Training ideas for sharpshooter classes, other than shooting

[bjorn17]

Hey guys, long time lurker, first time poster on these forums. Not to the point.

This weekend need to fill some time for sharpshooter classes. One portion of class will be on shooting exersises, the other half need to spend their quality time without shooting, but still something related to marksman or sharpshooter training.

All the guys will be equipped with basic gear and rifle with mildot scopes. We have planned different range finding exercises but would like something different to add as well.

Any good ideas?

 

[tobedell]

Wordsearch, it gets your eyes moving to identify area's of intrest.

 

[bjorn17]

Wordsearch, it gets your eyes moving to identify area's of intrest.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[tobedell]

Guess yardage, make estimations on distance and use a LRF to check results. Try it with a friend, my dad kicks my ass every time.

 

[bjorn17]

Guess yardage, make estimations on distance and use a LRF to check results. Try it with a friend, my dad kicks my ass every time.

Already planned. Need something else than range estimating by eye, with binos or mildot.

 

[Changed]

Windage. Watch your environment, and estimate wind, gusts, and wind direction. You can verify this with your phone.

 

[kraigWY]

Using a wind meter and spotting scope to learn mirage. Check mirage with scope, make a guess, compare you guess with the wind meter.

Then of course, the old stand by "dry firing".

Range est. Knowing the location of the target (GPS) move back to unknown distances. Using the Mil Dot, estimate the range, then with a Range finder or GPS, compare your estimate with actual range.

 

[RobertB]

I'd say alot of posistional shooting at unkown distances. Set up the where they can choose what position they want and y'all can show em what you think might be better. Being a sharpshooter to me means doing whatever it takes to hit a target. For most a 100 yd offhand shot is harder than a 700 yd prone shot. I would practice at what the people suck at. But also give em some of what they really want to make it more enjoyable.

Good luck with it man.

 

[tobedell]

Mil dot in my opinion is not nearly as accurate as TMR but some people can use the dot to size targets quite well. The biggest hurdle is making the object size estimation for the math to work accurately. Fence posts are usually available and making a measurement of shrubs near by can give a good stadia line for ranging with binos.
There is even quite alot that can be done with a old field dot and changing you power setting on your scope.

Already planned. Need something else than range estimating by eye, with binos or mildot.

 

[bjorn17]

Okay guys, got some great ideas like mirage estimation and unusual position shooting. It will be a hot weekend so these will fit well. I will leave in about 8 hours, so some good ideas are still welcome!

B.

 

[tobedell]

The wind will always be the most fluid unpridictable one to decipher. Full value is ok, you can always make decent calls. 1/2 and 1/8 value will either leave you short left or long right. Read terrain and determine if nothing is happening in that draw or the wind coming over that ridge between you and target is blowing hard as hell.
The best training is a good spotter that helps you see the unseen.

 

[opeagle]

Nice Bob and Tom reference.

If you have a "group" cover the different types of equipment people brought. Let them put a few rounds through each others rifles if possible.

Go over some best practices for cleaning and maintenance, especially if their fairly new don't assume they know about proper care of their rifle and other equipment.

KIMS type of observation games. Gets them on the rifle but not necessarily shooting.

You didn't really specify if you could but help them establish a dope card for the day.

 

[65guys_steve]

Improvised shooting positions, using whatever is at hand. Or bring out some different gear like shooting sticks, shooting tripod, or a tactical match barrier (e.g. a stair step barrier), to teach different techniques and have your students try them out.