How to shoot better at the range?

2016-01-18T20:17:36-05:00

I shot a 25 in basic training and I don't want that type of score to follow me throughout my career. When I get to my duty station, will I be afforded opportunities to practice shooting on the range to increase my scores? Also, does anyone out there have any tips and tricks that they use on the range? I'm open for advice. Thanks.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 8:20 PM

2016-01-18T20:20:41-05:00

When you get to your unit talk to first line. I was taught a bunch of wrong stuff in basic. My first line got me squared away. And this way he knows that you need range time and that you want to improve

Response by SrA Karla Kiser made Jan 18 at 2016 8:21 PM

2016-01-18T20:21:11-05:00

You'll go to the range I'd imagine for practice but go on your own and find someone who shoots well and have them teach you. It's all about patience and knowledge. Once you learn the basic fundamentals of shooting you'll progress just fine. So, my advice is seek out someone once you get to your duty station and ask them to go to the range with you and teach you! Good luck, you'll be fine!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 18 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-01-18T20:25:27-05:00

1) Fundamentals are your friend. Breath, Relax, Aim, Squeeze, Shoot.
2) You've got all the time in the world. Use it.
3) Call your shot when your target goes down (The last point where you were aiming). Circle your last shot when the target goes down. Don't waste time when the target is UP. That is time that can be used AIMING.
4) Check your DOPE. Double check your DOPE. Triple check your DOPE.
5) Knowing how to call your shot (see 3) accurately is a HUGE skill. If your shots are going where you thought they were, then refer back to 1 & 2. If they are consistently off, refer to 4). If they are all over the place...figure out why. A rifle is a machine. It does exactly what you tell it to.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 18 at 2016 8:27 PM

2016-01-18T20:27:15-05:00

Shooting and marksmanship is a science and an art. There are MANY things one must learn to master it. Don't go chasing too many "tricks", as the best way to improve is to master shooting and not follow rumors or tricks.

Given your MOS, I'm guessing you will not have nearly as much range time as you want or need. Seek out NCOs in your unit who are top shooters and ask them to help you.

In the meanwhile, study all the key terms and concepts associated with marksmanship. Get a copy of Army Field Manual FM 3-22.9 and understand the basics on your own. Focus on the fundamentals in sections 4-16 through 4-24.

Here is also a Marine Corps video that is a bit older, but the basics of marksmanship don't change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9oF05mqdvo

Fundamentals of Marine Corps Marksmanship

http://www.tngun.com/fundamentals-of-marine-corps-marksmanship http://www.amazon.com/Rifle-Marksmanship-U-S-Marine-Corps/dp/141010818X/Sheschinc-20 This vide...

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 18 at 2016 10:03 PM

2016-01-18T22:03:50-05:00

Watch your leaders. It helped me. I remember the day when I was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii when I received a notice to report to the range and re-qualify on the 1911 Colt .45 (yes, it was many years ago). We were given three clips of 7 rounds each and one pistol. The colonel next to me scored 25 misses. All 21 round as well as the three clips and the pistol that he threw at the target. Then left. It did a lot to reduce my tension.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:11 PM

2016-01-18T22:11:46-05:00

PFC Private RallyPoint Member you will qualify every 6 months when you get to your unit. Unless they put you as a primary or secondary on other weapons. You will more than likely not shoot unless to just qualify.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 1:38 AM

2016-01-19T01:38:04-05:00

Learn the fundamentals:
a) sight alignment
b) A good position
c) breathing
d) trigger squeeze

As many have said before. However, even though the Marines video was good, there is something flawed to what we, in the Army, need to accomplish in our pop up targets, is that you will need to get used to have BOTH eyes open, that way you can scan your sectors.

This is something very useful when you shoot in a range or in combat, something you can train, on your own, or with some guidance. There is also the when you get to a position, is to practice all. Learn to shoot and move, while walking, there are ranges that you can do that.

This is all great, as long as you zero in your sights accordingly to 300 meters, when you zero the sights don't forget that upper sight is 2 clicks for each line, and the front site is one click. Go to a range where you can rent, an AR15, and good luck

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 19 at 2016 7:03 AM

2016-01-19T07:03:42-05:00

A lot of good advice in these various comments which should help you next time. A good coach should be able to correct any issues. You might also consider having your eyes checked unless you are positive you have excellent vision. Being near sighted always kept me from getting a clear sight picture..

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jan 19 at 2016 7:35 AM

2016-01-19T07:35:23-05:00

Check with the NRA in your area. They offer classes and have a marksmanship program... The program is self paced...good luck...

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jan 19 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-01-19T10:45:08-05:00

Best tip I can give is this. I have helped people on the range many, MANY times. The person is shooting 8, 12, or 20. Obviously what the person is doing, is not working or your score would be higher.

