Thursday, January 6, 2011

Furthering your training

I have been contacted by literally dozens of people over the past several months, and they've asked me to give some thoughts on furthering their marksmanship training. It stems from people who have attended Appleseed events, and now wish to take things a step further. So let's explore this topic in detail for folks.

The reason for this is simple. Appleseed is a program that has served as the first training that many shooters have had. This also accounts for why so many will defend the program to the death - right or wrong, even when it might make the program look bad, or make them look foolish. Appleseed was their first training, so it just has to be the best, in their minds. Those of us who've trained elsewhere, or have an in-depth knowledge of what teaching a topic is truly about, it is a valuable training source, that is a good platform from which to learn more about one's chosen craft.

To make things simple, I will break my training suggestions down into two main categories. In one part, I'll elaborate on positional shooting for folks. In another part, I'll talk about other training avenues. Before either of those, I'll make a few broad suggestions:


General Marksmanship Suggestions

First - if your state allows, get a concealed / carry permit. Often, there is a certain minimal amount of training needed. This will open you up to a new world of marksmanship - pistols.

Also - Get some empty handed self defense training. Krav Maga, Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, etc.

Look for local shooting clubs. Maybe they do the kind of shooting you want to do. Maybe they do something different that you might want to try.

Check out the NRA Marksmanship program. There are many types of certifications and courses of fire - almost to the point of having something for everybody. A huge advantage with the NRA program is that you shoot it on your own.

Always train to do what you are already doing - just better. In other words, sharpen your current skills.


General Training Suggestions

I'm going to stick with broad-based advice here, as there is a lot of information out there, and different people will lean different ways.

Training Schools
Modern schools of self defense using firearms have devised many methodologies that are very useful, and well proven in actual situations. Generally speaking, they classify training into pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Many schools further the categories, such as "defensive pistol" vs. "defensive revolver," or similar.

While there are many good schools out there, it would be impossible to name them all. And certainly, some people are disinterested (to say the least) with certain training facilities. I suggest Google is your friend. Research any school prior to plunking down the money.

That's another topic. Most training beyond Appleseed will involve substantially more money. Most schools will specify what kind of firearm to bring - if you don't have one of that sort, investing in one will either be mandatory, or strongly suggested. Some places require certain types of ammo (for varying reasons). Do your homework first.

Training via video
Another option is learning on your own. Keep in mind that the obvious detraction for this is the fact that you will not have an instructor there to help you with problems YOU are facing. Many places put out instructional videos - most often on DVD. I own several from Thunder Ranch, and will gladly recommend any video put out by Clint and Heidi Smith. Top quality folks, top quality products. I hear that training with them is great, too!

The folks at Magpul Dynamics are well known for having quality DVD's, too. Though I do not own any of their material, nor have I viewed any of their DVD's in their entirety, they rate well with folks in Law Enforcement and Military. What I have seen of their DVD's is very accurate, too.

Courses to take
For someone who wants to increase his or her self defense capabilities with a firearm, some specific training to seek might include topics on defensive handgun (like the course at Thunder Ranch, or similar),  urban rifle, precision rifle, and defensive shotgun. A course on basic tactics would be useful, too. Knowing how to pie a corner, defend with one hand and shoot with the other, clear malfunctions, and use a flashlight are absolutely critical.


Positional Shooting Skills

Once a shooter has earned a "Rifleman" designation from Appleseed, there are many ways to improve. There are fewer training avenues, so the shooter will have to rely on working on technique on their own in many cases. I strongly suggest improvement with the AQT course of fire. It is a good COF, and offers many alternate ways to train.

Competition
One way to continue the education in a group environment is to become an NRA High Power competitor. Certainly, shooting from actual distances will be superior to shooting at 25 yards on reduced size targets. The major drawback is that to be competitive will require a match grade equipment, rifle, and ammo - which represents a significant investment. In either event, a shooter should at least try it out once.

Solo training
This is the bulk of what I've been asked, so I'll spend a lot of time on this topic. I'll run this as a general guideline on how to improve shooting performance, one step at a time.

Solo Training - a new drill
The Trident. Start with an 8" circle at 18 yards. Prep three mags with 5 rounds in each. At the "fire" command, the shooter loads the fist mag, and fires the five rounds at the circle while standing. Then the shooter reloads, and fires five rounds at the circle from sitting. Then the shooter reloads and shoots five rounds from prone. Time limit - 30 seconds.

Scoring: You start with 50 points.
-5 points for each miss.
-1 point for each second over 30 seconds taken.

Objective: to score a perfect 50.
Expert: 45-50
Sharpshooter: 38-44
Marksman: 29-37

Solo Training - Refinement
I've received in excess of 100 emails asking about continuing after "Rifleman." First, let's dispel a myth - shooting "Rifleman" is not akin to getting a black belt in the martial arts. More like getting the first belt after white belt - particularly in the fashion that so many make the cut: with scopes, highly tuned rifles, match grade ammo, light triggers, and the like.

So I suggest that the aspiring Rifleman start taking these things away - one at a time - and refining the skill to a point that is true marksmanship - the shooting of the fabled "4 MOA" without any assistance.

