Training Techniques for Practical Long Range Shooting

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sniper_quebec

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Hey guys,

I've been practicing long range shooting sporadically for the last few years, and finally have to time to be more serious about it. My shooting type will be mostly known distance shooting at various distances, trying to get better at one shot hits.

This thread is aimed at discussing the various training techniques you guys use to train for this type of shooting as well as any other practical shooting discipline.

I like to think that a structured training session has more value than just going to shoot some rounds and hoping you hit. I'm looking to create this "structure", and would like to know what you guys do to get a new perspective and ideas.

For example, do you install your gongs at one spot and move around every few shots to practice at many different distances? What is your shooting routine before every shot? Is noting every shot down with pen and paper really useful considering most of us use Kestrels/ballistic apps?

Hoping many of you will be willing to share their favorite technique!
 
I have seen more than one self taught superb long distant shooters do very well until faced with one hurdle.
Estimating thier wind drift at long range. One fine airforce technician was beat out of his Queens Medal opportunity only because he could not correctly judge his drift. An experienced army soldier won otherwise.
And kudos to him.
 
I'm gonna answer this assuming you're looking for PRS/NRL style shooting practice ideas

When I go to the range, I generally take around 75 rounds for practice. I maybe shoot 5 from prone or a bench just to verify zero at 100 yards. From there, everything I do is positional practice. I take practice barricades, tank traps, tires, etc. to practice off of. If you're just starting out, take a 5' step ladder and practice shooting off each step. Generally I move into position, take 1 shot and then move to another position. Rarely do I ever take more than 1 shot at a time in one position. Doing this really helps me practice building a stable position quickly. If you've ever shot a PRS match, you'll know that's where most of the time on a stage is taken up.

I have a couple other practice techniques too. If I have a friend there, I'll ask them to spin my turrets a few clicks either way and I won't look at them. Then I'll go to take a shot and really focus on watching where the shot goes and try to guess how much he spun the turrets. This really helps me figure out and measure misses quickly so I can make faster corrections on follow up shots.

In my head I'm always trying to focus on calling every shot I take, and making sure I either watch the trace or watch where the bullet lands to confirm my call. Wind is one of those things that you can practice, but if your range is like mine, you're shooting one direction all day. You make a wind call at the start of the afternoon and it rarely changes that much by the time you're done shooting.

Most of my practice ranges from 300-700 yards.
 
Breathing.
gun stability
wind, a 5km wind throws my bullet 29' off target at 3000 yards. 70' off with a 10 km wind.
Practice
Practice reading the wind simply by using flagging tape. Certain angles mean certain wind speeds.
 
Look up Mapleseed.. learn unsupported positional shooting.. practise the 4 main positions. Learn to move between these positions. When you are getting a reasonal 'hit' rate, introduce a prop and things will be SO much easier.

Then set up the rifle for barricade positional shooting.. yes, it will be dramatically different in balance. Because you can already control the rifle without support, any support is a huge aid. Go back and forth training with and without props. Yes, you will be changing the layout of the rifle.

Most will take the easier path and ballast up their rifle so they don't need to learn the basics... but a good match designer will force shooters into unstable and uncomfortable/unsupported positions. Learn how to do the hard stuff, the rest of the game can then be so much easier leaving you brain energy to really focus on what matters.

THE WIND>


Let us know how you are doing after 10,000rds fired. I suggest a rimfire at short range using bulk HV ammo to get the most cost per bang

Jerry
 
Lots of guys will promote the benefits of dry fire, but I find it boring. To make it interesting I have started using a PCP air rifle with an AERON Chassis and weights to replicate the feel and balance.

I started using a 22 cal, but have migrated to 177 because the larger 22 cal bullet gives a false sense of accuracy where it can hit a dot by virtue of diameter, so the 177 reduces that factor.

I have a 4x4 practice cactus in the basement at 10 yards and I move from position to position making scope adjustments along the way.

Sure is more fun than dry fire and it really helps understand how to build good solid positions.

As for the rifle, I have used FX Dreamline and Weirauch HW 100 with Diamondback Tactical scope and adjustable scope rings to get the close up zero with elevation to spare.
 
Mystic Precision said:
Look up Mapleseed.. learn unsupported positional shooting.. practise the 4 main positions. Learn to move between these positions. When you are getting a reasonal 'hit' rate, introduce a prop and things will be SO much easier.
Click to expand...

I did this last year, not only did I have a blast that day, learned a ton. Still practice as much as I can. Has made me a way better shooter and now have more fun shooting. There is so much information from the course I am planning to take it again this year.
 
Huk said:
I did this last year, not only did I have a blast that day, learned a ton. Still practice as much as I can. Has made me a way better shooter and now have more fun shooting. There is so much information from the course I am planning to take it again this year.
Click to expand...

Glad it was helpful to you... many new shooters want to skip the hard work of learning the fundamentals and unfortunately, buy gear which is supposed to take care of skill.

Doesn't often work out as planned. You are far better ahead and good luck with your continued practise. Even if you are dry firing in your living room, every time you handle your rifle, it is building muscle memory and strength. Like working out, it doesn't happen overnight and waiting a few weeks or months, doesn't help you progress at all. The more you do... the better you get.

I have coached a few shooters over the last couple of seasons and they have gone from wobbling so badly, you are concerned they will not keep the shot in the range, to calling their impacts. That has lead to solid scores as well as podium finishes.... and a Western Championship

The best part is once you have learnt these skills, they are with you for life and can be applied to any and all shooting situations.

Then we move onto the most difficult skill to master.... reading the wind

Jerry
 
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