Rifle Misconceptions

Recent conversations relayed to the author:

Q - What distance will we be shooting at this tactical carbine class?
A - From 3 - 300 yards. 
"Great! I'll bring my Savage 110 bolt action rifle!"

Participant in a recent class did not hit as often at 300 as he wanted to. Participant changed ammo types twice in class (losing zero each time) and became understandably frustrated. Friend of participant says about his AR15 carbine equipped with a red dot:

"Your instructor should have advised you that you were ill-equipped for the task at hand."

Prospective participant asks about bringing multiple rifles to a carbine class:

"Can I bring my bolt action with a scope for the long range portions?" 

(the "long range" portions are 100, 200, and 300 yards.)

Both of these statements proceed from a point of absolute ignorance. Sadly, this ignorance is widespread in and among the gun community. Mention shooting past 50 yards, and people start assuming one needs a bolt action rifle with a 14x scope. 

YOUR STOCK AR15 IS CAPABLE OF CONSISTENTLY HITTING 

AT AND BEYOND 300 YARDS WITH BULK AMMO AND NO SCOPE!!!

The US Army has soldiers shoot to 300 yards - usually with a red dot sight - in Basic Rifle Marksmanship. The US Marines used to (up until just a few years ago) shoot to 500 yards with iron sights - now they use a 4x scope. 

In every class this author teaches where targets are engaged at or beyond 300 yards, never has a single participant failed to hit the target at 300 yards with their chosen rifle or carbine (always by lunch). Do they all hit as often as they want? Of course not... being precise on a rifle is not a skill that can be learned and honed in a single day. Like any other worthwhile endeavor: it takes time and practice.