Learning to shoot -- Judging performance/progress

[obijohn]

i agree with coach and rhino that shooting off the bench is less than practical. my intent was to fine the mechanical/human "best" and try for that from the standing position. just wanted to clarify.

[dclaarjr]

Here is how I practice since I do not always have the luxury of competitions due to work, funds etc.

I do occasionally go to shoots like the Appleseed or an IDPA match or whatever I can manage to get to. I also learn everything that I can while there. I have purchased Appleseed targets, IDPA Targets and some used for local events. When I go to the range I pick an area and firearm I want to work with, and shoot courses of fire, AQT's or whatever is relevant. My goal is always to do better than I did the last time. Now, I know that isn't always possible, but it is a reasonable goal.

On the occasions that you find you are suddenly doing worse, go back to basics. The steps taught at the Appleseeds do work, and can be used with pistols as well. Once you go back to the basics, most of the time you will be able to figure out what you are doing wrong. If you don't have enough experience to figure out what you are doing wrong, ask someone who is. Most shooters are willing to help new people.

Another important thing to do is learn everything you can from everyone you can. Not everything you learn will work for you. Take everything you have learned and adapt techniques together untill you find a group of sound techniques that work for you. I have been shooting for about 35 years, and I am still learning and still adapting.

I do not believe in bench rest shooting, even when I am trying new reloads in my rifle. Using what I have learned over the years I can shoot 5 shot groups the size of a quarter at 100 yards.

To me practicing isn't going to the range and punching holes in paper. Shooting drills, and pushing yourself adds realism and stress which makes training realistic as well as rewarding.

[rhino]

I think the goal here is simple marksmanship, so a lot of other factors don't come into play.

For marksmanship, the proof is on the target.

[usafe7ret]

Originally Posted by dburkhead

So I'm wondering about judging how my shooting is progressing. I've been shooting my Ruger 10/22 since early March, averaging at least once per week, shooting 150-200 rounds per week. Shooting almost exclusively standing with sling. Most of that time with iron sights, recently switching to a scope (mainly because the front sight had worked loose in the dovetail so I need to find a replacement). So what kind of groups "should" a person with that kind of experience, doing that kind of shooting, be making? One hole at 50 yards? 1 inch? Six inches? The side of a barn if you happen to be inside it?

I commend you for the time you are putting in, but in reality the standard is what ever you have set as a goal. If you haven't set a goal for each session then you are just burning ammo.

At Appleseed we teach basic rifle marksmanship with the Accuracy standard being 4 Minute of Angle (MOA). 4 MOA is a 1 inch square at 25 M (82'), 4" @ 100, 8" @ 200, etc.

I hand out a "Are You a Rifleman or a Cook" business card with a 1" square on the back with the instructions to place the card at 82' (25m), sling up in prone (no bipods or rests) and place 10 rds into the square in 60 sec. You're a Rifleman if you can or a rifleman in training ..... CooK, if you can't.

We teach the skills to do that, then the individual practices those skills to meet the standard. During the course of a two day Appleseed, shooters will fire 300-400 rds and the 10-22 is a excellent rifle for it.

So choose your goal and go for it! Watch for some possible Mini-Appleseeds (2-3 hr training sessions) in the future.

Lord willing & the creek don't rise.