Dry fire practice and other (imaginary?)drills

B

barnacle

Regular
GunNutz
Rating - 100%
137   0   0
Location
NW Ont
When I was involved with biathlon our team's coach instructed us to tape a page to a wall upon which was a small dot. We then would dryfire our .22's while aiming at the target dot from across the room. This would allow us to practice our shooting stances, trigger and breathing control. Using this method helped us get ready for competitions without having the luxury of a range immediately nearby.

That was a long time ago. I recently found a set of drills for skiing which reminded me of the shooting exercises and I began questioning their merit and application to my shooting ability now. Was this just a mind trick for newbies?

Are there dry fire or other drills I could or should practice for distance and precision shooting? Would snap caps be a necessity for a centre fire target rifle? Can I quietly improve in the basement and save ammo?

Cake and eat it too?:redface:
 
I dry fire on a regular basis downstairs.
I use a spent case in my rimfires, but nothing in my centerfire.
I use a Longbranch and get my son to put a .22 case on each front sight guard after I get set up, and try to keep them balance when I fire in each position.

I then zero on a small maqrk on the wall and after alignment , close my eyes, break the shot and follow through. Then I open my eyes and see just how far away i am from the mark.
Cat
 
You can also try to get your position/ cheek weld with eyes closed, then open them to see if you are centered to the scope. Your position needs to be as natural and comfortable as possible.

Practice try firing in the dark or dimmly lit room(less distraction) will help with muscle memory. Remember to breath properly as well.
 
I will agree with Cat. Although very boring to say the least. Dry firing will help you with position and breaking a clean shot. Even an air rifle will help. I do take Cat's drill a bit farther and will shoot air rifle with my eyes closed. If you have a good position all 5 shots will be touching at 10m.
Load, take aim, close your eyes, count to 3 and squeeze the trigger.
Even the cadets I coach try this and it helps them see if their position is being repeted or if they are shifting around.
 
maynard said:
I will agree with Cat. Although very boring to say the least. Dry firing will help you with position and breaking a clean shot. Even an air rifle will help. I do take Cat's drill a bit farther and will shoot air rifle with my eyes closed. If you have a good position all 5 shots will be touching at 10m.
Load, take aim, close your eyes, count to 3 and squeeze the trigger.
Even the cadets I coach try this and it helps them see if their position is being repeted or if they are shifting around.
Click to expand...

I can't shoot my Walther in the basement!!:eek:
cat
 
catnthehatt said:
I can't shoot my Walther in the basement!!:eek:
cat
Click to expand...

Sure you can, once:eek:
You can use the clothes dryer to dry brass(on the shoe rack). You can use the oven and cookie sheets to dry brass. The big spoons with the slots from the kitchen drawer, are great for getting the bullets out of the moly, without getting your hand dirty. Heck you can walk through the house with your hunting boots on and even run around with scissors in your hand.

You can do all of the above. The trick is to make sure the wife will not be back soon and you don't leave evidence around.
 
maynard said:
Sure you can, once:eek:
You can use the clothes dryer to dry brass(on the shoe rack). You can use the oven and cookie sheets to dry brass. The big spoons with the slots from the kitchen drawer, are great for getting the bullets out of the moly, without getting your hand dirty. Heck you can walk through the house with your hunting boots on and even run around with scissors in your hand.

You can do all of the above. The trick is to make sure the wife will not be back soon and you don't leave evidence around.
Click to expand...
You forgot about washing your BP shotgun brass and boresnake in the dishwasher!!:D :D
Cat
 
Dry Practise

If its important to you, dry practise with inert rounds is also great for reloads, stoppage clearance drills and of course the draw stroke in addition to sight alignment and trigger control. For either long guns or handguns
 
You can buy a Rika Trainer which connects to your computer and gun and will give you all kind of info on what you are doing. Call Jocelyn at 819 778-8857, targets.ca
 
Last edited:
Back on topic, dry firing is extremely useful, but to get the most out of it you should have somebody PROPERLY coach you the first few times. Learn properly first and then practice that technique.

I am sorry to thump any well meaning people who offer to "help out" but there are a lot of misconceptions of how things should be done. True, at times there may not be one "best" way to do something, but there are still governing principles.

A little coaching goes a long way.

Not everyone has ready access to great coaches, but if you get the chance, step forward, listen, learn and practice.

K

BTW, and this is how my 13 year old daughter can consistently put 13 shots out of a muzzleloader, (or any rifle) with peep sights, into 2 or 3 inches at 50m, offhand!! (ie, standing)
 
Sandroad: The 10m bull is about 1mm x 5 = 5mm which is less than 1/4" at 50m. Buy her a good air gun and a Rika Trainer. She has a long way to go but is off to a good start!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom