Shooter's Training Routine

[joelkdouglas]

Gents,

If you were to devise a "routine" to undergo when you went to the range, what would your routine be?

I believe the guidelines should be no more than 20 rounds of centerfire, and no less than 50 rounds of 22lr or other rimfire, 100 rounds preferred. That should keep the cost for a reloader less than $20 for ammo and components, minus gas, time, target, cleaning supplies, etc. The range at which I shoot has an open field out to 485 yards, so something like:

Centerfire:
5 rounds standing, between 100 to 200 yards
5 rounds seated (on ground, no bench), or with bipod, between 100 and 200
5 rounds seated or bipod, between 200 and 400
5 rounds prone, over pack, 200 to 400

Rimfire:
10 standing 25 yards
10 seated 25 yards
10 standing 50 yards
10 seated 50 yards
repeat as needed

Thoughts?

v/r
Joel

 

[Guest]

I don't think I've made a range trip in the past six or seven years where I didn't expend at least 50rds of centerfire across half a dozen or more rifles, and almost always managed to expend a couple hundred rounds of 22lr in the midst of all that. Now, to be sure, my son handled the 22lr duties about half of those rounds, but still, I couldn't stop at just 20rds. It's too hard to get time to go out to the range. Figuring time to drive, set up, take down, and drive home, I figure it doesn't add too much time to add in four or five more rifles and just make a half day out of it.

But I do have a routine. I generally have one to three rifles for which I am actively working up new loads, so I shoot anywhere from ~10-30rds through the chronograph from each of those. And I usually take along the favorites and shoot two or three groups (6-9rds) from each of 2-3 of those rifles. Add in some tweaking work on seating depth or some other reason to shoot a couple more rifles for 10-20rds each, and all of a sudden I've got a half day and maybe a pound of powder (cumulative) gone before I know it. I shoot the 22lr in during times when I don't have a centerfire cool enough to shoot, if I can pry it out of my son's hands...

 

[DrMike]

I am about in the same boat as dubyam. I just came home from the range. Today, I only had five rifles. Most days, I have six or more of different cartridges, all for load development.

 

[Guy Miner]

Rifle Training - here's my basic - preferably weekly - routine. Admittedly I don't do it every week, all year, but I do this every week when I can - and make a special effort to do so in the late summer & early fall before the hunting seasons:

.308 Win, 50 rounds, 300 yards:

20 rounds standing
20 rounds sitting
10 rounds prone

No bipods, no backpacks, no rests of any kind. I do use a sling. A couple of years ago we got some of it on camera.

This adds up to a lot of rounds every year, which helps explain why I like the barrel-friendly .308 Win so much, and also why I've run through several barrels over the years.

One of the 300 yard gongs - the bottom section is 12" x 12" which is very generous, but can be surprisingly tough from standing, particularly with some crosswind. From prone, it's a gimme target.

Closer to hunting season I'll switch to doing some practice with the .25-06, .30-06 and in recent years the .375 H&H. No - I don't do 50 rounds from the .375! :grin: Twenty sure, fifty... No thanks!

Prone at 300 with the .375, last summer:

In addition, I drag the .22 to the range with me whenever I run the local law enforcement range. When I get a break in the action from training others on their handguns, I'll take a few shots with the .22 at 50 yards. Standing mostly, with some sitting and a few rounds from prone. The .22 rifle and a set of swinging gongs is great fun, and make great training tools. Instant feedback is something I like from the metal targets.

So that's it - I mix up the standing, sitting and prone and do most of my practice at 300 yards. I also hit the gongs out to 820 yards - but not often. The .22 gets used a lot at 50 yards, and accounts for several times as much ammo as the center fires. It was pretty easy nailing the bear at 306 yards with the .375, from sitting, in 2010.

Then there's the .45 & .22 pistols - but that's another story... My wife is a patient and understanding woman. She knows I'm happy when I'm shooting a lot.

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

I am not nearly as set into a routine as any of your all. I like to shoot from kneeling, sitting and prone. I will goof around a little with offhand, but honestly, I like to take a high kneeling, it is just about as fast as offhand, and much steadier for me. 100 yards is about my limit for off hand shooting with a hunting rifle. I did a bunch of shooting at 300 with the Whelen last year at the sitting and prone. Makes for alot of comfort whenever I handle that rifle.

I get a little bit of rifle practice at work, it is all offhand, so I focus somewhere else on my own time.

 

[Guy Miner]

Kneeling is my absolute worst. I used to like it for all the right reasons - fast to get into - etc...

