shooting books?

[ra2bach]

here's a dumb question - what book would you recommend to someone wanting to get started in long range shooting?..

 

[DAVID1989]

So far I just use a small composition book in my pack to keep up with round count, cleaning, dope, and some match notes. Im about to upgrade to an impact data book soon though.

 

[Tazman308]

If you are looking for some to read, get the Brian Litz books and videos. Teaches you the theory’s of ballistics more than a how to shoot book. Gave me a good understanding of the physics of external ballistics. Sounds intimidating but Brian puts it in really easy to understand language.

 

[DAVID1989]

Think I misread your question, if you mean how to type books, I'd recommend Ryan Cleckners book, "long range shooting handbook" to start with. He breaks everything down in simple terms. After that maybe something along the line of "applied ballistics" by Brian litz

 

[OzTRG]

Hi ra2bach,

I read your question differently to David, rather than what databook (a search of this website will reveal some good recent discussion regarding data books and what people use them for) I am interpreting it to be which instructional book would be best to get you started. I recommend, assuming you are a field style shooter:
Snipercraft. Laying the groundwork for a career as a sniper. John C. Simpson
It is a great introduction, contains live and dry fire drills, building positions.

There are other good books as you progress:
The windbook for rifle shooters. Miller and Cunningham.
Secrets of Mental marksmanship. Miller and Cunningham.
Practical shooters guide. Marcus Blanchard
With winning in mind. Lanny bassham.
100+ sniper exercises. Fontcberla. Paladin press

These are the ones that I find myself going back to time after time.

For audio visual reference - Rifles only on Vimeo and Frank Galli on snipers hide training. I like Franks the best.

Enjoying the journey down the rabbit hole?

 

[OzTRG]

Oh and I forgot for slung up positional shooting:
Shooting made easy. Richard M. Remily

 

[DAVID1989]

Hi ra2bach,

I read your question differently to David, rather than what databook (a search of this website will reveal some good recent discussion regarding data books and what people use them for) I am interpreting it to be which instructional book would be best to get you started. I recommend, assuming you are a field style shooter:
Snipercraft. Laying the groundwork for a career as a sniper. John C. Simpson
It is a great introduction, contains live and dry fire drills, building positions.

There are other good books as you progress:
The windbook for rifle shooters. Miller and Cunningham.
Secrets of Mental marksmanship. Miller and Cunningham.
Practical shooters guide. Marcus Blanchard
With winning in mind. Lanny bassham.
100+ sniper exercises. Fontcberla. Paladin press

These are the ones that I find myself going back to time after time.

For audio visual reference - Rifles only on Vimeo and Frank Galli on snipers hide training. I like Franks the best.

Enjoying the journey down the rabbit hole?

Nice little list you have there lol. I might have to check some of those out.

 

[Mike 556]

Think I misread your question, if you mean how to type books, I'd recommend Ryan Cleckners book, "long range shooting handbook" to start with. He breaks everything down in simple terms. After that maybe something along the line of "applied ballistics" by Brian litz

I'm reading it right now, pretty staight forward, Mr. Cleckner does a great job. That book, coupled with the pod casts and this site has really expedited my learning curve. We are extremely fortunate to have a stable of professionals and journeymen on this site who freely share their knowledge!
Mike

 

[DAVID1989]

I'm reading it right now, pretty staight forward, Mr. Cleckner does a great job. That book, coupled with the pod casts and this site has really expedited my learning curve. We are extremely fortunate to have a stable of professionals and journeymen on this site who freely share their knowledge!
Mike

Yeah we are. The podcasts are a great resource. Listen to them everyday driving to and from work.

 

[ra2bach]

haha, yeah, sorry for the confusion. I was asking about instructional books to read but a side benefit was I hooked a reply about shooting log books, which I need to think about as well. thanks for reminding me.

when I was shooting benchrest-type rifle I had a special printed target that I could record shot/load/condition data on and I kept them in a ring binder. now I need something as this isn't practical shooting steel...

Ryan Cleckner's book is available in printed and e-book versions. I prefer e-book for most reading but would you get the printed version, for illustrations, etc?..

 

[ra2bach]

Hi ra2bach,

I read your question differently to David, rather than what databook (a search of this website will reveal some good recent discussion regarding data books and what people use them for) I am interpreting it to be which instructional book would be best to get you started. I recommend, assuming you are a field style shooter:
Snipercraft. Laying the groundwork for a career as a sniper. John C. Simpson
It is a great introduction, contains live and dry fire drills, building positions.

There are other good books as you progress:
The windbook for rifle shooters. Miller and Cunningham.
Secrets of Mental marksmanship. Miller and Cunningham.
Practical shooters guide. Marcus Blanchard
With winning in mind. Lanny bassham.
100+ sniper exercises. Fontcberla. Paladin press

These are the ones that I find myself going back to time after time.

