I’m kind of a “upper end of the bottom half” competitor, I’ve done some classes at a local shop and did an Appleseed (and got my patch). I’d like to do more classes to improve but travel and cost seem prohibitive. How much are you willing to pay for training classes? Eg I’m fairly close to the Sawmill in SC, looks like they have some 4 hr training classes for $250, Rune nation doing more of an all day class for $300, or a 4 day Haley Strategic class for $1100. How do you decide what is worth it?
Training costs
- Thread starter dct
- Start date
- Replies 5
- Views 454
One or two nights in a hotel, plus meals and gas and such, can definitely take an otherwise manageable training class out of the realm of possibility for me. But I have traveled for some classes, if I really felt that particular class was important for me. For example, I did two nights in a hotel so I could take ECQC. But ECQC, which is a 2 1/2 day class, only cost $550 when I took it, and the ammo costs and such were very low, so I was able to make it work.
I would start by asking yourself exactly what you want to learn about, and who might be best to teach it. IMHO, you can start by ruling out people who put their energy into being instagram stars or running lifestyle brands. I think a kind of standard going rate is $200-$300/day. There are celebrity trainers who get considerably more than that. I'm not interested in training with Famous Trainer just so I can say I trained with Famous Trainer. YMMV. But note that Travis Haley, who is definitely a legit guy with a national reputation, is asking less than $300/day. While the Sawmill is asking for what amounts to $500/day. That makes them a pass for me, no questions asked.
If you're interested in upping your game as a competition shooter, sign up for a class with a highly ranked competition shooter. People like Tim Herron and Ben Stoeger are teaching all over the place, and will likely come within striking distance of you over the next year or so. Tim Herron is getting something like $550 for a 2-day class. I don't know what Stoeger's prices are. Not super far from you, Chris Tilley, who just finished 4th in the world in Open class, offers private lessons in Sanford NC, and occasionally does group classes. You've got options.
I would start by asking yourself exactly what you want to learn about, and who might be best to teach it. IMHO, you can start by ruling out people who put their energy into being instagram stars or running lifestyle brands. I think a kind of standard going rate is $200-$300/day. There are celebrity trainers who get considerably more than that. I'm not interested in training with Famous Trainer just so I can say I trained with Famous Trainer. YMMV. But note that Travis Haley, who is definitely a legit guy with a national reputation, is asking less than $300/day. While the Sawmill is asking for what amounts to $500/day. That makes them a pass for me, no questions asked.
If you're interested in upping your game as a competition shooter, sign up for a class with a highly ranked competition shooter. People like Tim Herron and Ben Stoeger are teaching all over the place, and will likely come within striking distance of you over the next year or so. Tim Herron is getting something like $550 for a 2-day class. I don't know what Stoeger's prices are. Not super far from you, Chris Tilley, who just finished 4th in the world in Open class, offers private lessons in Sanford NC, and occasionally does group classes. You've got options.
Maybe we are lucky in NC, but I'd personally take a nice lesson from a local pro for an hour or two a month. For the price of attending big classes I'd rather spend them on personal and individual instruction.
The key to getting better is the work you do after a lesson/class. I feel like more than an hour or two of solid info is more than anyone needs for weeks of work. Just my opinion.
The key to getting better is the work you do after a lesson/class. I feel like more than an hour or two of solid info is more than anyone needs for weeks of work. Just my opinion.
I had two days of training with Larry Brown a few years back. I spent two nights in a hotel, and paid his fee. Ammo was cheap then. LoL.
I'm now considering an "Intro to long distance shooting" class, which is $400 and probably a night in a hotel pus ammo. They have rifles, or I can borrow one. I'm saving up. I guess ammo will not be cheap!
If it's something I'm really interested in, I'll save the money and do it. As my car ages, these kinds of things are going to require a rental car too.
I'm now considering an "Intro to long distance shooting" class, which is $400 and probably a night in a hotel pus ammo. They have rifles, or I can borrow one. I'm saving up. I guess ammo will not be cheap!
If it's something I'm really interested in, I'll save the money and do it. As my car ages, these kinds of things are going to require a rental car too.
Chuckman
Senior Member
I really feel like we're in the epicenter of the best instructors...with the competition-forward guys like Tilly, and the guys around Fayetteville/Bragg like Vickers, McPhee, Pat McNamara, and other former SOF guys. Plus the host of others who have the ability to impart skill and wisdom but aren't necessarily a national brand. I mean, really, NC probably has 50 good choices.
A lot of guys who are both. Great at competition and come from Bragg.