Target Practice Tips?

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Using a spinner target successfully, but thought many of us would appreciate a range of expertise on the best ways to practice, at and outside the range.

Best advice for me was to get a .22 (chose a Ruger), since ammo is plentiful and cheap and learn sans scope to start. 'Course, I'm not using handguns myself, but moving on to another rifle.

Let's save safety for another thread (obviously vital).

Tips?

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 06, 1999

Answers

There are many moo re like this, if anyone is interested.

Rapid Target Engagement

Minimum participants: 2 persons Minimum Equipment: 1- small caliber, zeroed, semi-automatic rifle (.22 cal. if available) 100 rounds per person 1- 30 round magazine 3-6 bullseye targets per person 1- watch or stopwatch You will also need a range or other shooting location.

Here's the plan:

Place 3-6 targets, staggered left and right, at various ranges up to 100 yards. Spread them as far apart (left and right) as possible.

Each person then takes a turn, from a sitting position, shooting 20 rounds. Shoot only once per target, quickly shifting from target to target. Follow the same sequence. Example:10 yd. target, 30 yd. target, 60 yd. target, 100 yd target, 10, 30, 60, 100, and so on. Run through this 20 round volley twice each.

Then, with the stopwatch/watch, (again, from a comfortable sitting position) take turns shooting 30 rounds in 60 seconds! Check your targets and tape over the holes after each turn.

The last volley will again be 30 rounds each, but this time the time limit is 45 seconds!

Check your score. The objective is to hit 80% or more of your targets in a 30 round/ 30 second volley!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! That's it. Its simple, effective, economical, and IMPORTANT! Do it with your wife! Do it with your teenager! Do it with your neighbor! Just do it! This is not a one-timer. It should be done every 30-60 days.

Here are a few ideas for variety: 1. If you have a number of participants, take up a small collection and keep score. Purchase a nice piece of gear for the winner!

2. Vary the number of targets and spread them further left and right. Use half-silouettes and place them at ground level.

3. Get a small bottle of dayglo paint. Paint the bullseyes. Shoot at night, shortening the maximum range to 50 yards. Be sure to have a light source shining from behind you! This is a surprising exercise!

Gunner

-- Gunner (tailgunner@hotmail.com), July 06, 1999.


Gunner's exercise is PERFECT! I'm just thinking about the same deal using 30:06's and 270's and 7MM mags. Now that's some serious practice! Thanks Gunner for the idea, I'm going to challenge the neighborhood this weekend!

-- Roger (pecosrog@earthlink.net), July 06, 1999.

Fun. Which is a big part of the deal. Static target practice gets very boring, which then discourages improvement (loss of concentration).

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), July 06, 1999.

Oops, just not so many rounds and not quite so fast, my ears already hurt just thinking about it and my shoulder is flinching too.

-- Roger (pecosrog@earthlink.net), July 06, 1999.

You are using the FBI sized silhouette targets, aren't you?

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), July 06, 1999.


Sounds like a good drill and plenty cheap. Take as often as possible.

Gotta go set this up and try it with a .45acp. Now there's a challenge.

-Greybear

-- Got Reloads?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), July 06, 1999.


Balloons. Gotta be fun. But never, ever glass!

-- A. Hambley (a.hambley@usa.net), July 06, 1999.

Gunner's got it. Just make sure you're getting good consistant hits before you try to speed up and don't forget to breath.

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), July 06, 1999.

make that "breathe".

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), July 06, 1999.

The range I practice at runs a tactical shoot once a month. The range masters are getting creative with their targets and their placement. Best setup for the "average" shooter was setup like this: stepping around a door frame there was a pepper popper target(small figure of steel that falls over when hit), next down the lane was another target just visible behind a berm, then next was a plastic water jug swinging on a rope just 6" from the ground. Last 4 targets were pepper poppers behind berms or an old log.

This was a good course for everyone. You took your time, got hits, saw the results. All of this was setup within about a 100 yard radius. Now I can shoot with the best of the big boys(trusty Colt .45 auto) but I'm here to tell you that hitting that swinging plastic jug was tough!! :) This type of course will allow you to practice your shot placement, your observation skills(you gotta see the target behind the berm) and your reloading skills.