Managed to get off my motorcycle real fast and unexpectedly some 25+ years back. Legs have really NOT liked kneeling ever since. Even in The Corps I'd get into and out of the required kneeling position during quals as fast as possible. Down, shoot, out. It just flat hurts me.

So... I sit instead. Have likely taken most of my game from sitting.

Prone is too low most of the time. Too much intervening grass, brush, fallen logs etc... Standing is too wobbly, although I get pretty good at it when I practice diligently. So, sitting it is, when I get the chance to use it afield.

Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

For some reason, I seem to do more game shooting while sitting and this is how I practice mostly, as well. I shoot from other positions too but just mostly to practice and stay focused.

 

[Songdog]

I don't really have a "routine".... but then I don't ever "go to the range". I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of land to shoot in that's not too far from home. I like to set up the 12" gong..... or the 22"er if it's windy.... then back up to about 300 and start making 'real shots'.

*feel free to substitute any of the following for "gong": rock, stump, snow patch, dirt clod, cow pie, clay pigeon (or real pigeon).... etc.

I like to make a small stalk on the gong while looking for a shooting position and ranging.... just like it would go down if I were 'still glassing' for critters as I like to call it. Then I try to set-up for the shot just like I would on a coyote (or other critter..... but if you can spot, stalk, set-up, and shoot a coyote without its knowledge.... then you can do it to any animal on the planet).... sometimes it's off the sticks, sometimes prone or off the pack, whatever I have to do to get the right shot. If I can't get the right shot.... lesson learned. If I can.... then I ring some steel, and then review. I may only shoot 6-20 rounds this way, typically out to 600-800 and some days 1k+..... but it's a good 6-20 rounds. This 'routine' has not only improved my shooting, but my ability to kill game has progressed tremendously.

Sitting at a bench pounding out groups, is poor practice for game slucin'....

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I usually have a least three rifles, for load development, whenever I get to the range. I will shoot these off the bench of course. I like to let the barrel cool between shots, so I'll switch to shooting the pistol or 22lr. I also practice with my hunting rifles using realistic shooting positions. Most of the game i have taken, I've done so leaning on a tree. I'll lean on the 4x4's that support the roof over the range, and take shots out to 200 yards. I usually blast some rounds from my 22-250 as well. I shoot it from the bipod or laying over a pack out to 400yards.

 

[Guy Miner]

Sometimes, having a coach is a real helpful thing too...

Assuming the coach knows what to look for while a shooter is banging away!

 

[Guy Miner]

My son, doing some practice with the .30-30 Marlin at the range.

And his .257 Weatherby/Mauser:

And with his .17 HMR:

He does use the shooting sticks, and the tall bipod quite a bit afield. Why not?

Messin' with MY .25-06 time to time too...

 

[SJB358]

Guy, those are great pictures of your boy. Seems like he likes that 25-06 a bit! Might have to trade him for the Weatherby!

 

[PJGunner]

The last time I drew a tag for elk in AZ's area 1, I went to the range at least twice a week, weather permitting to practice with my .300 Win. Mag. I did 100 yards standing and kneeling, 200 yards out to 500 meters in the sitting position. Paid off nicely as I took my cow elk at 530 yards, laser measured with the first shot. Area 1 has a lot of very wide open spaces and once the first shots sound on opening day, the elk head out to where they can see you coming from a mile away. I made my stalk to the very last bit of cover, a small bush, lasered the elk, took a sitting position and the shot. By the time I got to her she had expired. The 200 gr. Speer Hot Core had done it's job.
Today, I would put in for areas that do not require such long shots and my shoulder is riddled with arthritis and the magnum isn't as much fun as it used to be. I still take is as a back up but prefer lighter kicking rifles these days.
Paul B.

 

[Elkman]

I have probably killed most of my game from the kneeling, or prone position. I have always shot well kneeling but as I get older its harder to get up. Then of course a massive muscle cramp sometimes inhibits my accuracy. Have made a couple of 1 shot kills out past 300 from kneeling. Usually use it when terrain, time or objects keep me from going prone.

 

[DrMike]

I have probably killed most of my game from the kneeling, or prone position. I have always shot well kneeling but as I get older its harder to get up. Then of course a massive muscle cramp sometimes inhibits my accuracy.

Bill, kneeling has been productive for me. However, the cramps when I get down make it very painful and increasingly less likely that I will use this. Rice paddy squat went out the window some time ago. I've starting sitting, but it is still hard to get up. I'm usually able to find a rest, though I still take quite a few off-hand shots. Man, growing old ain't for cowards.