What do you do to better your shooting?

2016-06-25T18:25:26-04:00

Practicing with my conceal carry, I do burpees prior to shooting because if I ever needed to use it, my heart rate wouldn't be at rest... What posture do you have? (Pic is me yesterday)

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 6:26 PM

2016-06-25T18:26:03-04:00

Yes I have my ears in... I can already sense someone will try and correct me

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 6:38 PM

2016-06-25T18:38:55-04:00

I just try to stay relaxed and have fun.

Response by Amn Allen Burks made Jun 25 at 2016 7:01 PM

2016-06-25T19:01:13-04:00

Exhale all air from my lungs before engaging!!! Three steady shots, then regroup!!! Practice practice practice!!!

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jun 25 at 2016 7:09 PM

2016-06-25T19:09:13-04:00

Practice. Practice. Practice. Call your shots and then figure out what you did wrong.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 8:30 PM

2016-06-25T20:30:24-04:00

Practice, practice, practice and when all else fails practice some more.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 25 at 2016 9:15 PM

2016-06-25T21:15:44-04:00

When I shot NM back in the day, the big things i had to focus on were breathing, calming down, smooth trigger pull, and precise alignment of every part of the body. That and knocking off caffeine. All that ended when we adopted a couple of kids but then I had to do most of the above with skill to handle two fully loaded diapers at once!

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jun 25 at 2016 9:24 PM

2016-06-25T21:24:13-04:00

Take video of you shooting. I have taught hundreds of people to shoot and I have discovered I am my own worst critic. When I watch myself shoot I can see where I need to improve.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jun 26 at 2016 12:00 AM

2016-06-26T00:00:08-04:00

1. Get the fundamentals right.
2. Lots and lots of dry fire. 10x dry to 1 x live.
3. Shoot a lot if you can.
4. Have a good instructor. These guys work well for me: http://appleseedinfo.org/

When you are shooting consistent 4 MOA groups or less with standard rifle, standard irons, standard ammo then you can get fancy and have fun with stress shoots and such.

Project Appleseed Home

Can you hit a target at 25 yards? How about at 500 yards? Whether you are new to the shooting sports or a seasoned shooter Appleseed will be able to teach you a thing or two.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 12:26 AM

2016-06-26T00:26:32-04:00

You can be the best shot in the world, but without ammunition tailored to YOUR rifle/pistol, you will never achieve complete accuracy. I highly recommend loading your own ammo, adjusting your load to the most accurate for your rifle. most store bought ammo has inconsistencies in the amount of powder in the cartridge, potentially throwing off shots that are taken beyond 100 yards.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2016 5:18 AM

2016-06-26T05:18:30-04:00

Steady breathing and a smooth trigger pull. Also, what type of rifle is that? For a moment it reminded me of my Saiga .308.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 26 at 2016 1:02 PM

2016-06-26T13:02:44-04:00

Prone position is my money maker. I'm a slow and steady person so for me it's all about breath control. I also wear glasses when I shoot, so I need to make sure my lens are properly aligned while I'm sighting in. In regards to "workouts", I'll probably do some stretching because you know how stiff your body can get when you're not moving.

Response by SFC Leo McIntyre made Jun 26 at 2016 5:39 PM

2016-06-26T17:39:10-04:00

I just practice as much as I can... It's like riding a bike or anything else, the MORE you do it, the better you'll get! ;)

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jun 27 at 2016 8:00 AM

2016-06-27T08:00:02-04:00

A lot of good advice on here. I like video tapping my shooting, as already pointed out. I can really chew myself out at the mistakes! I do this for every type firearm I use regularly. Once I settle on procedure, I practice until it becomes automatic. Then and only then do I add exercise, stress scenarios etc., Once the motor skills kick in, I have found that the most situations are quickly overcame because I am not having to think about breathe, trigger squeeze and rest. My mind is left open to target focus and background collateral's. Video tape these sessions as well. But remember, you are videoing for proper shooting techniques, not Hollywood! A tango down, is a tango down, even if I did it at a full rolling tumble, in the nude and off hand.

