Advertise on podcast: Straight Shooters

What does it take to turn a passion for precision rifle shooting into a full-time career? In this episode of the Forster Straight Shooters Podcast, Josh shares his journey from working as a journeyman lineman and building custom rifles in his garage to becoming a full-time gunsmith at Forster Products. Josh takes us back to his early days of shooting, learning how to chamber barrels, purchasing his first lathe, and eventually turning his hobby into a business. We discuss the challenges of balancing a full-time job, competitive shooting, and building a reputation for quality gunsmithing. We also look back at Josh's first two and a half years with Forster Products, how his role has evolved, and how his experience as a competitive PRS shooter has helped shape the company's products and services. Plus, we talk about the development of the 30 Whitetail, the growth of Forster's custom rifle and barrel services, and Josh's future goals for expanding the business, helping customers, and offering more shooting instruction. From learning the trade to building a career around something you love, this episode is all about hard work, dedication, and taking a chance on yourself. #ForsterProducts #StraightShootersPodcast #PRS #PrecisionRifle #Gunsmithing

In this episode of the Forster Straight Shooters Podcast, we’re talking all things GAP Grind and what makes it one of the most unique events in precision rifle shooting. Josh breaks down how the GAP Grind pairs amateur shooters with pros, how the team format works, and what it’s like coaching an amateur through a match while still competing for your own national points. We also talk about Josh’s previous GAP Grind experiences, who he’s bringing this year, and why the event can be such a great introduction to the sport.  We also recap Josh’s recent trip to Twisted Barrel, where he finished ninth in a 208-shooter field that included nearly 90 international competitors, and discuss why his performances there have him feeling confident heading into the national finale.  And somehow, the conversation turns into RV troubleshooting after a camper A/C problem leads to a surprisingly simple $12 fix—and a lesson that applies just as well to troubleshooting your reloading setup.

Why isn’t your rifle shooting the groups you expected? In this episode of the Forster Products Podcast, the guys break down the equipment, ammunition, and shooting fundamentals that can make—or ruin—a rifle’s accuracy. They cover proper body position, natural point of aim, rear-bag placement, bipod setup, parallax, cheek pressure, trigger control, and the common mistakes that cause shooters to unknowingly influence their rifles. The conversation also gets into: • Testing Berger and Hornady 120-grain bullets • 6 Dasher, 6 GTI, and 6 Creedmoor reamer development • New testing and load development for the 30 Whitetail • Why group size depends on more than the rifle • Common mistakes made by new PRS shooters • Bad ballistic data and incorrect wind direction • Forster’s upcoming mandrel dies and manufacturing updates Whether you’re developing a new load, troubleshooting an inaccurate rifle, or preparing for your first precision rifle match, this episode will help you identify what may be holding your shooting back.

Dylan Johnson shot his first PRS match in July 2025. Just one year later, he’s already won two regional matches—and recently dropped only three shots against a field of experienced competitors. In this episode of the Forster Products Podcast, Dylan breaks down the obsessive practice routine behind his rapid rise, including shooting more than 15,000 rounds, practicing wind calls without a Kestrel, building better positions, and learning directly from the best shooters at every match. We also get into his complete reloading process, Dasher load development, Berger 120-grain bullets, virgin versus fired brass, testing groups at 700 yards, and how lighting conditions and mirage can make an accurate rifle appear inconsistent. From high-speed motorcycle racing to becoming one of the fastest-rising PRS competitors in the region, Dylan’s story proves that equipment matters—but purposeful practice, confidence, and learning to trust your own calls matter even more. If you’re trying to improve as a precision rifle shooter, there are plenty of practical takeaways in this episode.