Here is the advise. Instead of being BULLHEADED and saying "this is the way I shot" listen to the person that is trying to help you. You are obviously doing something that isn't working, so trying what they are suggesting wont HURT! Might just improve what you are doing or hone your abilities that you already have. Pistol technique is different from rifle, but breathing is the same on both.As well as trigger SQUEEZE!
So be ready for ridicule on the the errors (not belittling) and listen to the solution. try the solution, if the solution works, change to the solution and drive on! Good luck, PVT Travis Gibbs.
There is a lot of good solutions to both that I have read here. Read, Listen, Learn.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 11:05 AM

2016-01-19T11:05:13-05:00

do your fundamentals and you'll get better. maybe some trigger time at a private range might do you some good

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-01-19T11:52:38-05:00

Success on the qual range is always preceded by success on the zero range. The zero range gives you immediate feedback on your shooting. If you just barely meet the standard on the zero range, don't expect to magically improve on the qual range. I believe everything else I could say has already been covered. Download FM 3-22.9 from armypubs and read it.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 3:36 PM

2016-01-19T15:36:13-05:00

Practice a lot at the range!!!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 4:16 PM

2016-01-19T16:16:27-05:00

You have to focus, as cliche as it sounds it does work. When I shoot in basic my arms were noodles. I just focused in and controlled my breathing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 6:22 AM

2016-01-20T06:22:10-05:00

Buy an inexpensive .22 such as a Ruger 10/22. You can get one used for less than $200. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. Practicing on your own is cheap with .22 and you'll strengthen your fundamentals. Shooting any rifle and improving your skill will transfer over with the M4/M16.

Response by LTC Jeffrey Strickland made Jan 20 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-01-20T12:36:37-05:00

I agree with LTC Yinon Weiss and would add that I dry-fire using a laser sight. I have obtained NRA Distinguished Expert qualification and the most improvement in my skill came from dry-firing.

Response by SSgt Aaron P. made Jan 21 at 2016 4:30 PM

2016-01-21T16:30:51-05:00

I saw that it was said a number of times already, but I feel that it's too important to not say again: follow the fundamentals.

As a "retread", I spent my first five years in the Army in the low end of the Marksman scale. Fast-forward to my 13-year stint in the Marine Corps and I was comfortably firing in the mid-expert range. Only one qualification was lower than Expert and that was due solely to my own attitude.

The fundamentals that you should follow, in my opinion, are those of Marine Corps Marksmanship. There is a strong focus on bone support (and not "muscling" the weapon), breath control, sight picture/alignment, and that slow and steady squeeze of the trigger. My time in the Army (Military Police) saw none of these teachings, not how to use the windage/elevation portions of the weapon.

tl;dr
Use Marine Corps Marksmanship fundamentals and always shoot with a positive mental attitude. You'll go a long way.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 5:11 PM

2016-01-28T17:11:21-05:00

Practice Practice Practice. Learn the fundamentals. And yes you will have more opportunities. Every soldier is required to qualify on their assigned weapon system semi-annually.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 5:14 PM

2016-01-28T17:14:24-05:00

Check out the Master Marksmanship Training Course material published online to improve marksmanship Army wide. http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/316thCav/129/mmtc/course-material.html

The United States Army | Fort Benning

Benning, MCOE, Maneuver Center, Armor, Infantry, schools at Benning, Basic Training, Airborne, Ranger, OCS, Army

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2019 9:46 AM

2019-08-15T09:46:50-04:00

The SARG (Small Arms Readiness Group) went through one of the Training Centers and gave our BN pointers. I personally went from 25 to high 30's, no less than 35.
-high pistol grip, wrap than middle finger up and high....don't use the pistol grip how its molded
-natural aim. Get a comfortable position in which where you aim is natural, there is no muscle effort to maintain position or target. Close your eyes and wait a few seconds and open. If you are zeroed on the same spot you are good
-low support always, can you lay so low that the magazine is what supports your rifle? That is allowed for both supported AND unsupported. You won't need to change positions for either series. Also, it's very supportive and doesn't jam the weapon during firing
-move your body to target, don't just turn to meet it. Wiggle your self over to naturally aim on it. Straining causes twitching and you try to adjust for involuntary muscle spasms
-kneeling with your rifle hugged in close, I have my knee cap up between the pistol grip and magazine (best stability I've found) and i sit on my other foot. It's not always comfortable but what.....6 minutes of discomfort for shooting all 10 down. I'll take it.
-the zero, make sure you zero your rifle and it's actually zeroed properly. Good pointer is to zero all shots NOT dead center but on the lower half of the silhouette. With the arc the round takes you won't have to aim low for this or center for those. Center mass for all and it hits where it should. Even the 300 will be hit in the low center.