Breathing and shooting firearms

[meyeri]

How many guys on here squeeze the trigger during the pause right after you exhale?

I was pretty much self taught when it came to hunting and shooting so I have some bad habits that I'm still trying to break. My goal is to keep learning and improving and I've been trying to tighten up my groups lately even though they aren't terrible as they are. My little brother is in the service and went through Sniper school so that's the first thing he told me to try. He also said they spend a lot of time dry firing their guns to get in the habit of not flinching and viewing the target through the whole shot. You guys have any other tips or strategies that work for you?

Thanks!

 

[Liv4Rut]

I believe I inhale, pause, shoot, exhale. At least that is what I am doing with a fake gun in my hands sitting on the couch right now. I am nowhere near a sniper though......

 

[Daver]

Another "non-sniper" here... But I had read once that you should draw in a breath, let out about 1/2 of it, pause there and squeeze slowly until the shot surprises you. So that's what I do. Oh, and I also aim too!

 

[AZHunter]

Another "non-sniper" here... But I had read once that you should draw in a breath, let out about 1/2 of it, pause there and squeeze slowly until the shot surprises you. So that's what I do. Oh, and I also aim too!

Yep. That's how I was trained. My dad was a combat vet and a good shot, but not a sniper. I was always taught that if you let your breath out, you start getting oxygen starved and start shaking. However, I have friends who have been through both the Army's and Marines' sniper programs and what your brother said makes sense if its the pause immediately after exhaling. I also know of several competition target shooters that are trained to take shots in between heartbeats to minimize the undulation of the stock. At the range last weekend testing loads for one of my rifles, I could actually feel my heartbeat against my stock and it felt like my stock was pulsing in synch as I was getting ready to squeeze the trigger.

 

[AIRASSAULT]

Here are things I've learned: Like Daver said, take a deep breath (helps if you can make yourself almost yawn) and let out about 1/2-3/4 of your air and then squeeze until the shot surprises you. Also, use your finger tip to squeeze and try not to put the trigger in the pocket of your finger joint (this will help prevent actually pulling the shot toward that finger). If you are using open sights, you need to keep the same sight picture every time. When using an AR with open sights, I always put the tip of my nose up to the left edge of the charging handle every time and that assured I was looking through the rear apperature the same every time. Follow through on your shot; I always keep the trigger pulled back until I see the bullet hit. Another thing that I learned in Basic was a neat drill they taught us; You should be able to lay a dime flat on top toward the end of your barrel and squeeze the trigger without it falling off. It's actually not that hard but it definitely shows if you flinch or wobble when squeezing the trigger.

 

[DannyBoy]

Another "non-sniper" here... But I had read once that you should draw in a breath, let out about 1/2 of it, pause there and squeeze slowly until the shot surprises you. So that's what I do. Oh, and I also aim too!

That's how I was taught by an ex-sniper. Had me shooting pie plate groups at 600 yards out of the prone position with a Springfield 308 our first time out. Was not easy learning to hold on target and wait for the "surprise" fire, as until that point, I was in the habit of moving crosshairs to the target, pausing, then firing.

That's awesome you can use your own bro as a resource Ike. Be sure to thank him for his service!

 

[iabwhntr]

Had me shooting pie plate groups at 600 yards

Is there a 600 yd range anywhere in central Iowa?

 

[rutnstrut]

Is there a 600 yd range anywhere in central Iowa?

Van Meter but its a private range and the club has a pretty decent waiting list... but you can shoot as a guest if youre lucky enough to know someone with a membership. They do hold a few 600yd competitions every year that are open to the public