LR tips

[Rbutler]

Lets get a thread to share any tips to help new shooters out. Any tricks you might have.

one thing i learned to do is read the bushes for wind BEFORE using your kestryll. Reason for this is you will start to be able to read the wind based on your surroundings.

Line up behind the rifle. if you take a shot and your optics are not right back on target you are not behind the rifle.
For instance: break shot and rifle moves to the right it means your body is to the left so schooch a hair to the right. One way to test is put the reticle on target close your eyes and move the rifle up and down left and right, then let it settle where its comfortable and open you eyes, you should still be on target. Adjust your BODY until you can open your eyes and be on target.

Once you get this you will be able to see your splashes even at 100 yards.

Keep your head down after the shot, use your optic to spot. ALot of people will look up and try and see the splash, line up behind the rifle break the shot and you will see the splash in the optic.

anyone else have some tips for shooters?

[JMP]

one thing i learned to do is read the bushes for wind BEFORE using your kestryll. Reason for this is you will start to be able to read the wind based on your surroundings.

I use the Kestrel first so I can get a better read on elevation. Kestrels cannot properly read wind anyhow if there is too much real estate between you and your target and you need to make quick changes. Wind is only a skill obtained through a lot of practice. Use a weather meter to get the wind near you, but then use everything else between you and the target that you can. Weeds, dust, and scope mirage help you make you best estimate. If you are lucky, they are all moving the the same direction. When they aren't, which is quite common, it becomes much more difficult.

This is the reason I recommend folks to NOT learn with the most ballistically efficient cartridge. You can get more opportunity to learn using something that gets pushed around a bit. The .223 remington is an excellent and inexpensive way to learn because you have the challenge of fighting with the wind without shooting that far.

Keep your head down after the shot, use your optic to spot. ALot of people will look up and try and see the splash, line up behind the rifle break the shot and you will see the splash in the optic.

I'll add that the obvious necessity of spotting your hit in your optic is so you can measure the correction with your reticle. What's really nice is if you are shooting with other people, you can watch their splashes as a dust cloud dispersion is a really good way to get a sense of wind down range.

[D.carden]

Lets get a thread to share any tips to help new shooters out. Any tricks you might have.

No tricks, but first things first... Get your platform set-up properly before sending lead down range... Getting a consistent cheek weld is critical. A loose jaw and your cheek bone saddled on the crest of the butt stock, every time/all the time, in the same place. Optics should be mounted with proper eye relief and height without moving your head/face from your cheek weld (anchor point). I've corrected a lot of new shooters with these issues. They would hand me their rifle and say they cant hit anything with it. I mount the rifle and find the scope improperly mounted, thus they have to adjust their head to find the reticle, not good.... Practice holding the rifle the same way everytime, whether off the bench or prone. Start out at close ranges, 200yds or so, until you can get sub MOA groups in a mild environment and really get the 'feel of it', then start reaching out....!!!

[Fjold]

Shoot.

To many people don't.

[highpower790]

Shoot.

To many people don't.

And shoot fast to minimize any changes between shots!

[pennys dad]

If I had to choose tips for student prepping for LR, they would be in order.

Steady Hold Factors
Six Steps to sending a shot
Inches Minutes/Mils and Clicks
Natural Point of Aim
Reading your shot pattern

In addition I agree with what has been said so far and I will create a thread sticky for "Tips for Long Range Shooting"

[pennys dad]

No tricks, but first things first... Get your platform set-up properly before sending lead down range... Getting a consistent cheek weld is critical. A loose jaw and your cheek bone saddled on the crest of the butt stock, every time/all the time, in the same place. Optics should be mounted with proper eye relief and height without moving your head/face from your cheek weld (anchor point). I've corrected a lot of new shooters with these issues. They would hand me their rifle and say they cant hit anything with it. I mount the rifle and find the scope improperly mounted, thus they have to adjust their head to find the reticle, not good.... Practice holding the rifle the same way everytime, whether off the bench or prone. Start out at close ranges, 200yds or so, until you can get sub MOA groups in a mild environment and really get the 'feel of it', then start reaching out....!!!

This post alone has several different topics

[spamsucker]

preload the bipod.

[lightflight]

Don't drag wood.

[kcstott]

How about this

1. Do your home work
2. Read everything you can get your hands on OLD and new info
3. Trigger time
4. don't be afraid to ask the opinion of an experience long range shooter But be sure he's the real deal, too many wannabe's and space shuttle door gunners out there

[milotrain]

1. Trigger time trumps all.
Subset of item #1, it's not the rifle's fault. Don't try and buy your way into excellence unless you are buying ammo and range time. It's not the rifle's fault.

[Sir Toast]

1. Pack in more than you pack out if you're outdoors.
2. Be Safe
3. Always have a blow out kit
4. Don't skimp on optics - You won't learn anything about accuracy with a cheap optic


I will leave it with those things for now. Great thread!

[kcstott]

And know when to call it a day.

If you start to get fatigued and your groups start to open up. Call it a day. You can take a break, or take a day, but wasting ammo and developing bad technique will not make you a better shooter.

Practice does not make perfect
Perfect practice makes perfect

[RDStott]

[Rbutler]

1. Pack in more than you pack out if you're outdoors.
2. Be Safe
3. Always have a blow out kit
4. Don't skimp on optics - You won't learn anything about accuracy with a cheap optic


I will leave it with those things for now. Great thread!

BS, you will learn about how inaccurate an optic can be.... first scope i got was an AIM sports 6-22 FFP for 100 bucks, thought i was cool stuff.... spent the next 40 rounds zeroing..... then i realized i made a mistake.