis learns what Eddie Van Halen and Michael Jackson have in common!
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...
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!
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 with tons of new shooters is right up their alley.
The larger implication of this match is very simple: we ALL must do our part to help cultivate the next generation of shooters, young and old, in order to keep our sport moving the right direction. Sportsmanship, fundamentals, respect for the community and giving back are the themes of the weekend as they run through the before and after of this epic match!
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...
In this episode, your hosts Francis Colon and Chad Heckler continue their discussion on wind reading, wind calls and some of the tricks they've learned to become better at centering their shots on target. The art of "reading the wind" can be difficult for even the most experienced shooters, however, learning the "science" of wind dynamics will improve your ability to manage corrections on the clock. Using everything from Kestrels to vegetation, wind charts to gut feelings, they cover the bases on strategies that will improve your skills at interpreting the correct call more quickly. This will be a valuable episode to improve your hit rates in various conditions!
In this episode, your hosts Francis Colon and Chad Heckler have a random discussion that is started with some quotes from Rodney Norman... If you don't know who Rodney is, then you will after this episode. Is being a expert wind reader going to ensure that you end up at the top on match day? Maybe....maybe not.
In this Episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about work/family/hobby balance and their thoughts on managing it all. They also discuss Chad's recent transition to making 5X5 Precision his new full time job in order to continue to do what he loves and still be able to focus on being more present for his family.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon have push into the topic of communication, data cards and putting plans into action. Have you ever read a match book and thought "this looks so EASY!" only to have your dreams crushed into oblivion? Or the opposite situation: thought a stage would be the most difficult you've ever shot, but easily aced it and had an overwhelming feeling of success? If so, this episode is for you!
The science of communication, interpretation and planning come to a head in this segment covering the details around interpreting match stages. Each MD has a unique flavor and writing style, and learning their format can lead faster success in matches. The nuts and bolts of assessing how to make best use of your dope cards is an important skill that you can work on easily without spending a dollar!
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon have an organic discussion about work ethic and motivation to be continuously climbing your way to the top of any situation in life.
Enjoy the greatest performance of the greatest song ever written...and then hear your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk to the inaugural WORLD CHAMPION Austin Buschman as they talk about the world championship match, performing at a high level, and pushing through adversity to get to the top.
This is definitively one of the MUST listen episodes that covers a wide range of topics and tips that will help you move toward your goals!
EP23 - What Do You Want to Know? In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon revisit topics discussed in previous episodes by answer listener questions. Our listeners (YOU) have reached out with a TON of questions following episodes aired over the last several month and we wanted to discuss the bulk of them in a single go. Topics covered include barrel cleaning updates, reloading specifics, brass life, cartridge selection, Kestrel tips/tricks, dry fire training, binocular mounts, timers and more! This is a great episode to catch the major topics in a short episode with clarification on several key topics.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon review some of the more interesting takeaways from the 2022 Barrel Maker Classic in Wisconsin. They discuss managing the stress of bad outcomes, creative stage strategies to minimize errors and maximize points, using stages prior to plan for future stages, and more. Along with some interesting off-road excursions in the Tactical Minivan and some out-takes, this episode highlights the reasons we love the WBMC match and the Wheeler Family! Make sure you listen all the way to the end of this one...our trip was definitely interesting!
How do you decide between a chassis and a stock? Do you run the latest and greatest or "old faithful"? Choosing the platform that is best for your shooting style is not always easy, but it can lead to solid performance gains and increased confidence. In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about their ergonomic interface with the rifle. Having a rifle that is comfortable, balanced, and setup for you is essential for arriving at your Natural Point of Aim quickly.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk to another fellow AG Cup competitor and friend, Matt Caruso, who has won multiple AG Cup Qualifier matches. Between the 3 on this episode, there are 6 AG Cup Qualifier match wins and the 2021 AG Cup. You won't want to miss the live discussion around a bonfire the night before a 1 day club match up in northern Michigan... The discussion goes in depth on the mental preparation and mindset that they each had on those national level wins, their views on 1 day club matches vs 2 day national level matches, and how they are focused on staying at the top of their game at all times.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about their reloading processes for PRS and how they differ slightly from other disciplines. They also discuss reloading issues that can arise and what steps they feel are the most critical to having consistent ammo without a lot of extra processing or wasted time. Many shooters spend HOURS agonizing over the smallest variables in precision rifle ammo. But should you? Is it worth tinkering with neck tension in the .0005 increments? What about seating depths in .003 increments? What sample size do you need to make decisions on a load change? All of these topics and more are covered in this episode dedicated to the building rifle food. They discuss why they've simplified their loading process to keep it simple, consistent and reliable to shoot their best every match. Listen in to catch the details of getting the most of your time and putting more rounds down range.
