There are some places and situations you just don’t imagine yourself ever being in. In this case, I didn’t think I’d be in the Middle-Of-Nowhere, South Dakota, at a world-class pheasant hunting facility to partake in a precision rifle class. On top of that, I never imagined I’d be at such a place, taking said class with a well-known football great and sitting and speaking with one of the most impactful governors of our generation. And to think, this all happened because of Federal Premium Ammunition and H-S Precision rifles.
Shooting the H-S Precision HTR at Paul Nelson Farm
We flew into South Dakota only knowing that we are going to attend a precision rifle course. No biggie. A 1.5-hour drive from the airport led us to Paul Nelson Farm—a premiere, high-end pheasant hunting venue. Let’s just say the farm is out there. So much so that I witnessed highways become dirt roads, highways again and then no roads without actually detouring off of the main route.
Upon arrival, you notice that this is indeed a farm. It’s vast with big equipment and silos and other farming stuff. You’ll also notice some beautifully constructed, cabin-like facilities where guests lodge for their stay. I’m no bird hunter, but Paul Nelson Farm is a two-time Orvis Wingshooting Lodge of the Year winner, and that means something.
We checked into our rooms, which are exquisitely decorated for a particular U.S. theme. There are 35 private sleeping rooms, each with a private bath. Luxury is the goal, and that’s what you get with a comfortable environment that can spoil you quickly. Here I should mention the food and the five-star meals.
While in one of the bar areas talking with colleagues, a guy walks in who seems very familiar to me. I know I have seen him before. Ah, yes. Wrangler jeans commercial. It’s Brett Favre, and he will be in the rifle course with us. Shortly after this, we learn that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will be driving in with her husband to join us for dinner. Can’t make this stuff up.
The Range
The real centerpiece of the 5,000-acre facility, at least for types like me, is The Range. The Range at PNF is their recently built, state-of-the-art, long-range rifle shooting facility. Everything about The Range is first-rate and comfortable.
It features 12 shooting benches situated on a turf-covered shooting line. The entire side of the shooting building can be opened to the outside, and it also features climate control to keep things cool or warm while students are learning from some of the top instructors in the nation. Targets are arranged out to 2,000 yards, so there’s no shortage of challenges.
At capacity, The Range can host 12 shooters, and they provide much of what you need, including spotting scopes and Kestrels. It’s first-rate precision rifle training and must be experienced to appreciate it.
H-S In The House
Once I got over the facilities and its amenities, it was time to focus on the products that we’d be using. Federal Premium is a long-standing name in the precision ammo game, and they paired up with H-S Precision, which brought in a bunch of very accurate rifles for us to shoot.
Both brands hold a special place in this shooter’s heart. When I made my first go at precision shooting way back in early 2000, Federal Gold Medal Match .308 was the gold standard for factory ammo, the one all others are measured against. And H-S Precision was a custom rifle maker that you could only dream of unless you had the money and the understanding of what to get in a precision rifle. Amazingly, H-S Precision hasn’t changed much from then to now. They still make insanely accurate and reliable rifles with an old-school feel as well as excellent stocks that are used by many manufacturers. That said, this would be my first time actually running a complete H-S Precision rifle, even after all these years.
H-S Precision HTR in 6.5 Creedmoor
Also, from H-S Precision was Josh Cluff, vice president of Sales and Marketing and accomplished hunter and PRS competitor. He would be instructing the course over the next couple of days. Our rifles were all chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with my model being the HTR from H-S Precision. It was topped off with a Kahles K624i 6-24×56 and outfitted with a Harris bipod and a Silencer Central Banish 30 suppressor. This type of setup was the staple of the precision community before the days of aluminum chassis and PRS. It was, or rather is, tactical, functional and quite comfortable.
The HRT proved to be an excellent shooter and is an excellent platform for teaching those who are new to precision rifles. We had several people in our class, including Mr. Favre, that were new to this type of shooting while not being new to rifles per se, as they hunted quite frequently. But extended periods on a bench with a Kestrel and dope chart, thanks to Hornady’s 4DOF, is a different beast. Mr. Cluff brings an energy and excitement that is few and far between in the precision shooting and instruction space. He was encouraging, and I dare say exciting. In the days of super serious shooters, Josh brought a relaxing vibe that made the experience pleasant.
Running The Guns
Just like any class, we started with the basics of rifle setup to get everyone comfortable before we confirmed zero. I took the opportunity to test out some of the ammo offerings on hand—Federal Premium Berger Hybrid Target 140 grain, Federal Premium Berger Gold Medal 130 grain and Federal Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing 140 grain. The rifle and all offerings of ammo worked quite well with the Berger 140 posting a .46-inch group. The Berger 130 came in with a .57-inch, 100-yard group and the Sierra posted a .58-inch group. You have to love consistency like this in a rifle across three different factory loads. I ran the class with the 130 Berger, as that was the load I was the most familiar with.
Over the next couple of days, we would run drills, work on wind holds, shoot a mock PRS-ish competition and shoot at the 1-mile target. Tricky winds made this a sporty activity, but everyone had an exceptionally good time, and that’s what we were there for. There are venues that will test your shooting limits and your personal comfort as well. I understand and agree that this is not everyone’s cup of tea. Sometimes you want to go learn, have a great time while you learn, and be pampered a bit as well, and that’s what you get at Paul Nelson Farm. It would be a great trip for a group of buddies who want to enjoy the sport in comfort.
All In A Day’s Work
We also took an afternoon to take the rifles out and shoot prairie dogs on the property, utilizing the skills we’d honed earlier. We ended each evening with a five-star, five-course meal, great wine and spirits, and then stories by the fire.
Paul Nelson Farm is a special place and I hope to visit again someday. It’s a venue like few others and definitely worth a look if you want to do things “differently.”
FOR MORE INFO
This article originally appeared in the August-September 2023 issue of Ballistic magazine. Get your print or digital copy or subscription at OutdoorGroupStore.com.
