Advanced Marksmanship new to long range shooting

deboer

Private
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2011
9
0
31
Archer, IA (northwest, IA)
Hi I'm new to long range shooting. So all the help I can get would be nice. The rifle I'm shooting is a Savage Edge .308 win with a bi-pod mounted on it. I just bought a rear bag to give me a more solid rest. And yesterday I went out and shot at 200 yard. Put 18 rounds down range and put 13 in the paper, one I seen low, two I know I jerked on. So I would like any tip that you all have for me, to help me out.
thanks Craig
 
Re: new to long range shooting

Start with the fundamentals of marksmanship and go from there. If you do some digging around you will find what your looking for. Check out Sterling Shooter's post, he comes off rough but knows what he's talking about.
 
Re: new to long range shooting

Thats one of the things I like about this sport..How our expectations change..I mean the first time at 200 and you got 13 of 18 on paper and im sure you were happy with thoes results(nothing wrong with that either). In a year if all 18 of thoes shots are not in a 2 inch(or smaller) circle you want to know why the hell not......

I would say that learning something correctly is way easier than learning it wrong then having to forget what you learned and learn it correctly...

There is a TON of knowledge here...and a few keyboard Gestapo

just start reading you will find examples of what to ask and how to ask it..and you will also see where new guys show up and ask the same question for the 1000th time...
 
Re: new to long range shooting

Start off by reading this thread: Fundamental of Marksmanship

Also, I recommend you sign up for the online training. You will find the instructions on how to do that here.

I recommend you get some first hand instruction from some experienced shooters. Look for CMP/NRA shooters that will really know their stuff on marksmanship. Local ranges in your area may have some programs available. I always recommend shooting as many competitions as you're capable of. You may not be competitive, but you'll always learn something and meet some really great guys in the process, and that's what really counts to the new shooter anyhow.

Finally, don't get caught up in the gear race just yet. Get yourself the basic equipment to get started, which you pretty much already have, learn how to use it first and what works and what doesn't, then go shopping. Check out the other shooter's gear at the range and talk to them about it. It will save you from wasting your money on stuff you either don't need or from buying sub-standard equipment you'll just be regretting later.

The most important thing you should be getting right now is quality match grade ammunition or components to load it yourself, then practice away.

Welcome to the sport.
smile.gif
 
Re: new to long range shooting

A good coach is the best. Baring that, get this book for $6.95. Granted its about Service Rifle but it covers the fundamentals better then any thing else for the price.

https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/c...note5=&max=

Also consider taking a high power clinic or a CMP GSM Clinic. Fundamentals are Fundamentals.

Check the CMP Website for a clinic close to you.
 
Re: new to long range shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HillbillyfromAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was going to ask how big the paper was, but it seems like your on the right track. Good luck and you'll learn slot here if you want to. </div></div>

it was like a 12 by 12 tagert
 
Re: new to long range shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deboer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HillbillyfromAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was going to ask how big the paper was, but it seems like your on the right track. Good luck and you'll learn slot here if you want to. </div></div>

it was like a 12 by 12 tagert</div></div>

Don't sweat it everyone starts somewhere. I would also suggest doing the online lessons. Like someone above mentioned it won't be long before your shooting 2in targets at 200yds. Just remember the fundamentals and dry fire a lot.
 
Re: new to long range shooting

The Savage Edge, now known as the Axis, is a lot of gun for the money. I don't think there are any others out there with the sort of utility built into the Axis for such a low price, like $289.99 with scope, rings and base. WOW!

On the topic of LR, remember, the scope and bipod can deceive you into thinking you know how to shoot when in reality these devices are distractions to learning anything about good shooting. To understand that, just borrow a service rifle and put a few rounds down range. The results will reveal you likely could benefit from some marksmanship training. Also, with the sort of scope you have, although the target/reticle relationship is easy to acquire and maintain, at least until you've pulled the trigger, that relationship may not ever have a proper corollary to where the barrel is actually pointed. What I'm getting at here is you need to have a consistent relationship between the eyeball and the eyepiece too, to minimize the effect of parallax error. And, whether using a bipod or a sandbag support, be sure to follow through, that's to say, maintain aim until recoil has subsided.

 
Re: new to long range shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deboer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok and when you guys say "dry fire" isn't that bad for your gun?? </div></div> Maybe if it was built in 1920 or so. Perfectly fine for modern firearms. Have at it.
 
Re: new to long range shooting

When you purchase an over the counter rifle to do long range shooting there are a couple of item you may wish to address.

1- Have the rifle glass bedded by a person who KNOWS what he is doing. This should cost between 50 and 75.00 dollars. Doing this will increase the ability of the rifle to be consistent from shot to shot.

2. Have a trigger job done by a person Who really KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. Should cost 100-150 dollars. This will help you to be consistent.

you can expect a marked improvement to the capability of the rifle
 
Re: new to long range shooting

Team up and practice shooting with someone who is an experienced shooter. With their observation and input, you will acquire more knowledge than by shooting alone.

You can and will learn alot from watching and being critiqued by someone who has experience.

Once you got the fundamentals down, then:

Practice, Practice, Practice ...is key.
 
Re: new to long range shooting

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ddb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When you purchase an over the counter rifle to do long range shooting there are a couple of item you may wish to address.

1- <span style="font-weight: bold">Have the rifle glass bedded by a person who KNOWS what he is doing. This should cost between 50 and 75.00 dollars. Doing this will increase the ability of the rifle to be consistent from shot to shot</span>.

2. Have a trigger job done by a person Who really KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. Should cost 100-150 dollars. This will help you to be consistent.

you can expect a marked improvement to the capability of the rifle </div></div>

whats glass bedded