Master high-angle precision shooting in demanding terrain, combining field movement, altitude exposure, and complex engagement problems under load.
The High Angle Rifle Training (HART) course at Thunder Ranch is an advanced program built to develop precision shooters in steep, high-angle environments. The course combines technical shooting with physical demand, requiring students to operate under load while navigating terrain and engaging targets at challenging angles and distances.
Training begins with two days on the flat range to confirm fundamentals, zero, and data from stable shooting positions. This baseline is then carried into the field, where the final two days focus on practical application. Students will hike with a full kit, establish shooting positions in uneven terrain, and engage targets where angle, wind, and elevation all influence shot execution.
Instruction is hands-on and field-driven, emphasizing problem-solving in real-world terrain rather than controlled-range conditions. Shooters will need to manage their gear, maintain their rifle system, and apply ballistic data effectively while dealing with fatigue, elevation, and environmental variables.
Key training areas include:
This course is suited to experienced shooters with a solid foundation in mid-range shooting. Completion of a prior course such as Mid-Range Rifle is recommended. Students must arrive physically prepared to hike with 35 lb or more of gear, with a properly zeroed rifle, and no magnum calibers permitted. Expect to run 500 rounds of non-frangible ammunition while operating in demanding terrain.
Thunder Ranch, founded by Clint Smith in Oregon, is a premier firearms training facility delivering multi-day rifle and long-range courses in realistic terrain-driven environments.
96747 Hwy 140 East, Lakeview OR, 97630
