MODULE IN

MARKSMANSHIP AND COMBAT

SHOOTING STANCES
Definition
Marksmanship refers to the art or skill of using a firearm, such as a rifle or
a pistol.

Marksmanship principles

Basic Gun Safety

Four Rules of Gun Safety (GUN SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY)

1. Treat every firearm as it is loaded. (Even if they are not, treat them as if
they are).
So EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe
manner (control your muzzle) and always treat it as a loaded gun.
2. Do not point the muzzle to an object which is not intended to shoot
A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to
go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to
control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times.
Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different
circumstances.
3. Always Keep your Finger out of trigger (Until Your Sights Are On The
Target!)
Almost all of the ADs during a match are caused by a finger on the
trigger when you were not ready to fire. Some examples: Finger on trigger
during reloading, during movement, during the draw, and during jam
clearing have led to ADs and disqualifications (DQs)
4. Know your target and know what’s behind it.

Fundamentals overview
The basic fundamentals of marksmanship can be described in a number of
ways.
1. The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon.
2. The weapon must point naturally at the target without undue physical
effort.
3. Sight alignment and sight picture must be correct.
4. The shot must be released and followed through without any undue
physical disturbance to the position.

Marksmanship principles into four fundamentals:

 Steady position - Regardless of stance or position, the weapon must be
held the same way for each shot and in a manner that will facilitate the
least wobble (natural movement of the body as indicated by the sights.)
The basic method of firing taught to novice-level shooters and soldiers is
the prone supported
 position; that is, on your stomach with the position supported by another
object, usually a sandbag.
 Aiming - Sight Alignment (the relationship of the front and rear sight or
clear, centered reticle in an optical sight) is most important to accuracy as
it helps eliminate angular error. The aligned sights placed on target is
Sight Picture. The front sight or reticle should always be positioned in the
same spot. These two factors ensures that shots fired, if the other
fundamentals are correctly applied, will hit in the same general area.
Normally a center hold (center mass of the target) is preferred but other
hold points may be used.
 Breathing Control - [Not everyone agrees that this is] The least important
factor. Normally, the firer should press the trigger during the natural
pause after exhalation. The breathing sequence should be as follows:
inhale, exhale, hold, squeeze.
 Trigger Control - The trigger is the interface between shooter and
"machine", and therefore requires careful attention. The shooter must
smoothly squeeze the trigger straight back with increasing pressure
without attempting to anticipate when the round will fire. Once the
grip/hold is achieved, only the index finger of the shooting hand moves
during the trigger squeeze. During initial training a marksman should
strive for a "surprise break." There is no "wrong" way to place the index
finger on the trigger provided that the shooter is able to consistently move
the trigger straight rearward. Begin with the pad of the trigger finger and
adjust positioning as needed.

Stance or position overview

The weapon should point toward the target, without effort or strain. The
ideal position is attained by "natural point of aim" in which no undue
muscular tension is required to keep the sights on target.
In order to ascertain the natural point of aim (POA) and to adjust the
natural POA to the desired POA the shooter undertakes a procedure called
"test and adjust".
The test portion consists of the shooter closing their eyes and relaxing the
grip on their weapon while still holding it in the firing position. The shooter
then re-firms his grip and opens his eyes. Where the sights are now pointing
is the natural POA.
To adjust the natural point of aim when shooting from the standing or
squatting position, the shooter alters his/her position by moving his/her feet.
With other positions, the shooter moves their body. For example, in the sitting
position the shooter would move their backside. In the kneeling position the
rear leg/foot is moved. Moving back foot (standing) or body (prone) forward
generally lowers the point of aim. Moving it rearward raises the point of aim.
Similarly, moving the rear foot or body to the right moves the point of aim
left and vice versa. The shooter continues to test and adjust until the the
natural POA coincides with the target.

Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship

Breathing Control
Oxygen deficit leads to an unsteady hold as the muscles require more
oxygenated blood. Therefore, the trigger should be pressed at a point in the
respiration cycle (inhale, hold, exhale) when the shooter is steadiest. Various
techniques work for different individuals: usually after exhaling half a breath
or exhaling the entire breath. Since it is almost impossible to measure half a
breath with consistency, the latter technique is most popular.

