Battle Rifle

The Battle Rifle course at Gunsite Academy is designed for shooters who run serious .30-caliber fighting rifles, _not_ heavy precision guns. Spanning five days, this course teaches students to confidently engage targets from close quarters out to 600 yards using semi-automatic rifles chambered in .30-06, 7.62mm, or 6.8mm.

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You'll train with and against a variety of battle rifle platforms, including M1 Garands, M14s, AR-10 variants, HK91s, FALs, and SCAR 17s. The curriculum combines Gunsite's core skills with practical training in rifle setup, recoil management, sling use, and low-light techniques.

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Key optics guidance:
Red dot sights and low-power variable optics (1–4x, 1–6x, 1–8x) are ideal for this application. High-magnification optics are discouraged as they degrade mobility and engagement speed. Optics must handle recoil. Offset red dots are not advised.

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Gear & loadout tips:

• Keep rifle weight under 11 lbs loaded
• No bipods — they're not needed in this context
• Use a single-point or two-point sling
• Bring a handheld light (required); weapon-mounted lights are optional but beneficial

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What you'll learn:

• Fighting with semi-auto battle rifles from 0–600 yards
• Positional shooting and rapid transitions
• Optic system effectiveness under stress
• Low-light shooting with handheld lights
• Familiarization with multiple battle rifle platforms

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A rugged course for those who run full-power rifles in severe scenarios.

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Graduation meets the prerequisite for Gunsite's Combat Rifle class.