Techniques and Tips
The goal of any target shooter is consistency: repeating shots in exactly the same way.
Complacency can be a significant obstacle. Expecting to excel based on past success can lead to a loss of focus for the next shot. Similarly, dwelling on a missed shot can have the same effect. Each shot should be treated independently. If you had a good shot, remember what you did and repeat it. If you missed, analyse the situation, concentrate, and try again.
Air pistol/Black powder pistol
General Rifle Shooting Advice
Understanding your rifle
Knowing your rifle's zero setting and its performance under various conditions is essential for consistent shooting. Familiarity with your rifle's capabilities allows you to understand its limitations and strengths.
The importance of fit
The length of pull, the distance between the trigger and the buttstock, significantly impacts your shooting comfort and accuracy. Adjusting the length of pull to fit your body ensures a more natural and controlled shooting position.
Consistency and accuracy
Every shot sends shockwaves through the rifle, affecting accuracy. These shockwaves vary between rifles, and understanding their impact on your specific gun is crucial.
Ammunition also plays a significant role in accuracy. Even seemingly similar cartridges can differ due to variations in cases, powders, and primers. Experimenting with different ammunition types can help you find a combination that works best with your rifle.
The shooter's role
While the rifle and ammunition are important factors, the shooter's technique is equally crucial. Maintaining a consistent hold, position, and pressure is essential for accurate shooting.
Trigger control is another key aspect. Applying steady, consistent pressure until the trigger breaks is crucial. Avoid pulling or jerking the trigger, and focus on the sight picture rather than anticipating the shot.
Breathing and follow-through
Holding your breath for a brief moment while taking the shot helps prevent movement. Additionally, following through with your shot by keeping the rifle on target after pulling the trigger is essential for maintaining accuracy.
Practical Tips
- Avoid excessive practice: Focus on quality shots rather than lots of shots
- Invest in quality equipment: A reliable rifle and quality ammunition are essential for consistent shooting.
- Aim high: Always strive for the best possible score!
Take note of the sight alignments below:
These are relevant for both rifle and pistol shooting using iron sights. If you align your sights so that they provide you with this sight pattern your shots should be centred on target.
If you are using a telescopic sight, you should set your sights up so that the cross hairs are centred on the target:
Prone rifle:
Prone rifle shooting is a traditional foundation of rifle shooting in the UK. While small-bore prone rifle is typically shot with iron sights, centre-fire rifles can use telescopic sights. Small-bore prone rifle can be shot at various distances, including 15, 20, or 25 yards indoors and 50 metres, 50, or 100 yards outdoors.
Breathing and positioning
When shooting prone, it's recommended to hold your breath on the exhale, as holding inhaled air can be uncomfortable while lying down in a fitted shooting jacket.
Holding the gun firmly but not too tightly against your shoulder is crucial. Tightly hugging the rifle can hinder recoil absorption, causing the rifle to "jump" upwards. A more relaxed hold allows the rifle to expend recoil energy horizontally, reducing jump.
Trigger control and finger placement
Small-bore target rifles often have lighter triggers than other rifles, and the targets are smaller, making proper trigger pull essential. Ensure your index finger is placed correctly on the trigger, either on the first pad or up to the first joint, but not beyond. Consistency in your finger position is vital for accurate shooting. Avoid moving the rifle while pulling the trigger; only the trigger should move.
(A) shows an acceptable, straight pull
(B) shows a pull at an angle. Part of the pressure applied is wasted in pushing/pulling the rifle off target.
Prone rifle position
The prone rifle position is crucial for accurate shooting, as various factors can influence your shots.
Body Positioning
- Angle: Position your body at approximately a 20-degree angle to the direction of shooting.
- T-Shape: Form a "T" shape with your spine and shoulders.
- Weight Distribution: For right-handed shooters, distribute more weight on the left side for easier breathing.
- Comfort: Bend your right leg slightly to relieve stomach pressure.
- Support: Press your right inner knee and foot against the mat.
Arm Positioning
- Left Arm: Extend your left elbow forward for a stable position. Support the gun's weight with your left forearm.
- Right Arm: Position your right elbow forward and slightly to the right. This allows your shoulder to align directly behind the rifle.
Head and rifle positioning
- Head angle: Maintain a natural head angle with no more than 5 cm distance between your eye and the rear sight.
