The Basics?

[McReef]

I am about 250 rounds into my first “real” rifle. Learning the basics of precision shooting. I am pretty much doing it on my own physically, but am trying to pick up as much as I can through reading, listening to some of the ES, and watching (and rewatching) the Rifles Only videos.

I am driving a Tac A1, with an Atlas bipod, a Trijicon A.P. 4.5-30, shooting Hornady 147 ELD factory ammo. I am limited to 100 yards by my local range for most of my shooting, but I am not sure this is really a “limitation” for me at this point as my errors show up just fine at 100.

Here comes the stupid question. I have been shooting exclusively in the prone. I don’t think I heard this defacto stated anywhere as “the way to go”, but it seems from everything I have been picking up that marksmanship starts there. I have sort of taken this as an invitation to focus my efforts on getting this right before throwing more variables into the mix by varying the mechanics around with different positions. Does this seems like a solid approach?

If I haven’t run too far off the road yet, and assuming I am on the right track, what am I aiming for here? With my equipment, what sort of accuracy am I looking to achieve before I can say to myself that I have a decent foundation on which to build. Or, to put it another way, what would you consider an degree of error that indicates I still have work to do on my basic fundamentals?

I undrstand that there is always room for improvement, I am just trying to set some goals for myself. Having something to work towards will help keep me on point.

Thanks in advance for any input you have to offer.

 

[McReef]

As a point of reference, I shot this yesterday afternoon. I started at the bottom, and worked left to right on each row. The 2 fliers down there are me re-zeroing after adjusting and re-torquing my scope for eye relief and level.

All of the shots at between 12 and 3 O’clock and at or inside the 10 ring “felt good”, while I almost knew without looking that I screwed up the others. Nothing stellar I know, but much better than where I started...

 

[ShtrRdy]

It looks like you're doing well.

For me I just set some goals for myself. But first you have to prove to yourself that your "weapon system" is up to the task. I set a group size of 1/2 moa while shooting off a bench. I want to be able to do this multiple times. Then when shooting prone I had a goal to hit within 1/2 moa from where I was aiming whenever i got behind the rifle.

You can pick your own goals and work on being consistent. Then you can define tougher goals as desired.

 

[Racer88]

If you like reading (and watching videos), I would highly recommend joining the Online Training Forum here on the Hide. $15 / month. Cancel at any time. Last time I checked, I think there are over 60 training videos. Well worth it. It will jump-start your knowledge base in a big way!

 

[Erno86]

There is a DVD set available from champion marksman David Tubb - "The Art & Technique of the Modern Match Rifle"

Here is the promotional trailer:

 

[OLD308]

With 100 yards you can do a lot of great training. With Dry firing you can do a lot of great training. Dot drills with in 100 yards are a fun, aggravating, and humiliating. Shooter be ware. Dry firing off chairs and the like are great and cheap.

Yes the fundamentals start on your belly. If you can’t get proper bone support, breathing, trigger control, bolt movement, etc on the ground you will be lost. No one is perfect. That’s why we all practice. Precision is about consistency. That’s the game. Good luck and welcome down the rabbit hole.

 

[McReef]

Thanks all for the input.

@ShtrRdy, It is interesting how you mention groups and then distance from your point of aim as you did. I was wondering about this.

I have been focusing on trying to get a consistent point of impact in relation to where I am aiming. I haven’t really tried shooting groups so much, maybe I should.

Also, when you say “each time I get behind the rifle” are you getting down into prone, firing or shot , getting back up, then repeating the process with an eye to a repeatable result?

@Racer88 and @Erno86, I will certainly be investing further in educational materials and resources. Thanks for the recommendations.

@OLD308, Thanks for the welcome. I figure you are right about 100 yards being able to teach me plenty, my targets tell me I still have much to learn.

I have heard tell of this “dot drill” of which you speak. I will need to look into that some more.

 

[flyer]

Wrong forum, not stupid.

 

[Mr. Z]

1/2” groups from a factory rifle with factory ammo are possible, but not likely. I’m a 1/2 moa group shooter “every time, when I do my part” when I’ve got 40 groups to sort through to put the best two on here. If you can cover a five shot group at 100 with a quarter your doing just fine. Don’t discount in person training from a reputable source, it helped me immensely. Good luck!

 

[McReef]

1/2” groups from a factory rifle with factory ammo are possible, but not likely. I’m a 1/2 moa group shooter “every time, when I do my part” when I’ve got 40 groups to sort through to put the best two on here. If you can cover a five shot group at 100 with a quarter your doing just fine. Don’t discount in person training from a reputable source, it helped me immensely. Good luck!

Thanks.

Yes, I am planning to take a class/classes at some point. I will most likely have to do some traveling for that though, where my range is 1/4 mile from my driveway. It is on my list.