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#Post#: 92--------------------------------------------------
Marksmanship Tips
DIR By: allmanav
Date: February 29, 2020, 9:24 am
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Marksmanship is all about hitting the target and requires an
understanding of the fundamentals and sometimes even some
training by professionals. It also helps to have the right gear
on hand.
We’ve gathered together some tried and true tips to help you
select the best products to improve marksmanship.
Choose the Right Platform
With so many great rifles manufactured today, the right platform
could come from almost anywhere. When choosing a rifle, select
one that fits you and has the requisite features and accuracy
for your intended purpose. The length, caliber and even weight
of the rifle all depend on your activities.
If shooting from standing or intend to lug the firearm into the
field, you may want a lightweight rifle. On the other hand, if
you plan on entering the competitive shooting circuit, a heavier
gun may be an advantage.
The right rifle helps shooters produce clean shots. Although a
dated platform, don’t rule out legacy bolt-guns as being very
capable shooters.
Be it for hunting, target, or competition, it is important to
have the proper length of pull, cheek weld, etc. so that you can
handle and control it accurately. The rifle should be configured
to provide proper sight alignment for the best sight picture as
well.
Don’t hesitate to buy the stock now and upgrade as you go to
spread the cost over the long-term. Keep in mind, you can always
add aftermarket accessories to most firearms. The right platform
is a comfortable one that shoots accurately while allowing you
to aim and focus on the target.
Invest in a Solid Barrel and Trigger
Accuracy is typically measured in group sizes or patterns at a
given distance. The smaller the pattern of shots, the more
consistent the shooter and rifle are at aiming them. When
accuracy is the goal, it’s wise to invest in a good barrel that
is intended to aid the shooter in producing accurate shots.
In addition to putting some cash into a decent barrel, gun
owners should also consider upgrading the trigger to one that
breaks clean and consistent. Most quality rifles sold today have
a decent trigger available but for those which aren’t quite up
to par, there are plenty of aftermarket manufacturers with an
improved replacement option.
Whether you opt for a single-stage or two-stage, light or
heavier trigger, your ability to trip the sear without affecting
the positioning of the rifle is what will bring better shots.
The goal is to pull the trigger without impacting your sight
pictures. Safe dry firing is an excellent way to test drive your
trigger and determining whether more practice or an upgrade is
required.
Whether you make simple adjustments for a more comfortable
break, learn to use the trigger as is, or spring for an entirely
new trigger system, make sure you are well practiced and
familiar with how it operates.
Select the Right Ammunition
A rifle is no better than the ammunition that feeds it, so
selecting loads optimized for the gun and activity is of
particular importance. Not all munitions are created equal, and
even the same brand of ammunition can see variances between
models. Some shooters forego this issue by simply hand loading
their ammo, while others stick to specific lines or brands they
know work.
Selecting the right ammunition lends itself to adequate shots on
target –whether you’re chasing animals or paper.
In marksmanship, consistency breeds accuracy, and ammo is key to
this equation. When selecting loads, start with two or three
options and test them out side-by-side to gauge results. Find
the ammo that produces the best on paper results for the
intended application and fits within your budget and run with
it.
Setting aside time at the range to familiarize yourself with
your preferred brand of ammo will help you expertly know what to
expect from shots, how they perform in the elements, at
distance, and on animals.
Grab an Optic
“You get what you pay for” rings true when it comes to budgeting
and buying an optic for your platform. While there are many new
and less expensive options available today, make sure you opt
for something that can accomplish the job — whether that is to
hold zero on a heavy magnum or offer repeatable elevation
adjustments for long-range shooting.
A quality scope ensures that you can see your target and make
the proper adjustments to land shots where you want them.
A budget scope may work in the interim but long term it may not
hold up. Not to mention, less expensive scope internals could
shift under recoil or other force. Scopes or even open sights
that aren’t properly secured are known to flex or even come off
– an obvious impediment when to accuracy. For this reason, it is
paramount to grab the best possible option when it comes to
optics. A good scope often costs two to three times the rifle it
is destined for, but any shooter will tell you that’s well worth
the price.
While rifle scopes have long been the go-to for rifle optics, a
large portion of modern rifles sport optical sights, such as
telescoping sights or red dots. Whichever type you use, install
it properly with robust mounts that are adequate for the recoil
and duty. Much like the rifle, it should also fit you and your
shooting needs. A final reminder, don’t skimp on the optic!
Invest in Training
It’s worth pointing out that gun owners can grab the best
equipment on the market, but it won’t do a bit of good if you
don’t know how to properly use it. Understanding and
implementing the basics like posture, breath control, trigger
discipline, recoil management, and sighting will further
accuracy and prevent human errors which can throw off even the
best equipment.
Training will ultimately prevent bad habits, break any existing
ones and help dial in those shots.
Trigger control, using the pad of your finger versus the joint
impacts the location of shots while breathing properly reduces
the amount of movement as the trigger is broken. Additionally,
shooters need to intimately understand the proper use of their
chosen optics and learn how and when to adjust for come ups or
wind values, not to mention requisite holds.
This is where training with a qualified instructor comes in
handy. A professional will provide instructions on the
fundamentals as well as how to properly integrate gear into the
shooting scenario. Often, a few critiques and tips from a
professional yield much better results than toiling away solo on
the range trying to work it out yourself. The shooting sports
industry offers many different training opportunities that can
help you better your skills and employ them in your quest for
marksmanship.
Final Thoughts
The most satisfying part of the marksmanship journey is finally
gaining the confidence to hit what you choose to hit with a
rifle setup that feels like an extension of you the shooter.
Apply yourself to the basics and make sure your equipment fits
the task at hand and you’ll soon find yourself making better
shots. Keep practicing and learn from every shot whether hit or
a miss.
#Post#: 96--------------------------------------------------
Re: Marksmanship Tips
DIR By: Bryan
Date: March 1, 2020, 8:07 am
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These are all old adages but ring true today and likely for the
future as well. We get caught up in a single focus when working
on marksmanship skills and sometimes temporarily forget the
fundamentals, is this gun really for me, is this the right
calibre for my intended form of competition, optics are
definitely "you get what you pay for". All great reminders.
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