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While it's easy for a precision shooter to start banging away at steel targets at long range, there are a number of drills that can be done at 100m / yds that will increase the ability to get first shot hits.

Introduction

Most precision rifles used in practical long range shooting are capable of achieving less than one MOA precision. That usually far exceeds the ability of the shooter, but with a little practice on the fundamentals of marksmanship most people can quickly improve their hit probability.

Shooting is a perishable skill, and while it may not always be possible to head out into the field there is usually a 100m or 100yd rifle range close to most cities. In New Zealand the Deerstalkers Association and National Rifle Association have rifle ranges and regular competitions (although most certified ranges are restricted to rifles with a calibre of less than 8mm).

This article describes various drills that can be conducted at short range, and if practised regularly will result in significant increases in the number of long range hits. For those shooters with medium calibre rifles eg .338LM, there is also benefit in practicing shooting fundamentals with a similarly configured rimfire rifle - it's certainly far cheaper!

Other information on this page:
Introduction
Fundamentals Of Marksmanship
Accuracy And Precision
Cold Bore
Dot Drills
Know Your Limits
Shot Analysis

Fundamentals Of Marksmanship For Precision Shooting

While the fundamentals of marksmanship generally apply to all shooting disciplines, there are some areas of emphasis for a precision rifle shooter - in particular trigger control. In addition to learning good trigger finger placement the precision rifle shooter must also overcome the tendency to push a bad shot. If the act of drawing the trigger finger back pulls the cross hairs off target the shooter must learn to relax the finger, reset the finger placement, and then restart.

The fundamentals of precision rifle marksmanship are:

• Sighting and aiming
  • Eye relief
  • Rifle alignment (to avoid cant)
  • Sight picture
• Breath control
• Trigger control
  • Trigger finger placement (contact between the finger tip and the second joint)
• Follow through

The elements of a good shooting position are:

• Bone support (not muscle support)
• Muscular relaxation
• Natural point of aim

If you have an observer present they can also identify any poor habits, such as:

• Flinching
  • Moving your head
  • Closing your eyes
  • Tensing non-shooting arm

In the USA, to attend a Marksmanship Clinic, contact Project Appleseed at the Revolutionary War Veterans Association at:

http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

To read The Rifleman Series of shooting fundamentals, courtesy of Freds M14 Stocks, visit The Rifleman blog at:

Part Four: Firing The Shot:

http://the-rifleman.blogspot.com/2008/03/part-four-firing-shot.html

Part Five: Natural Point Of Aim (NPOA):

http://the-rifleman.blogspot.com/2008/03/part-five-natural-point-of-aim-npoa.html

Part Six: Common Firing Line Errors:

http://the-rifleman.blogspot.com/2008/03/part-six-common-firing-line-errors.html

Accuracy And Precision

Accuracy is the ability to achieve a group in the correct place. Whereas precision is the ability to keep a group small. The precision rifle shooter must be both accurate and precise.

The minimum size for a precision rifle group should be a string of at least five shots. Three shots is not enough to provide any meaningful analysis. Five shots provides an indication of repeatability and consistency. It is easy to explain away a 'flyer' as an aberation. But by establishing consistency the shooter will be able to confidently achieve first time hits.

In example X3, the group size is 2.5 MOA, and is accurate, but not precise. On a 12" target at 800yds the group size will be some 20", including shots to the left and right of the target. Without addressing the accuracy issue the shooter will likely compensate by adjusting windage and end up compounding the error and 'dancing' around the target.

In example W2, the group size is 1.5 MOA, and is precise, but not accurate. On a 12" target at 800 yards the group size will be some 12", but will all miss to the left of the target. Without addressing the precision issue the shooter will likely compensate by adjusting windage, and will get some shots on target.

In example W1, the group size is 1 MOA, and is both accurate and precise. On a 12" target at 800 yards the group size will be some 8" - and all on target.

That means when the AWSM is aimed using the RMR it won't be on a perpendicular axis, but that it'll be canted to a 45 degree angle. A word of caution here - the AWSM is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, so it has a bit of recoil - that means the rifle must still be shouldered.

To understand the different methods for defining MOA precision read Target Analysis from Recreational Software Inc at:

http://www.shootingsoftware.com/measure.htm

Accurate but not precise.

Precise but not accurate.

Accurate and precise.

Cold Bore

Military snipers and Police marksman don't get get any sight-in shot, so it is imperative they know what the cold bore impact is. Being a first shot in a cold barrel the cold bore shot will often be a little low. Knowing how low is simply a matter of recording where the cold bore shot is in relation to the recorded zero.

Dot Drills

Impact Data Books have a variety of pages to record Dot Drills and Know Your Limits drills - and by recording your results you not only have a record of what should be improvement over time, but also a reliable record for analysing your results.

The Dot Drills you practice are limited only by your imagination. To get started Impact Data Books have instructions for Dot Drills including:

• Drill 1 - 5 shot Rapid bolt drill (Prone)
• Drill 2 - 10 shot Rapid bolt drill (Prone)
• Drill 3 - 5 shot Rapid bolt drill (Prone weak side)
• Drill 4 - 10 shot Rapid bolt drill (Prone weak side)
• Drill 7 - 21 dot drill

To download instructions for Dot Drills download the IDB Drills from Impact Data Books at:

http://www.impactdatabooks.com

To purchase data book pages for recording Dot Drill practise visit Impact Data Books at:

http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Drills_s/70.htm

To subscribe to the Sniper Hide OnLine Training visit Snipers Hide at at:

http://www.snipershide.com/category/snipers-hide-online-training/

To read about the Sniper Hide Dot Drill - Lesson 23, visit Snipers Hide at at:

http://www.snipershide.com/2010/10/basic-lesson-23-snipers-hide-dot-drill/

Know Your Limits

Another drill that Impact Data Books have instructions for is Know Your Limits (KYL), where the dots decrease in size:

• Drill 5 - Know Your Limitations(Prone)
• Drill 6 - Know Your Limitations (Prone weak side)

The major advantage of KYL practice is that it teaches the point at which hit probability is lost - and that is of great benefit to hunters.

A variation on KYL is to place the same sized metal gongs at increasing distances eg an 8" gong at each of 600yds, 700yds, 800yds, and 900yds. And that adds the complexity of reading the wind as well.

To purchase data book pages for recording Know Youy Limits practise visit Impact Data Books at:

http://www.impactdatabooks.com/Drills_s/70.htm

Shot Analysis

The advantage of shooting at 100m / yds is that it elimates issues caused by incorrect windage, allowing the shooter to concentrate on analysing their fundaments.

Three of the most common shooting errors are:

• A group pulled to the left (W2) indicates the trigger finger is not being pulled straight back (in this case a right handed shooter - a left handed shooter would pull the group to the right)
• A group more like a verticle line (W1) indicates the shot is being fired at different times in the breathing sequence
• A group more like a horizontal line (X3) indicates the the shooter is muscling the rifle

In each example above there is an errant shot, indicating that there is usually more than one shooting fundamental that can be improved.

Download the handout from the Appleseed Marksmanship Clinic on Shot Group Analysis at:

ASprimerTalkingTargetsHandout.pdf

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 with your rifle.