Target Shooting (Advice wanted)
G'day there. It seems I may know how to strip and clean my rifles and service them well enough but I am a terrible shot, and that is not ideal considering I would like to do more target shooting in the future (Mostly in military classes), and I know there are some good shooters in here with plenty to say so I am wondering if anyone has any tips or books or sites or videos or etc etc about being a more competent shooter, both on the range and in the bush (But mostly on the range).
I'm not that old but I already have bad habits like flinching and not declaring targets which are hard to break as it stands. Anyway, I'm up for criticism and advice if anyone wants to lend their experience and two cents worth into it. Cheers.
Whatever you do, always do the same...
You have received some good advice, and will doubtless receive more. I would like to add my opinion that. for target shooting, the most important single aspect is consistency. A good group means hitting almost in the same point every time. Apart from sheer flukes, that will only be achieved by the best possible consistency in all aspects.
So if you get the best results by standing on your head while whistling "Waltzing Matilda" backwards, then do that every time. There are, however, better ways of improving your grouping.
RSM Kilpatrick, the stern but patient gentleman who spent some time teaching me how to shoot well, put it very succinctly:
"If ye canna group ye canna shoot!"
I don't know if they still make Scottish RSMs like that anymore. I hope so. He taught me to shoot practice groups without checking the target in between - for the good reason that if you do, it is easy to fall into the trap of "chasing the zero" by fiddling endlessly with the sights and unconsciously correcting "last shot was a trifle low, so I'd better hold up a smidgeon for the next shot - oops now it's over the black..."
- ammo, of course! Flinching is hard to "unlearn" with full-bore rifles. Since the vast majority of target shoots are at 300m or less, it is an unnecessary stress on your rifle and your body to use loads that were intended for military rifles up to 2000 yards. As a target-shooting beginner, look for the mildest safe load for your rifle.
- position - when prone with legs spread, legs crossed, one knee forwards ... do not mix!
- hold - stock pulled back hard into shoulder, or just firmly, or slightly loose, sling just above elbow, or high up ... do not mix!
- light (for instance, on a day with frequent clouds crossing the sun, either take every shot in full sunlight, or every shot while a cloud is passing over (may be easier on the eyes for a long sequence) but do not mix them!
- type of aim: 6 o'clock hold (very light sensitive) central...
- focus on foresight (note, if you aim for too long, the vision tends to get "captured" by the target), not sometimes foresight, sometimes target...
- breathing - keep regular, release trigger always at the same point in breathing cycle.
- allow sufficient recovery time between shots. Do not stare at the target. Close your eyes for at least 10 secs. This aids consistent breathing and reduces eye strain.
- trigger release. I know it is difficult to achieve that "surprise" effect of a shot release with a full-bore rifle. But the nearer you can get, the better.
The aim is to acquire a set of habits that aid shooting in a steady rhythm. The best target I ever shot as a cadet was made in an almost Zen-like trance. In fact, I recommend reading about Japanes Zen archery as a pointer to the state of body and mind that will also help you to achieve good grouping.
And when the grouping is good enough - then you can adjust the sights to taste!