Why Train for Long Range Shooting?

Accurate long distance shooting starts with building a solid foundation. How do you do that? …by joining a long-range shooting class.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned rifle hunter, training how to shoot over extended ranges is one of the best things you can do to hit your target with one shot.

The thing is, long range hunting isn’t about the bullet reaching the target. It’s about perfecting the art of using your long range rifle.

That sounds easy, especially if you’re a seasoned hunter.

What you may not know, however, is that there’s a lot you could be doing wrong, seasoned or not. Of course, it is easy to believe you’re doing everything right until you train for long-range shooting.

This post explores the benefits of signing up for long distance training, why you should join, and what to expect. We’ll also tell you how to choose a good course.

Let’s get cracking:

Why Take a Professional Long-Range Shooting Course?

Long-range shooting is all about clean, accurate shots.

Everything boils down to skills. That’s why you should consider a long distance training course — to boost your chances of success the next time you go out to hunt.

Sure, you cannot control game movement. Or how your fellow hunters shoot. But you can brush up on your shooting ability with proper training. That way, every shot counts.

Indeed, you’ve been shooting since you were young. In fact, that you’re hesitant to join a shooting school is understandable. You assume you know what you’re doing.

The truth is, you may still be making many mistakes, and a long distance shooting class would come in handy.

Signing up for a shooting training course will debunk the mentality that you know everything.

It’ll help correct many mistakes you may not even be aware of. An advanced course will expand your knowledge and teach you more techniques.

When attending a long distance shooting class, show up with a leaner mentality. Listen and digest all the information. Everything starts to make sense after the training and practice.

Long range shooting courses seek to fine-tune your techniques, making you a better shooter all around.

What Do You Learn in Long Range Shooting Training?

After years of long distance hunting, what new could you possibly learn in a shooting class? Well, it turns out …a LOT of things.

First, long-range shooting classes are conducted by exceptional trainers and hunters with years of experience. Remember when we said you should join with a leaner mentality and soak up all the information?

You’ll soon realize how much you don’t know if you show up ready to learn.

That said, here’s what you can learn in a long range shooting training session.

1. The Fundamentals of Long Range Shot

Do you know what spin drift is? Or how temperature variations and humidity affect your shooting? What about gun firing positions and how to do them correctly?

These are some basics of a long range shot that you’ll learn.

Other topics include in-depth coverage of Minute of Angle (MOA), ballistics, cone of dispersion, how to read wind through the mirage, and more.

You’ll then learn how to sight a rifle, build a solid firing foundation, and perform proper techniques out on the range.

2. How to Break Bad Shooting Habits

You may hit your target over 1,000 yards. What if someone told you you were doing things wrong? You’d beg to differ, right?

Joining a long distance shooting training class is an excellent way to discover what you’ve been doing wrong all these years. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to correct them.

Remember, many hunters haven’t had formal training about shooting a rifle, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

3. How to Adopt the Correct Form Behind the Gun

One common mistake long range hunters do is to let their body drift to one side when firing.

You might think you’ve been getting the shooting position until the trainer kicks you in the legs a couple of times to move over your body.

Wouldn’t it feel good to know how it feels to have your body in the right position? And the beauty of this is that your instructor gives instant feedback.

Here’s how the process goes:

You’ll fire three to five shots with no instructions.
The instructor will analyze your group.
He’ll give you quick tips and explain the benefits.
You’ll then fire three to five more shots.

You’ll see improvements with time as the firing foundation and instructions are entrenched in you.

While the results won’t be instant, the instructions will pay dividends in the long run. Plus, you’ll learn why it is crucial to stick to the newly-learned skills to help you hit targets at long distances.

How to Place Your Finger on the Trigger

How could you get this one wrong? Well, many hunters do, and there’s every likelihood you’re one of them!

The common mistake is applying slight horizontal trigger pressure.

Here’s how you should place a finger on your hunting rifle trigger.

Grab an empty piece of brass
Put it between your trigger and middle finger.
That way, you can keep a straight trigger finger, allowing you to press the trigger like a button.

Other shooting lessons revolve around:

How to make the most of your long range precision rifle
Hunting gear checklists
Understanding rifle scope and adjustable turrets
Firearms safety

Differences Between Courses

Long range shooting programs are divided into two classes; theory and practical.

Theory sessions revolve around teaching you the basics of long range shooting. Here, you’ll learn the technical side of things and what a good long range shot should look like.

The theoretical classes allow you to pick your instructor’s brain. So, learn as much as you can.

Practical classes happen in the shooting range. These lessons will help you discover where you’re going wrong in practice. They’ll take away your lousy shooting habits on the hunting ground and replace them with good ones.

Wrap Up

Anybody can train for long distance shooting, irrespective of their experience level.

The programs aim to help learners hit targets from 700 to 2,000 yards.

Training will reinforce core shooting elements and teach several tricks to help attain the best possible results.

You may think you’re doing everything correctly. But, if you’ve never attended a long range shooting course, you should consider signing up for one.

Besides improving your accuracy, training will increase your success rate during hunts. And, if you’re a marksman, it’ll improve your competition level.

When choosing a course, pick one from a reputable gun specialist with extensive long-range shooting knowledge.

Further, you’re better off working with a seasoned team of instructors to provide the information you need to make accurate long shots.

To your success!