Price for his course is way steep. Anyone know why? And before anyone gives me the "pay to play" or "world class instructor" script, I have been taking LR, carbine and pistol courses in the US for far cheaper for years with Green Beret, Navy SEAL, Blackwater types etc etc instructing.
RFMA (Rob Furlong's Markmanship Academy)
- Thread starter Magoo22
- Start date
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
Why are the fun things never in Ontario.
I can vouch for first hand that Keith and Linda put an excellent course together. They are very accommodating and friendly to be around. Linda out on an excellent lunch as well for the group. They have world class experience and I believe your experience with them would be nothing short of that. I would strongly suggest a trip to their beautiful set up and enjoy a solid week with them. I know I will be going back for certain.
I have been talking with Rob as well in recent weeks trying to get an intermediate course in the go in the saskabush region. Hopefully we can pull one together in the near future.....
Schecter 81
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton Area
I think you had the key point right in your post. You have been taking them in the States. How many people offer courses of his caliber (pardon the pun) here in Canada? Some of it I'm sure had to do with overhead costs being higher. Range availabilities, ammo costs are higher here, gun rentals (PGW Coyote?!) and the fact that we have a much smaller demographic of people to keep a business like that steady. For his super long range courses, I heard he runs them at the DND range all the way out to 1800m. That doesn't come free. I was looking at taking his 7 day 1800m, but in the end, it was something like 2k plus 400 rounds of my .338 Improved ($400) plus 7 days off work, plus spinning on a new barrel cause that would have been the end of it. All said and done, I would have been done at nearly 4k. Im sure I would have learn a TON, but not in my budget this year.
You have to remember, this guy held the world record confirmed kill for a while. WORLD RECORD. Not many people get an opportunity to learn from someone with those capabilities in their backyard. Some would say that earns a premium. I don't really see how $300 for a day course is high either. A 2 day carbine course with all your own gear is usually about $450. The OP said he rented all the kit.
Not really sure you have taken as many courses as you profess from all the "Navy Seals" and "Green Berets" and "Black Water" mall ninjas.
Not really sure you have taken as many courses as you profess from all the "Navy Seals" and "Green Berets" and "Black Water" mall ninjas.
I assure you, I am not internet chest thumping, I am just giving an honest frame of reference when I ask about prices.
I think you had the key point right in your post. You have been taking them in the States. How many people offer courses of his caliber (pardon the pun) here in Canada? Some of it I'm sure had to do with overhead costs being higher. Range availabilities, ammo costs are higher here, gun rentals (PGW Coyote?!) and the fact that we have a much smaller demographic of people to keep a business like that steady. For his super long range courses, I heard he runs them at the DND range all the way out to 1800m. That doesn't come free. I was looking at taking his 7 day 1800m, but in the end, it was something like 2k plus 400 rounds of my .338 Improved ($400) plus 7 days off work, plus spinning on a new barrel cause that would have been the end of it. All said and done, I would have been done at nearly 4k. Im sure I would have learn a TON, but not in my budget this year.
You have to remember, this guy held the world record confirmed kill for a while. WORLD RECORD. Not many people get an opportunity to learn from someone with those capabilities in their backyard. Some would say that earns a premium. I don't really see how $300 for a day course is high either. A 2 day carbine course with all your own gear is usually about $450. The OP said he rented all the kit.
Not really sure you have taken as many courses as you profess from all the "Navy Seals" and "Green Berets" and "Black Water" mall ninjas.
World Record likely could have been made by any CF sniper that was lucky enough to be in that range bracket. Most of us never get the chance unfortunately
Rob is a very professional human being and those with little to no experience will no doubt learn a ton from him. $300 doesn't seem all that steep to me considering what is involved. But a few thousand for a week to shoot 1800m is a lot of $$$.
Schecter 81
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton Area
World Record likely could have been made by any CF sniper that was lucky enough to be in that range bracket. Most of us never get the chance unfortunately
Rob is a very professional human being and those with little to no experience will no doubt learn a ton from him. $300 doesn't seem all that steep to me considering what is involved. But a few thousand for a week to shoot 1800m is a lot of $$$.
REALLY!! Did you just say that the World Record, let me repeat, World Record, is only defined by the guy who was in the "range bracket" and likely any CF Sniper could have made it if he was far enough away. I suppose that is why there are only two confirmed kills at those distances to date. Furlong's and the British sniper who beat his the year later which still stands. I guess we see guys all the time who can make hits on moving targets at 2+ kms away! Happens on a regular basis
$300 was just the equipment rental.
The actual weekend course cost is around $1000 with GST
The actual weekend course cost is around $1000 with GST
Gun rental is $299
Course is $823.50
ammo if you buy there is $35.38 a box, and they say you'll need 200 rounds so that's $353.80
so that right there is $1476.30
I live in BC and would really like to take the course but then there is travel out there... hotel... food... it's an easy $2k weekend
Pack a box of beer and make a bunch of bologna sandwiches
Sleep in your truck
Adapt man!
Sleep in your truck
Adapt man!
