Air rifle for practice

[wwrhodes91]

You think it is beneficial at all? I was on the college 10 meter air rifle team, and (while it was mostly standing position) the prone position used is very different from shooting long range rifles. So do you think it would be cheap trigger time, or maybe potentially even have a negative effect? It would be nice to get some cheap practice in at home other than dry firing.

 

[StayHidden]

Re: Air rifle for practice

You could certainly work on things like form and follow through with it.

 

[StayHidden]

Re: Air rifle for practice

Actually just stumbled across this post so I would say you would't be the first to get some practice in with a 10m air rifle:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WhiskeyWebber</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is where I learned a lot by shooting an air rifle in my garage. I realized I was in a complete hurry and distracted by everything at the range. Shooting in my garage taught me how to relax behind the gun...maybe for the first real time. Dry fire work is good but I find I get more feedback from a 10m air rifle... there is actually a real target that I'm following through on and I can check my call after each trigger pull....</div></div>

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: Air rifle for practice

One thing that helped my trigger squeeze more than anything is my Olympic style air pistol. Make me really concentrate on a straight pull, breathing, and follow through.

 

[mrfudd]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I use a scoped Gamo for practice before hunting in Africa. It is excellent for developing techniques for shooting off sticks.

 

[30SMK]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I usually practice with a 22. It helps my trigger squeeze and form with loading the bipod and follow through without having major recoil.

any time will help for fundamental reasons if nothing else.

 

[olivera10]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I do it because I think it helps muscle memory
when I can't get to the range as often as I would like
I can still practice the fundamentals for pennies a shot

 

[Adrenolin]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I'm just starting to shoot long gun and have been shooting a Benjamin Marauder air rifle in .22 with the 10-round mags and a cheap scope quite a bit. This rifle is absolutely quiet as well. i'm currently only shooting in the basement at about 12yards at a homemade target box lined with a putty to collect the pellets.. No lead dust issues this way and keeps things clean.

This has taught me how to setup a scope, breath, relax and gain patients taking time with each shot. No recoil to deal with at all from this rifle so you don't have to factor in flinch at this point. It's the perfect next step up from dry firing the way I see it.

At 12 yards I'm now consistently making a single hole in the target and think its been a great training tool. I'm now looking to move to 25 yards but aside from the local indoor range not sure where to go. Need to start asking around but don't know many people in the area.

Might be time to start using the Ruger 10/22 at the range.

 

[Graham]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwrhodes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You think it is beneficial at all?</div></div>No.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwrhodes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You think it is beneficial at all? I was on the college 10 meter air rifle team, and (while it was mostly standing position) the prone position used is very different from shooting long range rifles. So do you think it would be cheap trigger time, or maybe potentially even have a negative effect? It would be nice to get some cheap practice in at home other than dry firing. </div></div>

The CMP and the 4H support 3P/4P air rifle programs. Champion's Choice sells a variant of the Annie 8002S where the forend can take a handstop, just to support the CMP 3P air programs.

Steve123 here on the 'hide is a national champion level Field Air Rifle shooter, with a very nice field air course in his yard. Ask him what he thinks about air practice for other disciplines.

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: Air rifle for practice


Depends on the air rifle. A spring gun is better than not training with an air rifle, but a PcP is best. The latter has little, if any, recoil. The former recoils forward when the piston abruptly stops against the end of the air chamber. That characteristic requires a loose hold of the spring gun which, depending on how you plan to use the center fire, might cause problems.

Champions David Tubb and Glenn Zediker train with air guns. Go figure.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I want one of those Olympic ones, the FWB or Anschultz

I have been window shopping them for weeks. I am gonna use one, positional shooting etc.

 

[Adrenolin]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwrhodes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You think it is beneficial at all?</div></div>No. </div></div>
Could you explain why you think this? Not calling you out but honestly interested in why.

I know 6 months ago my rifle skills sucked and were nonexistent. I spent under 700.00 for a dead silent PCP rifle, hand pump, scope, 2000 rounds and a homemade target trap. I'm able to shoot at home later at night when I have some free time. I've noticed my skills have increased a lot and I've gained a ton of information from first hand experience. Not saying its all correct but I'm shooting a hell of a lot better. I'm looking forward to moving on towards the next step which will be at the range using both the PCP and the Ruger 10/22 I have.

 

[Graham]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Adrenolin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwrhodes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You think it is beneficial at all?</div></div>No. </div></div>Could you explain why you think this? Not calling you out but honestly interested in why.

</div></div>The OP changed the title of his Thread without telling anyone. His first title referred to an ‘Airsoft Rifle’. After I gave my answer he changed the title to ‘Air rifle’. So now nobody knows which replies were to which question.

Is an air rifle for practice beneficial at all? Well….. It depends to whom and for what. Simply asking whether something is beneficial makes no sense. Is it beneficial to breathe air? Probably. But you breathing air may not be beneficial to my breathing the same air. Or, then again, it might be. We can’t know for sure without more information. Here the OP asked a question that could be answered with a Yes or a No. I gave him a ‘No’. Others might have said ‘Yes’. Both are equally valid because the OP didn’t spend the time to ask about specifics.

Practicing with an air rifle is beneficial to reinforce in the shooter which end of the apparatus the projectile flies from, but it is not beneficial to learning to make wind corrections on follow-up shots with a .308. For learning target shooting fundamentals I do see the benefit. But for most of what we do, I still don’t see it.

