Ringing steel is great but the humble paper target can still be a valuable tool for improving your shooting skills. It is common sense to shoot targets at long distances. However, not everyone has the ability to shoot targets at long distances. How can we learn to succeed when the range is only 200 yards? Maximize Paper
I love shooting on paper. Paper targets aren’t deceptive. There’s no hiding place with them. We are seeing more resistance to shooting paper. Steel is the preferred target for long-range shooters. It’s not difficult to set up a paper target at 100 meters. The average range in the United States of 200 yards is it. These distances can be used to do a lot of productive work. I recommend that you stop shooting prone or bench-style groups at 100 meters unless you zero your scope. You may be surprised at the difference in group size between 100-yard and 200-yard results. Although everyone believes that 1 inch at 100 is 2 inches at 200, it rarely happens in real life. Instead, we see that a student with a group of.65 inches at 100 shoots 2 inches at 200 yards. For groups, 200 is a far more difficult distance. This is why we recommend groups of 200 rather than 100.
You can build and break drills by taking a step back from your current position and rebuilding it for each shot or series. It creates positive repetitions so that you can revert back to muscle memory when you are faced with similar situations under less-than ideal conditions. The center was difficult to see for some shooters, so Chris Way, a local competitor, introduced the Kraft Data Challenge that many of you are using today. This target provides instant visuals to help shooters diagnose shooting problems. The shooter uses his unique target to take three shots, from standing, sitting, kneeling, standing, and prone, to determine accuracy and precision. The accuracy tells us how close we are to our aiming point, while precision identifies the group’s size. Dot Drills: The drill is scored by the rings.
Shooting groups can be frustrating for some. Not all shooting disciplines use groups as a measure of success. Tactical shooters and hunters are not “one hit, one death” types. Hunting rifles are not designed to shoot groups. The barrels of hunting rifles are too thin, too hot, and can walk. This brings us to the Sniper’s Hide Dot Drill. Here’s the original 21 Dot Drill target, courtesy of Sniper’s Hide. Shooting paper is as easy as using your imagination. I created the Dot Drill while working in Texas at Rifles Only. Most of our classes were law enforcement and military–the single shot crowd. These shooters are dynamic and need to hit the target as fast as possible. The Dot Drill was created to place one round on each target. The original sheet contained only 1-inch dots. Many shooters have modified and adapted it over the years. Each row of five targets was designed to be used as a single drill. The first row would slow fire and give 1 minute. The second row could be the support side. Right-handed shooters use both their left and right hands. Next came the up-and down drill. This drill involves the shooter standing behind a rifle, with the magazine in and bolt back. The Gun Command requires that the shooter drop down and fire one round in fifteen seconds. The drill is then reset and the next gun command gives 12 second for the next target. Each reset reduces the time by 10 seconds, 8 seconds, and finally 6 seconds. It’s a great drill to use at 100 yards, and it will make you shoot faster. The Progressive Dot Drill increases the difficulty. Mix and Match
Mix it up. Steel and paper targets can be combined to help you improve. Steel is the equivalent to a wolf whistle, while paper is cinematic storytelling. Although you may be satisfied with the impact report, all you know is that the shot worked. Paper explains the process. Are you strung vertically, or more horizontally? Are there multiple groups? Do two of them touch here and the three others scattered? Each pattern is an explanation about what the shooter does behind the rifle. This valuable information is important and should not be ignored. Training is vital–the only way to improve your skills is through practice. The way you practice will impact your long-term success. Download your Storm Tactical printable target pack62 printable MOA targets with DOT drills – Rifle Range is in YARDS. This impressive target pack comes from Storm Tactical and contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Get Free Targets