Support
The rifle is held at two points: with the firing hand and with the support
hand. The firing hand not only grasps the portion of the stock around the
trigger group, but exerts steady rearward pressure into the “pocket” of the
shoulder. The support elbow is held directly under the rifle, without a hard
grip by the hand which may introduce lateral “wobble”.
The rifle should never directly be rested on a hard surface such as a
vehicle roof, window frame, rock or sandbag wall. Instead the support hand
should rest on the hard surface and the rifle should rest on the support hand.
The reason for this is that laying the rifle directly on a support will introduce
changes to the vibration pattern of the rifle when firing. Placing the hand
between the rifle and the support surface, reduces (but does not eliminate) the
changes to the vibration patterns of the weapon.
Cheek Weld
Consistency in sighting begins with proper “cheek weld”, positioning the
cheek at the same place along the stock. Besides before and after placement of
the “weld”, it also determines the height of the eyes in relation to the sights or
scope.
Natural Point of Aim
Every marksman has a natural point of aim (NPOA), the optimum
position of the body in any shooting stance. For instance, in prone, the shooter
aligns himself with the target in such a manner that his sights rest
comfortably on the bull’s eye without excessive muscular tension to maintain
a desired sight picture. The position may be “fine tuned” by subtle movement
of the arms, elbows, or feet. NPOA can easily be checked by finding a
comfortable position with sights properly aligned, then closing both eyes.
Inhale and exhale. When the eyes are opened, the sight picture should remain
unchanged. If not, adjust as necessary.
Sight Alignment
With metallic sights, proper alignment with "U" notch sights places the
front sight post squarely within the “notch” of the rear (square) sight. The
top of the front sight should remain even with the top of the rear sight, with
equal “daylight” on either side of the front site within the notch. If the rear
sight is a peep sight ( circular aperture) or “ghost ring”, the tip of the front
sight should be centered in relation to the circle. When shooting at longer
distances, the rear sight will be elevated to compensate for the bullet’s
ballistic “drop”, but the sight picture should always remain the same. Make
everything consistent.
With optical sights, such as telescopes, proper alignment is obtained when
there is no dark portion or “shadow” at any point in the circumference of the
field of view. This will ensure that you are always sighting through the center
of the scope.

Sight Picture
Sight picture is the placement of the sights (properly aligned) in relation
to the target. In most formal competition, the desired sight picture is the front
post tangent to the bottom of the bull’s eye, yielding a “six o’clock hold”. The
six o’clock is almost universally preferred to placing the front sight at the
intended point of impact in the center of the target because the resultant
picture is inevitably inconsistent. At the time the shooter fires the shot, the tip
of the foresight should be in clear focus. This will render the rest of the sight
picture blurry. This ensures correct sight alignment.

Trigger Control
Trigger control is commonly considered the easiest aspect of
marksmanship to explain and the most difficult to accomplish. A perfect
release or “break” results from steadily 'squeezing' the trigger straight back
(usually with the pad of the trigger finger, not at the first joint, although the
firing of a revolver in double action may typically be descibed as using the
first joint) with no lateral pressure. It should occur at an instant when the
shooter does not expect the rifle to discharge, resulting in a “surprise
break” that is immune to anticipation or “flinch” that disturbs the sight
picture. More in depth, the ability to control trigger "creep", as in the dead
space before the trigger works the action; overtravel, the distance the trigger
travels rearward after it causes the action to fire the gun; reset, the minimal
forward movement of the trigger to be made ready to fire again.

Follow Through
Follow through is important in developing consistency. While the bullet
leaves the rifle’s barrel within milli-seconds of ignition, the shooter benefits
from “staying on the target ” in order to determine where the round likely
struck. With experience, shooters can tell with extreme precision whether the
projectile has struck the target or elsewhere.

Pistol Marksmanship
Line of Sight: Some shooters consider aiming with a pistol more challenging
than with a rifle due to the smaller sight radius - the distance between the
rear and fore sights. The key is, as with shooting rifles, is to line up the front
notch at the front of the pistol's slide within the two rear notches at the back
of the pistol's slide. Do this, and almost every time your shot will hit its mark.

