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The range has been estimated, elevation and windage calculated - then the spotter says "Send it!" signifying the target is visble in the spotting scope, and that he is watching. The shooter fires, ... and misses. Now what?.

Introduction

Many of the Gunslinger competition stages are at unknown distances, and a few stages permit a second or multiple shots on a target. So if the shooter has missed, the spotter can advise both the Point Of Impact and shot correction in order to get the second shot on target.

This article provides a method for communicating shot correction for a team of a shooter and spotter in a field style practical long range shooting competition and has an emphasis on the spotter using prowords and consistency. 

There is no single right way to communicate but what is detailed below provides a solid basis for a team to establish a winning routine. The difficulty the spotter faces is knowing what correction is required in relation to the POI and the target. On the flat, an 800m shot with a POI that looks like it fell some 20m behind could have actually gone between the legs of a deer but look as if it went over its back. Only practice - particularly spotting bullet trace - will improve the corrections.

Other information on this page:
Introduction
Sequence Of Events
Prowords
Glossary
Frame Of Reference
Absolute Correction
Relative Correction
Clock Dial Reference
Grid Reference
Reticle Reference

Sequence Of Events

For information about hunting witha spotter read "Advantages Of Using The Long Range Spotter" by Shawn Carlock at Long Range Hunting online magazine at:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/spotter.php

Prowords

The Add and Drop for windage turret adjustments will require a lot of practice - they have different meanings depending on if right or left wind is dialled eg if right wind is dialled and the adjustment is to come left that's a reduction in windage, but if left wind is dialled and the adjustment is to come left that's an increase in windage.

Glossary

Frame Of Reference

In order to provide correct data the spotter must communicate in a frame of reference that the shooter is most comfortble with. 

Consistency:  Choose the format of how you will convey the POI and if you will be using absolute corrections or relative corrections:
(a) Clock dial reference eg "two o'clock, ten inches from edge"
(b) Grid or Reticle references eg "high seven inches, right ait inches"

Be clear what the reference relates to - it should usually be the POA, but sometimes it can be more precise to reference a specific area eg "six inches above back."

Absolute Correction

An absolute correction is where the point of impact is advised as a specific distance eg inches, yards, centimetres, or metres, or as a specific location eg a rock. The key to calling specific distances is knowing the size of an object eg either the target or something close by.  For example, a full sizes IPSC target is 18” wide and 30” high.  That gives options for fractions eg half width being 9” or multiples eg 36” is two target widths. This is most useful where the spotter does not have a reticle, but is none-the-less able to make an accurate estimate.

Example 1: “Impact tree o’clock, too seven inches from centre.  Hold elevation, come left wun point fife target widths”

Example 2: Most applicable to close misses, is an absolute change on the target.  In this case the miss may have been a coyote body shot when the Point Of Aim was the vitals and a repeat shot should get the vitals eg “Hit.  Impact tree o’clock, fo-er inches from right edge of vitals.  Hold elevation.  Come-left six inches.”

Relative Correction

A relative correction is where the point of impact is advised in the same frame of reference that the shooter is using eg mils or MOA.

The pre-requisite for this is that the spotter will be using a similar reticle in a spotting scope, or the spotter will be using a similar reticle in their riflescope.  The advantage of a spotting scope is that it will likely have a higher magnification than a riflescope, and consequently the spotter should be able to provide a more accurate call.

Arguably, the most sophisticated example is from Horus Vision, and they have coined the phrase Second Shot Correction.  The shooter may be using the Horus H37 reticle, and the spotter using the Horus H32 reticle - both in mils.  Because this method uses hold-overs for both elevation and windage, when the shooter has an experienced spotter the rate of accurate fire can be very fast – even for bolt-action rifles.

Example 4:  Both shooter and spotter using Horus Vision reticles.  The shooter uses hold-over for both the windage and elevation, and the spotter overlays the POA in their reticle eg both shooter and spotter hold "ait point fo-er mils down, wun point two mils right".  The shooter fires (and misses), the spotter sees the POI on their reticle as 8.4 mils down and 1.8 mils right, the spotter then calls the new reference eg  "Hold ait point fo-er mils down, wun point ait mils right", and the shooter takes a second shot – hit.

Where both the shooter and spotter are using other mil-dot style reticles the key again is that they both have the same reticle mark on the same POA. In this case there are options to either adjust turrets or use hold-over corrections.

Example 5: Both shooter and spotter are using a mil-dot style reticle, and both have the cross hair on the POA. The shooter fires (and misses), the spotter sees the POI on their reticle as 0.6 mils low and 0.4 mils to the right, the spotter then calls the shot correction "come-up six clicks, wind hold fo-er clicks left."

Clock Dial Reference

If the spotter is using a spotting scope that doesn't have any reticle one of the easiest ways of conveying where the bullet went is to use the clock method.

In this case the target is a 10" round at 700 yards. The POA was the centre of the circle.

The spotter calls the spotting "Miss, two o'clock, fifteen inches from centre." or "Miss, two o'clock, one and a half targets from centre."

The spotter then calls the correction"Come down wun moa, come left two moa" which is to say down 7 inches and left fourteen inches.

If the shooter is using hold-overs they could simply imagine a mirror image perpendicular to the 'hour' called, and make that the new POA (as illustrated).

The shot has missed - but using a standard set of prowords will help to convey where the bullet went in relation to the target. The shooter may have seen a bullet impact but don't count on it. The spotter must be ready and watching for bullet trace.

Grid Reference

Another method useful to a spotter using a scope without a reticle is to use an imaginary grid reference. This is usually better for conveying holdover corrections for the next shot.

In this case the target is a 10" round at 700 yards. The POA was the centre of the circle.

The spotter calls the spotting "Miss, seven inches high and fourteen inches to the right".

The spotter then calls the correction"Come down four clicks, come left ait clicks" which is to say down 7 inches and left fourteen inches (this assumes the shooters scope is in 1/4 moa clicks).

Alternatively, if the shooter is using hold-overs the spotter calls the correction "Holdover: elevation at bottom edge of target, windage at middle of chain link four."

In this case there is a reference the shooter can use for holding-over both elevation and windage. If there is no good reference to use for one or both hold-overs then a turret adjustment should be made for the missing hold-over/s. Attempting to holdover without a reference to hold on is extremely difficult, and usually results in a miss.

This target is on a steep rocky slope and misses are very visible - but ensure the call is for the impact and not the fragments sprayed around.

Reticle Reference

The most sophisticated grid reference method is when the shooter and spotter both have grid reticles.

The spotter has put the same POA on his reticle as the shooter has on his - that's 4.8 mils down and 0.5 mils left.

There is no need to call the spotting as it is the same as the correction, so the spotter simply calls the correction "Miss, come to fo-er point fife mils down, zero point wun mil right.

Disclaimer:  Shooting is potentially dangerous and damaged equipment can be expensive to fix.  You should confirm all changes to be made to your rifle system and shooting practices with your local gunsmith or gunshop owner.  The example and data above are provided for information purposes only.  No warranty is made for its suitability or use within your rifle.