Chad Heckler and Francis Colon talk about life, friendship, discipline, Precision Rifle Competition, and many more things...while on the road putting on Miles to Matches.
The Miles to Matches podcast has quickly become a favorite for many listeners, including myself. In this review, I will discuss the best and worst aspects of the podcast and provide a conclusion based on my overall impression.
One of the best aspects of The Miles to Matches podcast is the valuable content it provides. Whether you're an experienced shooter or new to the game like me, there is something to learn from every episode. The hosts, Francis and Chad, share their experiences and insights from competing alongside top shooters. This gives listeners a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and improve their own shooting skills. From tips and tricks to in-depth discussions about match strategies, every episode is filled with practical information that can be applied on the range.
Additionally, the format of The Miles to Matches podcast adds an extra layer of authenticity that sets it apart from other podcasts in the same genre. The fact that Francis and Chad are actually on the road while recording adds an exciting element to each episode. You can hear Siri's directions in the background as they navigate their way to matches, which creates a sense of immersion for listeners. This behind-the-scenes perspective allows us to feel like we're right there with them, experiencing the highs and lows of competition shooting firsthand.
While there aren't many negative aspects to point out about The Miles to Matches podcast, one criticism would be that it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between Francis and Chad's voices. As a listener, it would be helpful if they identified themselves at the beginning of each episode or incorporated some sort of audio cue when they switch back and forth during conversations. However, this is a minor issue that doesn't detract significantly from the overall quality of the podcast.
In conclusion, The Miles to Matches podcast delivers excellent content for both seasoned shooters and those new to competition shooting. With valuable insights, practical tips, and an immersive format that sets it apart from others in its genre, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their shooting skills. Despite a minor issue with voice identification, The Miles to Matches podcast continues to impress and educate its listeners.
We shoot mostly custom rifles these days...but what if we were to buy a factory rifle? What features would we prioritize and what would we end up with?
Are you conserving your energy throughout match week/weekend/day? If not, you may run out and lose focus when you need it the most. This episode has some things to consider and gives you some insight on how the guys manage their energy for peak performance on a match weekend.
If you want to make the transition from midpack shooter to the next level there are things that should never be compromised. In this episode the boys discuss what each of them consider to be non-negotiable items that they prioritize to give them the best chance for success.
There is something in this episode for everyone. Do you know the difference between caliber and cartridge? What is your favorite cartridge?
Want to hit more targets on the long range stages? In this episode the guys talk about things to consider and what you should focus on to make that happen...
The boys area headed home after dinner (Francis is driving) and having an open discussion about the dynamics of rifle motion. What does that mean? Who knows...you will have to listen and find out!
In this episode the boys do a deep dive into truing your ballistic solution. There are lots of factors that can cause your data to be off by small amounts and knowing where to go and how to identify these errors is very important for making impacts at long range.
In this episode, Chad and Francis discuss the right and the wrong ways to calculate a ballistic solution when your target is not on a flat plane. Do you know how?
The Last 10% can be the hardest part of your journey to the top. It usually requires more effort and resources. Don't waste your time investing those valuable resources on the wrong things.
The boys stop at Area 419 on the way to the AG Cup to talk about manufacturing, the history of the company, and the new suppressor class in the Precision Rifle Series.
Just a car full of giant plastic checks and two AG Cup Champions! The mics are on and the boys are talking about the event...
On the road to the 2024 AG Cup, Chad and Francis discuss some personal weaknesses that have held them back in recent years and how they plan to overcome them. Look inward and be honest with yourself to identify and attack your own personal weaknesses so that you can climb the ladder to the top, or continue to compete at level that allows you to have fun and get the most out of the sport.
What are the limitations and important things to consider with prefit barrels?
In this episode, Chad and Francis talk about how to shoot 2 good days back to back and place higher than you have been in placing those 2 day pro PRS matches. This can be difficult for some people and can ultimately be the reason that they get frustrated and start doubting their skills.
Chad and Francis sit on the porch with a couple of cigars and discuss the 2024 IPRF world championship. The people, the match, and the whole experience. you don't want to miss it...
This week, Chad and Francis discuss their experience at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge presented by Utah Airguns. This unique experience put their general shooting skills to the test: could they compete against the worlds best in a completely different shooting sport and succeed? Listen in to learn all about the awesome event, what they learned and what they will do different in the future!
This week on Miles to Matches, Chad and Francis talk about Chad's recent archery hunt and some of the ways that precision rifle competition and practice have helped him become a better bow hunter. From thermals to NPA to equipment selection, learn the aspects of "precision rifle" can span from multiple disciplines.
Chad and Francis catch up after a several weeks working on other projects, including Chad's preparation for the World Championships. The major theme of this episode is working to building stronger approaches to time and what you need to focus on. Task orientation is an important characteristic to accomplish goals. However, periodically taking a step back to evaluate the fit of your current plan with your goals is critical to building success.
Chad and Francis explore the most commonly overlooked mistakes to ensure your shots hit their mark. They cover dozens of normal mistakes that new and expert shooters alike make before, during, and after matches. At the end, they put the "Mistakes" against one another to find out what they feel is the root cause of missing shots. Check this fully loaded episode to see if you can pick up some pointers for your next training session!
This week Chad and Francis deep dive on "Neck Tension" and areas related to keep the bullet stable and square in the case. Take a listen to pick up a few pointers to you use in your reloading process.
