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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.
Shooting (Sport)
Marksmanship
Rifle Shooting
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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...
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
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
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LTC Yinon Weiss
PFC (Join to see) - Focus on the fundamentals in sections 4-16 through 4-24. Those are really the most important sections. Should be pages 102-110 if it's on your phone.
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Check with the NRA in your area. They offer classes and have a marksmanship program... The program is self paced...good luck...
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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.
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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
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SPC (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) first line supervisor. Aka your Sergeant. I say first line supervisor because sometimes the chain of command is jacked up. Once reported directly to an Major.
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SPC (Join to see)
PFC (Join to see) not often. I was part of a HHC and was the driver for the S-3. He liked doing crazy stuff and kept jumping the chain so I was eventually told he was my FLS.
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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.
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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.
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.
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PFC (Join to see)
Yeah, we didn't have range books. We adjusted our sights one day and never wrote anything down. We zeroed at 30 yards and were afforded 40 rounds to zero with. Thank you for the help, Sergeant. I'm getting good ideas from you and everyone else who has commented thus far.
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SSgt (Join to see)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Army uses a 300m zero, and does not teach sight adjustment. We go to a 25 meter zero with sight offset allowed, so when zero is completed the weapon is zeroed for 300 meters. On the qual range, there are 40 targets, ranging from 50 to 300 meters. Each target appears for a few seconds and then falls. Failure to fire counts as a miss. There is no time allowed to adjust sights, nor need, as we don't fire past 300 meters.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSgt (Join to see) - right but a 30 meter bzo = 300 meter zero (theoretically). A good BZO will get you close on anything within 300, but no zero at all can throw you WAY off. It's compounding math.
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SSG Carlos Madden
PFC (Join to see) - Re: inconsistent sight picture on the zero range. This is a helpful clue. Don't over think it. Just put your cheek down where'd it'd naturally fall. Also remember that the smaller the aperture the less room there will be for error in your sight picture. I tried to keep my cheek further back on the stock for this reason (my DS's taught be to put my nose on the charging handle, which I later learned was counter productive in terms of a consistent zero). That being said, if your unit is using M4's make sure the stock is always set in the same place. If you're using M16A2's, don't worry about this part. This may sound silly, but make sure you're looking though the small hole on your rear sight and not the larger one. I've seen more people than you'd think using the wrong rear sight.
On top of that, remember what most others have said - steady positioning, trigger squeeze, breathing.
On top of that, remember what most others have said - steady positioning, trigger squeeze, breathing.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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