Favorite Shooting Drill

[shabababeely]

For those shooters in this forum who actually shoot, what is your favorite drill? I'll start:

Both of these drills are timed.

For rifles I enjoy the snap shot test. Use an IPSC "option" target at 25 yards. Stand at the ready with the rifle butt on your hip and attempt to make a head shot in 1.5 seconds . Repeat 4 more times for a total of 5 shots. Then move back to 50 yards and repeat but this time shoot for the center of mass 10" ring. You can also try this at 100 yards allowing 2 seconds for each shot. Score using the values given on the IPSC target. Subtract ten for each miss.

For pistols I most enjoy the good old "El Presidente" with a small twist. Use three IPSC "option" targets and place them 3 feet apart, 7 to 10 yards from you (stagger them in the 7-10 yard range). Start with your back to the targets and your weapon holstered (hip or whatever concealed carry configuration you prefer) and, on signal, pivot and shoot each target twice, reload, and shoot each target again, this time looking for a head shot. Score using given values, subtract ten for misses and then divide by total elapsed seconds.

Thoughts? Personal favorites?

[Bamaispriceless]

I like both of those drills alot.

I don't really do alot of set drills when I go to the range, and I don't have a favorite. I do alot of move and shoot, shooting from cover, move to cover, speed reload drills, mozambique/failure to stop drills, pure marksmanship strings from different positions/distances, stuff with partners (peel outs, bounding, communication, etc), mock competition stuff and various other drills I've learned in different courses I've taken and books I've read. If I'm not in a solid position of cover/concealment, then I move to it. If I'm moving, Im almost always shooting. After every string, I do FASTTT (Fire, Assess, Scan, Top off or Tac-reload, Take cover, Talk). I also work alot on my weak point at the time. It used to be using cover, now it is pure marksmanship and shooting on the move. One of the courses I have coming up in January will address the pure marksmanship stuff if it happens, the instructor is waiting on Orlando SWAT to see if he can use their facilities and if they will be attending.

I usually shoot around 300 rounds a month out of my rifle outside of actual courses, which are usually alot higher round counts obviously (usually in the 1500 round range). I also dry fire almost daily.

[shabababeely]

Originally Posted by Bamaispriceless

I like both of those drills alot.

I don't really do alot of set drills when I go to the range, and I don't have a favorite. I do alot of move and shoot, shooting from cover, move to cover, speed reload drills, mozambique/failure to stop drills, pure marksmanship strings from different positions/distances, stuff with partners (peel outs, bounding, communication, etc), mock competition stuff and various other drills I've learned in different courses I've taken and books I've read. If I'm not in a solid position of cover/concealment, then I move to it. If I'm moving, Im almost always shooting. After every string, I do FASTTT (Fire, Assess, Scan, Top off or Tac-reload, Take cover, Talk). I also work alot on my weak point at the time. It used to be using cover, now it is pure marksmanship and shooting on the move. One of the courses I have coming up in January will address the pure marksmanship stuff if it happens, the instructor is waiting on Orlando SWAT to see if he can use their facilities and if they will be attending.

I usually shoot around 300 rounds a month out of my rifle outside of actual courses, which are usually alot higher round counts obviously (usually in the 1500 round range). I also dry fire almost daily.

True dat. I do find movement and scenario drills fun(and vital to maintaining good shooting skills), but there is just somthing about the penny arcade simplicity of those two that makes them more fun for me. I think part of it is the simple scoring, you can take large groups of friends out and have a casual competition. Of course the fact that I consistently beat all of my friends may be why I enjoy it so much. They kick my ass at almost every videogame so its only fair.

[Bamaispriceless]

Haha, yeah. I completely get you, especially on getting beat at video games ...motherfuckers lol.

One thing that was really impressed on us at my last course was to do things that we hate doing and aren't good at. It's usually your biggest weakness and you hate it for a reason. I suck at pure marksmanship stuff and off hand shooting. I love the movement and cover drills because they are a blast...marksmanship isn't usually as fun but it's probably the foundation.

Ever compete in IDPA/USPSA stuff? I know it's not training and everything doesn't translate over to fighting for your life...but it does seem like a lot of fun and does help your marksmanship alot.

[Centaur]

Bama in a Shooting thread, eh? Who woulda thunk it.

[shabababeely]

Originally Posted by Bamaispriceless

Haha, yeah. I completely get you, especially on getting beat at video games ...motherfuckers lol.

One thing that was really impressed on us at my last course was to do things that we hate doing and aren't good at. It's usually your biggest weakness and you hate it for a reason. I suck at pure marksmanship stuff and off hand shooting. I love the movement and cover drills because they are a blast...marksmanship isn't usually as fun but it's probably the foundation.

Ever compete in IDPA/USPSA stuff? I know it's not training and everything doesn't translate over to fighting for your life...but it does seem like a lot of fun and does help your marksmanship alot.

Thats always the problem with training, you always want to focus on your strengths, especially if your girlfriend is there watching you. Ya gotta do it though, I've taken to working on some of my weak spots with empty guns at home (that is my transitions from shotty to pisol and my reloads) I look rediculous but it is somthing I can do while watching the news or Scrubs. I've never participated in a major competitive circuit, just interdepartmental stuff (reserve sheriff's deputy). I would love to participate in IPSC stuff, but betweeen training MMA and work and moving off for school in 10 months, there is just no way.

One thing that I think can improve most people's marksmanship is using the Modern Technique. Most of my marksmanship comes from my dad, my grandfather served with Jeff Cooper and drilled the Modern Technique into dad, who taught it to me. If you don't use the Modern Technique, I would recomend trying it, most of my friends see drastic improvements in their marksmanship. That being said I also had some guys who just couldn't get comfortable with it, it's all about what method works for you.

P.S. I in no way condone Jeff Cooper's political views, overt racism or piss poor historical interpretations, but the man knew how to shoot!!!

[D-Train]

I vote for El Presidente. The way Shaba described it is the only way I've done it.

[shabababeely]

Well, it was too much to hope for a flood of responses, but COME ON. This kinda confirms what I feared, very few actual shooters on this site, with lots of college\highschoolers who only want to blow their hard earned cash on the coolest looking AK\AR\Sig\HK\Glock that they saw in an action movie. There MUST be more than 2 people on here who actually shoot the weapons they talk about, where are they?!?!?!

[shabababeely]

ttt

[kishiro]

i like to bump fire the hell out of my ak. that is my spray & pray drill.

as for pistol drill alot of keeping eyes on target drop mag reload drills, because i am a bad shot.