It’s like rock climbing: Are my hours spent in the climbing gym beneficial? It depends for what. Do they help me with the fundamentals of balance, movement and muscle conditioning? Sure. But do they help me spot routes, read the weather or place protection? Nope. Practical precision rifle shooting, unlike target shooting, is less about a repetitive execution of the same fundamentals the same way under controlled conditions at every match and more about solving problems and improvising solutions. Some climbers will tell you to spend your training time at the indoor gym. I will tell you that there is no substitute for real climbing if you want to really learn how to climb. Same thing with our kind of rifle shooting: The best way to learn to do it, and to get better at it, is to go do it. Of course, that assumes that you are already at a basic level of competency with the fundamentals.

Should you also practice in your basement with your air rifle in the winter? Sure. Other answers to his post could as easily have been:
+1
Cool!
+1000
Nice Rifle!
LOL!
Great post.
LMFAO!
I like air rifles too!!!!

 

[Adrenolin]

Re: Air rifle for practice

Graham, thanks for the reply. I didn't realize the original topic was regarding airsoft. Agreed that I see no usefulness using an airsoft rifle.

I'm happy with the results I've made with the PCP rifle over the last few months and looking forwards to the range and the 10/22. I see taking the air rifle also as it in itself is a blast to use so I'd like to continue with it out further then my basement will allow.

I have no illusions of becoming a marksman but I do believe in spending the time on basics and progressing slowly. To me it's worth the time to learn something correctly.

 

[Graham]

Re: Air rifle for practice

You know, you bring up a good point: The other way to look at is is that shooting (marksmanship) is a perishable skill and that any shooting has benefit to any other shooting.

That said, this may not be true for shotgun shooting and precision rifle shooting because, for me, practice yanking a shotgun trigger screws-up my precision rifle trigger pull big-time.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You know, you bring up a good point: The other way to look at is is that shooting (marksmanship) is a perishable skill and that any shooting has benefit to any other shooting.
</div></div>

I just got back from the AZ Palma Championship. 2012 has been the least amount of trigger time for me (across multiple disciplines - some nonexistent, the rest greatly reduced) in the last 9 years. My scores were down a consistent 4 points per day (on a 450 point COF) from previous 800-1k match results in Phoenix, taking me from the top 2-4 to 19th.....

Most of the mistakes were execution, not wind calls, as conditions were stellar this year all 3 days.

I am a big believer in cross discipline training, as long as it is not shotgun, when it comes to the precision shooting sports. Besides, it's FUN... in case we left that out of the equation.

 

[Graham]

Re: Air rifle for practice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H_Cracka</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Besides, it's FUN... in case we left that out of the equation. </div></div>I agree but, depending on where you are seeded in the standings, constant practice of the fundamentals becomes necessary simply to avoid falling further behind in competition the next year. It's fun, but for those who shoot as well as you do it's also necessary work to stay on top.

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: Air rifle for practice


"Your understanding is not important to the truth." - A Course In Miracles.

 

[DOA]

Re: Air rifle for practice

Any trigger time, be it arigun or .22 should be helpful.

 

[Drifter]

Re: Air rifle for practice


agree. Any trigger time is valuable sustainment training.

I am addicted to all forms of shooting and have a pile of air rifles as well as powder burners.
Springers , or PCP both great tools it just depends what you want to spend and exactly what you want. Over the last ten years I have run the gammet of air rifles from cheap springers to PCPs and 10m guns, just kind of test riding everything. They are as addicting as firearms when you really start looking at quality guns.

If you buy a quality used gun you can easily get your money back if it is not what you want.


anyone who can put hands on one, springer, pcp, whatever hang a silver dollar sized target from about 5' of heavy mono or other at about 40-50yds. The small reactive target (steel or NRA coin) will swing when hit and sway in the wind, making follow up shots even harder.
Offhand, kneeling, Prone, off the slider its all good.

That little swinging coin through glass.....think shooting from a hover at a moving target.



LL,
If you want to try out a FWB without dumping too much coin look for Jim E on the American airguns classifieds, I think he sells about a dozen lightly used FWBs on there a week.

 

[Adrenolin]

Re: Air rifle for practice

The coin idea is great and something I'm going to give a try. Thanks! Currently my target is the 1/2" hole in a grade 8 washer at 12 yards and its become easy at this point. Today I setup an outdoor target box at 30 yards off our back deck.. or 35 from our kitchen table

. This will allow me to continue to practice with the Marauder from home while reaching out a bit more.
Thinking night time with a crackling fire in the deck firepit beside the deck table with a dim light inside the target box!

I really need to find an outdoor shooting area in the Delaware area!

 

[Nathaniel4545]

Re: Air rifle for practice

My Grandfather, an ex army sharp shooter, taught me to shoot with a air rifle that was open sights. It was an old Crosman pump style air rifle. I would practice shooting all the time.I eventually moved on to a benjamin sheridan .22 air rifle and I could hit a quarter sitting anywhere in our back yeard. I think it is beneficial to anyone to stay on top of shooting, as they say practice makes perfect. even though you do not get the recoil of a powder burning rifle it still allows you to work with the mechanics of fundamental shooting.

 

[chase16]

Re: Air rifle for practice

They can definitely be a lot of fun. Get a cheap mil-dot scope and have some fun with some pests.

 

[Barn Side]

Re: Air rifle for practice

I performed my zero in the prone supported and most were hitting the centre of the bull’s eye then I thought I would shoot in the prone unsupported.

My groups in the prone unsupported were low and to the right.
It was an air rifle and I was about thirty meters away.

Any idea where I might be going wrong?

 

[Casey Simpson]

Re: Air rifle for practice


Something about natural point of aim, and follow through.

 

[Barn Side]

Re: Air rifle for practice

Thanks Casey much appreciated.