Long-Range Rifle: 3 Tips for Tighter Groupings

My friend Josh, a former Special Forces sniper and Warrior Poet instructor, joined me (John Lovell) in a mystical forest recently for what he calls ballistic therapy so I could learn the secret art of aiming and shooting through a scope.

It's possible to be an experienced shooter in some contexts and with certain weapons and still be frustrated when prone behind a sniper scope. What I learned from Josh is what all experienced shooters know and take for granted–it all comes down to the smallest of shifts in body position and mechanics.

Working with the Rifle's "Natural Point of Aim"

Every rifle system has a natural point of aim, which is where the rifle is designed to rest in relationship to your body and other surfaces. When you fire the weapon from a prone position, where does it naturally want to settle in relationship to your body?

Proper Prone Positioning. Of course a proper prone position puts you behind the rifle, because your entire body's length should absorb that recoil. If you're canted off to one side, it's going to beat up your shoulder and, more important, it's going to throw off your eye's relation to the target. Having to reposition every time you take a shot is no bueno. So, lay prone and adjust hips until your frame aligns directly behind the rifle. This gives better recoil control and prevents lateral movement.

Don't Muscle the Rifle. There's a tendency to "muscle" the rifle into position to attain a target through the scope rather than adjusting your frame to accommodate the rifle's ergonomics. This is particularly true with long-range shooting, which involves prone positions for long periods of time. "Am I comfortable?" is a legit initial question when you're trying to find that NPA when you settle in to shoot.

The Closed Eye Test. A more legitimate question is how easy it is to find the reticle and place it on the target? How easy is it to lose the reticle and target if you close your eyes for three seconds or so? If the target drifts from the reticle after the eye close test, it's possible you're muscling the rifle into position. And the rifle is obviously trying to find its appropriate resting spot. These are subtle things.

PRO TIP: Sometimes it's just a matter of running the eye close test and shifting hips. Planes want to fly and rifles want to snuggle, but on their own terms. The rifle naturally returns to its preferred position when fired.

Recap: Finding Natural Point of Aim

• Look down the scope at a target, close your eyes, and count to two seconds.
• Reopen your eyes to see if the rifle has drifted.
• Readjust your body until the rifle’s natural resting position aligns with the target without muscle tension.

Tip #2: Parallax Adjustment for Tighter Groupings

What is Parallax? Parallax is the apparent shift of the reticle (crosshairs) from the target image when the shooter’s eye position changes. This optical shift can lead to inaccuracies, especially at high magnifications. Every scope has some parallax, even if they're labeled “parallax-free." Any lens refracting light will have some degree of parallax. High-quality scopes can reduce, but not eliminate, parallax.

Parallax Adjustment: A Step-by-Step Guide 

Adjust the ocular ring. To set the reticle (crosshairs) clarity, enabling you to have a clear picture of the reticle. This is often the first step to clear up the reticle for your eye's particularities. Josh advises using large adjustments to find the clearest setting and then fine-tuning as needed.

Adjust the Side Focus (Parallax Knob). Adjust the parallax knob to achieve a clear image of the target. Start with the highest magnification, as parallax issues are most noticeable there. The parallax knob should be adjusted to the correct range distance (e.g., 100 yards) to minimize shift.

Testing for Proper Parallax Setting. Proper parallax setting should keep the reticle stationary against the target image, even when the shooter slightly moves their head up and down. Adjust as necessary if the reticle drifts to ensure parallax is minimized for accurate targeting.

Zeroing the Parallax. Reset the parallax knob to a baseline distance (e.g., 100 yards), which serves as a reference for other distances. Each time you change target distance, adjust the parallax setting to keep your view accurate.

Tip #3: Follow-Through and Trigger Control 

Why does follow-through matter? Consistent follow-through helps maintain accuracy and group size by minimizing unwanted movement or input at the moment of firing.

Practical Techniques for Good Trigger Control 

Josh suggests focusing on a smooth, controlled trigger squeeze, where the shot almost surprises you. If nervous or unfocused, take a break to reset and regain calm focus.

Other Considerations of Rifle Form

Keep your eyes open and relaxed through the shot, watching as the shot lands rather than flinching or anticipating recoil. Avoid “yanking” the trigger, which introduces jerky, inconsistent movements. Make adjustments for each new situation and position. Call the wind and be mindful of other environmental factors such as humidity and altitude.

Mastering the nuances of precision long range shooting text learning and unlearning. This takes high-quality training and of course, a lot of practice. It’s the Indian not the arrow that makes or misses shots.

Train Hard. Train Smart. Stay Free.