Sight Alignment
Whether you are using an optic or just simple iron sights, these points of performance apply to everything. Keep your head in a neutral position, for this example I’m going to be using the high ready position as the reference, however all of the points will work for the low ready as well. Holding the rifle in the high ready position, the muzzle is just beneath your eye sight (DO NOT OBSTRUCT YOUR VIEW) so you will be able to look over the muzzle to your target. The buttstock is placed directly under your dominant forearm, so you have strength to manipulate the carbine, if you allow the buttstock to rest on top of your forearm, then the entire weight of the carbine is applied to your wrist and hand, which is a big problem.
Punch the carbine out in a straight line towards the target, place the carbine on fire, as the carbine becomes fully extended the buttstock should come up to your cheek (This is a touch point that I need you to revert to memory, buttstock should hit your cheek in the same place every time). Once you meet your touch point on your cheek, you will then aggressively index the carbine in your dominant shoulder pocket. While all of this is going on I’m locating my redicle and placing the redicle on the target at the spot I intend to shoot. All optics are different and some are easier to acquire than others, but all of these points still apply. I use an EOTECH, I keep both eyes open (I highly recommend this) and before I index my carbine in my shoulder I have found my optic, my hold, and I’m ready to take the shot, once everything is solid.
Biggest mistake I see a lot guys, and my shooters do is when they index the carbine in their shoulders, they end up searching for their sights, this is because they didn't meet their touch point correctly or the buttstock maybe too high or maybe too low. Another problem would be, they didn't set their buttstock at the proper length, maybe too short, or they set it too far out which in turn will effect your eye relief. I set my buttstock fully extended and one click back in, and I'm 5'10.
Throttle Control
Alright, next tip is throttle control and what I mean by this is how fast we shoot versus how accurate we are. A lot of times people debate speed versus accuracy, accuracy versus speed whether one is more important than the other. I advocate both are just as important. Our speed is dictated by target distance and target size. The closer we are to the threat the faster we need to be, in turn we can sacrifice some accuracy for spee, but as we get further away from a threat, accuracy becomes more important, do to shot difficulty.
Imortant thing to remember is to know where you can speed it up and when you have to slow it down, and for me, I know at a close range I am able to really speed it up, but the further I go back I need to slow things down. A good drill I like to do for throttle control is, I like to use this multi dot target from the seven yard line. I do six shots in this big circle. Move to the right, six shots in the smaller circle. It really let's me dial in on when I can move fast and when I need to slow down. I can haul ass onn the first big circle, because it's a bigger target, and as soon as I move over to the smaller circle, then I need to realize that I need to slow it down a little bit, to be more accurate. Our main concern is about being accurate, not how fast we can pull the trigger.
Setting Standards
Alright, last tip is setting goals and standards for your training. Anybody can just show up to a range, without a plan, get on line, and just plink away at steel or shoot paper mindlessly without no consideration for what they need to practice for the day. Whenever you come to the range pick one point of performance that you want to work on for that day. For example, the other day I was working on speed and accuracy, and finding the balance between the two. You may want to focus on your trigger squeeze or follow through, the point is have a plan, outline the goals you want to set for yourself, so you can track your progress, this in turn will make you a great Thinking Shooter.
I really hope you enjoyed this quick post about Carbine Tips, these are just few tips that will enhance you as a shooter, by no means is this all inclusive, most importantly is to get out on the range and train hard.
If you enjoyed this please comment below, leave topics of things you would like me to write about, I read all of your comments an I greatly appreciate them.
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