Premier Training – Long Range Semi-Auto Course Description

The Long Range Semi-Auto course is designed to give the beginner, intermediate or advanced shooter the proper semi auto 5.56 or 7.62 heavy fundamentals for intermediate range shooting. Starting with mindset, the class focuses on the core foundation of accuracy, acceptable accuracy under dynamic stress, and how to effectively balance Speed and Accuracy with up close and at distance with proper weapon fundamentals while using the 5.56 or 7.62 cartridge. This course is also designed for the Law Enforcement Marksman who may be called upon to deliver surgical shots based on realistic FBI statistics with a Semi Auto Gun. As guns have evolved semi auto 5.56 or 7.62 rifles have shown their capabilities and potential within the military community. The days of a sniper running 5.56 or 7.62×51 with a 24 inch barrel bolt guns will soon be obsolete by those that understand with proper weapons fundamentals what these modern 5.56 or 7.62 semi auto guns are capable of. The goal of this course of instruction is to bridge the gap with modern 5.56 or 7.62 semi autos.

Cost: $800. Training fee only.

Get more one-on-one time with world class trainer Chris Costa via our premium classes. Lower attendee to instructor ratios are achieved by limiting class sizes in our advantageous offering. Class sizes are capped at 18 students instead of the usual 23, allowing for more individually specialized training. Get more from Costa’s technical instruction and live fire time than previously attained. Each night after class, join the Costa Team for dinner and reiminsce about the day’s events, and what’s to come tomorrow.

Defender Ranch is located 16 miles North of Gooding, Idaho.

Check out our video of Defender Ranch:

Defender Ranch offers world-class firearms training on an exclusive and secluded 100% off grid ranch in South-central Idaho, far from population centers.  The ranch features a variety of ranges built into the hillsides of a beautiful valley surrounded by towering and spectacular rhyolite rock formations.  When the training day is over, guests can relax in the lodge or get out and enjoy the seclusion and amazing views.  Guests may also enjoy hiking, fishing in one of four privately stocked ponds, archery, axe throwing, or winding down around the fire after dinner and ‘shooting the bull’ with other guests.

Firearms training takes place on 5 different ranges (some turf covered) including 4 pistol bays, 1 carbine bay and 2 long-range shooting areas, the longest reaching out more than a mile in total distance.

The facility at Defender Ranch offers options from all meals to on-property guest accommodations. All lodging and meal reservations will be made directly with Defender Ranch.

Recommended Airports: Twin Falls Airport Twin Falls, ID (TWF) approximately 55 miles, Boise Airport, Boise ID (BOI) approximately 114 miles.

Sample 3-Day Course Schedule:

Night before course:  6:00PM course registration check-in followed by check-in dinner at Defender Ranch.

Day 1: 7:15AM breakfast; 8:00 shuttle to range; 4:30PM finish class at range, shuttle back to cabin; 6:00 dinner.

Day 2: 7:15AM breakfast; 8:00 shuttle to range; 4:30PM finish class at range, shuttle back to cabin; 6:00 dinner.

Day 3: 7:15AM breakfast; 8:00 shuttle to range; 4:30PM finish class at range, shuttle back to cabin; 6:00 dinner & graduation.

Contact Costa Ludus for any additional inquiries.

Subjects Covered

• Life Safety Brief
• Proper gear selection and placement
• Establishing a proper zero
• 7 fundamentals (Accuracy Drills, Axis and Mechanics of Recoil)
• Acceptable Accuracy Drills
• Balance of Speed and Accuracy
• Reactive Movement Drills
• Multiple Target Engagement Drills
• Multiple Distance Target Engagement Drills
• Accuracy and Marksmanship from 5 to 400 yards
• Admin reloads / Speed reloads / Tactical reloads
• Instinctive Shooting and Mindset Drills
• Malfunctions
• Movement Drills
• Improvised shooting positions
• Off Axis Iron Sight Drills
• Off Axis Red Dot Drills
• Close Hasty Scope Drills
• Hasty Distance Shooting with Red dots or Irons

Equipment List

• Students provide their own ammo: 1400 rounds of carbine ammo. Hardware –  A functional and practical carbine or battle rifle chambered in 5.56×45, 5.45×39, 300 Blackout, 7.62×39, 7.62×51. If available, a spare weapon system is also an excellent idea. Also, Handgun (secondary weapon), magazines (200 rounds of amm0).
• Note pad, and pen/pencil
• A cleaning kit and tools that are compatible with the weapon system(s) in question is also a must.
• A minimum of 5 working magazines
• Clothing suited to strenuous activity as well as being seasonally appropriate
• Rain gear / cold weather gear (seasonal)
• Ear pro (electronic preferred) / Eye pro
• Baseball style hat recommended
• Proper belt to support equipment
• Carbine magazine pouches, Battle belt, or Chest rig
• Handgun (secondary weapon), magazines (200 rounds of amm0)
• Tools that work on your weapon
• A holster and magazine pouch that will retain equipment when moving
• Weapons lube
• Water hydrating device
• Knee and elbow pads (optional)
• Gloves (optional)
• An open mind