What do I need to practice?

[icor1031]

What is the most important / most practiced skill, for long-range shooting competitions?

Is it learning not to flinch, as with handguns: some of the best practice is done in your home with a dummy round?

Or learning to take into account distance, wind, etc. and adjust your scope? (There are ballistics calculators. This should be easy?)

Something else?

Thanks!

 

[jerseymike]

Re: What do I need to practice?

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2736425#Post2736425

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: What do I need to practice?

Here you go.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2730183#Post2730183

Simple and HARD as heck!

john

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: What do I need to practice?

Without reservation, or doubt, motor memory is the most important skill for LR. Being able to re-build the position, shot to shot, to a molecular level assures less divergence in the angle created from the bore at rest and the bore at bullet exit. Since this is angular error, which increases with distance, having the ability to sense inconsistency to a "Princess and the Pea" level is paramount to winning.

There are 5 factors to a consistent position: elbows, non-firing hand, grip, stock-weld, and butt-to-shoulder. Learn how to make this shooter, gun, and ground relationship as perfect as your equipment and you can expect great results when you have also countered for the efects of wind and weather. In fact, when you have indeed perfected the position expect zero dispersion to become part of your lexicon.

Now, the bad news, getting the sort of consistency that I described is both mentally and physically painful, at least during the period you're attempting to come to understand it. Also, a highly qualified coach may be needed to assure you're getting off to a good start since a correct position may at first be somewhat unnatural.

 

[BadKarma47]

Re: What do I need to practice?

Hey guy's! I'm new to the forum, sorta. Long time reader, first time poster.

I also am VERY curious about what I can do to help improve my shooting capability. Only problem is I dont have very much money at all, which means no ammo to practice with and no range time. We have a VERY nice "local" range (about 25-30 miles away) with a 100yrd walk-out range with steal out to 450yrd and on the backside of the mountain there's the high-power range which is 1000yrd. But it takes time and money to get range time, which I dont have much of either, especially money, to do so.

I am by no means new to shooting, been shooting guns since before I can really remember, and my dad used to be a sniper, but he's not exactly an ideal teacher. We used to go to the range quite often, but not so much anymore do to lack of finances. I like to think I'm a decent shot, but most of it is familiarity to what was "comfortable" for me and not necessarily "proper fundimentals".

I only have a simple hunting rifle. Browning A-Bolt Hunter .260 Rem. with a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 Nikoplex. It's super accurate, specially with handloads (my dad aslo handloads) well below 1moa.

So what are some fundimentals I can practice while at home in my apartment that could potentially help improve my performance.

Not sure if this is relevant or could be helpful, but I am on on the second story in the apt complex and my deck overlooks a large field. There is a intersection on the corner of the field and I googled earthed a street sign which is exactly 400 yrds. and I can read the street sign in my scope as something to focus on. And NO I do NOT sit on my balcondy in plain sight with my rifle out taking aim at a street sign. I have a big glass sliding door and I do it from inside my apt with the blides turned open. And the rife is ALWAYS empty.

Sorry for the long, and somewhat scatter-brained post.
Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[J.Boyette]

Re: What do I need to practice?

BadKarma47,

People that are strapped for cash, can still shoot. Go find you a CZ 452 and a Sightron 3-9x42mm with mil-dot optic.

That will run you a less then $500. I know, its $500 BUT you will blow more then $500 shooting that centerfire in a year EASY

Next buy some 22lr at the local store, and see what the rifle likes and groups well at 50yds.

Now you got your self a 300yd rifle that costs VERY little to shoot and you can work on marksmanship.

The cash you save can go towards the centerfire. But the bottom line is, you will be shooting, learning and gaining the skills you need to be a marksman.

do not discount a 22lr that can shoot. I shoot mine to 200yds all the time and I learn alot with it still to this day.

John