If you're missing long-range shots, it's probably not your rifle… it's your data.
In this episode of the Forster Products Podcast, we sit down with Chase Stroud of Pump’s Precision Rifle Training to break down how to properly use a Kestrel ballistic solver for first-round impacts — even past a mile.

We cover:

• The #1 mistake shooters make with their environment settings
• How “dirty air” ruins your wind calls
• Why you MUST update density altitude throughout the day
• Truing muzzle velocity vs truing ballistic coefficient
• Advanced wind angle math (full value, half value, 80% winds)
• How mirage distorts elevation
• Why most shooters under-hold wind
• The difference between holding vs dialing wind
• How to “true” wind during a match
• Barrel wear and how it affects ballistic performance
• Advanced long-range techniques used at 2 miles+

Everything in shooting is deterministic… except wind.
Garbage in = garbage out. Learn how to put the right numbers into your solver so you get impacts instead of excuses.

If you want hands-on training — from beginner precision rifle all the way to advanced 2-mile ELR — check out Pump’s Precision Rifle Training here:
https://pumpsprecisionrifletraining.com/
Train smart. Update your environment. Hold more wind.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Erik Cortina alongside Chase and Josh for a deep, no-nonsense conversation about precision reloading, consistency, and what actually matters when chasing performance on target.

We break down real-world reloading processes used by top-level shooters, including why shiny brass doesn’t equal better ammo, how shoulder bump tolerances really work, and why extreme spread numbers don’t always tell the full story. From annealing frequency and neck tension to powder charge consistency, humidity control, and barrel maintenance — this episode cuts through internet myths and focuses on repeatable results.

Erik shares hard-earned insights from competition shooting, R&D work, and load development across countless cartridges, emphasizing one core idea: believe the target, not just the numbers.

Whether you’re loading for PRS, ELR, F-Class, or just trying to build more consistent ammo, this episode is packed with practical takeaways that can save you time, frustration, and unnecessary rabbit holes.

Topics covered include:

• Reloading workflows that prioritize consistency over aesthetics
• Shoulder bump tolerances and why chasing exact numbers is a trap
• Annealing frequency and brass life
• Neck tension, seating depth, and powder charge balance
• Velocity vs group size — what really wins matches
• Why SD and ES don’t always predict performance
• Humidity, powder moisture, and loading environment control
• Barrel maintenance and knowing when a barrel is “done”
• Developing a repeatable process you can actually troubleshoot

If you’re serious about precision shooting and want fewer opinions and more real-world experience, this one’s for you.

Thinking about trying F-Class shooting but not sure where to start?
In this episode of Straight Shooters Podcast, we sit down with Mike Summers, an experienced F-Class competitor and match director, to break down what F-Class really is — and why more shooters should give it a try.

We cover everything from getting started with the rifle you already own, to how F-Class matches are structured, what gear actually matters (and what doesn’t), and why the community is far more welcoming than most people expect. Whether you’re coming from service rifle, PRS, or casual range shooting, this episode removes the intimidation factor and explains F-Class in plain terms.

Topics Covered:

• What F-Class shooting is (mid-range vs long-range)
• F-Open vs F-TR explained simply
• What rifle, rest, and ammo you actually need to start
• Match formats, scoring, and X-counts
• How local, state, regional, and national matches differ
• Why most shooters are holding themselves back unnecessarily
• Reloading philosophy for F-Class (accuracy vs overthinking)
• Barrel cleaning, SDs, and trusting the paper
• Youth shooters, women in the sport, and growing participation
• How to find F-Class matches near you

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not good enough to show up to a match” — this episode is for you. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s learning, camaraderie, and having a great day on the range.

In this episode of the Forster Products Straight Shooters Podcast, Josh and Scott take you deep inside the entire die-making process — from raw bar stock to polished, precision tools ready for your reloading bench.

They break down how Forster sources their steel, how sizing dies and seating dies are actually made, why reamer design matters, and the small but critical details that separate good dies from great ones. You’ll also hear real-world examples of chamber differences, brass growth, shoulder bump, spring-back, bushing tolerances, and why custom dies can be so tricky.

Plus:
• Behind-the-scenes stories of the shop
• How Forster handles heat treat, polishing, reaming, and honing
• What really causes stuck brass and chamber fit issues
• The people behind the dies — shoutouts to almost the entire Forster team
• A first look at small-base dies and experimental 30 Whitetail setups

If you’ve ever wondered “How are high-quality dies actually made?” — this is the most detailed explanation you’ll find anywhere.

Thinking about getting into Precision Rifle Shooting (PRS) but not sure where to start—or worried you don’t have the “right” gear? In this episode, we break down what actually matters when entering PRS competitions, straight from experienced shooters and match directors who’ve seen hundreds of competitors come through their matches.

We cover:

• The best calibers for new shooters (and which ones to avoid)
• Whether you really need to reload—or if factory ammo can work
• Minimum rifle, optic, and accuracy requirements
• Gear you can borrow vs. what’s worth buying
• How to upgrade gradually without blowing your budget
• Why PRS has one of the most welcoming communities in shooting sports
• What match directors want new shooters to know before showing up

If you’ve ever thought: “I want to try PRS, but I don’t think I’m ready yet…” This episode is for you.

Whether you show up with a factory rifle, borrowed gear, or just to watch—the hardest part is signing up. Everything else can be figured out along the way. Drop your questions in the comments or reach out if you’re thinking about your first match.

Unlock the secrets of precision rifle load development with this in-depth episode featuring competitive shooter and match director Rick Kutcher! Josh and Rick break down every step of their reloading process, compare methods, discuss tools, and share the exact techniques they use to build consistent, match-winning ammo.

Whether you're new to reloading or refining your advanced process, this episode is full of insight on:

• Brass prep (wet tumble vs dry tumble)
• Mandrels, bushings, neck tension & sizing
• Seating depth & powder selection
• SD/ES and how they REALLY affect performance
• How pros read point of impact vs velocity during load development
• Cleaning cycles, barrel life & tuning
• Primers, pressure signs, and eliminating fliers
• Hunting loads vs match loads…and MUCH more.

Explore tools, guides, and articles at: https://forsterproducts.com

In this episode of the Forster Reloading Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most common questions in precision reloading — what’s the real difference between an expander ball and a mandrel?

Josh and Scott break down the mechanics behind each, when you should use one over the other, and how both impact your brass consistency, neck tension, and overall precision.

We also wrap up the 2025 match season, thank our amazing sponsors and shooters, and talk about what’s coming next for 2026.

Topics covered:

• Expander ball vs mandrel — push vs pull sizing
• How to choose the right method for your process
• When a mandrel really shines (especially for wildcatting)
• The truth about neck tension, bushing dies, and brass life
• Forster’s approach to precision die design

In this episode, Scott and Josh break down one of the most misunderstood aspects of long-range shooting — the Ballistic Coefficient (BC). 🎯

They dive into what BC actually means, why the number printed on your bullet box doesn’t always match real-world performance, and how to true your BC for YOUR rifle to get more accurate hits downrange.

Whether you’re shooting PRS, NRL, or just stretching your rifle at the range, understanding how to measure, adjust, and apply BC can be the difference between a solid hit and a frustrating miss.

👉 In this episode:

• What Ballistic Coefficient (BC) really means
• Why factory BC numbers don’t always match your setup
• How to true your BC for accuracy beyond 600 yards
• The importance of velocity, bore height, and environment data
• Real-world examples from competition and match prep
• Tips for consistent data and performance

Scott and Josh also share behind-the-scenes insights from their latest matches, the tools they use (like Garmin chronographs), and the best ways to keep your ballistic data dialed in.