Long Distance Shooting – Technique Tips

It’s no surprise that shooting at longer distances is an art that requires both precision and patience. Whether you’re a competitive shooter or an avid hunter, mastering this skill requires a deep understanding of the fundamentals of shooting, including proper technique, equipment, and the environment.

 The last time we talked about long distance shooting, we covered guns & gear. For this edition we’ll focus more on technique and follow with targeting later this year. It’s definitely a big subject to cover.

Like any sport or physical activity, there are a variety of elements that all have to come into play in order to get optimal results. It’s an aggregate of performance factors that require close attention to help minimize overall error, especially with the exponential effect each has when shooting at extreme distances.

 Technique

Position

A proper shooting position provides overall stability, better recoil management, facilitates a natural point of aim and alignment, and provides ergonomic support. These elements can collectively contribute to improved accuracy and precision in long-distance rifle shooting. Depending on what you’re shooting (game or otherwise), the environment you’re shooting within, and your own level of mobility, there are some options to choose from.

In all cases, be sure to pay attention to the following:

• Keep your body weight evenly distributed and supported by your skeletal structure. This helps to minimizing muscular tension.
• Position the rifle so that the stock rests firmly against your shoulder pocket to best absorb recoil
• Whenever possible, support the rifle’s front end with a bipod, sandbag, backpack or other suitable surface for stability
• Ensure a firm and consistent cheek weld
• Try and keep the rifle parallel to the ground and aligned with the target
• Don’t attempt to force your position by twisting your body or craning your neck. If you do need to realign, you’ll be better off by moving your whole body and/or lifting and adjusting your front-end support.
• Note that there will always be some variations to the ‘standard’ shooting positions to accommodate individual preferences and comfort level. A good example of this is when you see some shooters draw one leg up in the prone position vs. the normal symmetrical spread. Some also may opt for a soft support between or under their arms. Whatever works…

Prone

This position is generally considered to be the most stable, although it does provide a low angle for your shots if there are visual obstacles like tall grass or brush in your way. It has the greatest potential for shot accuracy and minimizes recoil very well due to the line-up with your body. It isn’t ideal however, for those who may have physical limitations with getting up and down.

Kneeling

This method works well if you find yourself in waist-high cover. Typically, the rear knee is placed on the ground, with the front leg supporting the forward arm. Place the elbow on the muscle of your thigh as opposed to your kneecap (bone-on-bone) for better stability.

Sitting

Both of your arms are supported in this case (again, avoid elbow-to-knee contact), with your legs either apart or crossed. Many hunters use this position when sitting against a tree.

Standing

Although this position is the quickest to establish and provides better visibility in dense cover, it is the least stable since the only support comes from your muscular strength and balance. For that reason, it is not ideal for shooting at long distances.

Grip

The hold you have on your rifle can play a crucial role in the accuracy of your shots. A firm grip is necessary for maximum control and to help with recoil management. However, it shouldn’t be so tight that it creates enough tension to affect your aim.

Breathing

Taking slow, deep breaths helps to keep you relaxed and can minimize the potential of any inadvertent movements of your rifle during firing. Be sure to exhale and pause on the down breath briefly to maintain stability as you shoot.

Trigger Control

A slow, steady squeeze, without jerking or slapping, will always give you better results. This technique allows for a much smoother shot with minimal disruption to your aim.

Follow Through

It’s important to continue the process of the shot even after the rifle has fired. Once the trigger breaks, continue the squeeze and then release the trigger slowly to the front while maintaining your body position and sight picture. This helps to assess your shot placement and make any necessary adjustments.

General

Here are a few additional random tips that can be helpful:

It may seem obvious, but be sure to stay comfortable and relaxed as you set up and shoot. It’s important to block out
all extraneous sensory input so that you can focus entirely on the task at-hand.

As you practice your skills in this area, it’s a good idea to start a little shorter and then work your way up in increments to longer distances. This way you’ll be able to get a stronger sense of the adjustments necessary for accuracy and consistency as you go, and any early successes you have can help to boost your confidence.

Taking a course on long distance shooting and learning from the experience of experts is a great way to get a leg-up on your new techniques and is sure to help you advance more quickly.

Long distance rifle shooting is a skill that just doesn’t happen on its own. There are a lot of elements to consider, but by taking the time to fully understand and implement each one, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more accurate shooter.