Schecter 81
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton Area
It really seems to me that most people that would take this course would already have a rifle and would likely hand load. For a 600m coarse, you are likely only shooting .308 or similar so handloads are only 50-70cents. If that's $875 for a two day weekend course its not terrible for a premium long range course. If you don't own a rifle, then pay to play. Travel is travel, you are going to pay it anytime you go on a trip. Rob cant be held responsible for where you live.
That is adapting... I would REALLY want to shoot and learn on my 50 but with 'match grade' ammo required we're talking $1800 in just ammo for that bad boy which would put me near $3.5 - 4k
I worked it out earlier this year, bringing my own gun and ammo, I'd be into it for about $1800 - 2k shooting Hornady Steel Match, finding a hotel for about $100 a night, then food, gas, course
You are really defensive about Rob.
No he can't, but if he would travel around offering this course and there are 10 people taking it, then we only have to pay 1/10 of the travel and food expendatures because he would factore those into the course... Just wish it was closer, if I could go home every night and didn't have to travel, I would be in without a doubt.
So I'll stop my reasoned and detailed breakdown of my excuses and just moan and groan that it's too expensive and too far away... I wish it was closer...
Schecter 81
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton Area
Its not that Im defending Furlong, its that I find it amusing that guys complain about the cost of a course when it is offered. We drop several thousand dollars on custom rifles, another several thousand dollars on glass, then 1k on a course is "steep"? Specially when guys are factoring in the cost of travel and hotel like that is the guy offering the courses fault. It was only a couple years ago we didn't even have these options to take these courses from people with this level of experience and now we complain about the costs. I empathize when there are travel costs involved. Hell, I couldn't afford to do the course this year and dedicated more time to just getting out and shooting, but when I see a guy who owns a .50 bring up ammo cost and the cost of a "long range" course (lets be clear 600m is not long range) it is a little amusing. Who buys a .50 and even things about ammo costs. Should have bough a .300 winmag or a .338 lapua and started there. Hell, 600yard is a .50 cal zero.The guys I shoot with are running a .408 cheytac, a .338 snipetac, a .50 cal, several .338 lapuas, a .338 edge, and my .338 improved. Most of those big boomers have 1000 yard zeros because they have 60moa rails or larger so they can get out to 2600 and 3000 yards. I have only made it to 2100 so far, but I'm gonna see if 2600 is doable this august at our boomer shoot.
It would be great to get into a Furlong course and I do agree that when you add up all the costs it can be a lot, but not for his 600 yard 2 day course. For guys breaking into long range, there is a ton of value that can be taken from it. Spending 1k after you are already into your rig for 3-5k is a balanced investment. Wasting your time with a .50 at a 600yard shoot sounds silly.
So no, not defending Furlong, don't even know the guy.
My course at Blackwater a few years ago was 800$ for a week. Plus frangible ammo. Enough said. Top notch instructors.
Cheap motel and food was almost the same price as a 2 day course.
I am sure the course is amazing and very professional. But in my book for a BASIC 101 rifle course... It's a little expensive. At least you must bring your own rifle and ammo. Then it gets almost ok I guess...
Plus I would never get a serious course on any firearm if they where not mine or a service weapon. What is the point to learn on a Coyote and a S&B 10k setup if it is to go back to a stock 600$ rem tactical 700? I don't see the point. Go with your Rem 700 if you have to and if it is what you have.
Cheap motel and food was almost the same price as a 2 day course.
I am sure the course is amazing and very professional. But in my book for a BASIC 101 rifle course... It's a little expensive. At least you must bring your own rifle and ammo. Then it gets almost ok I guess...
Plus I would never get a serious course on any firearm if they where not mine or a service weapon. What is the point to learn on a Coyote and a S&B 10k setup if it is to go back to a stock 600$ rem tactical 700? I don't see the point. Go with your Rem 700 if you have to and if it is what you have.
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I find it funny how we go at this sport. Lets buy a rifle for several thousand dollars and top it with high end glass costing another several thousand dollars and go bang away with it at some stupid extreme distance. THEN we decide we should go get some training to try to understand why we can't hit $h1t. Why not do like the OP did and take the course FIRST before we buy any gear to see what the instructors are using. And yes, courses cost money. Class rooms to pay rent on, ranges to pay fees on, course materials like hand outs and booklets aren't free either. Don't begrudge the guy making his living.
"Here kid, here is the keys to the Corvette. Go run it around the highway for a few days and after you smash it up come see me and I will train you properly how to drive it."
And no, I am not a fan boy. Never met him in fact. But I respect the fact he is putting himself out there to teach others what he knows.
"Here kid, here is the keys to the Corvette. Go run it around the highway for a few days and after you smash it up come see me and I will train you properly how to drive it."
And no, I am not a fan boy. Never met him in fact. But I respect the fact he is putting himself out there to teach others what he knows.
haha! great comparison. very true! I'm saving my nickles to be able to take this...
I've been shooting since I was in grade 4... So it's just refining what you're taught when you learn to first shoot. Then you have to know if you are going to enjoy it... so you have to try it, then once you enjoy it, then you have to learn how to get better to enjoy it more...
...I guess I shouldn't say the first car I ever got to drive was a Ferrari...
