basic rifle marksmanship

[Coach Reynolds]

What are the categories you can qualify in when you do your basic rifle marksmanship?

[PFC Lowe]

Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert.

[ariel2go]

[QUOTE=PFC Lowe]Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert.[/QUOTE]


What do you need to accomplish in order to get those ranks?

[gonzo]

I dont remember Marksman or Sharpshooter, but Expert use to be 37-40 out of 40. :cool:

[mwines]

idk exactly how everythings all setup, so it might be a decent challenge for most people.

But the AR15 family rifles (M4 and M16 are two) are surprisingly accurate... if you know how to shoot...

[SPC Ski]

two cats

Those who can shot and get off the range.:D

Those who can not shot and keep everyone there till they figure it out:mad:

ex AF guy here in cat 1:cool:

[SteveLord]

23-29 Marksman

30-35 SharpShooter

36-40 Expert

[ariel2go]

Thanks, hope to get expert.

[clyde]

I'm aiming (no pun intended) for Expert! I'll be happy with SharpShooter but I know at Marksman.

This is one of the things I can't wait for! It's been a while since I've been out shooting a rifle. I was pretty good as a teen. I'm sure it's just like riding a bike :D Heck, even my mom was good at it!

[GutshotStraight]

[QUOTE=clyde]I'm aiming (no pun intended) for Expert! I'll be happy with SharpShooter but I know at Marksman.

This is one of the things I can't wait for! It's been a while since I've been out shooting a rifle. I was pretty good as a teen. I'm sure it's just like riding a bike :D Heck, even my mom was good at it![/QUOTE]

We only had 1 guy shoot expert in our entire battery, he shot a 19 originally (failure) then when he shot again he shot a 36 (out of 40).

I shot a 31 on the pre-qualifying day and they did not let me shoot on qual day, just too many sodiers to get through the tsting I guess. I had a malfunction also during the prone supported where two targets pop-up simultaneously. That cost me 3-4 right there.

Good luck-

[cyall]

[QUOTE=GutshotStraight]We only had 1 guy shoot expert in our entire battery, he shot a 19 originally (failure) then when he shot again he shot a 36 (out of 40).

I shot a 31 on the pre-qualifying day and they did not let me shoot on qual day, just too many sodiers to get through the tsting I guess. I had a malfunction also during the prone supported where two targets pop-up simultaneously. That cost me 3-4 right there.

Good luck-[/QUOTE]
They allowed a reshoot to claim expert? If somebody had to reshoot at my BCT they got sharpshooter. Didn't matter if they shot all 40 the second (or third, etc) time.

[cheeseman]

I was a terrible shot. I shot allll day looooooong. Probably about 10-12 times. I never thought I was pass. Got 24 on Captain Math L. English range at Benning. Thank God.

[clyde]

[QUOTE=cheeseman]I was a terrible shot. I shot allll day looooooong. Probably about 10-12 times. I never thought I was pass. Got 24 on Captain Math L. English range at Benning. Thank God.[/QUOTE]
I'll be at Benning too. Hope ya didn't jinks me :D

[Patriot84]

Seriously. How hard is it to shoot these things? I mean I've never shot a gun before but I mean, is it really that hard? Dont they spend a lot of time spending tax payer dollars on teaching me how to waste ammo prior to the testing?

I'm going to be one angry panda if those targets dont go boom when I shoot off.

[AmPat]

[QUOTE]Seriously. How hard is it to shoot these things? I mean I've never shot a gun before but I mean, is it really that hard? Dont they spend a lot of time spending tax payer dollars on teaching me how to waste ammo prior to the testing?

I'm going to be one angry panda if those targets dont go boom when I shoot off.[/QUOTE]

OMG...this is F-d on so many levels.

OK, first... It is difficult. I have never done the Army rifle qual, but I know how hard it can be in USMC. at the 500 yard line, the front site post is wider than the entire sillouette, so you really have to be on in terms of windage corrections and applying the principles of marksmanship like breath control. It becomes much easier with practice, which brings up the next point.

Practicing marksmanship is not a waste of ammo. Yes, in the heat of combat, lots of rounds just get fired off on things like suppressing fire. But, accurate placement of rounds is a critical element of winning a fire fight. You don't just go in there spray-and-pray and ecxpect to win. Furthermore, you not only learn better marksmanship, but you become more familiar with the weapon (quickly changing magazines, dealing with malfunctions, etc.)

If you want targets to "go boom" (whatever that means), you are going to need practice. But even more importantly, you want your enemies to go boom, should the need ever arise.

There are soooooooooooo many things that tax dollars get wasted on in the military, but training for combat on its most fundamental level is hardly one of them.

[mwines]

[QUOTE=Patriot84]Seriously. How hard is it to shoot these things? I mean I've never shot a gun before but I mean, is it really that hard? Dont they spend a lot of time spending tax payer dollars on teaching me how to waste ammo prior to the testing?

I'm going to be one angry panda if those targets dont go boom when I shoot off.[/QUOTE]

You would be surprised how challenging hitting a target is. Go shoot a pistol at a range and see how well you do with the target only 10 meters out. Knowing how to fire the gun, and how to properly sight it is crucial to hitting a target. A little slight movement can throw the bullet off target. If someone doesn't have their breathing right and they are a little shaky, the test would be very hard for them.

All the stuff you see on TV and in video games is complete crap.

