11 Dec 6 Things That Can Impact Your Long-Range Rifle Shooting Performance (for Better or Worse)
If you’re into long-range shooting, then you know firsthand just how important the seemingly innocuous details can be.
True-long range shooting, and extreme long-range shooting in excess of 1000 yards, are not the same as shooting steel spinner targets at 30 yards with a rimfire.
That much is apparent. But what might not be apparent is how much the little things can have a massive impact on your accuracy – for better or worse, depending.
Here we break down a few of these.
The Ammo
If you are still shooting standard FMJ ammo at ranges beyond 1000 yards, pump the brakes immediately.
Standard FMJ ammo is good – but no better. It is designed to have a serviceable degree of radial symmetry and to feed and shoot reliably and accurately at intermediate ranges.
It’s better than some other grades of ammo at long ranges, but there is something much better.
It’s called OTM ammo, or open-tip match ammo, and it’s made in a different manner from standard FMJ.
You see, with FMJ ammo, the bullet’s core is encased in the jacket by drawing the cup down from the nose, leaving it open at the base.
In the case of OTM ammo, the jacket is drawn up from the base, and then pinched off at the nose, leaving a tiny void.
OTM ammo exhibits next-level radial symmetry, which means it is excellent for the purpose of spin stabilization – you know, the principle that makes rifle bullets fly straight.
And so, at extreme ranges, it is the only type of ammo you should be shooting if you are serious.
(One exception is in the case of solid copper bullets that are CNC machined to extremely tight tolerances, like .375 and .408 CheyTac factory loads. These are not technically OTM but they are good for long-range shooting.)
The Trigger
A mushy trigger is bad enough when plinking cans that are ten yards away. If your long-range rifle has a trigger that ever gives you pause, for any reason, you should be upgrading.
You need to know precisely when your trigger is going to break. It should have take-up like clockwork, a short reset, and no creep.
Modern replacement trigger groups, like Timney triggers and TriggerTech triggers, are precise, consistent, and crisp. In the case of the latter, they produce absolutely zero creep and operate without sliding friction.
More importantly, both companies manufacture trigger groups compatible with a variety of popular rifle actions.
The Rifle Grip
The rifle grip itself is another thing that can make a big impact in how accurate your long-distance efforts are.
Take our Penguin Precision rifle grips as a for-example. These rifle grips, which are compatible with any AR-style precision platform with a 45° safety selector, feature a flat grip with a true thumb rest and a unique shelf design that allows for direct alignment of the thumb and trigger finger.
This unique rifle grip incurs less shooter fatigue and doesn’t require you to accommodate the unnatural angles and lay of factory grips that work against you rather than with you.
The design of this rifle grip also minimizes strain and encourages longer, comfortable shooting sessions even when shooting from awkward positions.
The Penguin is also only one of the ergonomic rifle grips we sell here at Anarchy Outdoors. Check out our collection of other grips, including the Emperor and Tuxedo, to find the one that works best for your rifle (and for you).
The Stock
Your rifle’s stock may also be suspect.
For one thing, it might be wood – which is pretty, but which will swell and warp in response to changing environmental conditions, throwing off your zero.
For another, it might not be modular. Good rifle stocks should offer adjustable features for comb height and length of pull, which can help you find the right LOP and eye relief.
The Shooting Rest
Whether you shoot from an Atlas bipod, a couple of sand-filled shooting bags, or just let the stock rest on your pack, your shooting rest can make a big impact on your accuracy.
In general, bipods and tripods offer the best shooting rests as they allow you to get a truly level surface even on uneven terrain, and some are even adjustable for cant.
Your Breathing
Lastly, though this is not a rifle part, your breathing can have a big impact on your accuracy.
You see, when you’re leaning on the rifle (which you shouldn’t do in the first place) any motion you exhibit will get transferred to the rifle.
This includes your heartbeat and your breathing, both of which will make the reticle bounce and dance.
Learn to control your breathing. Either hold it and shoot before 4 seconds have elapsed or shoot at the bottom of your breathing cycle, after you have exhaled but before you draw your next breath.
Upgrade Your Rifle Today
From Timney triggers and TriggerTech triggers to ergonomic rifle grips and advanced, modular rifle stocks, we’re your source for high-value upgrades that can positively impact your long-range shooting performance. Check out some of the options on our website and if you have questions about product specifications or compatibility get in touch with us directly and we’ll be happy to help.
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