OK, so i freely acknowledge that i'm a grumpy git which only seems to be getting worse as i get older but i truly believe that there are many out there who have no idea of what an accurate shooter is. I essentially nipped over to a range after work to coach a couple of guys for their DSC1 shooting test.
"Are you accurate shots?" i asked.
"Oh yes," both replied. They then proceeded to struggle to even achieve the minimum required at only 100yds!
When challenged i got the same old chestnut, 'But i get a groups of less than an inch.' It's essentially the same responce as i got from another forum member here who proudly displayed his grouping shot, complete with coin - used as proof of accuracy.
Please, Please, please acknowledge that firing at a target on a sheet of paper and achieving a small group (usually using a bench, rest and/or bipod) does not equate to being an accurate shot. What you have demonstrated is consistency - consistency in the rifle and in your body position. Something that could equally be achieved by strapping that same rifle down to a rest and resticting it from moving.
Again i'll freely admit that i've benefitted from hundreds, possibly thousands of hours of the best instruction the army could offer but it was drummed into me that being an accurate shooter is pulling the trigger and having the bullet strike exactly where you intend it to, regardless of range and environmental factors. Any other idea or attitude would have immediately resulted in being RTU'd. A basic example would be a range with targets set at unknown ranges and being expected in turn to hit targets nominated by the instructors, first round with a maximum number of seconds available for a 2nd round if necessary.
Essentially pulling the trigger already expecting that round to strike exactly where you intend it to. You've calculated range and compensated for bullet drop, observed wind indicators and compensated, viewed the terrain and calculated accordingly. It should not be a pleasant surprise when you achieve it.
Anyone who's been to Sennybridge will recognise this warm-up exercise. Use the target below and scale it up to the size you require. I suggest A4 size at 100yds. Now it's you're choice which target you shoot for, but you have a grand total of 1 round only. So how confident are you?
Another way to try it is to start with the largest target and work down to what you are capable of. You may stop at any time, gaining that targets score, but you instantly wipe out your score if you attempt a target and fail.
I don't know how many times i've said it - In my opinion, if you don't have a bad tempered Sgt. who is readily prepared to stand all over your back, hound you and generally kick the living daylights out of you get yourself a decent 22lr rifle like an old BSA International and practice in the many postal events and regional competitions. Shoot outside and get off your belly - shoot from sitting, kneeling, short sticks and long sticks.
