How to Avoid 4 Common Marksmanship Mistakes

Shooting, like many skills, requires time and practice to master. Hitting the target may seem easy on paper (just aim and fire), but there are plenty of common mistakes that can cause you to miss the mark. Thankfully, there are some tricks and tips you can use the next time you bring your M4A1 to the range. Keep these tips in mind, and you might see an improvement in your shooting!

Squeeze (Don’t Pull) the Trigger

Jerking the trigger, whether you’re shooting a handgun or an M4 carbine, can throw off your aim, even if just slightly. It might not make much of a difference at shorter distances, but at longer distances, it’s a very noticeable drift. Instead, focus on “squeezing” the trigger with constant, smooth pressure. Using the pad of your finger (not your knuckle), you want to have an even pull on the trigger. Remember, you aren’t actually pulling the trigger but squeezing it. Practice your trigger squeeze at home by dry firing with a coin balanced on the end of the barrel. As you dry fire, the coin should not move.

Slow Down Your Shooting

What happens if you fire your Mark 12 rifle at the target too quickly? The barrel gets progressively hotter. As it gets hotter, it expands, which can impact your overall accuracy. For best results, slow down and give your barrel a chance to cool off. This also gives you a chance to focus on your breath and reduce your heart rate. Line up the reticle, exhale, and take your shot at the target. This tip is especially crucial for hunters since you might not always get a second shot. Remember, shooting isn’t a race (usually) so take your time and be methodical with every shot.

Align Your Scope Rings

Did you align your scope rings by eye before screwing them into place? You’re doing yourself a disservice and hurting your accuracy. Your front and back rings must be in perfect alignment, and it’s hard to estimate this by eye. Worse than throwing off your alignment, every shot taken with unaligned scope rings risks damaging the scope. It causes dents, which can distort the reticle and make it harder to adjust your scope. Keep your scope safe and improve your accuracy by using a level and proper tools to align and set your scope rings.

Don’t Overtighten Your Scope Rings

Alignment isn’t the only thing to worry about when mounting scope rings. The screws need to be perfectly balanced—not too tight and not too loose. Recoil can move an under-tightened scope, completely throwing off your accuracy. Overtightening the screws is worse, as it could damage the scope. Overtighten these screws, and you could even snap your optic, which will ruin any range day. To get the exact tension you need, use an adjustable torque screwdriver and set the scope to the manufacturer-recommended specs.

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Original Source: https://bit.ly/3So2HMM