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Jul 27th Training

Training:

I’m trying to get back into the habit of good training.

Not just physically, but skills too. Especially degradable skills like marksmanship.

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It’s especially difficult when those skills require money to be expended to achieve – such is the way of my firearms training.

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On a limited time and ammunition budget, maximum training opportunities need to be taken.

Why do I do this?

I’m getting ready for shooting the SSAA (Sporting Shooters Association of Australia) Field Rifle match (link HERE), which also leads into ethical engagement of target animals whilst hunting.

I like to minimize my chances of wounding an animal by ensuring a clean, ethical shot.

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I do a lot of dry fire in the comfort of my own home.

To this end, I bought some snap caps (aka drill rounds) in 7.62x39mm.

These are great for manipulation and sight drills, whilst reducing potential damage to the firing pin.

When it comes to live fire training, I like to have a training rifle “clone” of my main rifle.

The Mistress in .30-30 had the Cheerleader in .357Magnum.

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Ivana in 7.62x39mm has the Bergara in .22LR.

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This maximizes my limited time and budget – cheaper ammunition means more repetitions.

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I also record my live fire performance of basic drills.

These two cards were used from my last range session.

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The first drill I perform at range session nowadays is a modification of the old Jeff Cooper Drill:

Start at high ready – rifle butt in hip. Muzzle up, weapon at ACTION condition (loaded magazine, cocked with round in chamber, safety engaged).

At the beep/mark, fire one shot at 25yds – Point of Aim (PoA) is the top target (No. 1 in the target photo) of a SSAA Smallbore Rifle Target – #23/50.

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Immediately reload and take the second shot at 50yds – PoA is precisely between Target 2 and 3 of a SSAA Smallbore Rifle Target – #23/50.

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It should be noted that these particular targets have been used after a long range session. So the holes and groups aren’t indicative of my initial reps.
Take it as an indication of the targetry I’m using for training.

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This is the first thing I do at the range, so it’s performed cold, no warm up.

Points I try to improve on:

1. Execute the first shot at 25yds in 1.5 seconds.
2. Not removing the rifle butt from my shoulder, nor moving my head from the stock between shots/targets.
3. I need to concentrate more on the second shot. I’m not happy with the follow-up. More dry-fire is required.

What drills do you utilize for personal training?