training for long distance on a 400m range

[B3owulf]

Hi all, I have lurked on here on and off for a while and it is time to finally post. Have a stupid question so here we go.

My local range "only" goes out to 400m and has both steel and normal target frames. What are your thoughts on training for long distance shooting on a shorter length range like this?

So far I have just been shooting steel which is fun...but it is not very challenging with a good rifle/optic. Thinking about options to get better and these are my thoughts so far:
1) focus on fundamentals, use paper targets and try make small groupings and build DOPE out to 400m
2) keep going with the steel targets and work on rapidly transitioning between targets
3) pull the optic off and challenge myself with iron sights.

What recommendations do you have? What can I do on this range to build fundamentals for longer distances?

 

[seanh]

Dot drills. One shot per. A piece of cardboard and some sticky dots from the office supply store will work great.

 

[Clearlight]

Smaller caliber (22 lr or 223), smaller targets, harder positions, less zoom, more wnd.
Shooting 22lr @ 400 is the cheapest ELR practice you can get.

 

[B3owulf]

OK, that sounds simple.

what else we got?

 

[jab00]

My range stops at 330 yards at the berm and I’ve been using one of these 2.5” plates to add some challenge to the short distance. My only complaint is that it takes awhile for it to settle down after I hit it.

if you really want to frustrate yourself, they have a 1.5”plate as well

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[brianf]

as said small targets, also back off the magnification

 

[Mike Casselton]

Golf balls are a fun and challenging target at 300yds.
I did modify the rack with two additional cross braces to stop the wiggling.

They are attached with a 1/2" long button head screw and a loop on the end of the string.
They can take a lot of punishment before needing to be replaced. If you hit the ball where the screw goes in, it'll come off, but otherwise they last a while.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Step the target size down that is challenging for you. For some that’s 1moa and others it’s 3moa. As you get better, step the size down.

Unless you’re shooting in switchy winds, only the first shot or two is any good for wind training as you now have the call. Better training for wind would be carrying your kestrel around when not shooting, guessing wind speed and checking with kestrel.

The awesome thing is this is all based on angular measurements, positions, and fundamentals. If you’re shooting off a barricade, a 1moa target is a 1moa target no matter what. Your wobble is your wobble. So we can practice 90% of what we need at 100yds if we have to.

 

[oniak]

Have you thought about doing any positional shooting: shooting while clamped into a tripod head, shooting off a bag resting on tripod head, shooting off of a make-shift barricade (https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/prs-diy-barricades-pics-encouraged.6933355/). That will add some challenge compared to shooting off a bench or prone.

 

[acudaowner]

like others have mentioned you could shrink up your target 1'' circles at 400 yards or less if your really brazen you could try 1/4 circle targets I personally like the golf ball thing the guy made that pretty cool looking good luck which ever or what ever you use .

 

[308pirate]

Hi all, I have lurked on here on and off for a while and it is time to finally post. Have a stupid question so here we go.

My local range "only" goes out to 400m and has both steel and normal target frames. What are your thoughts on training for long distance shooting on a shorter length range like this?

So far I have just been shooting steel which is fun...but it is not very challenging with a good rifle/optic. Thinking about options to get better and these are my thoughts so far:
1) focus on fundamentals, use paper targets and try make small groupings and build DOPE out to 400m
2) keep going with the steel targets and work on rapidly transitioning between targets
3) pull the optic off and challenge myself with iron sights.

What recommendations do you have? What can I do on this range to build fundamentals for longer distances?

If you haven't seen this post, you should read it. The advice in it is money: https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...r-the-novice-to-intermediate-shooter.7018952/

 

[Gustav7]

OK, that sounds simple.

what else we got?

Every time I go to the range, I usually fire one cold bore shot at 100yds at a 1in orange dot. The goal is to be in that circle every time. Then I fire a 3-5 shot group redoing my position/hands/rearbag/cheekweld every shot. The goal is to keep all 3-5 shots within the circle. These beginning drills I do work towards accuracy as opposed to purely precision.

This also confirms my zero each time, lets me know if my coldbore shots are off, etc. Sort of a warm up before I do whatever I'm doing that day with my rifle.

My range stops at 300 so I try to do work at each 100yd spot, with different sized dots. Each yardage I'm dialing in my elevation making sure its spot on. Recording when/if its not.

I try to record all weather each time, etc.

You could work positional shooting till the end of time and still get better.

 

[B3owulf]

Tried some of this stuff this weekend and had a great time at the range.

Definitely will need to try that golf ball set up! First I need to find somewhere with ammo in stock though lol

 

[adubeau]

You can add clay pigeons to that list of targets - I set them at 600yds I miss more than I hit but its fun as hell though.

 

[Batemanb12]

Golf balls are a fun and challenging target at 300yds.
I did modify the rack with two additional cross braces to stop the wiggling.

View attachment 7419085

They are attached with a 1/2" long button head screw and a loop on the end of the string.
They can take a lot of punishment before needing to be replaced. If you hit the ball where the screw goes in, it'll come off, but otherwise they last a while.

These at 400 with a .22 will teach you wind reading skills...