The more I teach, the more I see the importance of the basics. Without the basics the best you can hope for is luck. Those serious about rifle shooting, will make mastering these five marksmanship principles a top priority. It doesn’t matter about that one time at band camp. How you do something is how you do everything. Consistency is nothing more than accuracy and accuracy is nothing more than consistency. Combat accuracy relies not only on marksmanship knowledge, but its practical application. The more a student understands the five rifle marksmanship principles the more accurate their movements leading to hitting the target on demand.
Stability and Position
The first principle of rifle marksmanship is establishing a stable shooting position. I sometimes reference a “shooting platform” going all the way back to my Navy days. The position must provide a stable foundation to manage the rifle’s recoil and maintain sight alignment. Stability comes from using bone support as oppossed to muscles, which tire quickly and introduce inconsistencies. Learn to use the natural point of aim at all times in all the positions. The three primary shooting positions to master are:
- Prone: The most stable, as the body is closest to the ground.
- Kneeling: Offers some stability with quick mobility.
- Standing: Least stable but essential for moving targets or tactical situations.
The goal for each position is to comfortably stabilize the rifle while absorbing recoil. The purpose behind each position is irrelevant, mastering the positions and letting the situation dictate is the objective.
Grip and Control
A proper grip on the rifle is necessary for control, making good hits on target. With a rifle there are a total of four points of contact; the weak hand, strong hand, shoulder pocket and cheek weld. The weak hand stabilizes the rifle’s weight by gripping the fore-end firmly and pulling into the shoulder pocket for a solid connection. The strong hand grips the rifle with equal tension to avoid imbalances with access to all appropriate controls. Too much pressure or uneven gripping can pull shots off target. The shoulder pocket positions the buttstock of the rifle high and slightly inboard of the shoulder joint. The more connection with the buttstock, the better the recoil control. The cheek weld is the connection with the top surface of the buttstock. The cheekbone will literally rest on top the buttstock. When gripping the rifle, remember:
- Use the weak hand to stabilize the rifle, controlling it firmly.
- Maintain a relaxed but controlled grip with the strong hand.
- Place the buttstock in the shoulder pocket low and slightly inboard.
- Rest the cheek bone on the buttstock in the same position.
Consistent and equal grip pressure along with more connection will help stabilize the rifle and manage recoil. The more connected to the rifle, the more opportunity for consistency. The better the connection, the more stable the rifle.
Sight Alignment and Sight Picture
The use of red dot sights (RDS) and low powered variable optics (LPVO) has revolutionized the rifle shooting world. For RDS ensure both eyes are open, focused on the target. Use enough intensity so the dot is crisp, not fuzzy on the edges. For LPVO’s that can be run like an RDS apply the same technique. When magnification is utilized, use the dominant eye only and focus on the proper reference in the reticle. LPVO’s with tactical reticles pose an additional challenge of ensuring the correct reference, whether the crosshairs or stadia lines to hit targets at various distances. The default setting for LPVO’s should be the lowest magnification, cranking up when necessary. This provides the user RDS capability for immediate threats. When aiming following these guidelines:
- For RDS, keep both eyes open, focused on the target
- Use the lowest magnification to maintain the widest field of view
- For back up sights or LPVO with magniciation, focus on the front sight post or reticle.
- Keep the rear sight or scope slightly blurred.
- Ensure the front sight or crosshair is centered on the target.
Ensure the optic is properly installed and use the best zero optimized for the mission. Then be familiar with how to exploit tactical reticles.
Trigger Control
Trigger control is often where shots are made or missed. Squeezing the trigger too quickly or with excessive force can throw off the shot. The goal is to apply steady pressure until the shot breaks, almost as a surprise. This ensures the rifle stays steady with minimal disruption to the aiming process. Key tips include:
- Place enough of the index finger on the trigger to apply power, not force.
- Ensure the tip of the index finger is at 90° to the face of the trigger.
- Apply smooth, even pressure past the shot breaking.
- Avoid jerking or slapping the trigger.
Follow-Through
Once the shot is fired, follow-through is crucial and often forgotten. Keeping the rifle steady and maintaining the sight picture ensures you’re not inadvertently moving the rifle after the shot, which can affect accuracy. Follow-through allows the observation of the shot’s impact when using RDS or LPVO’s. When necessary it allows for immediate aiming adjustments for subsequent shots. Being target focus and observing the shot’s impact becomes a huge tactical advantage.
The five rifle marksmanship principles require discipline and practice. Mastering the principles of position, grip, aiming, trigger control, and follow-through not only improves accuracy but builds confidence. These fundamentals lay the groundwork for consistently hitting the target, no matter the situation.
