Rimfire Ammo Super Sale and Fun Cross-Training Targets
Two-Time National F-TR Champion James Crofts uses this Rem 40X for rimfire cross-training.
Bullets.com is having a huge consolidation clearance sale this month. This company, headed by Shiraz Balolia, a top F-Class shooter, stocks many great products for benchrest, precision, and tactical shooters. We always recommend that centerfire shooters practice regularly with an accurate rimfire rifle to maintain their skill set — practice your breathing, trigger control, and the way you hold the rifle. Weekly sessions with a good rimfire rig will translate directly into more consistent results with your centerfire match rifles.
To get the best results from rimfire cross-training, you need ammo that is accurate, and affordable enough that you train often. Norma Tac-22 and Match-22 ammo fits the bill perfectly. This ammo has shot remarkably well considering the price with Bullets.com’s current liquidation pricing. This Editor plans to purchase 1000 rounds of Tac-22 from Bullets.com. You may want to do the same.
Here are targets actually shot with Norma Tac-22 at FIFTY yards with an Anschutz rifle. Pretty impressive wouldn’t you say? Target photo courtesy Champion Shooters Supply.
Rimfire Cross-Training Drills
1. Keep ‘Em Touching — Five by Five at 15 Yards
For this drill, shoot five-shot groups. The goal is to have all five shots (of each group) touching — that means no flyers or outliers! Put your target at 15 yards. Concentrate on doing the exact same thing every time. With a good rifle, you should be able to have each shot touch the rest of the group. At this distance, if a shot goes out of the group, it’s probably you, not the gun. Analyze each “out” shot. Did you yank the trigger? Did you change your head or shoulder position? Did you flinch? If you are honest about your mistakes, and work to correct them, you should see dramatic improvement in your shooting. For more challenge move the target out farther.
This “in or out” drill provides immediate feedback. You WILL see positive results as you improve hold, breathing, and trigger control. Our centerfire shooting improved significantly after doing this drill each week for a month. You can use a variety of targets for this drill — we often use 1/2″ orange stickers. But we’ve provided a simple grid with five, 1″ red circles. CLICK HERE for Printable PDF Target.
2. Shot the Suit with Playing Cards at 25 yards
Here’s a fun game you can do with a set of playing cards. Put up four or five cards on a cardboard target backer and try hit each one of the suit symbols. Do one suit at a time. For example, start by shooting at all the heart symbols, then move on to the clubs, then the spades, and finally the diamonds. You can start with face cards, then progress to numbered cards for more challenge. For example, put up a ten of diamonds and try to hit all ten diamonds.
If you don’t want to use real playing cards, FirearmAddicts.com offers a Card Suit Target you can use instead. DOWNLOAD Target HERE.
3. Know Your Limits at 50 Yards
This target was designed for prone shooting, but you can also use it from the bench. The game is simple. Start with the largest circle and work your way to the smallest. You can shoot at all the circles including the final 40-point dot for fun. Or compete with a friend under the tougher “know your limits” rules. You still go from big to small, BUT if you miss you score a ZERO. You have to know when to stop — you have to know your limits. Have fun!