Control: Many shooters have problems with controlling the recoil of a pistol.
This problem is not as often shared by rifle shooters due to the energy of the
recoil of their rifles dissipating against their shoulders. However, when
shooting a pistol it is far more difficult to control the weapon when it is just
held by your hands as it often recoils up and back at the same time.

Posture/Stance: When firing a sidearm it is important, as with firing any

weapon, to maintain a proper firing stance at all times. There are several
wrong shooting stances that many shooters use obliviously. One common one
is that of a shooter holding the pistol and slightly leaning away from the pistol
as if afraid it will spring back and hit them in the face. This will not happen
unless you let the pistol fly out of your grasp, or place your self directly
behind it. A correct shooting stance includes a firm two handed grip, strong
hand extending out towards target with the "weak" or support hand slightly
pulling rearward as to "lock" in a stable platform for the pistol, knees bent
and feet approximately shoulder width apart, upper body slightly leaning
forward into firearm. By leaning forward, with the firearm held in such a
manner the arms are stable and take up recoil better than not having a fully
extended arm, the upper body also dissipates recoil much better, in
conjunction with slightly bent knees and proper foot placement creating a
very suitable firing platform for a the pistol. Resulting in an improvement in
accuracy, and with better recoil management, the ability to put faster follow
up shots on target

RIFLE SHOOTING POSITIONS

( TOPICS FOR FINAL EXAMINATION )
There are four basic positions for shooting rifles or carbines.
 Standing or offhand: Erect on both feet with the rifle supported by the
strong hand and the support hand. This is the fastest position to assume
but is the least steady.
 Kneeling: Generally with one knee on the ground and the support elbow
resting atop (improperly) or (preferably) slightly forward of the elevated
knee. Steadier than offhand and faster than sitting or prone.
 Sitting: Two variants include "open legged" or "cross legged" (ankles
apart or overlapping) with both elbows supported on the knees or thighs.
The best all-round supported position, as it permits a fast, steady platform
suitable to rough terrain.
 Prone: Lying on one's stomach with the support hand beneath the rifle.
Feet may be splayed or closer together but most shooters find it helpful to
bring the strong-side knee forward. The steadiest position, but requires
more time to assume than any other and may be unsuitable for some
terrain or where ground cover obscures the target.

Other nonstandard positions include the squat ("rice paddy prone"),

"speed kneeling" with both knees on the ground, and "supine", where the
firer lies on his/her side, with the rifle lying on the bent lower leg; the sight is
usually mounted on the end of the stock and as such the rifle is designed to be
shot in this position only.

Grip or hold
The grip or hold depends on the shooting discipline (i.e. what is allowed under
the rules of competition) and what is practical. For instance, in the IPSC pistol
discipline, the most used grip is two handed, although some stages will be
designed such that the shot must be taken with either the weak or the strong
hand only.
When gripping a handgun, "shake hands" with the grip. Take a firm and
high grip, wrapping the three lower fingers around the grip with the trigger
finger resting along the slide away from the trigger and trigger guard.
When using iron sights, the firer must focus on the tip of the foresight at
the moment they release the shot. The rear sight and the target itself will not
be in focus. This assists in assuring correct sight alignment.

Accuracy & Precision

Two methods of looking at the success of a shot group involve accuracy and
precision, where accuracy is defined as 'the ability of a measurement to match
the actual value of the quantity being measured,' and precision is defined as
'the ability of a measurement to be consistently reproduced'
(www.dictionary.com).

Precision
Precision also referred to as "intrinsic accuracy", is measured by the group,
where hitting close to bulls eye does not affect precision rather than the fact
that all bullets in the group landed very close to one another. Hence, the
smaller or "tighter" the group, the better the Precision.
Major factors that affect precision are:
 shooting position
 the rifle
 the shooter
 the weather (within the span of the group)
 ammunition (especially in competitions, and surgical sniping. However,
ALL firearms have particular likes and dislikes, causing malfunctions for
even the highest quality ammunition. It's up to the firearm owner to test
for what his or her firearm can reliably feed and function with while
using)
 elevation
 humidity
 Coriolis effect
 breathing pattern
 parallax (scoped rifle)
 execution of proper marksmanship fundamentals

Intrinsic accuracy (precision) of each of these components can be measured

separately. The typical unit of measurement for rifles and scopes is MOA
(Minute of Angle). There are 360 degrees in a full circle and 60 minutes per
degree.

