Fundamental Marksmanship 101

You have an AR15 rifle. Preferably, you have a 20" barrel. It should be capable of holding 2" - 3" groups at 100 yards with M193 clone ammo. Alternately, it should be capable of 3" - 4" groups at 100 yards with M855 clone ammo. Let's dig into marksmanship so you can make that happen.

Resting the Rifle
A steady rifle is required to make a precise shot. Resting your rifle on a stable surface is the most advantageous way to steady the rifle. There are a couple of ways to make that happen:
Bipod.
Field bag rest.
Magazine rest.

I am not going to discuss bench rests here, as they are not typically carried with a person into the field. We want practicality.

Also, I will not discuss sling use here. Slings are a holdover from sport shooting, and are not the ideal way to steady a rifle in the field. Any sling you have on your rifle should be for carrying purposes exclusively. Again, the key word is practicality.

Goal
Your goal is to be able to make a 500-yard shot on a 20" target with your rifle consistently. By "consistently," I mean 10 times out of 10, not 3/10 times.

First Step
Place a 20" target at 100 yards. Assume a prone position (see below).

• Make sure to rest your rifle on your bipod, field bag, or on the magazine. Get a steady position. 
• Fire five well-aimed shots at the middle of the 20" target.
• You should do this until you can manage a group of 6" or less, with all shots in the black. 

Second Step
When you can consistently make a 6" group or smaller at 100 yards, with all shots in the black; it is then time to make the game more difficult! Place a 10" target at 100 yards. Assume a prone position again. Fire ten well-aimed rounds at the target.

All ten round should be in the black.


Third Step
When you can consistently put all ten rounds into a 10" circle at 100 yards, it is is time to make the game more difficult! Place a 4" target at 100 yards. Assume a prone position again. Fire ten well-aimed shots at the target.

All ten rounds should strike the target.

When you can do this, you are capable of hitting a 20" target at 500 yards.


Final Step
If you can get to a 500 yard range (or longer) do it! Get out there on a day with little wind and make shots at a 20" target at the full distance.

If you are using an adjustable iron sight, make sure to set it at the 500 yard setting!
If you use a BDC scope, then use the 500 yard hash mark!
If you use a red dot zeroed for 50/200 yards, your holdover is about 48" (M193) or 47" (M855).
If you use a scope zeroed for 100 yards, take 9.5 MOA up in elevation.
If you use fixed iron sights zeroed for 50/200, try to guess 4 feet high and aim there. Alternately, rotate the front sight post 10 MOA up.