Do you have a shooting practice routine?

[diegobxr]

Hey everybody,

I was wondering... Do you have a shooting practice routine? A systematic approach when you get to the range?

If so,
What do you practice?
Do you favor defensive shooting? Speed? Long range accuracy?
Do you divide your time or ammo in different exercises?
What skills do you work on?
What are your favorite drills?

Me, I get there and mostly "wing it"... I don't really have a practice routine... I really want to change that.

Well, if you'd like to share your experiences and thought on this matter, I most definitely appreciate your input. Thanks!

Diego

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have a plan, mostly because I don't shoot very many rounds so I try to make the most of what I have.

My primary gun is a 642, and my typical range session is about 50-60 rounds. My plan varies, depending on the range I'm using, but usually it involves:

10-15 rounds focused on marksmanship fundamentals.
25-30 rounds of drawing from concealment, including one-handed and two-handed shooting, often incorporating reloads and occasionally multiple targets.

The rest is a mix of support-hand shooting and some longer distance shooting.

I also have a Beretta 92FS. When I shoot that, I don't have specific round-count plans, but usually I try to include:

A magazine or two of DA-only shooting.
A magazine or two of DA-SA transition shooting.
Defensive shooting practice like above, but starting either from low-ready or with the gun on the bench since my Beretta is a HD gun and not carried.
I'll sometimes incorporate some malfunction clearing drills, but it's not something I emphasize on a regular basis.

 

[PPS1980]

My indoor range will let me practice drawing if I am the only one other than the RO on the range. That happens about 1x per month. I shoot at silhouettes and practice primarily at 2-3 yards and at 7-10yrds as those are the most common Castle and SD situations. I always use one of my carry guns and a 22LR target pistol each time. I practice standard stance, strong and weak one handed, and snap shots when possible.

 

[swsig]

I go to the range at least once a week. It's indoors with an overhead electric trolley for targets. Maximum shooting distance is 25.5 yards. Drawing and double-taps are not allowed. I always take two pistols and enough ammo to be able to fire at least 100 rounds from each. For a target, I most always use a Birchwood-Casey 12"x12" Eze-Scorer sight-in paper target (see attached photo).

I start at 15 yards, and and after one or two targets are chewed up, I'll move to 20 yards. If I'm feeling lucky or good, I'll put a target at 25.5 yards. I usually use a Dirty Bird "splatter" target at 25.5 yards, so I can more easily see any hits (if I have any!). Each target is marked with the date, the gun, the distance, and the ammo used.

After I fire each magazine, I'll retrieve the target and mark the hits from that magazine. Then I count the number of hits from that magazine that landed in the 4"x4" square surrounding the bullseye. In the photo, this square can be identified by the small red dots in each corner. When I get home I record this accuracy info in a log that I keep for each gun I own. That way I can track the progress (or lack of it) I'm making in improving my accuracy.
For example, when I first got my M&P 40 Compact 2 1/2 years ago, I could barely place 30% of my shots into the 4"x4" square at 15 yards. Now I'm disappointed if I don't hit the square with at least 65% of my shots.

I'll usually end the session by taking rapid fire and/or one-handed shots at 10 yards at a large 5-bullseye target that the range gives free to any shooter who wants it.

One final tip: If I'm shooting .45s, I'll tape a piece of scrap cardboard to the back of my paper targets to keep them from tearing. You get much neater holes that way, and the targets don't wear out as fast (unless you're shooting 1" groups ).

 

[Watchdog]

I was wondering... Do you have a shooting practice routine? A systematic approach when you get to the range?

No, no set routine. I shoot for what I consider "accuracy" at from 15-25 yards.

I keep shooting until I've satisfied myself that I can hit the areas I'm aiming at with some degree of accuracy and consistency.

By accuracy, in my case, I mean if I can place eight shots of .45acp into the chest area of the target, that's good enough for me. That's with a 1911, a Glock 30S, and my .45 Shield. I don't need to shoot 2-inch groups...and I couldn't, anyway, unless I was shooting off a rest. And I don't shoot off a rest.

 

[H Richard]

No, It depends on what I plan to do. Bench rest a new load, sight in a different gun, check rifle sight out to various distances, practice my bulllseye shooting, or whatever. I have enough guns in shooting rotation I could use a different one every week for a couple years.

 

[Rpg]

My club's range is outdoors.

I always practice from the leather, timed shooting from 7, 10 and 25 yards.

I do Mozambique drills at 7 yards timed to 1 1/2 sec.

I also practice the Cooper drill: 3 targets at 10 yards spaced 2 yards apart edge to edge, 12 rounds with reload. Begin with back to targets, hands in surrender position. Turn, draw, two shots on each target, reload, two more in each target. When I hit all center mass in 10 seconds, I move to 25 yards.

25 yards From the leather, center mass in 2 seconds from the leather.

All drills begin with hands up in surrender position, Colt Commander or Government model concealed.

This usually consumes 50-60 rounds.

I then do double tap at 7 yards with M38 from the pocket. I'm approaching 2.5 seconds but haven't hit that goal yet. Usually 20-30 rounds.

I use plain cardboard IPSC targets and get to the range once or twice a month. I always draw wearing a cardigan sweater, sport coat or down jacket, depending on the season.

 

[Ray1970]

Most of my practice these days is strictly with handguns. Partly because that's what I carry and partly because I find handgun skills perish faster than long gun skills. For me at least. I do try to get in some practice with rifles and shotguns a couple of times a year.

I mix up my routine every time but most of my drills involve multiple targets (usually six or so) engaged at various distances from nearly contact distance to about fifteen to twenty yards. I always work from the holster and the majority of my drills utilize shooting on the move, shooting from cover, and reloads.

I also shoot IDPA matches once a month to try to keep sharp with my handgun skills.

