06-25-2014, 01:46 PM
I often see folks who come to the range with an anemometer, ballistic calculators, very good optics, accurate rifles and loads, yet are very surprised when they miss the whole target at 1,000 yards. I also see savvy competitors who look throughout their spotting scope read the conditions, dial their sights and make a centered shot. The difference is experience, the number of rounds sent down range under varied conditions and familiarity with the rifle and load in use.
I've personally watched snipers setting up for the shot using the conditions at the shooting line, yet failing to account for the changing conditions along the bullets path to the target. Snipers seldom get enough practice to truly learn how to read the conditions. More of their training is on stealth and information collections the focus on shooting is of less priority.
The US Army (SOCOM) recently released a study in which it was found, the average Camp Perry trained High Power rifle competitor was 300% more likely to get a first round hit on a man sized target at 1,000 yards than a recently returned from theater sniper. The reason is simple, the number of rounds put down range fired by the competitor, completely overwhelms the number fired by the sniper. This allows the competitor to learn hold, trigger control, sight picture, and condition reading to a whole new level of proficiency.
As LR55 said, nothing wrong with good equipment and calculators, but it does not replace skill and experience, which are only gained by thousands upon thousands of rounds down range with good feedback.
Here is a link to a discussion about the paper. http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/so...ers.16402/
Bob
I've personally watched snipers setting up for the shot using the conditions at the shooting line, yet failing to account for the changing conditions along the bullets path to the target. Snipers seldom get enough practice to truly learn how to read the conditions. More of their training is on stealth and information collections the focus on shooting is of less priority.
The US Army (SOCOM) recently released a study in which it was found, the average Camp Perry trained High Power rifle competitor was 300% more likely to get a first round hit on a man sized target at 1,000 yards than a recently returned from theater sniper. The reason is simple, the number of rounds put down range fired by the competitor, completely overwhelms the number fired by the sniper. This allows the competitor to learn hold, trigger control, sight picture, and condition reading to a whole new level of proficiency.
As LR55 said, nothing wrong with good equipment and calculators, but it does not replace skill and experience, which are only gained by thousands upon thousands of rounds down range with good feedback.
Here is a link to a discussion about the paper. http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/so...ers.16402/
Bob