If you’re looking to get into long range shooting, there are a few things you should know that will make your life easier and aim more effectively. These tips are specifically geared towards improving your accuracy at a farther range.
Even if you’ve been hunting or shooting at ranges of around 300 yards, long range shooting requires different techniques and practice to get right. That’s where we come in.
Here’s everything you need to know to improve your ability to shoot long-range targets. These include finding good quality equipment (though not the highest-end ones), practicing, and more.
Tips and Tricks to Shoot Better at Long Range
Here are five tips and tricks you should remember to improve your shooting at long range. These include equipment, techniques, and methods you should consider using.
These apply whether you’re shooting at long-range targets standing up, sitting on a bench, or lying down with a bipod or sandbag stabilizing your rifle.
Prioritize Getting a Good Quality Scope
When picking out equipment, the most important thing to spend on is the rifle scope. Even if you have other optics, scopes for long-range hunting (check Shooting Mystery for more information) are made specifically for that purpose.
They will have adjustment mechanisms on the turrets for both elevation and windage and a reticle that can help you better adjust for bullet drop.
You can pick the MRAD (milliradian) or MOA (minute of angle) compensation systems. Choose MRAD if you prefer using cm/meters and MOA if you use inches/yards.
Get a Good Rifle and Bullet Caliber
What use is aiming perfectly on target if you miss because your rifle is inaccurate or the bullet can’t reach the target? Having a good rifle and bullet will help increase your accuracy.
The most popular rounds for long range shooting include the old faithful 5.56 NATO round used on most AR-15s, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, or the reliable .308 Winchester.
Pair this ammo with a rifle rated for long range shooting, and the only bottleneck in your accuracy will be your technique and skill.
Trigger Control and Breathing Technique
If you’ve seen any movie that features long-range sniping techniques, you may notice that they dramatize the slow breathing and the extra-long trigger pull performed by the sniper.
However, this isn’t just for the movies. You’re most relaxed when you’ve slowed your breathing and shoot when you’ve just emptied out your lungs.
A slow but deliberate trigger pull is also hard to master. You need to pull it hard enough to overcome the slack when you shoot but not hard enough that it disturbs your setup in any way.
Remember, any slight movement or adjustment when shooting at long range can result in being an inch or more off target.
Making Adjustments
You’ll notice that most long-range focused scopes have turrets on the top and the side. These are for adjusting the reticle to compensate for windage and elevation.
Depending on the instructions of the rifle optic itself and the compensation system you’re using, you should get used to rotating these turrets to make adjustments.
There will always be the effect of gravity and wind when you’re shooting at long range. That means you’ll use these adjustments and calibrations almost every time you shoot.
Practice Makes Perfect
As cliche, as this sounds, there’s no way to become a consistent long-range shooter without practicing a lot, even if you get a high-quality scope and rifle.
The trigger discipline and breathing techniques mentioned above can only be done consistently if you practice at the range day in and day out.
You’ll also only be able to tell how much you need to adjust the turrets by practicing shooting at various distances and with different wind conditions.
There’s no substitute for improving with practice, no matter what hobby, sport, or skill you need to learn.
Shooting Positions for Long Range
While you might be used to shooting while standing up for most handguns, carbines, and shorter rifles, longer-range rifles are usually heavier and have much more of a kick.
To be accurate with long-range rifles, you usually need to be seated with the rifle on a steady shooting bench or lying down with a bipod attached to the rifle.
Doing so eliminates any variables when it comes to you swaying left and right or moving the weapon right before you take your shot.
Shooting consistently with long-range rifles will take some getting used to, especially if you’re used to standing up, but that proficiency will come with consistent practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After learning some long range shooting tips, you might have some related questions.
What Rifles Are Considered Long Range?
Rifles are considered long-range if they can accurately shoot and hit targets 700 yards or farther. This is because most carbines and shorter-range rifles can only reach 300-500 yards.
How Far Can a Sniper Bullet Travel?
Depending on the caliber, sniper bullets can travel and be accurate anywhere from 800 yards all the way to 1500 yards and beyond. This is impressive compared to most other bullet types.
The longest sniper rifle confirmed kill goes to a Canadian sniper during the Iraq War, with the bullet traveling more than 3,800 yards to the target.
Even if there is a “maximum range” stated on a particular bullet and rifle combination, a very skilled marksman can extend it much farther.
Do AR-15s or AK-47s Have a Better Range?
While the AR and the AK platforms don’t exactly what comes to mind when you think of long-range, they can still consistently hit medium-range targets.
However, the AR-15, with its stock 5.56 NATO round, is more accurate, reaching 460 yards instead of the 300 on the 7.62 x 39 AK round.
The great thing about the AR-15 platform is that barrels and calibers can be changed out. Many long-range rifles use the AR platform but with different barrels and calibers.
Conclusion
Long range shooting isn’t an easy skill to learn. It’s a bit expensive to get into and requires a lot of training and practice to get right.
However, as long as you keep at it consistently and follow the tips and tricks in this article, you’ll be hitting targets beyond 700 yards in no time.