For audio visual reference - Rifles only on Vimeo and Frank Galli on snipers hide training. I like Franks the best.

Enjoying the journey down the rabbit hole?

thanks. that's enough to get me started I think.

I'll check out the AV/podcasts too but I'm not really able to sit around and listen. I don't commute or that would be perfect...

 

[Nik H]

Hi ra2bach,

Snipercraft. Laying the groundwork for a career as a sniper. John C. Simpson
It is a great introduction, contains live and dry fire drills, building positions.

There are other good books as you progress:
Secrets of Mental marksmanship. Miller and Cunningham.
Practical shooters guide. Marcus Blanchard
100+ sniper exercises. Fontcberla. Paladin press

These are the ones that I find myself going back to time after time.

For audio visual reference - Rifles only on Vimeo and Frank Galli on snipers hide training. I like Franks the best.

Enjoying the journey down the rabbit hole?

I have read these as well and totally agree. Secrets of Mental Marksmanship is one of the best. Really teaches from a different perspective

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I have Cleckner's as the E-Book, and have bought about a half dozen to hand out to friends who show serious interest in the LR aspects of shooting.

Greg

 

[Mike 556]

haha, yeah, sorry for the confusion. I was asking about instructional books to read but a side benefit was I hooked a reply about shooting log books, which I need to think about as well. thanks for reminding me.

when I was shooting benchrest-type rifle I had a special printed target that I could record shot/load/condition data on and I kept them in a ring binder. now I need something as this isn't practical shooting steel...

Ryan Cleckner's book is available in printed and e-book versions. I prefer e-book for most reading but would you get the printed version, for illustrations, etc?..

I got the printed version. The pictures and illustrations are worth the price. Helped me to understand the shooting positions by referring to the pictures. The old saying, A picture is worth a thousand words, hold true with this book. When I dry fire, Ill refer to the pictures, just to keep things straight in my feeble mind!
Mike

 

[ra2bach]

I got the printed version. The pictures and illustrations are worth the price. Helped me to understand the shooting positions by referring to the pictures. The old saying, A picture is worth a thousand words, hold true with this book. When I dry fire, Ill refer to the pictures, just to keep things straight in my feeble mind!
Mike

oh. I was hoping to get the Kindle version. the pics will show up on Kindle Fire though, right?..

 

[Mike 556]

oh. I was hoping to get the Kindle version. the pics will show up on Kindle Fire though, right?..

Dont really know, Im still stuck in 1976. I just learned to post pictures a few weeks ago! Perhaps some of the more with it members can help.

 

[OzTRG]

I’m hip enough to be square ?. The pictures come through on fine on my older kindle and on the iPad. You should be fine. I prefer paper but then again I’m getting on a bit in years

 

[ReaperMedic]

oh. I was hoping to get the Kindle version. the pics will show up on Kindle Fire though, right?..

I have the digital version. Pictures come in just fine.

 

[ra2bach]

damn, I ordered the paperback before y'all replied...

 

[...]

honestly....if you are brand spanking new......skip the books.

books can help refine techniques, and diagnose problems.......but they cant teach you to shoot.

i would get some actual instruction......learn to build a solid foundation.....and fully understand why you are doing what youre doing.....then go ahead and get some learning material.

 

[Mudlol]

Books are good for the very basics and do give ideas. But fall short when you are trying to fix your own issues since you cannot ask anyone questions.

 

[ra2bach]

honestly....if you are brand spanking new......skip the books.

books can help refine techniques, and diagnose problems.......but they cant teach you to shoot.

i would get some actual instruction......learn to build a solid foundation.....and fully understand why you are doing what youre doing.....then go ahead and get some learning material.

thanks. it's not like I never shot before. I used to shoot CMP High Power on KD ranges but I've not shot with a scope at distance except for my hunting rife, and I've not shot much from a bipod.

what I hope to benefit is from learning processes, dialogue and commands, and how to run the gun and the associated hardware and software...

 

[stradibarrius]

+1 on the Cleckner book
the Ultimate Sniper by Plaster
Long Range Precision Rifle, by Crincinoe

There are a couple of suggestions I think I will get, The Secrets of Mental Marksmanship is one. Snipercraft, Laying the Groundwork for a Carrer as a Sniper is another. Although I have no interest in becoming a "sniper"....I'm 65, The techniques to improve my marksmanship skills sounds good.

 

[Gray Squirrel]

Honestly though, books and videos will only get you so far. I'd look at taking a long range shooting 101 type course in your area. Or join a club or show up to a LR shooting match and network a little bit.