Response by SSG Randall P. made Jun 27 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-06-27T11:03:11-04:00

Try not to judge BUT!

Purposefully BOLO at a range 3 or 4 times... I don't own my own rifle so I bolo 2 or three times (although I usually hit 35-37) until the range is almost over and I've worked with my weapon enough to feel comfortable then I shoot for real. I got tired of getting rushed off the range after I qualified so I got this hair brained idea when I was a PFC... Been doing it ever since.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 5:03 PM

2016-06-27T17:03:20-04:00

It depends on the weapon you're shooting. One of the greatest things my dad taught me about shooting is to recognize the difference in your fundamentals. Let me explain:

If you are firing an AR/M4/M16, you will not have the same fundamentals as you would for a handgun. But ALWAYS focus on your fundamentals. You are correct in that your heart rate will not be your RHR. It will be elevated due to your adrenaline levels spiking. However, steady breathing takes the edge off of that. A tight, well maintained firing position will even out your muzzle waver. An even trigger squeeze will improve your focus, and your accuracy. But for practice on "stress shooting," with these weapon systems, run two miles and at your half-way point, carry a 5G water jug back (run one mile down, run one mile back, carrying the jug). This will not only tire you and elevate your heart rate, but it will also "add some lead" to your arms and make you focus on your firing position.

For a handgun, remember that everything important happens in your workspace. So do your burpees, run at least a mile, and do something to tear up your core (planks, sit-ups, etc). This will wear out everything you use for handgun shooting, and will again, force you to focus on fundamentals.

Like I said, it all cycles back to fundamentals. If you can remember them in the heat of the moment, you will be better prepared (via muscle memory) to effectively engage when it matters most.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jun 27 at 2016 7:43 PM

2016-06-27T19:43:46-04:00

Hey, youngins, thanks for the reminder to raise my heat rate. I've been walking from the car to the range a squeezing off a few for too long. I got lazy I guess.

Response by SFC Wayne Theilen made Jun 27 at 2016 7:50 PM

2016-06-27T19:50:53-04:00

I sandbag at range,lose a little money. Then bring the heat and win it back. Except for the old crusty who beat my ass.

Response by Sgt Jason Edwards made Jun 28 at 2016 10:37 AM

2016-06-28T10:37:33-04:00

I have the training version of all my real steel and engage targets with them when i can't get range time. I also do "Mil-Sim" with my son and other vets to keep the skill set tuned up.

Response by SGT(P) Michael H. made Jun 28 at 2016 3:01 PM

2016-06-28T15:01:22-04:00

You are absolutely on point. When I was a support medic for SF and SOF at Bragg, and we were training in L.I.N.E.S., we would exercise for about 45 minutes prior to actually beginning the hand-to-hand training. We would be smoked, and THEN have to work on the defensive and offensive techniques. I believe the same should be done before qualifying (on any firearm). I can guarantee, from my days back in the '90s working counter narcotics that when someone else has you in their sights or is actively shooting at you, your heart rate is flying!! Being ramped up like you have mentioned brings into play the aspects of adrenaline dump, where your heart rate skyrockets, the hands begin to shake, your vision can blur or you get tunnel vision, your hearing changes, and your hand/eye coordination just flies out the window as gross motor skills begin to fail. Only by training in a manner that will mimic the real life effects of this physiological reaction will we ever be able to overcome our natural tendancies, and be successful in performing as needed during a real crisis. Pardon my over exuberance...I did fail to mention that it is absolutely necessary to work on basics, basics, basics, before stepping into any advanced form of training. Until you master the simplest aspects of shooting, nothing else matters. Cheers!

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jun 28 at 2016 5:22 PM

2016-06-28T17:22:00-04:00

I agree with "practice what you carry." But I really like the suggestion of getting the HR elevated prior to training. I guess the Army had the right idea

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jun 29 at 2016 12:21 PM

2016-06-29T12:21:39-04:00

Q: What type of shooting are you trying to perfect? Are you trying to qual on a weapon and just get the rounds on the paper? Or are you practicing some aspect of tactical shooting?

