Training Drills for NRL Hunter and Hunting

[NickyD]

I’m preparing to do my first NRL Hunter match (skills division) this year. I’ve done a NRL hunter prep day so I have an idea of what to expect. I want to improve my skills and be dialed in before the match to maximize my learning opportunities while there.


I typically get out to my gun club 1-2 times a month. I usually only have a single goal when I go to the range so I get bored and don’t shoot as many rounds as I should. I’m hoping adding more drills and structure to my day will help me stay longer and shoot more.


I’d like to know what people do for training on a typical day. Specific drill ideas would be great. I’ll be focusing on training with my tripod but also have access to various positional training setups at my range.

 

[hereinaz]

Build and break drills at home. Use chairs, tables, ladders, etc. learn how to build a position at different heights and settle the wobble.

Build position, reduce wobble, dry fire once or twice and repeat.

Learn how to use your body, pack, and tripod for stabilization.

Also helps to start the stage with a simulated, find target and range off the top of your tripod. It helps to have a plate/bag on your tripod to glass and shoot off of.

Practice starting with everything in your pack and rifle in your hand. Set rifle down, set up tripod, glass/range, build position and shoot.

Also, mark heights on tripod legs for seated, kneeling, and standing.

 

[Bbell12]

Build and break drills at home. Use chairs, tables, ladders, etc. learn how to build a position at different heights and settle the wobble.

Build position, reduce wobble, dry fire once or twice and repeat.

Learn how to use your body, pack, and tripod for stabilization.

Also helps to start the stage with a simulated, find target and range off the top of your tripod. It helps to have a plate/bag on your tripod to glass and shoot off of.

Practice starting with everything in your pack and rifle in your hand. Set rifle down, set up tripod, glass/range, build position and shoot.

Also, mark heights on tripod legs for seated, kneeling, and standing.

What tripod would you recommend for shooting? RRS is a little out of budget but I heard Leofoto makes a similar one just can’t remember the model. Have looked at the Gunwerks tripod too but haven’t seen much feedback about it. Thanks

 

[wind gypsy]

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This is probably what I'd buy for a dedicated shooting tripod if not spending RRS money. They were on-sale recently below $600 and it was real tempting. I think i'd prefer that to my RRS TFCT 24L for a dedicated shooting tripod but have a hard time justifying having both. Inverted legs are quicker/easier to set up fast and I like the bigger apex for throwing a bag on without a ball head or levelling base.

 

[hereinaz]

This is what I run and recommend from Leofoto. Stable and fast with the inverted legs. Those are two of the tripods, and my buddy is 6’4”

 

[hereinaz]

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This is probably what I'd buy for a dedicated shooting tripod if not spending RRS money. They were on-sale recently below $600 and it was real tempting. I think i'd prefer that to my RRS TFCT 24L for a dedicated shooting tripod but have a hard time justifying having both. Inverted legs are quicker/easier to set up fast and I like the bigger apex for throwing a bag on without a ball head or levelling base.

Yes, the larger one is nicer with the big apex. Leofoto has a larger model like that with inverted legs that I used.

I found the smaller one to be nearly just as stable but easier to handle. And, its weight is good for hunting 95% of the time for me.

 

[Bluumoon]

Equipment versus practice posts and Rifle practice/shooting

This isn’t in response to anyone I particular, but there is an up tick in the amount of “I want a XXXX distance hunting rifle” traffic the last few months. I am getting a lot of questions relating to this, which I do not mind helping, but thought a public post might help answer some questions...

rokslide.com

 

[Rippey715]

Build and break drills at home. Use chairs, tables, ladders, etc. learn how to build a position at different heights and settle the wobble.

Build position, reduce wobble, dry fire once or twice and repeat.

Learn how to use your body, pack, and tripod for stabilization.

Also helps to start the stage with a simulated, find target and range off the top of your tripod. It helps to have a plate/bag on your tripod to glass and shoot off of.

Practice starting with everything in your pack and rifle in your hand. Set rifle down, set up tripod, glass/range, build position and shoot.

Also, mark heights on tripod legs for seated, kneeling, and standing.

All of this

I’d add a DFAT trainer for your dry fire and a timer. Get used to being on the clock and feeling what your time management and budget will be. How will you range and write dope cards and how long does that take? That kind of practice.

Focus your one shot drills/position building on target acquisition with speed. That way once you find targets in your binos you can quickly get on target with your rifle. Say 15 seconds from rifle gear in hand to breaking shot.

If you don’t already have a good shooting bag like a game changer or MDT peanut with light fill, get one. Start practicing and breaking it in.

Good luck this season

 

[hereinaz]

All of this

I’d add a DFAT trainer for your dry fire and a timer. Get used to being on the clock and feeling what your time management and budget will be. How will you range and write dope cards and how long does that take? That kind of practice.

Focus your one shot drills/position building on target acquisition with speed. That way once you find targets in your binos you can quickly get on target with your rifle. Say 15 seconds from rifle gear in hand to breaking shot.

If you don’t already have a good shooting bag like a game changer or MDT peanut with light fill, get one. Start practicing and breaking it in.

Good luck this season

Lots of time is lost in the transition, don’t yard sale like me. And, it helps you make fast shots while hunting. I can set up on my tripod faster than friends with bipod on their rifle.

So, I agree with all the above, except buy the Satterlee Bone Bag, cause I make them! PM and I can give a discount code.

Satterlee's Bone Bag

Satterlee's Bone Bag is the optimal shape and size to use as a shooting support bag for long range shooting off barricades and objects for front support and for rear support in prone. It is a favorite among many competitive shooters and hunters.

www.silverbacktacticalllc.com

 

[OK Shooter]

I've read that a lot of PRS guys practice their positional shooting from only 100 yards. I only have access to a 200 years range so could I make this work for NRL hunter matches, as.long as I work off of lots of barricades/natural terrain?

 

[hereinaz]

I've read that a lot of PRS guys practice their positional shooting from only 100 yards. I only have access to a 200 years range so could I make this work for NRL hunter matches, as.long as I work off of lots of barricades/natural terrain?

Yes, and you can add practice for wind with a .22lr at 200.

Learning to build a position to reduce wobble then break the shot is a big part of shooting PRS and NRL Hunter.

 

[Macintosh]

I've read that a lot of PRS guys practice their positional shooting from only 100 yards. I only have access to a 200 years range so could I make this work for NRL hunter matches, as.long as I work off of lots of barricades/natural terrain?

Absolutely. The shooting part of it I might even say you are better off doing at 100 yards, because things like bad dope and environmental inputs wont mask your actual performance. Just realize that it wont help you practice calling wind or dealing with dope.

 

[Lawnboi]

Kraft drills with whatever you’re going to use for support.

Kraft drills with natural objects (rocks,stumps,trees)

60 seconds, 4 shots, 4 positions.

A timer would help a lot both at the match and for training.

100 yards is enough to beat a lot of people. Paper dosnt lie. If you can keep all your timed positional shots in 1.5” at 100 you’re going to be in good shape at most matches.

 

[Macintosh]

…If you can keep all your timed positional shots in 1.5” at 100 you’re going to be in good shape at most matches.

Unless you’re trying to be truly competitive Id even say 1.5” is unrealistically precise as a initial goal, especially for non-prone positions.

As mentioned kraft drills are good, they are supposed to be a standardized diagnostic tool to identify weaknesses so they can be worked on specifically. Using one kraft target for each position will identify your “standard” at that specific position, so you can go practice, and then use that standardized drill to track progress.