Remember, watch that front sight and squeeze the trigger don't jerk it or you'll pull your shots. Speed is not as important as accuracy. Get the hits!! Start slow, practice safe gun handling and enjoy!!

For those you who have the time and the extra cash I highly recommend taking a course at Gunsite in AZ.(WWW.Gunsite.net) You will learn more in a week about shooting,immediate reaction drills and improve your shooting skills 500%. I've done several classes there and the instructors are the best in the country. They are from the DOE, Law enforcement, military(SEALS,Rangers,Marines) and are first class in all areas.

Freelancer....

-- Freelancer (mercenary2000@yahoo.com), July 07, 1999.



My position on this matter is target whatever inspires you. More fun that way. For me, it's clipped pics of Goldie Hawn and my drawer of promotional AOL CD's which I use as skeet.

-- IPQ (IdProQuo@aol.com), July 07, 1999.

Get Jeff Coopers "The art of the rifle". Read. Get proper sling and practice. Might as well receive instructions from the Master.

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.net), July 07, 1999.


And here are a couple more ideas.

Gunner

Engaging Moving Targets

These will develop your ability to "quick point" and "lead and hit" moving targets at various distances. 1: Minimum persons: 1 Minimum gear: 1 small caliber rifle or paintball gun, zeroed, iron sights. 100 rounds. One 30 round magazine or paintball holder. Several small blocks of wood. You will need a "fast-moving" stream that will allow you to shoot into it.

The plan: Load your weapon; safety on. Go to the end of the available stream/riverbank. Toss a wooden block into the water. Take up a quick shooting position and shoot 8-10 rounds rapidly. Stop firing, safety on, weapon pointed straight up; then move rapidly 6-8 yards downstream. Repeat the 8-10 round volley. Do this once more, then grab your wood, if you can, and reload to start again! After a few trips downstream, you'll be knocking the #!*&^ out of it!! Try it with a handgun. Move back, if possible, or float your wood on the far side. Try an area with shrubs and trees to shoot around and through. Try taking a prone defensive position at each stop, before firing.

2: Minimum persons: 2 Minimum gear: Same as #1 (above) You will need a place to shoot.

The plan: The first shooter stands ready to fire. The target person stands about 5 yards to the left or right of the shooter. Target person then throws a wooden block up about 15 feet and out a few feet in front of the shooter. Shooter quickly aims and takes ONE shot at the wooden block while it is HIGH in the air! Continue this process until the magazine is empty, then swap out. Note: One person can both "throw AND shoot" by holding the rifle with one hand (pointing up) and throwing with the other! Don't throw it too high at first (8-12 feet). Go through the motions a few times without shooting; then go for it! Throw the wooden blocks almost straight up when practicing alone. Keep at it for a couple hours. You'll certainly improve.

3: Minimum persons: 3 Minimum gear: The same rifle. 150 rounds each. Three 30 round magazines. 30 clay pigeons each. You will need a place to shoot ( a wide trail is ideal).

Here's the plan: In this exercise, everyone is busy! One loads, one shoots, and one works targets. The shooter stands facing the trail, which crosses about 10 yards in front of him. The target man sets up about 20 yards right or left, down the trail. The reloader positions himself BEHIND the shooter. The target man then ROLLS a clay pigeon down the trail, across the shooter's path (practice a few rolls as a dry run first to get the rolling speed down). Place a marker on the trail that the target MUST pass before shooting begins (for safety reasons). Shoot rapidfire until you hit it! You will quickly adjust your aim, as the impact of your rounds will be obvious! Don't be afraid to shoot 6-8 times at a target! The reloader must be reloading quickly (good training) as you want to change mags fast and resume firing! As soon as you're hitting EVERY target, swap out and get everyone up to speed. Roll slowly at first, then pick up the pace until you can hit a pretty fast pigeon!! Remember; A skill not practiced is lost...

-- Gunner (tailgunner@hotmail.com), July 07, 1999.


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