Mechanical Accuracy" refers to the accuracy of the rifle and the ammunition.
The accuracy of a given weapon will actually be equal to the square root of
the sum of the squares of the dispersion caused by each individual factor,
such as weapon, ammunition, shooter skill, weather.
We have the least control over the weather and other environmental
factors. We have the most control over the accuracy of the individual shooter.
Do not be overly concerned about upgrading your rifle or ammunition (to a
lower MOA) until your own MOA approaches a similar degree of accuracy.
The intrinsic accuracy of all these components is measured by the tightness of
the group as discussed below.

Accuracy
The ability to hit the target (as opposed to shooting a small group) is probably
the more commonly perceived measure of accuracy amongst new or non
shooters. I refer to this ability to hit the target as practical accuracy, because,
generally speaking in field shooting, hitting the target is the point of the
practice of shooting. This accuracy is a measure of the shooter's ability to
cause the group to hit the target, by adjusting the point of aim. The operation
or exercise of causing the group to fall on the target, by adjusting the point of
aim is called "application of fire". Also you must know as with any weapon
when firing and aiming for your target you must know that the bullet
gradually moves downward when fired so when aiming at a target it's best to
aim a little above it to get a accurate shot at your target.

Precision Leads to Accuracy

Without precision, or repeatability of the above-mentioned components of
precision, a high degree of accuracy is nearly impossible. In order to
accurately strike a target, the shooter must adjust the aim to account for
several variables, and to the extent the repeatability of the firearm or
conditions is poor, this adjustment becomes correspondingly uncertain --- in
other words, with poor precision the shooter simply will have to guess. For
example, suppose a given cartridge produces a wide and unpredictable
variation in muzzle velocity, and that all other elements of the firearm are
highly precise. In this case, the shooter has very little idea of where the shot will
go, as the amount of drop for which to compensate is highly uncertain, and the
shooter will simply have to hope for the best.

Maximum effective range vs. Accuracy

Firearms are considered ineffective beyond the distance a carefully fired shot
is guaranteed to strike the target. At longer ranges, a miss could occur that
might endanger the marksman's mission. In those instances, other weapons
may be preferred over marksmen/snipers equipped with special sniper rifles,
even though the situation may be an otherwise ideal job for a sniper.

For example, in counter-sniper roles a sniper might spot a target that is out of
range for a sniper rifle, and so the sniper may need to call upon a machine
gunner to attack it. A machine gun using the same ammunition as the sniper
rifle can be effective at a much greater range due to lower accuracy
requirements for effective use.

Here is a simplified example to illustrate why, counter-intuitively, a less

accurate weapon of the same calibre may actually have a greater effective
range than a sniper rifle: For human targets in military sniping, snipers aim at
a "target circle". The equations that describe the approximate relationships
between range, accuracy, and the target circle, as used in this section, are as
follows:
 (Target circle (inches) / Accuracy (MOA - Minute Of Angle) * 100 = Range
meters
 (Range meters * Accuracy (MOA) / 100) = Target circle inches

Also note that "target circle" is used exclusively even when "cone of fire" or
"group size" may technically be more accurate. These terms have subtle
differences that are not important for the purpose of this section, and they are
left out to avoid introducing unnecessary complexity in illustrations and
examples that have been intentionally simplified.

Also note that "target circle" is used exclusively even when "cone of fire" or
"group size" may technically be more accurate. These terms have subtle
differences that are not important for the purpose of this section, and they are
left out to avoid introducing unnecessary complexity in illustrations and
examples that have been intentionally simplified.
The target circle is typically about 8 inches in diameter, corresponding to
an imaginary circle on the vital area of a person's chest. For a common sniper
rifle capable of 1 MOA accuracy, the maximum effective range (the range at
which the bullet impact point is guaranteed to be within an 8-inch circle on
the first shot) is about 800 meters.