Goodbye Betty, Hello H.A.M. Chad and Francis chat on the way home from the Pigg River H.A.M. match in the new match rig! They've gotten a TON of questions about Betty and the duo share some of the funny memories from the Tactical minivan. Regarding shooting, they cover some of the challenges they encountered during the match and how they would have changed their approach to a few critical stages throughout the match. This episode highlights the importance of staying mentally tough even after a bad stage (or two.)
Chad and Francis cover some of the important "Do's and Dont's" for competitive shooting matches. Our sport is incredibly positive and we have a fantastic community of shooters, so taking advantage of the advice in this episode will make everyones match more enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, we - including ourselves - can all get better at finding ways to stay positive and have our best matches!
Chad and Francis hit on an open discord on building habits that support success. This episode should hit home for those struggling or working towards an "easier" way of hitting your goals. Sometimes the best way to get faster gains is hitting the pause button to evaluate how you structure your commitments. In addition, the pair talk about ways they use this principle to gain an advantage in matches.
Chad and Francis have created a number of "inventions" or new ways of solving common problems. This episode is all about how to approach challenges that you encounter and how the pair created the products they've helped design or manufacturer. From the MDT CrushIt timer to the Armageddon Gear Tripod Caddy to the 5x5 Grip to the MDT Dampers and more, the hosts walk through the back story on the products they've designed to be more effective in matches.
This episode, Chad and Francis cover all things front support, including bipods. But not all bipods are the the same and no bipod is PERFECT for all scenarios. They duo deep dive on the mechanics of what your rifle experiences during recoil on a bipod and how it can be optimized for precision. Construction tolerances, materials and design can all have a direct impact on your shots down range.
This week, Chad and Francis discuss when experimenting is the correct approach to advance your skills. Sometimes the easiest path forward is to follow those that blazed the original trail. However, there is a fundamental difference between "Learning" and "Exploring". In the learning phase of new skills, working within known boundaries helps set a baseline for successful outcomes. In the exploring phase, it can be beneficial to approach challenges from a different angle to see if results can be improved.
Our sport has continuously evolved to find new levels of precision and accuracy. From bullet design to chassis to optics, virtual no area of precision rifle shooting is the same as it was even 10-15 years ago. However, bag fill is one of the most important areas of our sport that SpexLite is making major advances in material science to increase precision and minimize weight. We talk with David Schabel to understand how they are advancing the sport with new materials optimized for different applications! Spex-Lite and BoxToBench Precision have created a discount code for the listeners! Use code "Matches" to receive a 10% discount on all orders including shipping costs!
Traveling to matches is part of the experience. However, sometimes choosing your method of travel - either driving or flying - is not straight forward. This week, Chad and Francis discuss how to make the most of your trip and considerations regarding when to drive vs fly. Along with common tips and tricks to get your gear to match safely, this is a great episode for those wanting to plan their next cross country match!
Chad and Francis hit the road for one last trip with Betty, the tactical minivan! Barrels have life span. How do you identify and solve challenges with groups, SDs or ES. Listen in to hear how they diagnose changes in requirement that cause problems.
VPRC 2024 is in the bag! Chad and Francis debrief on the ride back from the stellar Virginia range VPRC. The match was a great mix of learning moments and success when it comes to dealing with switching winds (angle and velocity).
Francis and Chad pick up where they left off the last episode, finishing the GREAT DEBATE: Mils vs MOA vs IPHY. While this may seem like a trivial or mundane topic, it hits some solid points on how they "think" in terms of units as often as possible. Learning the units of measure for angles vs horizontal equivalents is critical to your journey in precision rifle. You WILL be a more effective competitor and hunter by mastering the "language" of long range shooting!
Besides discussing the number of speed traps, Chad and Francis have a solid discussion around one of the most common topics in precision shooting: statistical significance. Rather than delving into a college level stats course, they talk about statistics in practical terms. Rather than working on statistical significance, they prefer to start with practical significance. Being able to identify a difference is not the same as being able to DO something about it.
Thank you! We've made it to our 101st episode! Chad and Francis recap their journey across the podcast and cover some ways they've seen match directors create awesome experiences. With that, they walk through ways shooters can build towards success even when something goes wrong at a match.
Our 100th episode! This week Chad and Francis discuss the ideal of creating "Exponential Incremental Improvements". Finding ways to define your areas of improvement, setting a prioritized plan and building focus around that specific plan. The phrase "Where there is a will, there is a way" guides the core of our discussion in the centennial episode of Miles to Matches!
This is one of our FAVORITE episodes that we've ever recorded! We walk back through the equipment that gave us pivotal improvements throughout our careers in PRS. From Maverick and Goose in Top Gun to scopes to rear bags to the venerable 17 HMR, the some of the most innocuous purchases gave us the opportunity to advance our learning curve. This nostalgic episode is funny, memorable and epitomizes why we love the sport of precision rifle shooting!
Trust is complicated: it's required to perform at a very high level but can also lead to disaster if not placed and verified properly. From equipment to techniques, the source and testing methods you employ can help you gain points by avoiding problems. Tune in to find some critical pointers on finding the best way to "trust but verify".
Chad and Francis walk through their current brass prep methods. Some cool tips and tricks come out of this one to help with your SDs and keep your process consistent start to finish, with the goal of producing the best consistency possible for PRS-style competion.
.Chad and Franci discuss practice routines and how they translate to a better understanding of your rifle and system. From short range practice to paper drills to rifle setup, the duo walk through ways practice and evaluate your performance for better precision and consistency.
What is your plan during the "Off Season"? Chad and Francis walk through there plans and process for the short 1-2 month period between each season. From equipment to training to goals to match schedule, they cover the details that matter most to set yourself up for a successful season.
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