What do ya'll Practice at the range? Postions, etc.

[possum]

What do you guys and gals practice while at the range, and what do you focus on more than anything else? below is my marksmanship plan that i follow when i am shooting the ar, ak etc. i like to work on various positions, various fiing modes ie. quick fire, rapid fire etc. and at different ranges. any critiques or advice is welcome.

50yds
standing
kneeling
sitting
prone supported(rapid fire)
prone unsupported(quick fire)

100yds
standing
sitting
prone unsupported
prone supported
prone supported quick fire

200yds
sitting
prone supported
prone unsupported

i would go out farther but that is far a the range goes most times, i use my sling as much as possible to aid in having a stable postion. i have found that it works great for me. what do ya'll think? any thing i should do different? thanks.

 

[SUBMOAS]

I got my heart rate up...

Lived in Colorado for the last 11 years(now living in San Antonio), I would always try and get my heart rate up and shoot short of breath. It never failed. Come over a ridge-line at 8500 feet and see you elk 100-400 yards away. Try holding on your target short of breath.
It takes good controll to shoot a good shot.

 

[possum]

you know what that is a great idea, thanks for the reply. now that i think about that we did that in basic, we did a forced road march and then qualified. i was did 38-40 on the normal qual, but only got a 28 out of 40 on the stress fire, i haven't done that since but i definetly need to again. thanks again!

 

[rockstar.esq]

I try to do some kneeling shots at 100-200 yds. Of all the positions I find it's the second (to offhand) fastest and it's almost as stable as sitting for hasty shots. If you can find a place to shoot with uneven ground, you might find some good practice shooting from improvised positions at odd angles.

 

[ocabj]

Each week I put about 50 rounds downrange in offhand at 200 yards (with the AR). Every few weeks I'll practice sitting from standing rapids at 200. Every now and then I'll do some prone 200 with the Garand. I use SR targets. This is specifically for highpower.

Every now and then I'll practice modified positions or the scoped bolt gun. Mostly sitting with a prop like a stool with bean bag and offhand unsupported, besides prone off bipod or rucksack.

 

[possum]

sounds good thanks for the replies, keep em comming!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Once you have developed good habits and good muscle memory, get a shot timer and add time stress to the equation. Doing two shots standing, two shots kneeling, and two shots prone into an 8" circle at 50yds isn't very challenging. Doing the same thing in 10 seconds is demanding though.

 

[possum]

very good, so far i have add physical stress, by getting the heart rate up a little and time stress great ideas i love it!

 

[lionking]

a thread like this motivates me.....

Its been a while but I use to do similar practice like you listed.I also built multiple target stands placed in different locations,would set up obsticles including my car and fire and manuver.That would get my breath short after a while and that does make it more difficult.I also would practice transisition to pistol double tap at close ranges.This was done far far out in nowhere because ranges dont allow that for civilians around here.

Lately though The few times I've been out has been more shooting prone to see how rifles are performing.That and just plinking.All your ideas here will give me clues so thanks.Trigger time spent sure makes a difference,since I dont go out regularly lately I've seen my proficiency decline.

And lately there has been talk about proper use of a sling,I never learned that,it helps to see tips on that posted because Im sure that would help improve my ability greatly.

One thing I've rarely practiced is right handed shooting since Im left handed.I have a disadvantage of never having formal military training so I 've tried to do things from listening and reading about others who have,this of course was my personal endevour and still feel I have no real knowledge or correct education regarding this.

 

[dfaugh]

Actually, at the range I only shoot off a solid rest/sandbags, to test the accuracy of the gun/ammo combination.

THEN, I take the gun "out back" in my woods and practice shooting from a variety of positions, at various targets (of unknown range). Rarely shoot prone (too much brush and junk) but will use sitting position, and offhand (most often using a tree or something as a "rest" to steady the gun. Helps develop "real world" situations, and especially range estimation.

 

[Chris Rhines]

I shoot a lot of different positions at different ranges.

Offhand freestyle out to 100 yards or so. I like to mix in movement, barricades/cover, awkward positions, etc., depending on what's available at the range.

Kneeling, improvised rests, and prone out to 300 yards. I usually start with the rifle at port arms or low ready and get into position as quickly as possible. I don't practice positions that take a long time to get into or out of - stay mobile!

Low prone (rifle ahead of shoulder, turned 90 degrees counter clockwise) and left/right supine out to 100 yards or so. Like shooting under a car, or using a curbstone for cover.

Definitely use a shot timer, both to give yourself some pressure and to keep track of your progress.

- Chris

 

[nhhillbilly]

Try 25 yards

Try Using Fred's M14 Stocks Rifleman or Cook course of fire. It is timed. It is shot at only 25 yards. Good reasonable course of fire.