In contrast, a machine gun using the same ammunition with a low accuracy of
only 6 MOA will typically have a greater maximum effective range of about
1,100 meters. At that range and accuracy, a machine gun has a larger target
circle of about 66 inches. The machine gun's target circle is much larger due
to its rapid fire capability, which allows a machine gun to strike with one or
more hits and numerous misses at random locations within the target circle.

While a machine gun's large target circle means that its effective range can be
longer than a sniper rifle's, note that the design of a weapon is more likely to
determine its effective range than the maximum range of its ammunition. The
maximum range of common 7.62 × 51 mm NATO ammunition is a
comparatively large 3,725 meters, and both machine guns and sniper rifles
are not able to use even half of the maximum range of the ammunition
effectively, largely due to unpredictable atmospheric disturbance of the
bullet's flight path. The maximum range is much larger than the maximum
effective range. The corresponding disadvantage is that the machine gun may
need to fire dozens, and perhaps hundreds of rounds before scoring a hit.

Theory of the Group

What is a Group?
A group is defined as a series of shots fired at the same POA, or point of
aim, from the same position and hold. Generally speaking three shots is the
minimum considered necessary to form a group and groups of three, five, ten
or more are commonly used for measuring accuracy for testing and
comparative purposes. Generally speaking the more shots fired in a group,
the more useful the data is for comparative purposes.
 Certain shooting disciplines, styles, shooter accuracy, or experience may
define the number of shots required for a group in their competitions or
practice (as in teaching trigger control).It may also benefit newer shooters to
use a higher round count group, to increase their probability at placing
multiple rounds together(encuraging confidence) , and highlighting the ones
that have "pulled", to reinforce what has been learned earlier in the
fundamentals.

How is a group measured

The group is a measure of the angular dispersion of a series of rounds. There
are two methods commonly used to describe a group:

 The first and perhaps easier to understand for the lay person is the
absolute size of the group and the range. E.g. "4 inch group at 100
yards".
 The second and more succinct method is to simply state the angular
dispersion of the rounds in the group as an angle. The usual units for
this are "minutes of angle" (MOA). A minute of angle is 1/60th of a
degree of angle.

It is important to remember that both methods describe the same thing, i.e.
the angular dispersion of the shots. Generally speaking MOA is the preferred
way to describe a group as it is a single range neutral number.
For most purposes shooters approximate 1 MOA to be a group of 1 inch at 100
yards which is accurate enough for all but the most precise measurements.

Note however that the size of a group may vary at different ranges, e.g. a rifle
may fire 4 MOA at 100 m but fire 2 MOA at 600 m. Reasons for this might
include different stability at different ranges in the trajectory. However
despite this when comparing accuracy it is usual to discuss the size of the
group at a given range, often 100 m. Also despite the fact that, in reality, the
accuracy of a rifle may vary at different ranges, it is common to interpolate
the accuracy of a rifle at one range from the known accuracy at another
range. I.e. it is commonly assumed that a rifle that shoots 1 MOA when
measured at 100 yards, i.e. a 1 inch group at 100 yards, will still shoot 1 MOA
at 200 yards, i.e. a 2 inch group at 200 yards.
How is a group useful?
As indicated above, the group is the measure of the intrinsic accuracy of a
rifle, ammunition, shooter or some other component in the shooting
combination in a given set of conditions. By this we mean the accuracy
potential of the combination when ignoring, removing or otherwise canceling,
as far as possible (perhaps by conducting all testing in the same environment
at the same time), external factors, such as weather.

What exactly does the group measure?

The size of the group is in fact a measure of the consistency of rifle,

ammunition and shooter. The smaller the group, the more potentially
accurate the variable or variables being measured. This is because the smaller
the group is the greater the chance of a round striking the same place as
previous shots fired in the group. Here's the way to measure a group
accurately: You need a caliper (digital-readout calipers are much easier to
use than dial-readout models) and the ability to subtract. First, measure the
outside spread of the two widest shots in the group. Then, subtract from that
figure the diameter of the bullet you're shooting. Let's say you take your .270
and shoot a group that measures 1.313 inches. Subtract from it .277, which is
the actual diameter of the bullet, and you get 1.036 inches, which is your
group size.

