Shooting for Top Performance and Accuracy

For the experienced firearms aficionado, there are a number of factors to consider when gunning for top performance and accuracy with sports shooting and hunting.

Among these are the shooter’s visual perception, fine motor skills, and psychological profile. From the standpoint of the firearm/ammo, trajectory and velocity play key roles.There’s the danger of overthinking the shooting process and getting lost in a sea of technical terms, however. Revisiting the basics can prove to be a shot in the arm.

Get ready, aim, fire. Simple, right?

To enhance performance and accuracy in shooting sports, where a fraction of an inch can be the difference between a hit and miss, it’s important to follow various procedures to ensure the sequence remains simple and smooth and right on target.

It starts out with a strong foundation, with feet shoulder-width apart and weight evenly distributed. Equally important is a firm grip, allowing for control and stability.With firearm and self firmly in place, it’s time to align the sights for optimum accuracy. The front and rear sights should be aligned so they are level and centered.

Next on the firing line is breath control, an underrated aspect of the shooting sequence. Start by taking a deep breath, exhaling halfway, and then holding your breath momentarily while firing.

Going hand in gun with breath control is focus and concentration. Try and block out distractions and focus on the target. That segues to trigger control. Steady, gradual pressure reduces the likelihood of affecting the aim and improves accuracy.

As in all sports, follow through is integral to accurate shooting. You should keep your sight picture and grip until the trigger has been completely pulled. This helps prevent unnecessary movement and improves accuracy.

Dry firing is to sport shooting as hitting plastic balls in your back yard is to golf. It’s not the real thing, but it allows you to work on your “game” in a sports laboratory of sorts. In sports shooting, without the distraction of recoil and noise from live ammo, you can focus on sight alignment, trigger control, and follow through. Then, upon the return to live fire, you’ll be shooting for the green.

Just as in the kitchen a great recipe is only as good as the ingredients, outstanding shooting performance and accuracy are contingent on the use of quality ammunition. It’s best to rely on trusted ammo manufacturers for both shooting and hunting. In South Georgia, Armory Farm offers quality ammo and the best brands for sale at its store or online.