WHAT IS PRECISION RIFLE?
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:02 pm
Source: Gun Nuts Media to Gun Up
Precision rifle shooting describes many different disciplines of competitive marksmanship, but at the core the goal is the same as in all other shooting sports—that is we want to hit the center of the target more often than anyone else. Precise projectile control at a long range begins with methodical, consistent execution of the fundamentals we all know, but all too often forget. So what else does it take to hit the center of the target once there is some distance involved? Let’s explore what helps and what hurts your bullet’s chances of hitting dead center…
It’s all about the variables! Seriously, ever stop to think how many things affect your bullet’s chances of hitting a target 500-1200 yards away? Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of various potential factors to consider:
Rifle accuracy (based on mechanical tolerances, components, gunsmithing, etc.)
Ammunition (consistency is key)
Wind
Altitude
Humidity
Temperature
Coriolis effect
Sight alignment
Sight picture
Natural point of aim
You, me, the shooter!
Precision rifle shooting is an exercise in variable elimination. Which variables can we control, which ones can we ignore, and which ones do we have to adapt to ad hoc? The rifle and ammunition are things that we can control, and we should take every reasonable measure to do just that. Sight picture, sight alignment, our natural point of aim, and yes, we ourselves are variables we strive to control. An aspiring rifle shooter should focus energy at making shot execution as consistent as possible. Let’s take those variables out of the equation!
Of the factors remaining, some have an enormous impact on our bullets trajectory, still others, I say, can mostly be ignored. It is without question that wind moves bullets. Understanding how to read wind and appropriately adjust for it on-the-fly can take a lifetime and there are dozens of books on the subject. When it comes down to it most wind corrections are based in part on math (wind charts or meters) and in part on an intuition (a good guess). High heat can increase chamber pressure, increasing muzzle velocity or even causing pressure issues. Altitude should be kept track of as well. I shoot at a range in New Mexico where because of the altitude I can use my sea-level 900 yard elevation to hit center shots at 1000 yards. Thinner air impedes the bullets less.
On the other hand, I’ve shot in rain so thick the targets nearly vanished, and I’m convinced that my bullets are rain proof. If anything, shooting in rain is wonderful! The rain provides an indicator of the wind everywhere between us and our target. What about the rotation of the Earth under our projectiles, also called the coriolis effect? If we do the math and we find out it’s worth something on the order of 6 inches when we’re shooting 1200 yards or closer. In my opinion, this variable is dominated by other factors which have greater impact on the bullet’s trajectory. If there was a no wind 1000 yard in door range, we would want to take the rotation of the Earth into account there. Then again we would also want to consider the spin drift of the bullet at that point too… On the scale that we shoot let’s leave the rotation of the Earth as an excuse for people who can’t admit they aren’t perfect.
Precision rifle shooting isn’t a small category of shooting, rather in envelops many different disciplines of practical and competitive uses of marksmanship. Shooting precisely at a distance requires many things as we have seen. More than anything it requires a shooter who willing to go the extra distance by working to master the above factors and take the perfect shot every time.
Author Bio: Kelly is a champion high power rifle shooter, with mulitple state and national championships under his belt. In 2010 he was one of 16 contestants on the first season of History Channel's hit show "Top Shot".
Regards
Precision rifle shooting describes many different disciplines of competitive marksmanship, but at the core the goal is the same as in all other shooting sports—that is we want to hit the center of the target more often than anyone else. Precise projectile control at a long range begins with methodical, consistent execution of the fundamentals we all know, but all too often forget. So what else does it take to hit the center of the target once there is some distance involved? Let’s explore what helps and what hurts your bullet’s chances of hitting dead center…
It’s all about the variables! Seriously, ever stop to think how many things affect your bullet’s chances of hitting a target 500-1200 yards away? Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of various potential factors to consider:
Rifle accuracy (based on mechanical tolerances, components, gunsmithing, etc.)
Ammunition (consistency is key)
Wind
Altitude
Humidity
Temperature
Coriolis effect
Sight alignment
Sight picture
Natural point of aim
You, me, the shooter!
Precision rifle shooting is an exercise in variable elimination. Which variables can we control, which ones can we ignore, and which ones do we have to adapt to ad hoc? The rifle and ammunition are things that we can control, and we should take every reasonable measure to do just that. Sight picture, sight alignment, our natural point of aim, and yes, we ourselves are variables we strive to control. An aspiring rifle shooter should focus energy at making shot execution as consistent as possible. Let’s take those variables out of the equation!
Of the factors remaining, some have an enormous impact on our bullets trajectory, still others, I say, can mostly be ignored. It is without question that wind moves bullets. Understanding how to read wind and appropriately adjust for it on-the-fly can take a lifetime and there are dozens of books on the subject. When it comes down to it most wind corrections are based in part on math (wind charts or meters) and in part on an intuition (a good guess). High heat can increase chamber pressure, increasing muzzle velocity or even causing pressure issues. Altitude should be kept track of as well. I shoot at a range in New Mexico where because of the altitude I can use my sea-level 900 yard elevation to hit center shots at 1000 yards. Thinner air impedes the bullets less.
On the other hand, I’ve shot in rain so thick the targets nearly vanished, and I’m convinced that my bullets are rain proof. If anything, shooting in rain is wonderful! The rain provides an indicator of the wind everywhere between us and our target. What about the rotation of the Earth under our projectiles, also called the coriolis effect? If we do the math and we find out it’s worth something on the order of 6 inches when we’re shooting 1200 yards or closer. In my opinion, this variable is dominated by other factors which have greater impact on the bullet’s trajectory. If there was a no wind 1000 yard in door range, we would want to take the rotation of the Earth into account there. Then again we would also want to consider the spin drift of the bullet at that point too… On the scale that we shoot let’s leave the rotation of the Earth as an excuse for people who can’t admit they aren’t perfect.
Precision rifle shooting isn’t a small category of shooting, rather in envelops many different disciplines of practical and competitive uses of marksmanship. Shooting precisely at a distance requires many things as we have seen. More than anything it requires a shooter who willing to go the extra distance by working to master the above factors and take the perfect shot every time.
Author Bio: Kelly is a champion high power rifle shooter, with mulitple state and national championships under his belt. In 2010 he was one of 16 contestants on the first season of History Channel's hit show "Top Shot".
Regards