- Stable triangle: Form a stable triangle with your head, shoulder, and rifle.
- Hand position: Rest the stock on the ball of your left thumb. Keep your fingers relaxed and avoid gripping or touching the gun. Push your left hand towards the sling buckle or hand stop for secure support.
- Right hand: Hold the stock with your right hand in a way that allows your trigger finger to move directly backward. Avoid exerting pressure on the gun and ensure your trigger finger doesn't touch the stock.
Shoulder position and sling
- Shoulder height: Avoid excessively high shoulder positioning, as it can be uncomfortable during prolonged shooting.
- Rifle sling: The sling is essential for providing stability. Form a triangle between your forearm, stock, and upper arm.
- Pulse prevention: Ensure your pulse doesn't transmit through the sling to the rifle. This can affect accuracy.
- Sling position: Wear the sling above your upper arm muscle. Wearing it below can lower your firing position and potentially result in penalties during competitions.
Standing/offhand position
Balance is crucial when shooting in the standing/offhand position. A rifle with its centre of gravity (COG) near the front of the action handles smoothly and hangs on target better. A good compromise is a rifle with the COG practically at the front of the action, which offers both good handling and stability.
The optimal stance is with your body at approximately a 45-degree angle to the target. Your left foot and shoulder should be forward, with your left foot pointing towards the target. Avoid standing with your feet too far apart; aim for a natural position with heels about 30 cm apart. Lean back slightly and to the right for better balance and to shift your COG between your left leg and the centre of your body. Thrusting your hip out slightly provides support for your left elbow. The weight of the gun is supported by the bone structure of your left leg. The amount of hip movement depends on your build. The key is a comfortable and stable posture. While your spine should form a "T" with your shoulders, the slightly curved stance means it won't be perfectly straight.
Positioning and technique
- Shoulder and elbow placement: Place the butt of the gun in your right shoulder and your left hand on the fore-end. Keep your left elbow pointing downward, not outward. Your right elbow should point outwards, horizontally to the ground.
- Head position and scope: Bring the gun up to your eye level, ensuring consistency in the angle. Rest your cheek on the stock. If using a scope, keep your eye aligned and about 3 inches behind the scope. High magnification (over 6x) can hinder offhand shooting.
- Breathing: For standing shots, take your shot during a pause on the inhaling breath. This provides better torso support.
Kneeling position:
A kneeling roll (as seen in the diagram above) can be used to provide a stable position and prevent foot discomfort.
In a well-balanced kneeling position, the muzzle should remain completely stable. Your spine and shoulders should form a "T" shape, but avoid hunching your back to prevent discomfort during prolonged shooting.
Face your chest towards the target for optimal shoulder contact and stability. Position your front foot at a 45-degree angle to the target for a stable leg position and to avoid wobbling. Your left leg should be vertical to support the weight of the rifle along with your left forearm. Rest your left elbow on your knee.
Avoid hunching your right arm and shoulder. As with prone and standing positions, pull the trigger directly backward. Maintain a distance of no more than 5cm between your eye and rear sight.
Position your right leg at a 90-degree angle to the rifle, or less. Ensure the three supporting points (left foot, right knee, and right foot) are equally distant to form a triangle, which places the COG in the centre. As shown in the diagram, your thigh and forearm should create a straight line.
For breathing, it's recommended to take your shot during the inhaling breath.
Full-bore shooting techniques
Many techniques used in small-bore shooting can be applied to larger calibre rifles. However, in F-class shooting, like RTSC at Bisley, using a bipod to support the rifle is an option. The shooter's overall position remains similar, maintaining the "T" shape with shoulders and backbone. Following small-bore shooting advice can be beneficial.
Reading the wind
Wind can significantly affect shots, especially in outdoor full-bore shooting. Shooters need to assess the wind's impact. They can use the Beaufort Wind Scale, observe wind flags, or analyse mirage movement on hot days.
Beaufort Scale:
- Up to 3mph: Wind can barely be felt, but movement can be seen in smoke
- 4mph: Breeze can be felt on face
- 8 - 12mph: Leaves and small twigs in constant motion
- 16mph: Dust and paper begin to raise. Small branches begin to move
- 20mph: Smaller trees sway
Wind Flags:
Gentle wind, approximately 4mph.