Sometimes the biggest problems aren't caused by bad equipment—they're caused by rushing the process. In this episode, we break down a real troubleshooting session inside the shop after running into dented bullets during load development. What started as a search for a seating die problem turned into a much bigger lesson about neck tension, seating force, brass preparation, and why changing one variable at a time matters. We also discuss: • Why bullets get dented during seating • Neck tension vs. seating force • Brass prep mistakes that create problems • Berger bullets and seating pressure • Forster seating die design • AMP Press testing and what the data showed • Reloading process vs. equipment • 22 GT and 6 Creedmoor updates • Josh's recent PRS podium finish • Why slowing down often leads to better results Whether you're a competitive PRS shooter, precision reloader, or just trying to build more consistent ammunition, this episode is packed with practical lessons that can save you time, frustration, and wasted components. Subscribe for weekly conversations on precision rifles, reloading, gunsmithing, and Precision Rifle Series competition. #Reloading #PRS #PrecisionRifle #ForsterProducts #BergerBullets #Handloading #LongRangeShooting

Could Berger's new 120 Grain Hybrid become the next go-to bullet for Precision Rifle Series competition? After finishing 3rd at a PRS National Match, Josh breaks down exactly why he switched to a 6 Creedmoor, what he's learned testing Berger's new 120 Hybrid, and whether it's worth changing your current rifle setup. In this episode we discuss: • Berger's new 120 Grain Hybrid • 6 Creedmoor vs 6 GT vs Dasher vs 6.5 Creedmoor • Twist rates (7 vs 7.5 twist) • Freebore recommendations • Velocity, BC, recoil, and wind performance • Reloading considerations • Barrel life • National PRS match performance • Future bullet trends Whether you're building your next PRS rifle or simply wondering if the Berger 120 lives up to the hype, this episode dives deep into the testing, the load development, and what competitive shooters should know before making the switch. Subscribe for more conversations on precision rifles, reloading, PRS competition, and long-range shooting. #PRS #Reloading #BergerBullets #6Creedmoor #LongRangeShooting #PrecisionRifle #ForsterProducts

In this episode of the Forster Products Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in reloading and gunsmithing: tolerances. From shoulder bump and seating depth to calipers, comparators, headspace gauges, and chamber dimensions, we discuss what measurements actually matter and where many shooters waste time chasing numbers that have little impact on performance. Topics include: • Shoulder bump tolerances and practical expectations  • Why consistency matters more than perfection  • Common mistakes reloaders make when setting up sizing dies  • How lube, brass condition, and tooling affect measurements  • Calipers, comparators, and measurement techniques  • Headspace gauges and chamber tolerances  • Seating depth variation and bullet consistency  • Virgin brass vs fired brass considerations  • How tolerances stack throughout the shooting system  • Real-world lessons from reloading and gunsmithing Whether you're new to reloading or a seasoned competitor chasing every advantage, this conversation helps separate the variables that truly matter from the ones that simply create unnecessary frustration. If you've ever wondered whether a thousandth of an inch really makes a difference, this episode is for you. #Reloading #ForsterProducts #PrecisionRifle #Handloading #LongRangeShooting #PRS #Gunsmithing #ReloadingTips #PrecisionShooting #Headspace Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

After a weekend at the K&M Precision Rifle Competition, we sat down to talk about something every shooter eventually faces: knowing the difference between an equipment problem and a shooter problem. In this episode, we discuss: • Lessons learned from competing at K&M • Why perfect equipment doesn't guarantee perfect results • The role confidence plays in competition shooting • Reloading consistency and chasing accuracy • Virgin brass vs fired brass considerations • Why small groups at 100 yards don't always tell the whole story • Common mistakes newer reloaders make • How top shooters evaluate equipment and performance • The mindset required to improve over time One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that while tools matter, the shooter is still one of the most important variables in the entire process. Whether you're just getting started in reloading or you're chasing every last point at national-level matches, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experiences from the range. Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

