Can Cross-Training in Other Disciplines Help You Shoot Better?
Guest Article By Michelle Gallagher, Berger Bullets
Let’s face it. In the world of firearms, there is something for everyone. Do you like to compete? Are you a hunter? Are you more of a shotgun shooter or rifle shooter? Do you enjoy running around between stages of a timed course, or does the thought of shooting one-hole groups appeal to you more? Even though many of us shoot several different firearms and disciplines, chances are very good that we all have a favorite. Are we spreading ourselves too thin by shooting different disciplines, or is it actually beneficial? I have found that participating in multiple disciplines can actually improve your performance. Every style of shooting is different; therefore, they each develop different skills that benefit each other.
How can cross-training in other disciplines help you? For example, I am most familiar with long-range prone shooting, so let’s start there. To be a successful long-range shooter, you must have a stable position, accurate ammunition, and good wind-reading skills. You can improve all of these areas through time and effort, but there are other ways to improve more efficiently. Spend some time practicing smallbore. Smallbore rifles and targets are much less forgiving when it comes to position and shot execution. Long-range targets are very large, so you can get away with accepting less than perfect shots. Shooting smallbore will make you focus more on shooting perfectly center shots every time. Another way to do this with your High Power rifle is to shoot on reduced targets at long ranges. This will also force you to accept nothing less than perfect. Shoot at an F-Class target with your iron sights. At 1000 yards, the X-Ring on a long range target is 10 inches; it is 5 inches on an F-Class target. Because of this, you will have to focus harder on sight alignment to hit a center shot. When you go back to the conventional target, you will be amazed at how large the ten ring looks.
Also, most prone rifles can be fitted with a bipod. Put a bipod and scope on your rifle, and shoot F-TR. Shooting with a scope and bipod eliminates position and eyesight factors, and will allow you to concentrate on learning how to more accurately read the wind. The smaller target will force you to be more aggressive on your wind calls. It will also help encourage you to use better loading techniques. Nothing is more frustrating than making a correct wind call on that tiny target, only to lose the point out the top or bottom due to inferior ammunition. If you put in the effort to shoot good scores on the F-Class target, you will be amazed how much easier the long-range target looks when you return to your sling and iron sights. By the same token, F-Class shooters sometimes prefer to shoot fast and chase the spotter. Shooting prone can help teach patience in choosing a wind condition to shoot in, and waiting for that condition to return if it changes.
Benchrest shooters are arguably among the most knowledgeable about reloading. If you want to learn better techniques about loading ammunition, you might want to spend some time at benchrest matches. You might not be in contention to win, but you will certainly learn a lot about reloading and gun handling. Shooting F-Open can also teach you these skills, as it is closely related to benchrest. Benchrest shooters may learn new wind-reading techniques by shooting mid- or long-range F-Class matches.
Position shooters can also improve their skills by shooting different disciplines. High Power Across-the-Course shooters benefit from shooting smallbore and air rifle. Again, these targets are very small, which will encourage competitors to be more critical of their shot placement. Hunters may benefit from shooting silhouette matches, which will give them practice when shooting standing with a scoped rifle. Tactical matches may also be good, as tactical matches involve improvising shots from various positions and distances. [Editor: Many tactical matches also involve hiking or moving from position to position — this can motivate a shooter to maintain a good level of general fitness.]
These are just a few ways that you can benefit from branching out into other shooting disciplines. Talk to the other shooters. There is a wealth of knowledge in every discipline, and the other shooters will be more than happy to share what they have learned. Try something new. You may be surprised what you get out of it. You will certainly learn new skills and improve the ones you already have. You might develop a deeper appreciation for the discipline you started off with, or you may just discover a new passion.
This article originally appeared in the Berger Bulletin. The Berger Bulletin blog contains the latest info on Berger products, along with informative articles on target shooting and hunting.Article Find by EdLongrange.
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Tags: Berger Bullets, F-Class, Long Range Prone, Michelle Gallagher, Tactical, Training
I found that taking Yoga for awhile taught me valuable relaxation techniques, in particular how to come in tune with my body. It has allowed me to sync my trigger break with heart beat and breathing cycle.
I was hoping that just hanging out with Michelle and Nancy would make me shoot better – will that not work?
Actually, just hanging out with Miche and Nancy may not make me shoot better, but it sure makes me happier. They are two of the best people in the world, hands down. Love ya both!!
Mark
Let’s all try hanging out with the Gallaghers AND doing yoga!
I have not had the pleasure of meeting either of the ladies but I do go to yoga and PILATES training. At soon to be 68 that makes the difference between being able to get up from the mat and not and shoot a SB 1600 without suffering tendinitis of the rear shoulder muscles in the last stages. I could go on but I expect youall get the point.
Tom Alves
On a more serious note I can recommend precision air rifle or smallbore 3P indoors during the cold months if you want to improve your XTC standing and prone scores. Basement practice is fine but shooting matches with the attendant pressures will do a much better job.
Tom Alves
I would say silhouette is more than just good practice for hunters. Just because it is metal animal targets doesn’t mean it is easy. What would be a 8 or 9 ring on a paper target can be a 0 on a silhouette. Some of the recent top shooters Tubb etc all shot or shoot silhouette as a side event to keep their skills up. When you get good at silhouette you are no longer aiming at the animal you aim at little spots on the animals.
Oh and some of the old guard shot silhouette on the side as well like Col. Wigger