Long-range shooting is definitely nothing like shooting by using standard guns. It requires special skills and a shooter has to take into account various factors. For example, hitting the target from a long distance means that you have to consider the wind and even the gravity.
A lot of enthusiasts switch from short range shooting to long range mostly because of the feeling of hitting a target that you almost can’t even see. With a great deal of practice, the right equipment, and experience, you can feel the sensation of hitting the target that is far away from you. If you are interested in how to shoot like a long-range sniper, then this article may help you get started.
What Is Long-Range Shooting
Short range shooting is considered to be less than 300 yards, so long-range is between 300 to 1200 yards. Short range shooting doesn’t require as much effort as long-range shooting because of the ballistics. The two most important things when mastering the skill are practicing and experience. You can’t have experience without practicing, so be well-prepared to spend a lot of time mastering your skills.
You should also choose the right equipment for you and learn how to adjust firing solution and zero. To make sure you can get started, you need to consider several tips and tricks. You will need to choose the right weapon and related equipment as well as.
Long-Range Shooting: Tricks and Tips
To get you started, you may check out several tips and tricks. Usually, you will get help from your instructor or even a consultant in the store where you will buy your equipment. But still, it’s wise to figure out certain things beforehand.
How To Choose The Right Weapon
The key to getting the right rifle is to consider the barrel, stock, and to choose the rifle designed for your specific task. If you choose a standard hunting rifle, it may not be the best weapon for long-range shooting.
The good news is that long-range shooting has nearly become a sport. It means that there was a need, and the market offered a good supply. Today, you can find perfect long-range shooting rifles at a reasonable cost that will let you master your skills.
Get a Long-Range Scope
The glass is arguably the most important component of the shooting process. The beginners often wonder why it may be so expensive. The thing is that the long-range scope should be of high-quality glass to let you see what is happening near the target. You can even tell the direction of the wind thanks to the high-level glass.
Another important factor is magnification. The best one you can get is the one with adjustable magnification. That’s how you can adjust magnification and basically shoot at any range you want.
Know the Effect of Wind and Gravity on Bullets
Learning how gravity and wind affect the bullet is one of the most important factors when shooting. Note, the wind might be blowing in one direction near you, and the other – near the target. You will learn how to adjust your shooting when practicing.
Position Yourself Properly
You should feel comfortable and be focused when shooting. If you position yourself in a way that affects your ability to pull the trigger or to see the target, you won’t be successful. Your rifle should be resting stable rest to let you test your firing skills.
Perfect Your View
Ideally, you need a high-quality scope to make sure you hit the target. With great glass, you can see the weather conditions near your target, visualize the path of the bullet, and make a clean hit. You also should position yourself correctly to clear the view and get a chance to make a clean shot.
Practice
If you want to know how to shoot with a rifle, then practice is a key. Practicing is always a good thing even if you think that your skills are already at a decent level. Long-range shooting is much more difficult than shooting at a target close to you. Practice will help you easily and quickly adjust your shot considering the environment and other conditions.
Long-Range Shooting: Most Common Mistakes
If you are struggling to hit the target, you may have mistakes in your shooting setup. If you keep practicing and try hard to consider the environmental factors, and you still can’t hit, then there might be some mistakes. Check out the possible mistakes below.
A Scope Isn’t Properly Mounted
You may think your scope is mounted properly, and the problem is hidden somewhere else. But are you 100% sure you mounted it correctly? If not, check out video tutorials or written instructions on how to do it properly. It could be your mistake which you can easily fix and finally experience the sensation of hitting the target that you can’t even see.
Poor Weather Conditions
Probably the best weather conditions one could think of to practice is a calm day early in the morning. There should be little to no wind, and the weather is calm. If you keep shooting during rainy or too windy days, you won’t have any positive or even useful experience.
Not a Stable Rest
The task is to test the rifle and your shooting skills, not your ability and skills to actually hold the rifle. Make sure you have a heavy bench rest to get more practice at shooting and not holding the rifle.
Incorrect Trigger Pull
It will take some time to learn how to correctly pull the trigger. The ideal trigger pull is when you do it with little to no influence from external conditions.
Lack Of Focus
Many experienced shooters note that one of the most common mistakes of beginners is their lack of focus throughout the whole process of shooting. The shot does not end when you pull the trigger – only when the bullet hits the target. Every shooter should visualize the distance of the bullet, how and where it will hit the target, and what conditions may impact the shot. So keep focused at all times.
Let The Barrel Cool
If you won’t let your barrel cool down between shots, you may start missing the target. Make sure to pay attention to the barrel, if it’s too heated up, then it might be wise to let it cool and then proceed shooting. You will be able to tell when it’s time to rest with practice.
Final Words
The reason why many shooters switch from short range shooting to long range shooting is because of the challenge. But what does it mean? It means that it won’t be easy – that’s the whole point of a challenge. It takes a while to learn all the tricks and tips, to adjust them to your situation, to master the skills, etc.
Each shooter has their own techniques that fit their way of shooting, and it also takes a while to figure them out. But with enough practice, you will be getting more experience. And experience is what makes a difference. You will start noticing things that you haven’t during the early days. That way, you can adjust your technique and become a real professional shooter.