The 30 Whitetail has quickly become one of the most talked-about hunting cartridges in Illinois, and in this episode we sit down with Keith Miller, one of the cartridge's creators, to discuss exactly how it came to life. We dive into the challenges of Illinois hunting regulations, why existing cartridge options left room for improvement, and how the 30 Whitetail was designed to deliver exceptional accuracy, low recoil, reliable terminal performance, and better overall hunting capability within Illinois' legal requirements. We cover: • The origin story of the 30 Whitetail • Illinois cartridge restrictions and how the design fits within them • Brass forming and reloading considerations • Powder selection and velocity testing • Bullet performance and hunting results • Real-world deer hunting experiences • Why youth hunters are seeing success with the cartridge • Accuracy, recoil, and long-term development plans Whether you're a serious deer hunter, a reloader, a precision rifle shooter, or simply curious about the cartridge that's generating so much attention across Illinois, this episode provides a complete look at the design philosophy, testing process, and performance behind the 30 Whitetail. If you've been considering a 30 Whitetail build, this is the episode you don't want to miss. Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

SHOT Show 2026 gave us the chance to sit down with some of the people helping shape the future of precision rifle shooting, reloading, competition, and manufacturing. This episode is a collection of conversations from throughout the week covering: • The future of PRS and long range shooting • Reloading innovation and new product development • Suppressors and evolving match trends • Manufacturing, engineering, and behind-the-scenes product design • Industry growth and where the shooting sports world is headed next • Insights from companies like Forster, Dillon, PRS, and more From competition shooting to reloading processes and product development, there’s a lot changing in the industry right now — and this episode captures a wide range of perspectives from the people building it. Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

What actually goes into hitting targets at 2 miles… or even 3? In this episode, Chase Stroud breaks down the world of Extreme Long Range shooting — from load development and neck tension to moisture in powder, ballistic solvers, SDs, and the tiny variables that separate a miss from a first-round impact. We also dive into: • The development of the Forster XL Press • Why shoulder bump matters more at long distance • How humidity affects velocity and consistency • Why ELR shooters obsess over SDs • The difference between light division and heavy division rifles • Ballistic solvers, Kestrels, and accurate firing solutions • Why most shooters underestimate the importance of brass prep If you’re into precision shooting, reloading, ELR, PRS, or ballistic science… this one goes deep. Visit our website: https://www.forsterproducts.com

What’s the best way to develop an accurate rifle load? In this episode of the Forster Podcast, Kelly breaks down his repeatable engineering-based approach to precision reloading and load development. Instead of randomly changing components and hoping for results, he explains why treating reloading like a science experiment leads to more consistent accuracy, better groups, and less frustration. The conversation covers: • How to properly test powder charge weights • Why changing multiple variables ruins load development • Finding barrel “sweet spots” and harmonic nodes • Chronographs vs real-world group shooting • Why good components matter • Long-range testing strategies • How top shooters simplify the process Whether you’re new to reloading or trying to tighten your groups at distance, this episode gives a practical framework you can actually apply.

Most reloaders don’t have an accuracy problem… They have a complexity problem. In this episode, we break down a real scenario from a shooter trying to control every single variable — neck tension, seating pressure, reaming, powder compression… everything. And ironically? That’s exactly what was hurting his results. We get into: Why chasing perfect data can actually make things worseThe truth about seating pressure, neck tension, and “donuts”What actually matters when your rifle isn’t shootingWhy top shooters simplify instead of complicateHow to troubleshoot accuracy without going down a rabbit hole At the end of the day… Better shooting doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters.

In this episode, we break down what actually matters in reloading—and what doesn’t. From brass consistency…to annealing…to common myths that get passed around the shooting world—this conversation challenges a lot of what people believe. We get into: Why consistency matters more than anythingThe truth about annealing (and when it actually matters)Common reloading myths that waste time and hurt performanceHow small variables impact your accuracyWhy confidence in your system changes everythingThere’s no shortage of opinions in reloading…but very few people are testing what actually works. If you reload—or want better performance—this is a conversation you need to hear.

In this episode, we break down what actually matters in reloading—and what doesn’t. From Palma competition to real-world results, this conversation challenges a lot of what shooters believe about precision ammo. We get into: Why consistency matters more than anythingThe minimalist reloading approach that still winsWhat steps actually improve performance (and what don’t)Common reloading myths that waste timeHow to find your own process without overcomplicating itThere’s a point where more effort doesn’t equal better results. If you reload—or are thinking about it—this will change how you approach it.