Moderate wind, approximately 8mph.
Fresh wind, approximately 12mph.
Strong wind, approximately 16mph.
Very strong wind, approximately 20mph.
Mirage and its impact on shooting
Mirage occurs when light refracts, bending as it passes through different mediums or densities. This phenomenon is common when light travels through warm and cold air, causing the image to appear distorted.
Mirage is most prevalent in late morning to mid-afternoon on hot, sunny days when the sun is at its highest point. It's influenced not only by wind-driven air drift but also by hot air rising from the ground and being replaced by cooler air from above.
Types of mirage
- Horizontal mirage: Caused by wind drift, it appears as waves passing across the target.
- Vertical mirage: Appears as rising, shimmering waves.
Wind speed and mirage
The wind closest to mid-range has the most significant impact on the bullet. Therefore, it's crucial to estimate the wind speed at this point by observing mirage.
Scope pictures of mirage:




Mirage is unlikely to occur at higher speed winds due to the cooling effects of the breeze.
Air pistol/Black powder pistol
Air pistol and black powder pistol shooting share similar techniques for holding the gun and body positioning.
Ammunition quality
While ammunition quality can vary among premium and cheaper air gun pellets, the larger grouping of pellets in air pistol competitions at 10 metres is less noticeable than in air rifle competitions at the same range.
One-handed shooting stance
For one-handed shooting, adopt a stance similar to the standing rifle position, but reversed. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, your body facing approximately 45 degrees to the firing line, and your right foot pointing forward. Keep your head upright and erect, and avoid movement with your free hand, as it can affect balance and throw your shot off target. A common stance involves placing your free hand on your rear hip.
In two handed shooting, an often used stance has the left foot pointing in the direction of the target; the right foot is to the rear, slightly further apart than the width of the shoulder. This is demonstrated in the diagram below. This position is referred to as the Weaver Stance, after an American Deputy Sheriff.
Hand position and breathing
The fingers of your weak hand can encircle your shooting hand for extra support and stability without affecting the trigger pull.
Concentrate on the target to determine its position, bring the pistol up, and focus on the front sight, aligning it as previously demonstrated.
As with standing rifle shooting, fire the shot during a pause on the inhaling breath. This chest movement adds stability to your hold.
Shotgun shooting:
Correct shotgun fitting is crucial for comfortable and effective shooting. The gun should fit your body well, allowing for easy mounting and fluid shooting. A gun that's too long or short in the stock can hinder your ability to shoot where you look.
Your feet should be positioned with an imaginary line extending from your rear heel to your leading foot pointing towards your target. A narrower stance facilitates smoother swinging.
There are two common techniques for shotgun shooting: sustained lead and swing-through.
- Sustained lead: Judge the appropriate lead in front of the target, maintain it, and shoot as the bird flies into your pattern.
- Swing-through: Start behind the bird, swing through it, and pull the trigger as the bird passes.
Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Sustained lead can be challenging for birds that aren't in view for long, while swing-through may not allow enough time to establish the necessary lead.
Mounting and focusing
If you can learn to mount the gun after starting to swing, it can make the process more fluid. Rely on your reactions as you swing and focus on the target. Avoid focusing on the gun barrel or bead, as this can slow your swing and lead to shooting behind the bird.
Lead and target engagement
Remember that the shot doesn't come out in a lump but as a long string. Aiming ahead of the bird allows the shot pattern to meet the clay. If you miss, you're likely shooting behind the bird, so increase your lead.
Simultaneous pairs
When shooting simultaneous pairs, decide which bird to shoot first. Unless the other bird is out of sight or significantly more challenging, it's generally recommended to shoot the lower or rear clay first. This allows the gun's recoil to bring you closer to the flight line of the upper bird.
Practice and coaching
Regular practice is essential for learning to judge the lead needed for hitting targets. Professional coaching can help you avoid developing bad habits.
Recommended reading and the source for some of the information provided on this page.
The Book of Shooting for Sport and Skill, Frederick Muller Ltd, Trewin Copplestone Publishing Ltd, London, 1980
Small-Bore Target Shooting, WH Fuller, Barrie & Jenkins Ltd, London, 1978 Edition
Rifle Shooting as a Sport - Basic Principles, Positions and Techniques, Bernd Klinger, Kaye & Ward Ltd, London, 1980