Breathing control techniques

[1Luv4SF]

So it's best to wait for the reticle to pass over the target and shoot rather then trying to hold it in the same place right?

[brando]

As expected, everyone's got a different method or order. Don't focus too much on specifics ("oh wait, I need to do one more full breath before...or should I squeeze now?") or it will trip you up. There is no monolithic approach that works for everyone so just try different patterns until one works best for you without much thought. It should be a natural feeling, not something forced.

One thing that is true for everyone: if you hold your breath too long you will start to shake. This is common for people when the shot takes longer than expected to break. When that happens, let off the trigger, exhale and start the cycle again.

[brando]

So it's best to wait for the reticle to pass over the target and shoot rather then trying to hold it in the same place right?

Your breathing cycle should be a predictable pattern, so you try to time the breaking of the shot with where you want your point of aim to be. If I'm breathing heavily, there's an canted up and down motion to my aim and the period and amplitude is very predictable in a short window of time (ie a few seconds). So I try to stabilize and start squeezing as the point of aim is moving towards the intended location (not in the phase where it is moving away). As you stabilize, the pattern should briefly settle down and tighten - that's when you want to break the shot.

[dieselpower]

3 deep breaths exhale and when your breath is out start to squeeze....

That's how snipers are taught

and wear gloves, your pulse will effect the POI. you can actually see the bounce of your pulse in the scope. I watched Marines shooting open sights 600 meters just ripping the targets apart...like what I can only do at 200 yards...they gave out some tips to the crowd.

[Subotai]

Optimally, when you stop exhaling, your POI is on target and your body has "set". If you're not on target, adjust your body and try again. Then, and only then, breathe in, breathe out as you squeeze, and time the firing to be the exact moment your body sets on target.

Edit: oh dang, Brando said it first. LOL.

[bob_e95482]

Per Marine Corps Marksmanship training: B.R.A.S.S.
Breathe
Relax
Aim
Stop
Squeeze

[Iggy]

What does stop mean? Stop breathing? Inhale then stop? Exhale then stop? Stop mid breath? Stop aiming?

[killshot44]

Ideally, you'll want to break the shot at the point of your natural respiratory pause.

This is the time between your exhale and the next inhale. Shooting with full or half full lungs increases the pressure in your thoracic cavity, which is where your heart sits. This will exacerbate the pulse pressure transmitted to the rifle leading to more movement or a change in you POA.

The normal, natural pause is 1-5 seconds. Taking much longer can also lead to vision or focus breakdown. Taking several deep breaths before settling behind the rifle can slow the heart rate a bit, depending on your conditioning.

[seronian]

I do it on idle ,inhale ,exhale ,idle .longer times to aim but yes I use BRASS as well.

[Iggy]

Ideally, you'll want to break the shot at the point of your natural respiratory pause.

This is the time between your exhale and the next inhale. Shooting with full or half full lungs increases the pressure in your thoracic cavity, which is where your heart sits. This will exacerbate the pulse pressure transmitted to the rifle leading to more movement or a change in you POA.

The normal, natural pause is 1-5 seconds. Taking much longer can also lead to vision or focus breakdown. Taking several deep breaths before settling behind the rifle can slow the heart rate a bit, depending on your conditioning.

This

[chicoredneck]

So it's best to wait for the reticle to pass over the target and shoot rather then trying to hold it in the same place right?

For the best precision you want to try and hold the retical as steady as possible without any rhythm. By trying to time your shot tho the motion of a shaky retical you not only lose the ability to precisely place your shot, but often the shooter rushes the shot and/or jerks the trigger at the expense off trying to get their timing right.

If you can you want to take your time untill you find a position that gives you as solid a rest as possible with no shake to the reticle.

You will find (at least it was so with me) that you will naturally hold your breath when trying to keep the rifle steady.

[Pthfndr]

Ideally, you'll want to break the shot at the point of your natural respiratory pause.

This is the time between your exhale and the next inhale. Shooting with full or half full lungs increases the pressure in your thoracic cavity, which is where your heart sits. This will exacerbate the pulse pressure transmitted to the rifle leading to more movement or a change in you POA.

The normal, natural pause is 1-5 seconds. Taking much longer can also lead to vision or focus breakdown. Taking several deep breaths before settling behind the rifle can slow the heart rate a bit, depending on your conditioning.

^ This is what brando means when he says.....

It should be a natural feeling, not something forced.

MOST people cannot reliably and consistently pause their breathing cycle at the same point every time in mid breath. But the natural pause at the end of the normal exhale is the easiest to do consistently.

When shooting a rifle with iron sights, from a slung up position, the heart beat effect can be easily seen in the way the front sight moves. Do the same thing with a scope on high magnification and it becomes REALLY obvious. That's why people use sand bags/bipods and rear bags or machine rests when shooting for ultimate accuracy. It takes the shooter part way out of the equation.

[bob_e95482]

The Stop in B.R.A.S.S. is to make sure you have attained all the previous steps. Breath control, body position, sight alignment, STOP, Squeeze.

[muddy57]

Optimally, when you stop exhaling, your POI is on target and your body has "set". If you're not on target, adjust your body and try again. Then, and only then, breathe in, breathe out as you squeeze, and time the firing to be the exact moment your body sets on target.

Edit: oh dang, Brando said it first. LOL.

that's how i try to do it. works for me so far.

[MrPlink]

and wear gloves, your pulse will effect the POI. you can actually see the bounce of your pulse in the scope. I watched Marines shooting open sights 600 meters just ripping the targets apart...like what I can only do at 200 yards...they gave out some tips to the crowd.

interesting, never considered that. Now I can wear gloves at the range and not feel like a