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Marksmanship
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A stable shooting position is essential in obtaining
the best results in rifle shooting. A stable position reduces rifle recoil
and provides the optimal conditions for successfully applying the
fundamentals of marksmanship. This stability is enhanced by using the rifle
sling to aid in the control and support of the rifle. Proper adjustment of
the rifle sling will have little benefit if the competitor can not assume
and maintain a correct shooting position. A proper shooting position
provides the stability and control required to employ the weapon accurately
and consistently. The basic shooting positions, can be tailored to meet the
individual needs of each competitor and also provide both the stability and
control necessary to shoot accurately and consistently.
- Bone
Support
- The body's skeletal structure provides a stable
foundation to support the rifle's weight. A weak shooting position will
not withstand the repeated recoil of the rifle when firing at a
sustained rate or buffeting from wind. To attain a correct shooting
position, the bones of the body must support as much of the rifle's
weight as possible. Proper use of the sling provides additional support.
- The weight of the weapon should be supported
by bone rather than muscle because muscles fatigue whereas bones do
not.
- Establish a strong foundation for the rifle
by utilizing bone support, This will enable the shooter-to relax as
much as possible while minimizing the movement of the weapon due to
muscle tension.
- Muscular Relaxation
- Once bone support I achieved, muscles are
relaxed. Muscular relaxation helps to hold steady and increase the
accuracy of your aim. Muscular relaxation also allows the maximum use of
bone support to create a minimum arc of movement and consistency in
resistance to recoil.
- The best way achieve muscular relaxation is
by utilizing bone support. During the shooting process, the muscles
of the body must be relaxed as much as possible. Muscles that are
tense will cause excessive movement of the rifle, disturbing the aim.
When proper bone support and muscular relaxation are applied, the
rifle will settle onto your aiming point, making it possible to apply
trigger control and deliver a well-aimed shot.
- Only through practice and achieving a natural
point of aim will proper muscular relaxation be achieved.
- Natural Point of Aim
- The point at which the rifle sights settle when
bone support and muscular relaxation are achieved is called the natural
point of aim.
- Since the rifle becomes an extension of your
body, it may be necessary to adjust the position of your body, thereby
adjusting your natural point of aim, until the rifle sights settle
naturally on the desired aiming point on the target.
- When in a shooting position with proper sight
alignment, the position of the tip of the front sight post will
indicate the natural point of aim. When completely relaxed, the tip
of the front sight post should rest on the desired aiming point.
- One method of checking for natural point of
aim is to aim in on your target, close your eyes, take a couple of
breaths, and relax as much as possible. When you open your eyes, the
tip of the front sight post should be positioned on the desired aiming
point while maintaining sight alignment.
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