Field Target Techniques

Techniques

1. Tips on being a better field target shooter
2. Practice your shooting positions.
   • The basis of the field target position is a tripod, formed by your two feet and your butt.
   • Brace yourself across your knees with one arm, elbow and hand. You should be stable now.
   • If stability is a problem, you might try a harness.
   • It is essential that your position be relaxed. If you are straining to hold position, something is wrong and the shot will be affected. One simple approach to finding the correct position of your body is to aim, close your eyes for about 15 seconds; your aiming point should now be almost exactly the same as before -- if not, move your whole body to adjust and try again until this works.
3. Control your breathing. Take a breath, let it out half way, and shoot.

Inclined Shooting

A common worry is how one should adjust for shooting at "extreme" uphill/downhill angles. Chairgun was used to create a table of hold unders needed for various angles and distances. Looking at this table will explain the development of the Airgunner's Rule (apologies to the Rifleman's Rule): If the angle is less than 20 degrees or the distance less than 20 yards, shoot for the center. Otherwise, aim for the bottom of the kill zone.

Note that one shoots lower for angled shots whether the angle is uphill or downhill. Also, unless the angle is pretty extreme (and 20 degrees will feel like shooting straight up or down), one does nothing.

Reading

Introduction to Field Target by Joe McDaniel. This was created as course material for new shooters interested in field target at DIFTA.

Ways of the Rifle by MEC. Excellent book aimed at 3-Position shooters (only standing and kneeling match FT positions), but the approach to building a position is excellent reading for very serious FT shooters. Copies available from Champion Shoters, Creedmore, and others.