Archive for the ‘Shooting Fundamentals’ Category
Hit What You Shoot At!
The Key to Accuracy!
Of all the Shooting Fundamentals, Sight Alignment/Sight Picture has the biggest impact on shooting accuracy. With non-scoped weapons, it’s important to align the front and rear sights perfectly and consistently each time. The four things in this equation are: the shooting eye, rear sight, front sight, and your target (in that order). However, some say it is better to first point the front sight at the target while assuming the proper eye, sights, and target pictorial.
The relationship between your shooting eye and the rifle scope or a rear metalic sight is important. Once you determine that position (where vision is best), be conscious of where your nose and cheek are in-relation to the weapon stock (spot-weld). Ideally, this same spot-weld should be assumed each time you aim and fire the weapon.
When you squeeze the trigger, you must apply steady and increasing pressure until the gun fires. Remember, the shot sound should be a surprise each and every time; if it isn’t, you are pulling/finching and will never shoot well until corrected
Don’t Pull/Jerk but S-Q-U-E-E-Z-E!
S-Q-U-E-E-Z-E!
Again, while in the service, the good Sergeant would walk by my target and say, “you’re pulling to the right; don’t pull/jerk but S – Q – U – E – E – Z – E the trigger”.
Take a look at your index finger. The trigger should be placed between the end and first joint of the finger. The key is to S – Q – U – E – E – Z – E the trigger until the weapon discharges. If the shooter knows when the weapon fires, they are pulling/jerking the trigger and will have subsequent lateral barrel movement. This will equate into missing the target point by inches or more at several hundred yards: S – Q – U – E – E – Z – E it! Same principle applies for muzzleloading rifles.
Magic is in the Fundamentals!
Breathing Cycle!
I remember when I was going through Army Basic Training. The sergeant would look at my marksmanship target and say, “You ain’t breathing right”. Of course, it took a long time for me to understand how he could tell that by looking at my target; but, he did further say, “see the vertical movement in your shot placement – try this, it should help”:
- Take a breath;
- Let it out;
- While exhaling, notice that there is a point where you do not feel compelled to continue exhaling nor compelled to take a breath (normally when about ¾ of the air has be exhaled).
- Try again, this time when you get to that pointing – hold your breath for 1-2 seconds.
That is the time in your breathing cycle when you want to take your shot. Of course there are other things that need to come together at the same time, such as proper sight alignment/sight picture and of course the proverbial “Trigger Squeeze” – don’t jerk or pull but squeeze it. The magic is in the fundamentals and Practice, Practice, Practice!
Be Calm, Cool & Collected!
Sitting Firing Position!
Good body position is such an extremely important Shooting Fundamental. The slightest movement of the weapon barrel will move the strike of the bullet exponentially as distance to the target increases. It is super critical that the chosen firing position be as solid/reinforced as conditions permit and yet be comfortable.
One of the biggest mistakes that some shooters make is to start off with the biggest/bad(est); most powerful-hard kicking rifle available and all done without hearing protection (got to maintain that image). However, after zeroing and firing an additional box for practice, the average person would be so flinching prone – it would be impossible for them to fire any weapon without involuntary movement of the barrel.
Supportive Hunting gear is important; but, if your goal is to be an outstanding shooter, you must establish the conditions that will allow you to:
- Relax!
- Breathe normally (in/out steady breaths);
- Clear your mind (only think of task at hand);
- Control yourself (anxiety);
- ENJOY IT!
Be All You Want To Be!
Practice Makes Perfect!
You can be as good a shot as you want to be. Whether you’re average, good, or outstanding will depend on your ability to learn and apply the basic fundamentals of shooting:
- Good, Solid, Comfortable Body Position;
- Breathing Control;
- Proper Sight Picture;
- Trigger Control (Squeeze).
Hunting gear – including weapons, optics, and ammunition are important considerations; however, the true ability of a shooter, to consistently make those difficult shots, will depend solely on their mastery of the fundamentals and practice: SHOOTING, SHOOTING, SHOOTING!