What does a group NOT measure?

A group does not measure the ability of a rifle/marksman/ammunition or

any other single component or combination of components to actually hit a
target.

Theory of Small Arms Fire

 The accuracy of small arms fire is affected by several factors. These
include:
 The inherent mechanical accuracy of the rifle,
 The inherent mechanical accuracy of the ammunition
 The firer's ability
 Weather conditions

Mechanical Accuracy of Weapon

The mechanical accuracy of the rifle is affected by several factors including:
 The quality of manufacture, eg the closeness and consistency of the
construction.
 The design of the rifle, including the stiffness of the barrel, the action,
the amount of play if any between components, the barrel mounting,
 eg free floating, dampened, locking mechanism
 The materials that the rifle is constructed of, especially their
environmental stability (i.e. their stability in the face of changing
environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity and the
like).

Mechanical Accuracy of Ammunition

The mechanical accuracy of the ammunition is dependent on several factors
including:
 The quality of the propellant
 The quality of the projectile
 The quality of the case

The firer's ability

 The firer's knowledge - affects the firer's ability to apply the
principles of marksmanship to the practice of marksmanship.
 The firer's strength - affects the firer's ability to hold the rifle
correctly and with minimal effort, which reduces shake/tremor.
 The firer's fitness - the fitness of the firer affects the firer's ability to
breathe, and control the breath and shaking/tremor due to breathing
and oxygen levels in the blood and muscles.

Weather
There are several environmental (weather) factors that affect accuracy. These
include:
Temperature. Affects:
 the burn speed of the propellant
 the air density (and therefore the trajectory)
 the expansion or contraction of the components of the rifle
 Mirages

Humidity. Affects
 the air density
 the burn rate of the powder
 the expansion or contraction of the components of the rifle, especially
natural materials like wood and leather
Air density. This is a function of temperature and humidity. Affects:
 the projectile in flight
 velocity of the projectile in the barrel
 burn speed of the powder

Precipitation. Affects:
 visibility
  wet or moist ammunition/chamber or barrel can also affect the
chamber pressure
 the expansion or contraction of rifle components

Wind. Affects:
 the lateral trajectory of the projectile (drift)
 the velocity of the projectile, which affects both the lateral and vertical
trajectory of the bullet
 the temperature of the physical components of the weapon
 visibility, e.g., blowing up dust or water

Factors Affecting The Mechanical Accuracy of the Rifle

When a rifle is fired the state of the rifle changes. Most of these changes
are not perceptible to human senses, yet each of them has a real and definite
effect on the accuracy potential of the rifle. For example when the rifle is fired
the barrel flexes along its axis. This flexing is called whip. In order to obtain
maximum accuracy this whip should be as consistent as possible each time the
shot is fired. One way of achieving this is to minimize the whip. This can be
done by stiffening the barrel, a condition usually achieved by adding more
material to the barrel, i.e. making it heavier. In some cases the rifle is fitted
with longitudinal flutes (ie grooves cut into the barrel along its length). These
flutes increase the stiffness of the barrel, while reducing the weight - or at
least reducing the weight compared to a solid barrel of similar stiffness. At the
same time the barrel flexes along its length, the muzzle of the rifle moves,
probably in a circle or oval, but possibly in some other pattern, across a plane
at right angles to the bore. Maximum accuracy demands that the round
leaves the muzzle at the same position on this plane every shot. Many factors
affect the pattern described by the muzzle on this plane, the most controllable
of which is the pressure exerted on the barrel by the receiver and the stock.

Application of fire is the act of applying a group to a target.

I.e. is the ability of the combination of rifle, shooter and ammunition to place
the group where desired.

Zeroing - is the act of mechanically aligning the point of impact with the point
of aim at a given range.

Holdover- is the practice of aiming at a point other than the desired point of
impact (POI) to allow for factors such as range, weather, zero (in particular
the range at which the weapons is zeroed, but also perhaps to allow for the fact
that a weapon may have been zeroed for a person other than the current
firer).
Advantages of Holdover- is fast to apply and does not require the shooter
to break his shooting position.