[SteveLord]

[QUOTE=Patriot84]Seriously. How hard is it to shoot these things? I mean I've never shot a gun before but I mean, is it really that hard? Dont they spend a lot of time spending tax payer dollars on teaching me how to waste ammo prior to the testing?

I'm going to be one angry panda if those targets dont go boom when I shoot off.[/QUOTE]

-You don't get a big fat scope to qualify with ya know.

-Nor is it anything like a video game.

-Nor is it as easy as Bruce Willis makes it look in the movies

-Wind/weather can affect you obviously.

-Your own eyesight

-Nerves

-Trigger squeeze. Pull it like a squirt gun and you have a great chance of missing

-Breathing. Don't regulate your breathing and fire during pauses, you have a greater chance of missing

-Functionality of your weapon. If you experience a malfunction, the range does NOT stop for you. You have to quickly fix it and get back on your target.

-Time the targets are up. Closer targets are up for a shorter amount of time. Further ones are up longer, but obviously harder to hit.

-Ammo. If you fire and miss, then fire again and miss. That's less ammo to use for other targets. Also, if you endup with leftover rounds afterwards...that is a waste.

-Your ZERO (calibration) results. If you had shaky results during your pre-qual firings, it could affect where you hit.

-Sight picture. You have to do your best to duplicate every single shot. Just like bowling. The slightest change in your form and posture can produce different results.

[gonzo]

You will do fine. If you want to make sure you do well, pay strict attention and follow exactly what they tell you to do when they're teaching you how to shoot. The things they tell you need to go to muscle memory so you repeat them with the exact same results every time. Cheek position on the stock, how your finger is placed across the trigger (not too far in, not too little), breathing control, sight picture, etc.

If you can nail it down and be consistent, you'll shoot expert.

[clyde]

[QUOTE=gonzo]You will do fine. [B]If you want to make sure you do well, pay strict attention and follow exactly what they tell you to do when they're teaching you how to shoot. The things they tell you need to go to muscle memory so you repeat them with the exact same results every time.[/B] Cheek position on the stock, how your finger is placed across the trigger (not too far in, not too little), breathing control, sight picture, etc.

If you can nail it down and be consistent, you'll shoot expert.[/QUOTE]
That is exactly what I will do ;)

[GutshotStraight]

Not trying to steal anyone's thunder or anything but be realistic...

300M is pretty far :D

[Patriot84]

lol Sarge, I was overly exaggerating on the tax payer thing along with "boom". It's the internet, you got to read between the lines on some of these things.

I figured it wasnt easy but I just also figured that they spent a bunch of time practicing the stuff (like a lot) prior to the range? How much time [I]do[/I] you practice prior to your first chance at qualifying at brm?

Thanks for all of those tips though and break downs. I'll be sure to remember muscle memory and breathing are two key components to firing accurately and precisely.

[AmPat]

[QUOTE=Patriot84]lol Sarge, I was overly exaggerating on the tax payer thing along with "boom". It's the internet, you got to read between the lines on some of these things.

I figured it wasnt easy but I just also figured that they spent a bunch of time practicing the stuff (like a lot) prior to the range? How much time [I]do[/I] you practice prior to your first chance at qualifying at brm?

Thanks for all of those tips though and break downs. I'll be sure to remember muscle memory and breathing are two key components to firing accurately and precisely.[/QUOTE]

You guys and your sarcasm. LOL. Maybe I have too much testosterone because I've been just berating naivety like that lately. But after re-reading your post, i can totally tell you were kidding. Some people are that dumb though and they post on this forum.

[SteveLord]

[QUOTE=Patriot84]lol Sarge, I was overly exaggerating on the tax payer thing along with "boom". It's the internet, you got to read between the lines on some of these things.

I figured it wasnt easy but I just also figured that they spent a bunch of time practicing the stuff (like a lot) prior to the range? How much time [I]do[/I] you practice prior to your first chance at qualifying at brm?

Thanks for all of those tips though and break downs. I'll be sure to remember muscle memory and breathing are two key components to firing accurately and precisely.[/QUOTE]

You don't get a lot. You get a decent amount at basic prior to qual day. You get even less in your Guard unit. When there is a qualifying drill, its usually battalion wide and ALWAYS with limited ammo. Draw weapons, go to ZERO range, stay there until you're done. When you're done, move to QUAL range and wait till you're called up. If you fail first time, usually you go to back of line (which may or may not be long) and then try again.

If other people are doing well and ammo permits, they will do their best to get their non-performers passed so everyone can go back to clean and go home.

In reality, the training should stick with you throughout your career. Just like DNC.

[Phantom]

How many rounds do you guys get to zero your weapons at your units? We usually get 6-12 rounds. I know at basic you get more.

[AmPat]

[QUOTE]You don't get a lot. You get a decent amount at basic prior to qual day. You get even less in your Guard unit. When there is a qualifying drill, its usually battalion wide and ALWAYS with limited ammo. Draw weapons, go to ZERO range, stay there until you're done. When you're done, move to QUAL range and wait till you're called up. If you fail first time, usually you go to back of line (which may or may not be long) and then try again.

If other people are doing well and ammo permits, they will do their best to get their non-performers passed so everyone can go back to clean and go home.[/QUOTE]

So you just zero and go qual? I am not familiar with the Army rifle qual at all. I have read a little on it, but it seems like it would be hard to qual without having practiced at all.