Long Range Shooting

Long range shooting is the kind of discipline that will carry you through a variety of shooting competitions, events, and even real life hunting scenarios. When you watch a long range shooting video, the inescapable truth is that in order to successfully compete, you will need to have adequate long-range shooting abilities, and you will need to hone them consistently. Whether you do so by participating in long range target shooting events or by swapping tips and tricks on dedicated long range shooting forums where anything and everything from target object mirage shimmer to bullet use is discussed, the goal remains the same: learning how to get better, faster, steadier and more accurate.

To this end, here is some advice and tried and true long range shooting tips:
• Hardware is a key factor. Do not be fooled by protestations to the opposite or by those who would have you believe that a well trained long range shooting buff should be able to get similar results with whatever she or he packs. The fact of the matter dictates that you need to take the printed facts and then try out the ammo and gun combo yourself.
• While attending any of the weekend long range shooting schools might be a worthwhile activity, keep in mind that no amount of theory can replace the actual practice. You need to work with the target of your choice and the distance of your choice, and then consider hardware the variable that may be trifled with.
• Magnification is your friend. While a small splinter group in some long range shooting forum may scoff derisively at the notion of using scopes, the fact that most long range shooting rifles are thusly equipped should give you a hint. If you are working on precision long range shooting - especially when thinking of applying your long range shooting skills during hunting season when you want to land a clean kill shot and not just painfully maim the animal – you will need to consider whether the scope you are using is offering you enough when it comes to magnification. A 5-15X is a good starting point, with the idea of going down to a 4.5-14X is sometimes a good idea. Going higher to a 6.5-20X will increase the likelihood of your having to deal with mirage which will sorely test your long range shooting skills and patience.
• Last but not least, remember the holdover! Long range shooting requires not only skills, but also the intimate knowledge of the hardware you are using and the ability to adjust it to suit your changing needs.