How to Practice Precision

[PoorSoulInJersey]

I'm a relatively new rifle shooter, having just picked up my first AR and a Remington 700. I'm OK with a handgun, but this longer range stuff feels like a new world to me.

I can shoot decent groups at 100 yards (8" to 10".... not great....) and I want to get better.

I've read all the stuff on trigger break, breathing, bracing the rifle, body position.... and I'm just not sure how to put that into practice. Most of the books I've seen on marksmanship and long distance shooting talk about equipment and handloading for 150 pages, then say the same thing as the US Infantry manual does about shooting, without any information on how to really DO it.

I have two real questions:
1) What should I be doing in my practice sessions to become a better shot?
2) What is considered a decent shot? (how tight a group, how far off target, etc)

[PoorSoulInJersey]

I should add, I'm just talking at the range. I have a local 100- and 300-yard range I can use to practice (plus an indoor 25 yard range that allows high power rifles).

I'm not looking at hunting or tactical shooting,

[Hazcat]

2 inch groups at 100 yards are VERY do-able.

I think consistancy through getting the same sight picture, breathing and squeeze are the most basic.  It really should surprise you when it goes off.  If you have held your breath too long or uncomfortable in any way, STOP and start all over again.

[Pathfinder]

I'm a relatively new rifle shooter, having just picked up my first AR and a Remington 700. I'm OK with a handgun, but this longer range stuff feels like a new world to me.

I can shoot decent groups at 100 yards (8" to 10".... not great....) and I want to get better.

I've read all the stuff on trigger break, breathing, bracing the rifle, body position.... and I'm just not sure how to put that into practice. Most of the books I've seen on marksmanship and long distance shooting talk about equipment and handloading for 150 pages, then say the same thing as the US Infantry manual does about shooting, without any information on how to really DO it.

I have two real questions:
1) What should I be doing in my practice sessions to become a better shot?
2) What is considered a decent shot? (how tight a group, how far off target, etc)

Get thee to an Appleseed - they will teach you everything you need to know, and you will have fun - and be tired at the end of the weekend.

Go here: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

Schedule here: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_schedule.htm

A bunch in NC (RWVA's home base), some in MA, one in NY each month this summer. Enjoy!

[TAB]

what I do is use smaller targets.   If I'm shooting at a big black bullseye.  I will have a big group, if I'm shooting at a 4", my groups will be well under  4"

[Sponsor]

[m25operator]

Tab I'm surprised you did not provide the link from one of your previous posts.

Here it is.  http://www.archive.org/details/Rifle_Marksmanship_with_the_M1_Rifle

That the rifle is an M1 does not matter, it all starts with the fundamentals, which apply to any firearm including the long gun.
Good position, sight alignment, trigger control, repeatability, understanding the conditions and how to read the wind and mirage and adjust accordingly. This series of films go's a long way toward that understanding. NRA rifle targets are 2 minutes of angle for the 10 ring, and 1 moa for the X. So with iron sights, 2 moa is hitting the good stuff at any given range, yes that is a 20" circle at 1,000 yards.  The 9 ring is 3moa, so if you can keep them all in the 9, with a few 10's thrown in, that is above 90% possible score. That is expert.

Poorsoul, you did not mention if you were going to be shooting optics or irons or both. Learn your sight adjustment increments for both, it's pretty easy, for irons, but sometimes you need a calculator for optics if you have 1/4 to 1/8 minute clicks and your going for extended range.  By the way, NRA highpower rifle considers 800 yards, medium range.

[PoorSoulInJersey]

Poorsoul, you did not mention if you were going to be shooting optics or irons or both. Learn your sight adjustment increments for both, it's pretty easy, for irons, but sometimes you need a calculator for optics if you have 1/4 to 1/8 minute clicks and your going for extended range.  By the way, NRA highpower rifle considers 800 yards, medium range.

Right now I'm shooting iron sites on the AR (It's an M4A3), but I have optics on the way.

[tombogan03884]

Learn to shoot well with the iron sights first, until you have learned the basics optics will just give you a better look at a crappy group.
Pathfinder is right, You need an Appleseed or some comparable training in the BASICS of rifle shooting.

[jaybet]

Hey there Pour Soul...I too am in Jersey...still waiting for pistol permits from early December...

[PoorSoulInJersey]

Hey there Pour Soul...I too am in Jersey...still waiting for pistol permits from early December...

Don't you love our state? I was able to get a "Jersey legal" AR, which really can't have too many fun accessories :-(