 

[Jebus35745]

When I retired 16 months ago I started a Tuesday morning shoot at the indoor club for the old guys. It's 50ft and sorta on the bullseye type shooting. I shoot off hand (one handed) and take different guns each week. Having fun with a Martini free pistol single shot. Going back to basics of sight alignment and trigger control. What ever I reloaded for or feel like taking for the day. No real direction, just shooting. Larry

 

[Krell1]

I was a bullseye shooter for many years. My practice routine was always the same. My set up was as if I were shooting a match. Stance, breathing etc was all the same. I'd "compete" with fellow shooters just for fun and it was a way to sharpen my skills. I also kept a log book of my scores. My practice was always very structured. Matches were generally held once a week indoors during the winter and outdoors during summer months. Practice was two times a week so I probably shot at least 200 to 250 rounds a week with the 22 and 100 in center fire. GREAT FUN!!!!!!!!

 

[richardw]

At my local range shooting from a draw is prohibited. So I practice for accuracy speed of sequence of shots. Inshootnin bursts of 3 rounds with the goal of getting them out in 3 second while maintaining accuracy keeping the hits on target to a 1.5 inch group at 25 feet. I shoot from a modified Weaver stance because that is the most likely that I would adopt in a self defense situation. I do not practice Isosceles since I do not ever intend to use it in a confrontation since it presents an easy target for the thoracic area where we have all this vital organs. Weaver reduces that exposure.

I also practice the Center Axis Relock system. It is more than stance. It is a system for gunfighting. You can read about it on the Internet and watch it demonstrated on YouTube. If you decide to watch the videos, look for those with Paul Castle in them he developed the system.

 

[Walkingwolf]

10 yards mostly point shooting. But I avoid tactical shooting with firearms. I use training guns almost everyday for the tactical side of training.

Training guns consist of both airsoft replicas, and rubber/plastic guns. Airsoft are shot daily, I practice presentation about a half hour everyday with the rubber guns.

 

[Targets Guy]

I just shoot. Mostly from 7 yards as no place in my home is longer than that (with open sight lines). Sometimes (with the six inch barrels) I will push out to ten yards.

I record each session; weapon, ammo, distance. I take a photo of each target and save that photo to the computer under the weapon file.

It is interesting to go back and look at the difference in results when the weapon, ammo and distance are the same and the only difference is the date.

For example my K22 results between Feb 2016 and Jan 2017.

free pic

forum image hosting

It is good info going back and reviewing my sessions with the photos and notes taken at the time.

 

[pharmer]

I shoot maybe 4 times a year. 100 rds .22 lr in revolver or Ruger MKII. Then, 100 rds 9mm and 50 rds .38 spl. Another 50 rds .45acp or .44mag. Finish with 50-100rds .22lr. Ain't enough and it keeps me humble enough to not be dangerous in public whilst toting a sidearm.
Joe

 

[susieqz]

my bulls eye range is in the back yard.
bulls eye requires hard work so i shoot 50 rounds, come in n have a cuppa while reloading mags n watching a western with lots of gun fire. i repeat this 2-3 times til my accuracy falls off.
that's my sunday routine.

 

[petepeterson]

My practice is determined by whether or not I have the range to myself. If that's the case, I usually practice drawing and point shooting with no warm-up.

If there are folks there, I'll usually warm up with some .22s, then progress to shooting for accuracy.

 

[diegobxr]

Good morning everybody,
Thank you for your input. Great replies so far and lots of good ideas to incorporate.

Yesterday I made my first attempt at a "routine" and must say it felt really good.

I got some of these ideas from the Lucky Gunner website.
This is what I did:

Gun: 6-shot revolver: Smith & Wesson 65-5 - 3 inch barrel
Ammo: Remington UMC .38 Special LRN
All shots double-action

Drill #1 Walkback Drill
Distance: 3 yards - 5 yards - 7 yards - 10 yards
Target: 5 inch circle target
From the Low ready position, fire 5 shots, two-handed, no time limit, slow shooting. If all the shots hit inside the circle, move to the 5 yd line and fire 5 more. If those are all hits, move to the 7 yd line.
The goal is to go as far as you can without missing a shot. Once you miss, end the drill or start over at three yards.
4 series of 5 shots
Total rounds: 20

Drill #2 Draw + Shoot one
Distance: 5 yards
Target: A4 white paper sheet w/dot in the middle
Draw and fire one round
The idea is to make a smooth draw and an aimed shot as fluently as you can.
6 series of 1 shot
Total rounds: 6 rounds

Drill #3 Double tap
Distance: 7 yards
Target: A4 white paper sheet w/dot in the middle
Draw and fire two rounds at the chest area.
6 series of 2 shots
Total rounds: 12 rounds

Drill #4 Mozambique Drill
Distance: 7 yards
Target: Silhouette style target
Draw from the holster and fire two rounds to the chest area of the target followed by one round at the head (3 rounds total).
4 series of 3 shots
Total rounds: 12 rounds

Total rounds: 50 rounds

I had 100 rounds but after this routine and all the target changing (open range, walking, pasting), I quite didn't feel like going on.

After that I transitioned to the shotgun, basically patterning some loads and just shooting.

I'll post some pics of the targets later on.
Have a great day!

 

[Targets Guy]

Sounds like a good set of drills. Can't wait for the photos.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The majority of my handgun shooting these days is recreational. I thoroughly enjoy our Plinking range bouncing around shotgun hulls and soda cans with this.

 

[diegobxr]

Pics as promised

The "walkback" drill. 5 shots at 5m (5,5 yds), 7m (7,5 yds), 10m (11 yds).

The "double tap" drill. Draw + fire two rounds at 7m.

And this is the 65:

As you can see, it consistently shoots left. The barrel is a tad canted.