Self Improvement- the Kraft Way

[Ronin]

So, heres a thing, but let me start with the background ;

I’ve shot rifles since being a teenager in both a recreational and semi professional capacity (deer) and been fortunately to shoot competitively at various events both here and internationally at a reasonable level

However,

In the last few years I noticed that some of my positional shots have been “off” most notably on paper (which doesn’t lie ) and sometimes on animal - shot placement noted being slightly different to intended designation

I’m not talking about shots at distance here, I’m taking about woodland stalking distances typically under 100 mtrs where one is not taking shots prone but standing, seated or kneeling / seated

I’m a big believer in practice on paper - as I said, it doesn’t lie

Following on from the above, my spare moments have been spent listening to various pod casts - mainly stateside based from Frank Gali mainly and more recently from the Modern Day Sniper team and Chris Way who releases a podcast called RifleKraft

All focus around the fundamentals of marksmanship And the importance that foundation is to placing the bullet perfectly Be that in a competition or hunting environment

Irrespective of the end use (competition or hunting) I’ve taken away from this the necessity to practice and train for my own self development

Rifle shooting is a perishable skill that will and does deteriorate if one doesn’t practice on a frequent basis

If you agree and want to maintain and enhance your skill set then perhaps consider going to the RifleKraft web page and downloading the Kraft target

Set it out at your usual zero distance (say 100 yds) and then shoot the target from four positions

Standing, kneeling, seated, prone

Repeat on the same target three times

Look at the results then practice your weakest position either dry or live , practice building a position to shoot at home or wherever you can picking a point to focus and engage and try to reduce your wobble, pay attention to natural point of aim, pay attention to breathing, trigger control, all the fundamentals of marksmanship

Chris Way - who runs RifleKraft has a subscription element to the web site - if your interested in self development, you can, if you wish become a subscriber and with that you can submit your targets and receive feedback and help towards what may improve your shot placement skills

I’ve found it is extremely valuable to my own goals

It may be for yours

 

[Austin]

I have tried this drill a few times but scaled the distance and targert size for 22lr, you could do the same with an air rifle. Its very good and really shows that shooting 1moa from all position is very difficult. As far as i im aware the average group for this drill is 4moa

 

[Ronin]

Hi Austin

Yup, Chris suggests the baseline will be bettween 3 and 4 for the average shooter

The numbers don’t matter and it doesn’t matter what your number is compared to someone else

It’s your baseline and up to you if you choose to improve on that

Works for me

 

[Austin]

Couldnt agree more. I belive everyone should give it a try. Because everyone shoots that one little group off a bench or prone and that gives you fake confidence on game as distances you shouldnt be attempting( i know most are more sensible than this.) But its really humbling and make you want to get out more and become a better shooter.

 

[LuckyEddie]

When I’m out with a rifle, irrespective if I’ve managed to grass a beast or not, I practice.
50m freehand standing.
125m sitting / kneeling with sticks
200m prone
Three shots at each target

 

[Tim.243]

So, heres a thing, but let me start with the background ;

I’ve shot rifles since being a teenager in both a recreational and semi professional capacity (deer) and been fortunately to shoot competitively at various events both here and internationally at a reasonable level

However,

In the last few years I noticed that some of my positional shots have been “off” most notably on paper (which doesn’t lie ) and sometimes on animal - shot placement noted being slightly different to intended designation

I’m not talking about shots at distance here, I’m taking about woodland stalking distances typically under 100 mtrs where one is not taking shots prone but standing, seated or kneeling / seated

I’m a big believer in practice on paper - as I said, it doesn’t lie

Following on from the above, my spare moments have been spent listening to various pod casts - mainly stateside based from Frank Gali mainly and more recently from the Modern Day Sniper team and Chris Way who releases a podcast called RifleKraft

All focus around the fundamentals of marksmanship And the importance that foundation is to placing the bullet perfectly Be that in a competition or hunting environment

Irrespective of the end use (competition or hunting) I’ve taken away from this the necessity to practice and train for my own self development

Rifle shooting is a perishable skill that will and does deteriorate if one doesn’t practice on a frequent basis

If you agree and want to maintain and enhance your skill set then perhaps consider going to the RifleKraft web page and downloading the Kraft target

Set it out at your usual zero distance (say 100 yds) and then shoot the target from four positions

Standing, kneeling, seated, prone

Repeat on the same target three times

Look at the results then practice your weakest position either dry or live , practice building a position to shoot at home or wherever you can picking a point to focus and engage and try to reduce your wobble, pay attention to natural point of aim, pay attention to breathing, trigger control, all the fundamentals of marksmanship

Chris Way - who runs RifleKraft has a subscription element to the web site - if your interested in self development, you can, if you wish become a subscriber and with that you can submit your targets and receive feedback and help towards what may improve your shot placement skills

I’ve found it is extremely valuable to my own goals

It may be for yours

I took the b-pod off years ago so don't shoot prone as the flatter ground I have did suit it...
Years ago I would go out in strong winds and shoot a 4" plate @ 200 yds off sticks so I learnt to read the wind as most people practice on a still day to get the grouping.
Just got in after a short trip foxing...strong wind with fox trotting left to right so had to find it with thermal move in front get the focus with the drone 10 stop the fox and whack it..
Shot rifles since I was 14 now 61
Best thing in your head is "squeeze the trigger" as the x hairs come to where you need them.

