Long-Range Shooting Tips

By Joseph von Benedikt

In the world of weapons, distance has always beckoned. Spear throwers competed to see who could throw farthest. Merry Olde England’s King’s Archers allegedly had to qualify on 200-yard targets—with longbows and wood shafts. Civil War marksmen made confirmed kills past 1,000 yards with black powder and greased lead Minie balls. Buffalo hunters laid flat groups of bison at previously unheard-of distances. Today, several top snipers have “eliminated threats” past 2,000 yards.

Trouble is, this is the information age, and in terms of long-range shooting, it’s the Age of the Gadget. Precision shooting at extreme distance is arguably the biggest trend in the shooting sports, and all too many shooters seem to believe they can purchase their way into long-distance ability by acquiring the latest cutting-edge gadgets and gizmos.

Mind you, now, I’m a fan of gadgets and gizmos. Love ’em. However, no matter how sophisticated your gear, it’s the man behind the rifle—the nut behind the bolt, some would say—that must make the shot.

So here’s a discussion of a few skills vital to making critical long-range shots. In full disclosure, some gadgetry does creep in to this confabulation, but in my defense it’s in order to enhance your skill in picking …Read the Rest

Source:: Guns and Ammo