Ok, so how do I train/practice?

[LooseGrouper]

I've been wanting to attend some type of course that will help me become a better overall rifleman. I've been hunting and shooting for years, and with a good rest (backpack, fencepost, etc) and good optics I'm confident of hitting deer-sized targets at 200 yards or so. I'm getting tired of going to the range to shoot the same old targets at the same old distances from the same old positions (standing or seated at the bench...I'm not too good standing by the way). My abilities with a rifle are pretty much what they were five or ten years ago.

I just moved to San Antonio, so I've checked out some the offerings in the semi-local area. The Rifles Only classes look interesting, but expensive, long (it's hard to get away from work), and seem to focus on military/LEO needs like teamwork, communication, etc...which are nice, but I don't think very applicable in my situation. I've heard that the Austin Gun Club sometimes offers classes, and maybe the TSRA, but I haven't seen anything advertised on their websites...probably need to contact someone directly.

Learning to reload and transition would be great, but I want to focus on how to make the first 5/10/20 shots count. I own a mini-30, an M1A (the 16" version) and a couple of lever guns). I don't want to go out and buy an AR just to take a class. I guess what I'm looking for is some training where the instructor will show me how to take my "favorite" rifle and use it to best advantage in a variety of situations (self defense, hunting, etc). I don't want to become a Tactical SWAT Special Operator Delta Force Ranger Sniper. I just want to be a guy with a rifle who know how to use it.

Anyone been in the same boat? Any recommendations for practice, to include a place to do it, since a lot of ranges don't seem to allow much flexibility?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I hope my wants are realistic.

 

[ACP230]

You might check out Fred's AQT targets/test.
He sells M14 stocks and advertises in Shotgun News .
The AQT comes from the Army Qualification Test and is a nasty little course. Fred says it can make you a "rifleman" rather than a "cook."

I've taken a run at it with my M1A and AR and I'm still a cook.

I think you could use either the Mini 14 or the short M1A in most courses.
I can't see the small targets that simulate shooting at 500 yards well enough to hit them in the right spot.

I saw a lot of ARs at a course I attended in July but there were also an M1 Carbine, a Marlin 9mm Camp carbine, and a scoped Marlin 30-30. I had my M1A along, but had to skip the rifle part of the course due to extreme heat.

 

[Telperion]

Get involved in competitive shooting. Highpower, 3-gun, and tactical matches. You may still end up needing a new rifle.

I shoot highpower, but not enough as I would like because of driving distance to the range. I think it would be right for you given your goals of improving your general marksmanship abilities. Ask around in the competition forum.

 

[30Cal]

across the course NRA Highpower Rifle is a pretty good way to becoming and all-around rifleman.

Slowfire offhand at 200yds
Rapidfire sitting at 200yds
Rapidfire prone at 300yds
Slowfire prone at 600yds

Many places don't have a 600yd range, so they shoot on reduced targets--the only difference between that and the full course is that you don't have to adjust for the wind. It's just as challenging in all the other departments though.

You'll get a lot of practice in use of the sling and a lot of exercising of your sight knobs. You can use the short M1A, but you'd be in the Match Rifle category (not that big a big deal if you're just looking to hone your skills).

Ty

 

[LooseGrouper]

Does anyone have any pics of the AQT target?

Competition sounds like a good idea, but I'm not very familiar with the different types. The highpower stuff sounds fun, but 600yds seems a little daunting to me. I assume these are "iron sights" only events?

What's is a typical 3-gun shoot like? For some reason I envision it as being "tactical," with IPSC style courses tailored to rifle, shotgun, or handgun distances. That would be fun, especially if they had a class where people used leverguns, revolvers, and over/unders.

EDIT: Just noticed that with this post I became a "senior member." Now everyone will finally respect me. Maybe I should throw a party...beer and ammo for everybody!

 

[mpthole]

That would be fun, especially if they had a class where people used leverguns, revolvers, and over/unders.

That would be called Cowboy Action Shooting.

Seriously - competition is FUN, no matter which style or brand you choose. If you stick with it, you willl become a better shooter.

 

[ocabj]

If you really want to become a better rifleman, you pretty much need to shoot a lot from all the positions besides a bench(rest). Standing, prone, sitting/kneeling are the main positions. Get a rifle with open sights and start shooting in those positions. Standing takes a lot of work. My offhand is horrible, too. It's all about learning how to hold within a specific cone and learning how to squeeze the trigger in time with your sights lining up with the target. Everyone is going to have wobble. That's just a fact of life. Learning how to accept your wobble and obtain trigger control (along with a good standing position) are the keys to success in offhand.

As far as 3-gun, it is an action shooting competition with stages that incorporate the use of a rifle, shotgun, and pistol. For the most part, AR-15 variants, autoloading shotguns, and semi-auto pistols dominate 3-gun.

 

[LooseGrouper]

Yeah, I've heard that ARs, semis, and semis are the tools to use if you want to compete. I just think it would be fun to have a "sportsmans" category using "modern" hunting rifles, DA revolvers, and sporting shotguns. Just a random comment. Then again, it might still be fun to use such guns to compete regardless of what equipment was taking home the most trophies.

As far as shooting from multiple positions goes, I would love to. The problem is that the ranges I have been using have "stalls." You can either shoot offhand or from the bench.

 

[Correia]

Take a look over in the competiton shooting forum. 3gun or Highpower would really help you become a better rifleman. There are clubs all over Texas.

 

[ACP230]

There's also an e-mail match run out of the competition forum on THR.
I missed last month's match but have often had fun with them.
There are classes for different types of guns including scoped rifles.

 

[El Tejon]

Carry your weapon about the house, this will acclimate you to the weapon and allow it to become part of you as you clean and do the laundry.

Run and stretch. Running will not only cut the flab but allow you a decreased heartbeat and more air. Stretch will allow you to get deeper into positions and allow you to recover more quickly.

Dry practice. It's all about the trigger, then the sights, then it's about the bling, bling. Work on your positions here. Just like martial arts, keep a stance for 30 seconds and work up.

Get a shooting buddy. An incentive to shoot and someone to watch you.

Get a coach. See if you can get an old hand at the club or shooting organization to help you.

Class. Education is expensive, but ignorance will really cost you. I highly recommend Gunsite 270 or Thunder Ranch General Purpose Rifle. Many good schools. I have heard of Raffles Only and that they have an outstanding reputation.

Best wishes, friend.