Thread: Tips for improving shooting technique

I’ve been shooting for pest control for a while, informally taught by my old man. I have had reasonable success but am definitely prone to a few flyers.

I’m looking to invest some effort into improving my technique.

Really interested to hear any tips and techniques.

Looking to get a bit more purposeful with trigger technique, as well as understanding ballistics a bit better. The sort of stuff in the second half of this video has been really helpful around how to observe the target, slide into the scope and actually fire: https://youtu.be/ZPAuefpZY6o?si=JFae1WbNib_3Oytp

Yep good vid, my freehand shooting has been buggered by too much benchrest. Use sticks alot these days when hunting but more practise wouldn't go a stay. Agree with the lower magnification thing, 6X is what I use at 200M deer size, too much & I wobble around like a Mad thing, most of my hunting is trying to hit 20c piece size targets, varminting rabbits & hares, to 75M.

Dry firing is an excellent training tool. There's loads of ways to go about it depending on your goals.
A simple way to get started is to balance a coin on the end of your barrel, aim and fire (no ammo). If done correctly the coin will stay in place, if done perfectly there will be minimal movement. This will help develop your fundamentals.

I like shooting service rifle at my local club. I use it as a training tool. The shooting itself is pretty simple however shooting from different positions in sequence on the clock in a competition setting adds a level of stress that is hard to duplicate on your own.

buy a whole lot of ammo

the techniques for a bench or prone are easy - what takes practice for real hunting is standing shots taken quickly - thats what you get bush hunting - I have taught myself to come down onto my target - and if you can teach yourself moving targets - prepare yourself for real deer suddenly in front situations -quick shooting - of course if south island and you have time to range etc different story but north island practice snap shooting especially standing

Id be hesitant to do dry firing practice with a rimfire.

Originally Posted by blip

Id be hesitant to do dry firing practice with a rimfire.

you are right blip not on with a rimfire firing pin damage etc but some of our knowledgeable buggers on here could tell us all how it can be done

Ive tried snap caps but it gets old. If you have the place to do it live ammo is cheap enough. Possum shooting is good practice for standing shots

yes .22 is cheap getting to spot to shoot not so much so use the time well set up some type of moving target practise practise

Standing shots -lift your elbow higher than feels normal and watch how it steadys your sight picture.
Practice until it’s your new normal.

Shooting offhand is a pretty perishable skill, the more is a perishable skill, the more you practise . . . having said that I've seen a couple of very experienced pest guys have howlers on offhand gongs.

Funny enough the basics of any shooting position is the same for any situation, especially including benchrest and prone off bipod. That's "natural point of aim" , offhand don't swing the rifle, move your feet, sitting, move your butt, bench, move your body then the rifle. If you are gripping the rifle any firmer than a "ladies handshake type pressure" you're doing something wrong.

Many modern rimfires can be dry fired, 10/22's, CZs, new Lithgows etc. Not Tikkas . It just a matter of good design and correct firing pin tolerances.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

you are right blip not on with a rimfire firing pin damage etc but some of our knowledgeable buggers on here could tell us all how it can be done

If it has an exposed hammer, you can cut a piece of leather to fit under the hammer, this also works with Swedish Mausers due to the shape of the cocking piece.

Another way to do it is to use an old parts gun that you no longer want to shoot, good trigger technique is good trigger technique. If you get as good as you can be on one trigger, you are 80-90% of the way to being as good as you can be on any other trigger.

Buy a springer air rifle & practice everday at home. Shoot out of the garage, with a good backstop to keep noisy to a minimum and safety top priority. A swinger at 20metres or so, free hand only a hand full of shots a day, target size 25mm. You will find shooting often creates muscle memory, & springers are very hold sensitive, artillary hold is a must. Plus its cheap.
A coaster I know swears by standing in a room & sighting the corners left & right & mock pulling the trigger, He's shot alot of deer, awesome bush hunter.

Tell us a bit more about the kind of terrain you are hunting or shooting in. Sticks are good, but there is a reason you don't see them here often. If they were practical they would be part of kit.

Without knowing anything else, Id say the best thing you can do, is get in the habit of looking for a rest as the first thing you subconsciously do. A tree, fencepost, mound of dirt, daypack.
Don't try to shoot off hand too far. 50 to 60 meters on a deer size animal at most. Less than 20 on a rabbit or possum.

shoot as much as you can and just practice the basics of good form, breathing and trigger control.

I have never used sticks, they just look like more crap to carry. I only use a bipod at the range, I prefer to use a sling in the field. Don't forget you can shoot of a pack or use the environment as well.