On this episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Richard Nance sat down with Tom Beckstrand, Guns & Ammo Rifle and Optics Editor, tracing his journey from plinking beer bottles in Nevada to serving as a West Point graduate, Ranger School alum, Special Forces team leader in Afghanistan, and sniper team leader in Iraq with the Commanders In-Extremis Force, enhanced by Marine Corps Scout Sniper training. Tom shares his combat-informed perspective on selecting reliable bolt-action rifles for precision, debunking cheap scope myths, and praising Aimpoint red dots for ruggedness, while highlighting NRL Hunter competitions for practical marksmanship skills. He reflects on his 2020 Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Award for educating shooters and his passion for sharing knowledge through Guns & Ammo TV, emphasizing learning from failure and choosing dependable gear for critical tasks.
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