Long-Range Shooting Fun

I’ve spent the past week in Raton, N. Mex. at the NRA’s Whittington Center (WC). For a shooter, it is the world’s largest playground and certainly the most beautiful. No matter your shooting discipline, there is a range for you to partake.

Shooting steel silhouettes is a favored activity at the WC. There’s steel available at several different ranges, from distances at a paltry 25 meters, to a jaw dropping 500 meters. When one tires of knocking over and re-setting steel, my favorite type of shooting is also available.

Rock Bustin’

I like bangin’ steel as much as anyone, but admit rock bustin’ is my favorite shooting activity, especially long-range rock bustin’. The WC small rifle silhouette range has the best backstop of any range I’ve seen, being the base of a large mountain. This natural berm is also target rich, with thousands of sedimentary rocks, of all shapes and sizes. When struck with lead, the shooter is rewarded with a cloud of white powder smoke, as the rock vaporizes. Sounds fun, right?

Using Laser Range Finders measures distances from a couple hundred yards to 600 and 700 yards, depending on where you’re standing and the angle of your shot. Either way, it surely breaks up the monotony of a typical day at the range by being able to shoot so far and track where your bullets hit.

By using Elmer Keith’s tried-and-true method of holding up a little front sight while perching your target on top of the front sight, maintaining this sight picture while pressing your trigger, you’ll be amazed at how easy, or close you’ll come to your target.

Even Easier

While talking to Skinner Sights owner Andy Larsson one day, he reminded me of Elmer’s trick of watching where your bullet strikes when aiming at a particular rock. If your bullet falls short, simply aim at the same rock by perching it on top of your front sight, but now, move your rear sight to where your bullet impacted on the last shot. It’s so easy, you’ll be hitting rocks ‘way out yonder’ in no time.

Remember, when shooting up or downhill, gravity has less effect on bullet trajectory, meaning it will shoot flatter than on level ground. Either way, you’ll never know until you give it a try. I’ve found out to 200 yards, or so, most sixguns shoot much flatter than you’d imagine. Try holding dead on at first and see where your bullet strikes. Then, use the Elmer method of placing your rear sight with the previous bullet impact, while keeping your target perched on top of your front sight. It’s great fun, easy on the eyes, and you’ll learn a lot about your bullet’s trajectory.

When long range shooting, keep it fun. It’s not a contest, but a way of learning your gun and load while practicing your trigger press. It’s easy on the eyes and a great way to give them a break. For some reason long range shooting makes the sights appear sharper for me when shooting long range. It’s great practice and just plain fun! Thank you, Andy Larsson, for the shooting tips!

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