These suggestions will be cumulative. In other words, you should keep adding to the difficulty level as you train. 

Ammo
First, stop using the match grade ammo. For you .22LR shooters, this includes the fabulous CCI (mini-mags, or Standard velocity). At first, it will be a bit harder, but not too much so. This will be the easiest step of them all. Some recommendations on decent bulk ammo? Try Federal or Winchester for your .22's. For centerfire, that will be up to you, though on military calibers (.223, .308, .30-06) one should go with military surplus, or similar.

For .30-06, I suggest using the bulk stuff that is true military surplus - like the current Greek ammo from the CMP. For .223 - I suggest that any inexpensive ammo that duplicates the 55-grain or 62-grain loads used by the military should be adequate. For added difficulty - try shooting the steel-cased .223. I've shot "Rifleman" scores with Wolf and Monarch (which is identical to Brown Bear, from what I understand). Both types of ammo are capable of 4 MOA.

Trigger
The next step to take is to stop using the hair triggers. Now this topic is a tight-wire act, so let me make a distinction - the M1 has a nice trigger that is usually about 4.5 lbs. It also just so happens that HP competitions require at least a 4.5 pound trigger for competition. So this is just fine in my book. Conversely, I see no reason to have a horrible 12 pound beast of a trigger.

Predominantly what I will say people use is the Ruger 10/22 - and with a Volquartsen trigger, the pull can be reduced to under 2 pounds. While that's nice, it is also gaming the AQT a bit, in my book.

Remember that  the best way to improve is with a cumulative effect, so once you revert to match-legal triggers, do not forget that you need to keep shooting bulk ammo, too!

Rifle
This is for all those with a really nice setup - bull barrel, thumb-hole stock, etc. - now shoot the score without all the getup. Take that old plain rifle out, and use it. Keep using the standard ammo, and the match-legal trigger. Make this another step of improvement. Let these things be one less crutch on which to rely.

Also covered in the rifle section is the centerfire rifle (for those who have only shot the score with a .22). Now is the time to take the AR15 out of the closet, and qualify with it. Remember to use correct sling tension (not too tight!) on the AR15 - you can bend your barrel and throw shots off.

Optics
If you've reached this point, you are ready to take the scope off. Use plain peep sights (or tech-sights) on the rifle. Some will say that they just can't see the far targets. This is true, but not as frequently as people think. If you use glasses or contacts, be sure your prescription is up to date and accurate.

I'd say that over 90% of people who use the "eyes can't see the target" excuse are doing just that - making an excuse. Sure, there are some with severe medical conditions for which this might be true... but that's not most of you! I know, because I once made the same excuse about myself.

Sling
There are not many who will venture here. There are some who contend that you cannot shoot 4 MOA without a sling. This is simply not true - I think everyone capable of shooting 4 MOA can do so without a sling. I'm not the only one to think this, either.

Anything that helps get the bullet on target, but is not essential to getting a bullet on target, is a "crutch" (Link to where I found that quote). The sling is no different.  It helps, but is not critical, to getting the bullet on the target. Nothing - not even the sling - is more vital than proper shooting position, except possibly proper sight picture and trigger pull.

So now, I urge you to shoot without the sling. Focus on what you are doing. Make that "Rifleman" score without the sling. I firmly believe that most human beings are capable of  shooting 210 or better on the AQT, with a true off-the-rack rifle, standard ammo, and no other assistance. No sling, no bipod, no hair trigger, no expensive or handloaded ammo, etc.

When you get to the point that you can consistently shoot high 220's to low 230's under these parameters, then you have really developed your skill to a black belt level.

Follow up
Now go back. Shoot with the sling, scope, bipod, match ammo, whatever. You will see marked improvement.

Additional drills
Occasionally use the "redcoat challenge" from Appleseed fame. "Parker's Revenge" as a game with this is really fun, and a great way to learn cooperative shooting with friends / family.

Try shooting an AQT, using the sitting position in the last three stages. Try to make a "Rifleman" score that way - no easy task!

Try shooting an AQT with a bipod or rest on the final stage.

Shoot a "Rifleman" score on the original AQT, the standard QDAQT, and on a RFAQT. Then do it with a centerfire!

Practice "double taps" on the 100-yard scale target.

Have a friendly challenge with a less experienced shooter. Both of you are prone - they shoot 10 shots at the 200-yard targets - 5 shots per target. You shoot 10 at the 400-yard targets - 2-2-3-3 as normal. No rests or bipods, but your friend may use a scope, whatever ammo, whatever rifle, etc. You shoot under a time limit of 90 seconds, but allow him longer if he wants. Compare the scores straight up.

See if you can do the RFAQT in 3 minutes. 2 minutes? With a tube fed? Under 3 minutes and no sling?
PS - I've done the RFAQT in under 3 minutes with a tube fed and scored over 210. Can you?

Shoot the entire AQT standing. See if you can get 210. (I've only scratched 200 so far!)

Shoot the AQT on your weak side (left handed, for me).

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