Best rifle training at short ranges

O

OhioGuy

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I'm looking at getting into the 5.56 world, but in reality 90% of shooting will be done indoors at ranges of 20 yards max. I might occasionally get to an outdoor range in fair weather, maybe a 100 yard max, but those aren't very close to where I live.

What are good shooting drills for indoor distances that could still help me to develop longer range shooting skills?

Shooting indoors with pistols can always be made to be challenging, but running a rifle indoors seems like it would get boring in a hurry. :confused:
 
Shooting is sight alignment and trigger control. Practice with that at even closer ranges will be beneficial. While at certain distances gauging the wind or having to really work up some ballistic calculations might be necessary, I can set a 50 yd zero on an AR-15 with no magnification and get hits on a man sized target out to 300 yd with boring regularity (from the prone or seated position). There are certainly close in drills you can do on a timer that will work different ready positions or standing, kneeling, and prone and you can learn your hold overs as well shooting at closer ranges. Having the ability to move or work from a barricade is nice, but lacking that you can use the bay to work different supported positions.

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The issue I take with 22LR is the lack of recoil. I can take my wife out with a 22LR pistol or rifle and she will make excellent groups. When she steps up to something other than 22LR it's a different story. That's not to say there isn't value in a 22LR, both economically and in practice. Deficiencies in fundamentals really show up when shooting 22LR as the lack of flash and blast makes it easier to maintain focus through the course of fire and generally can lead to better groups (making it easier to notice errors). But dealing with recoil both physically and mentally is a factor, imo.

If you do want to go the 22LR route you can still get an AR-15 and get say the CMMG conversion kit or even a dedicated 22LR like the M&P15-22, if you wanted the same manual of arms for practice.

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For a rifle the best range is one you can probably find out in the country! I have seldom ever shot at a regular rifle range.
 
At 20 yards, I would suggest a .22LR such as a Ruger 10/22 with Tech Sights. Targets of about 0.5 inch diameter. Sight alignment, trigger control, breathing, positioning etc.. are the same with a .22LR as they are anything larger.
 
OhioGuy said:
I'm looking at getting into the 5.56 world, but in reality 90% of shooting will be done indoors at ranges of 20 yards max. I might occasionally get to an outdoor range in fair weather, maybe a 100 yard max, but those aren't very close to where I live.

What are good shooting drills for indoor distances that could still help me to develop longer range shooting skills?

Shooting indoors with pistols can always be made to be challenging, but running a rifle indoors seems like it would get boring in a hurry. :confused:
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Any National Forest around you? Legal to shoot there with the below restrictions.
https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting
 
For 55-grain, M193 ammunition, a typical zero for iron sights is a 50 yard/200 yard zero. That means if you zero at 50 yards on the rising side of the trajectory arc, you also hit zero at 200 yards on the falling side of the trajectory arc.

Plotting that trajectory, the point of impact is -1.23 inches (1.23" below line of sight/point of aim) at 25 yards. At 20 yards, it would be about -1.5 inches.

If the only place you have to practice is an indoor, 20-yard range, use targets with the smallest bullseye possible and regulate your sights such that your groups are centered approximately 1.5 inches below point of aim.
 
OG said:
What are good shooting drills for indoor distances that could still help me to develop longer range shooting skills?

Shooting indoors with pistols can always be made to be challenging, but running a rifle indoors seems like it would get boring in a hurry.
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Do you have a 22lr rifle and access to a 25 yard range?

I've participated in 25 and yard offhand shooting using A23 targets. It sounds easy, but in a field of mostly older fellows I'm mediocre. I won't argue that I am improving, but at least now I know I am not quite as good as I once thought.

These gentlemen are uniformly kind and helpful. https://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=327
 
I suggest a good 22 rimfire rifle and ammo, metallic or scope sights, to start with. You'll learn hand held marksmanship skills faster because the rifle must be held still 3 to 4 times longer than centerfire rifles after the firing pin starts to move.

After you've reached the skill level to have rimfire bullets strike no more than 2 MOA average from where you called it at 20 yards, then switch to centerfire at longer range.

The USA Olympic Rifle Team practices indoors at 50 meters with rimfire 22's. Best for mastering basic marksmanship skills and knowledge. It's fun to put 40 record shots inside 1 MOA slung up in prone with a rimfire 22 at 50 yards.
 
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Plus, centerfire rifles on an indoor range are awful loud. I know they are a profit center for range operators, made possible by rubber bullet traps, but I hate to get stuck close to one.
 
Jim Watson said:
Plus, centerfire rifles on an indoor range are awful loud. I know they are a profit center for range operators, made possible by rubber bullet traps, but I hate to get stuck close to one.
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I know! I've been stuck in a stall between TWO rifles rattling off rounds. I think I felt my organs shifting around inside.

:eek:
 
When you say moving up into the 5.56 world do you mean AR? If you are trying to train like you would fight with an AR get an AR clone .22 and look up the countless CQB type drills on square bay ranges on youtube, it'll give you a good idea. Precision shooting an AR at close range is harder than some think.

If you're looking to improve shooting skills, I would say try to join a local sporterrifle league. Its all 50' unsupported offhand, the rifle with scope must be under 7.5 pounds. I shot 5 years of it growing up and it made me a much better all around shooter.
 
I'd consider shooting NRA 3 Position. on their 50fo targets. It helps, When I shot for the AK NG Rifle team we couldnt shoot out side during the winter. I used cast bullets in my M14 on the NRA targets. We couldnt use normal rifle bullets at out indoor range. I used a sub cal devise for my M16A1. Follow the small bore rules (except for the rifle) and you'll learn and prefect your fundamentals.
 
You can figure out sight settings for longer ranges when you get there. For short range I'd still use the 223, I want the blast and recoil. I'd get some 1000 inch targets and use those. Slow fire iron sights, all sight alignment and trigger control. I would take it off the shoulder and remount each shot.
 
I like 22LR at 25yds indoors.
Great time to do ammo trials off bench;
Then check your bench POI vs standing.
Also try different sling set-ups standing.
 
If you haven't done positional shooting before, consider attending a Project Appleseed. They are available in OH.
https://appleseedinfo.org/schedule/?qstate=OH&state=Ohio

For indoors, I'd stick with an AR .22 with scaled down targets to simulate longer ranges. The blast from rifle calibers is too much indoors, and you're not gaining benefits over a .22 at those distances. This will allow you to at least practice fundamentals somewhat, however indoor ranges are usually too restrictive for rifle practice.
 
guys advise a good store with rifles and which one is better to start familiarization with for a beginner
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Assuming you are talking about AR style rifles, I would suggest an M&P 15 Sport or a Ruger AR556. Both are excellent rifles. Where to buy? Try Academy Sports, Cabelas, The Outdoor Super Store.

Another recommendation, if you can order online and if your state allows, is Palmetto State Armory. Look at their Freedom line.
 
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