 

[scotch_egg]

Frank Gali’s recent book is a great read and took me back to basics. I had to skip the autobiographical chapters. But still a good read.

@Ronin get some shot targets posted up.

I’ve added the target because I couldn’t find it on the riflekraft website. Does anyone else think of Kraft cheese when saying rifle Kraft

Also a great post on snipershide. Ignore the website name for those not familiar with the “hide” it’s a mine of precision shooting information that is likely to bend your mind. If you can get past the idiots.

Kraft Data Driven Training: Try This

Sniper's Hide and Chris Way of Kraft are partnering up to collect some data from Shooters. Chris is a very data-driven shooter, he is a competitive shooter and loves to analyze data. He Krafted a precision rifle course of fire designed to be shot at 100 yards and collect data from multiple...

www.snipershide.com

 

[Ronin]

I’d rather not post images of targets - it’s self driven, for yourself

Not a contest on dick length

I’m really interested in trying to encourage development and maintainence of skills in relation to marksmanship - that’s the ethos behind this thread

 

[stevec]

That looks really interesting. I was recently told by an RFD that you should not practice with a rifle unless you have variation specifically for 'Target Practice' and not 'Zeoring'. Do you know if this is correct? Nothing to stop me using an air rifle though.

 

[scotch_egg]

I’d rather not post images of targets - it’s self driven, for yourself

Not a contest on dick length

I’m really interested in trying to encourage development and maintainence of skills in relation to marksmanship - that’s the ethos behind this thread

Not dick swinging. More to show the fall of the bullet. Groups mean nothing.

I know I cant my rifle unless I concentrate. I can’t get out or I would be post my attempts. It’s all very interesting and great for self improvement.

 

[scotch_egg]

That looks really interesting. I was recently told by an RFD that you should not practice with a rifle unless you have variation specifically for 'Target Practice' and not 'Zeoring'. Do you know if this is correct? Nothing to stop me using an air rifle though.

Are you checking the impact is where upu are aiming? That’s zeroing is it not?



I wouldn’t be worrying about the opinion of the RFD. Now if you said it was your firearms enquiry officer working on behalf of the licensing department I’d be more inclined to take notice.

 

[Ronin]

That looks really interesting. I was recently told by an RFD that you should not practice with a rifle unless you have variation specifically for 'Target Practice' and not 'Zeoring'. Do you know if this is correct? Nothing to stop me using an air rifle though.

Utter bollocks, your practicing achieving your positional zero

Another yts gunshop statement

 

[Ronin]

Not dick swinging. More to show the fall of the bullet. Groups mean nothing.

I know I cant my rifle unless I concentrate. I can’t get out or I would be post my attempts. It’s all very interesting and great for self improvement.

I meant that I wouldn’t want the thread to turn into one of those posts that show tiny groups that may put folk off from even attempting the Kraft target

 

[Donkey Basher]

Time spent practising with a .22LR is time very well spent. The comparatively long 'lock & barrel time' compared to any c/f rifle trains you to squeeze the trigger so as not to move the rifle when you do and also to keep on the target for a proper follow through. As regards targets themselves, don't focus on your group - seeing shots makes you subconsciously try to shoot better & often the reverse happens! I was taught a trick many years ago by an Olympic rifle shooter - decide what size group you think is acceptable, cut the centre of the target out to that size & then put your shots through the hole. When you see a shot on the paper that didn't make it through the hole think about why that shot was different to the others & don't do it again! You can then reduce the size of the hole over time.

 

[Ronin]

I disagree in relation to practicing with rimfire - the recoil pulse and shot cycle is totally different and may not be of any benefit in reality for positional training with a centerfire

Personally, I’d rather train with the rifle I’m using or want to improve my skill set with

You could possibly use the rimfire to train wind calling at a distance changes in the wind altered fall of shot (say work out what distance a one mph change in wind speed moves fall of shot one tenth - if using a milrad Scope)

I see a value in that

 

[Twodogs]

Not dick swinging. More to show the fall of the bullet. Groups mean nothing.

I know I cant my rifle unless I concentrate. I can’t get out or I would be post my attempts. It’s all very interesting and great for self improvement.

Respectfully disagree with the comment “Groups mean nothing”.

Groups are an indicator of consistency or lack thereof. If you can achieve consistency of grouping you can then move that group anywhere relative to your poa.

Canting your rifle is not an issue per se, it is the inconsistency in the cant that causes the issue. Many competition shooters shoot with their rifles canted. If any shooter naturally mounts their rifle canted and wants it upright a buttplate that is adjustable for cant, rotation etc will remedy.

 

[scotch_egg]

Respectfully disagree with the comment “Groups mean nothing”.

Groups are an indicator of consistency or lack thereof. If you can achieve consistency of grouping you can then move that group anywhere relative to your poa.

Canting your rifle is not an issue per se, it is the inconsistency in the cant that causes the issue. Many competition shooters shoot with their rifles canted. If any shooter naturally mounts their rifle canted and wants it upright a buttplate that is adjustable for cant, rotation etc will remedy.

Apologies my post didn’t come across right. Groups alone mean nothing, it’s about moving them onto the POA.

 

[Ronin]

Precision - tight group

Accuracy - hitting the point intended

Accuracy and precision - tight group in the intended place