 Holdover is especially useful when the shooter needs to engage several

targets at different ranges or a target whose range is changing, as the
shooter is not required to break his position to adjust his sights for each
range change.

Disadvantages of Holdover- The holdover may be difficult to apply at

longer ranges, where the sights may need to be held several target heights
above the point of aim. With a telescopic sight this can result in the target not
being visible in the field of view. The holdover, especially at longer ranges,
requires a higher level of skill than sight adjustment.

Sight Adjustment- Sight may be adjusted to allow for lateral movement.

Wind may affect the round and range, resulting in a vertical drop of the round
in flight. By adjusting the sights at the time of firing, the need to apply holdover
can be reduced or entirely eliminated.

Advantages of Sight Adjustment

 Does not require as much experience of practice to master. Allows the
shooter to aim directly at the desired point of impact.

Disadvantages of Sight Adjustment

 The shooter needs to memorize or have available (perhaps on a card or
similar device) the characteristics of the sight adjustments and the
trajectory for the ammunition rifle combination.
 The shooter needs to keep track of how much adjustment is applied so
that the sights can be re-adjusted back to zero when the current firing
session is complete. For this reason, many firers choose not to adjust their
sights unless the target is at such a long range that holdover is
impractical, or if a first round hit is crucial, e.g., with a police or military
sniper.
 Requires the shooter to break their shooting position to re-apply their
adjustments for each range over which a target is to be engaged.
target heights above the point of aim. With a telescopic sight this can result in
the target not being visible in the field of view.
The holdover, especially at longer ranges, requires a higher level of skill than
sight adjustment.

Sight Adjustment
 Sight may be adjusted to allow for lateral movement. Wind may affect
the round and range, resulting in a vertical drop of the round in flight.
By adjusting the sights at the time of firing, the need to apply holdover
can be reduced or entirely eliminated.

 Advantages of Sight Adjustment

 Does not require as much experience of
practice to master. Allows the shooter
to aim directly at the desired point of
impact.

 Disadvantages of Sight Adjustment

 The shooter needs to memorize or have available (perhaps on a card or
similar device) the characteristics of the sight adjustments and the
trajectory for the ammunition rifle combination.
 The shooter needs to keep track of how much adjustment is applied so
that the sights can be re-adjusted back to zero when the current firing
session is complete. For this reason, many firers choose not to adjust
their sights unless the target is at such a long range that holdover is
impractical, or if a first round hit is crucial, e.g., with a police or
military sniper.
 Requires the shooter to break their shooting position to re-apply their
adjustments for each range over which a target is to be engage
 GLOSSARY

 Application of fire - the act of

superimposing a group on to a target Beaten
zone - the intersection of the cone of fire
with the ground.

 Cone of fire - volume of space described by the outermost

projectiles in a burst of fire. Dangerous space - the area
between first catch and first graze.

 Enfilade - the application of the length of the beaten zone to

the longitudinal axis of the target. First catch - the first point
where the trajectory of a projectile intersects with a target.

 First graze - the first point where a the trajectory of the projectile
first intersects with the ground. Grazing fire - fire where the
trajectory is largely or approximately parallel to the ground.

 Group a measure of angular accuracy, defined as a series of three or

more shots fired at the same POA, from the same position/hold.

 Mean Point of Impact (MPI) - the center of a group, ignoring any

obviously "pulled" or "jerked" shots.

 Mechanical accuracy - the accuracy of a rifle or ammunition discounting

as much as possible inaccuracies introduced by other components. E.g.
when trying to gauge the mechanical accuracy for a rifle you might fire
the rifle from a mechanical rest, using the same load of ammunition for
each firing, and ideally under the same environmental conditions.
 Plunging Fire - fire where the firer is higher than the target and therefore
looks and fires down upon the target. Plunging fire results in a - small
beaten zone not significantly larger than the cone of fire.
 Point of Aim (POA) - the point at which the firer aims with sights Point
of Impact (POI) - the point on the target where the round impacts Whip -
the axial flexing of the barrel at firing.
 Zero - the act of superimposing the point of aim with the point of impact
at a given range.