You have to have the fundamentals down cold first and foremost.

I'm an NRA pistol instructor. NRA classes are "basic" fundamental classes. I also teach tactical shooting and response to active shooter.

When I teach NRA classes I use an iPhone app called, Coaches Eye. It allows for video taking and slow motion playback.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Jun 29 at 2016 5:37 PM

2016-06-29T17:37:17-04:00

I would say practice makes perfect. Everything from muscle memory in the way you pull your firearm from its holster, to the two handed grip you use with over lapping thumbs. It should be fluid and all by memory and the same every time. No snagged clothes, you should never be rushed in your draw, the time to pull a concealed weapon is before you need it. Al least have your hand on the grip and be ready. Some colleagues of mine would rather draw and keep the weapon out of sight in case they need it than to wait and draw when the threat escalates. You won't believe how quickly a bad guy can close the difference between himself and you! Plastic training guns are excellent and if you train with a friend or instructor who is acting as the bad guy you can learn what not to do as well as the right way to do it. Taking an advanced course in concealed/carry should be considered. You may find out that you have picked up some bad habits along the way or the instructor will say you are doing it all right. No matter what they are usually very affordable and the lessons learned can be life savers. Good Luck to you and shoot straight!

Response by CMDCM Richard Moon made Jul 1 at 2016 5:49 PM

2016-07-01T17:49:57-04:00

Shoot. Shoot some more. Shoot again. Then shoot more. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. It's a muscle memory thing. I also reload almost everything i shoot, so I pay a lot of attention to MV, POA/POI... I also call my shots. I know where I want to shoot - and examine why I may or may not have shot where I intended. I'm a far better shooter today than I've ever been.

Response by Sgt Gabriel Benavides made Jul 12 at 2016 5:09 PM

2016-07-12T17:09:53-04:00

Adjust your rear sights on your pistol until you are hitting at what you are aiming. and make corrections after each shot. Don't rely on Kentucky windage.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Jul 27 at 2016 4:00 PM

2016-07-27T16:00:13-04:00

Basics and practice. I went out to shoot at 500 yards the other day and it took me 8 or 10 rounds to hit the juice jug. Why, because I realized I was not being consistent and went back to focusing on the basics. Then I hit the jug in 3 rounds.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2017 9:14 PM

2017-12-17T21:14:37-05:00

Shoot in competition. If you aren't periodically having your skills measured and ranked amongst a peer group periodically, you aren't training.

Qualification is an elementary school test and does not count.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 18 at 2017 12:28 AM

2017-12-18T00:28:36-05:00

Remember the basics of shooting: Relax, Breath, Aim, Squeeze. Trigger control is one of biggest fails , having too much finger over the trigger, not just the tip of your finger pulling directly back. Also getting the weapon seated to your body the same time after time: into the shoulder and cheek weld.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2017 10:50 AM

2017-12-22T10:50:09-05:00

Buy boxes of ammo and gather a bunch of buddies and criticize each other to better each other.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2019 7:34 AM

2019-05-09T07:34:09-04:00

My biggest flaw has always been proper trigger manipulation. I have to always put it in the back of my mind to fallow threw after the shot breaks.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Oct 29 at 2019 5:15 PM

2019-10-29T17:15:39-04:00

Good comments from the 1st 3 responses below. I will add practice, practice when done, practice even more. To the point everything becomes automatic and without thought. Do everything as suggested below. I have a couple AR platforms plus all the 16's I've shot in V.N. to date. To improve your skills and keeping the expense to a minimum, Try this. Colt, S&W and others make an AR in .22 cal. The S & W has the best trigger and very accurate. For under $400.00 you can continue to develop
your skills without the cost, noise and safety issues as with .233 ammo with an AR-22.

Good shooting,

Lee