There is no amount of data, equipment, load development, or anything else that can make up for a poor zero with your long-range rifle and scope combination. All else is meaningless if that foundational component isn't rock solid. In this episode, Instructor Justin Lipska talks about the process of sighting in a long-range rifle, and why a few simple steps can ensure that all the corrections you make at distance are done from a reliable zero, therefore eliminating a pesky potential variable from play.

There's a scientific way of explaining the difference between MOA and MRAD, but what does any of that mean when it actually comes to shooting? Corey Eliasson breaks down the practical differences between MOA and MRAD and how they relate to long-range shooters and their equipment. Everyone learns topics like these differently, so if there's still question marks swirling around your brain about MOA and MRAD after this podcast, let us know and maybe it's material for a future podcast!

It's hard to find good pistol drills that challenge shooters at every level and don't get old after a while. Pete Schreier joins Jimmy to talk about three drills that he and the other instructors at Vortex Edge continually go back to in order to assess their skill progression and potential areas of improvement. The best part about these drills is all of them are entirely scalable in terms of difficulty and challenge so you'll never outgrow them as you develop your skill.

The process of sighting in a red dot on a handgun is new to many people and when done incorrectly, can lead to frustration with yourself and your equipment. In this episode, Brennan Brennecke talks about the sight-in process from choosing a zero distance for your pistol red dot, choosing the right target, and setting yourself up for success with fundamentals and proper form. At Vortex Edge, we believe red dots are the best sighting system available for handguns, whether they be for self-defense, competition, or general recreational shooting. With a proper zero, a huge variable in the shooting process is eliminated, giving you peace of mind and a great foundation to build upon.

The world of night vision is nothing short of incredibly cool... And complicated... The good news is we have people like Instructor Mike Griffin who have dedicated themselves to figuring it all out and presenting it in a way that makes sense to those who are just beginning to scratch the surface. In this episode of our "New to NODS" series, Mike talks about the differences between traditional analog or "i-squared" night vision and thermal. What are the key differences, pro's and con's of each system, and what would be best for you to go out and purchase as your first big investment in night vision and technological sighting devices?

Maybe you're shopping for your first handgun, or even thinking about getting one for a loved one who is newer to shooting. Conventional wisdom says "Smaller is less scary" and therefore, smaller handguns will be less formidable, easier to shoot, and produce lighter recoil for yourself or the newer shooter in your life. Instructor Pete Schreier is here to explain why the exact opposite is actually true and you'd be much better off starting with a full-size handgun. This isn't to say that small handguns have no place whatsoever, but we find that far too many people buy them for the wrong reasons, thinking they're getting something they would actually find with a larger firearm.

We get it, you don't always have time, ammo, or access to go to the range and train with live fire. The good news is, you can still get some serious work done at home with no ammo at all and improve your skills tremendously with dry fire. In this episode, Instructor Brennan Brennecke, a huge proponent of dry fire, goes over some of his favorite dry fire drills and some best practices to ensure you're getting the most out of your training time. Just beware, once you listen to this episode, there's no more excuses for not getting any better with a pistol!

"Home Defense" by the very nature of the term, implies being on the defense of yourself and your loved ones in your home. It's easy to let emotion take over when thinking about the possible scenario of an intruder being in your home, leading to a plan that's more offensive in nature. Instructor Chris Urrutia talks about why "CQB" (Close Quarters Battle) or clearing all the rooms in your house on your own is not the best way to think about handling a home invasion. It also doesn't mean being weak or helpless either. Tune in to this episode to hear some smart, practical tactics to coming out on the other end unscathed and out of potential trouble.

We believe any responsible citizen should exercise their right to own, use, and train with a firearm, but shooting classes take time and money - are you actually ready to make the most of that investment? Instructor Mike Griffin talks about his years of experience from both the student and instructor perspective, and the things you can do to make it count. Coming in with the right expectations, doing your homework before hand, ensuring your gear won't take you out of the action, best ways to take notes to learn from later on, and much more. If you're considering taking a shooting class at Vortex Edge or with any instructor, this episode is full of extremely valuable information to make the experience all the more useful and enjoyable.

When it comes to buying the best Long-Range ammo, there's no "One size fits all" answer. In this episode, Instructor Corey Eliasson explains why certain types of ammo that work great for others might not work for you, and how you can find the best shooting, most consistent ammo for your rifle. We also discuss why buying in bulk from the same "Lot" of ammunition can save you the headache of dealing with inconsistencies in your ammo, even when it's all the same type from the same manufacturer.