What is one of the greatest differentiators between good shooters and GREAT shooters? Hint: it's not the hot cartridge or a new piece of kit; it is simply the skill of managing your thoughts and responding to stimuli without conscious effort. Managing the stress of the "new" or "novel" situations/feedback will make or break your ability to smoothly follow your process throughout a match weekend.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about some of the more subtle aspects of their mental game. Staying positive is key to performing at a high level and they go into some of the things that allow them to stay positive and sharp while at a competition. This is one of the most important topics we will cover on MilesToMatches!
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The most controversial, subjective, debatable topic in precision rifle: What is the best way to clean a rifle barrel? Your hosts Chad and Francis cover their preferred methods for rifle bore maintenance as it relates to success in the PRS. Not all cleaning regimens are created equal and, by extension, what works for one type of competition may not work for other disciplines.
Practically speaking, the best cleaning method is one that is easy to repeat, consistently, and yields the same results downrange over the life of multiple barrels. Said another way, if your rifle has ever gone down in the middle of an event due to excessive pressure, speed, poor groups, or random flyers, this episode could save you hundreds of dollars in the future. They cover which equipment, solvents, brushes, rods and where to focus efforts, along with why the hosts have migrated to the methods and equipment they currently use.
Do you suffer from an inability to hit the same targets on different days? Does your dope line up one minute and not the next? Have you ever wanted to spin a random number generator to get better solutions than your solver is giving you? If so, you may be suffering from BDS: Bad Data Syndrome. We have the solution for just 10 easy payments of just $19.95 per round!... or you can just listen in and get it for free! :) In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about the inputs required in your ballistic solver to allow you to get good data and the pitfalls that some people fall into. Remember, there are MANY ways that your data can be wrong, and only one way for it to be right. Setting your solver up for consistent solutions at all ranges can be one of the hardest skills to master, but once you understand how to use the tools it provides, you will be hitting more targets more consistently.
Chad and Francis discuss developing the best load for their rifles. While many focus on hyper tuning, they each have their own take on what works to get the job done. From small groups to small SD's, they cover what they have learned to create rounds that impact their point of aim consistently from match to match... with the right wind call of course!
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon bring on guest Morgun King to talk about reading and using various downrange effects to make corrections while on the clock.
What do you carry with you every day? The items that you spend the most time with during travel, work, and play can often be mundane and utilitarian, feeling more like an anchor you rarely want to use or even remember to take with you. On the flip side of the coin (pun intended), you can carry items that you take pride in not only owning but carrying daily. Even something so small as a coin can be an positive force in your day to day activities: a reminder of someone you care about, a statement of attention to detail, a tool to get more done or even an heirloom that you will pass to your kids or family some day.
Chad and Francis spend time with Steve Dumchus of SDKnives, a custom knife builder out of New Jersey that makes some of the most functional, bold, and badass knives in the world. The hosts both carry SDK's regularly because of his attention to detail and the incredibly robust yet glass smooth actions he builds every day. Quality doesn't come cheap, but neither does owning a one-of-a-kind work of art that will last a lifetime!
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk on their way home from an epic weekend at K&M. Spoiler alert...the tactical mini van is rolling home with some hardware and some more giant fake plastic checks.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon hit the road to the K&M Kahles match to have some fun and defend their titles from last year. They talk about whats on their mind while driving to one of the largest precision rifle matches of the season.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about support bags and why they use what they use. The discussion covers different bag types and techniques for use. Without a good selection of bags and knowing how to use them you will continue to struggle with stability as well as keeping your groups small from any position.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon discuss target acquisition, which can stress even the most experienced shooters. They cover tips, tricks and drills learned over their years of competition to get on target quickly and efficiently.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon discuss the benefits of dry fire vs the various types of live fire for training purposes. What are the best attributes for training with dry fire vs live fire in various calibers? Each of these platforms has a best use case and specific skills that can be developed and we work through our observations of each system in training.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about two different perspectives on the same match and how someone else's performance can cloud your focus on staying in the game all the way until the last round is fired. The boys also discuss what an applied ballistics PDM is and how you can get one as well as some bullet points on the new Science of Accuracy Academy.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler & Francis Colon share some personal stories that help bring some comedy and seriousness to the show. You will laugh, and you may even cry...stay tuned.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon have an AAR discussion on a match that they just shot as they are driving home. They focus on the positive learning aspects of a very tough match and a less than desired performance while touching on how to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and use the experience for future goals and training objectives.
Your Hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk with guest Shayne Yoakem about tune up day before a national pro match. They discuss data confirmation, truing, the importance of scope levels, reviewing the match book and few other topics.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about the winning mindset of personal accountability and owning your actions in order to reach your goals despite setbacks and struggles along the way.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon discuss the winning mindset of being prepared for a competition.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about how they met and how they forged a lifelong friendship.
In this episode, your hosts Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about the purpose of the podcast and the goals they have for it.