Technique Question...

[Glock4ever]

I need to learn shoot a rifle and badly! After much contemplation, I have realized that I really no practical shooting skills. As I want to learn to a well rounded rifleman, I need to learn to shoot from more than prone and benchrests! What are some of the techniques that u shooters use to improve focus, balance, and overall breathing techniques? I want to move away from stable platform shooting to a more "move and shoot" skill. I want to be able to know that I can shoot long distances with confidence from kneeling and standing positions after moving a fair distance. How can I practice this without looking like some sort of rambo wannabe? I don't want people to think I am a paramilitary freak but I want to know: How will I shoot if I have travelled 10 klicks and need to take a shot right there and than (similar to a hunting situation?) Any suggestions? BTW this has to be something I can do on a range as I don't own any land out in the country.

 

[Powderman]

First, I commend you on your desire to improve your shooting skills from the offhand position. Bear in mind, though, that accurate rifle shooting involves stability and repeatability first and foremost. It has been my experience that your hit probability decreases markedly if shots are taken in the standing position, after 200 yards. You might be different in this aspect; only time and practice will tell.

I recommend this: first, whenever possible, take your shots from the prone. This is the steadiest of all positions. If the prone is impractical, then use sitting, kneeling, standing supported and then offhand, in that order. When shooting, concentrate on the fundamentals of a good shot:

Breathe--learn the proper rythm of breathing. 3-4 good breaths to saturate the body with oxygen, then one more natural breath. Exhale normally, then lock the breath out for 3-5 seconds. Take your shot in that time window. If you wait too long, you will start to wobble and tremble. Just relax, and start your cycle again.

Relax--let all strain and stress drain from your body. Observe your target comfortably while setting up your shot--focus all concentration on it while you take the shot.

Aim--For iron sights, good sight alignment and sight picture are important. Also, keep in mind that your sight picture might vary depending on the type of shooting you will do. A 6 o'clock hold might be good for targets, but a center hold is best for combat.

Slack--If you have a military rifle, chances are that some slack is built in, before the trigger actually starts to move the sear out of engagement. Take up this slack.

Squeeze--Steady backward pressure on the trigger until the hammer or striker falls. Use just the pad of your finger. The squeeze must be consistent, but not necessarily slow.

Hope this helps--if there is anything I can do to help, send me an E-mail.

 

[yankytrash]

Errruuhh, ya- that's what I was going to say.

Actually, I've been anticipating a reply to this thread too. I am a little more than curious to see if my technique is the same as everyone else's.

I, too, have a shaking problem. To combat it, I only have one other thing to add - if have a bad enough problem with shaking, start with a forehand technique I use. I cradle the magazine of the gun onto my cupped forehand, and rest my forehand's elbow against my ribcage.

Try to alternate this technique with the proper technique - take three shots at my 'rested' position, then take 2 or three shots with the correct position. Eventually work your way out of my 'rested' position. It will come back naturally if needed badly enough (like after a 10-click sprint).

Keep Powderman's breathing technique in front of your mind (well, right afterr target quisition). That's very important to fighting wobbliness.

 

[PreserveFreedom]

What I have done for similar training is to go find some BLM land. Bring a competint friend along for safety reasons. Then look for jackrabbits. Them boogers can run! Run after them and take a clean shot when you have it. You can also work on your shotgunning against a target with erradical movements in this manner.

 

[labgrade]

"Stump plunkin"'s a decent enough way to work up field shooting & a .22LR fits the bill rather well.

With access to nat'l forest/BLM land, walk around (practice your sneakin' too) & (with a safe background/stop) pick out objects at varying distances & try to put a bullet in 'em. Specific dirt clods, certain mark on a stump, etc.

22's nice for this as the trajectory's fairly flat, but you still have to accomodate sight elevation w/in 150 yards or so. & it's cheap & lightweight.

Although I can't always pull it out, when hunting & such, I try to stop next to a tree. Makes for some cover/concealment + gives a great support for taking a shot. Lots of field-expedient shooting positions not readily available on the range.

 

[Hoppy]

"I need to learn shoot a rifle and badly!"

Finally, something I know how to do. Shoot a rifle badly!

 

[jb26]

One thing that I have read and practiced in conjuntion with the B.R.A.S.S. above is that stability and steadiness is not about eliminating any wobble, but minimizing and controlling it.

When holding a sight picture (not on a bench) the view will have a wobble (maybe circular or linear). You have to control your breathing and relax as many muscles as possible to minimize that wobble. When it is minimized, you just have to time the squeezing of the trigger to the moment that your sights are on target.

Another thing that may or may not be relevant depending on your shooting setup is that you have to control the muzzle rise to the extent that the barrel stays in the same position enough for the bullet to exit the barrel.

I am not a very experience rifleman, but I am learning. I think I read most of this stuff from the Army's Field Manual on Sniper Training FM23-10.