NRA Probationary Course Unit P3 Principles of Marksmanship
Principles of Marksmanship Position & hold must be firm enough to support the rifle (sling) Natural alignment Correct aim picture Shot release & follow through
Position & hold must be firm enough to support the rifle (sling) The left arm should be as close under the rifle as possible The left wrist must not be too close to the ground (Bible) The sling (and jacket) must be tight enough The left hand should only support and not grip The rifle should be locked in without right hand grip
Sling Positioning
Natural alignment Basic Starting Position Rifle pointed at target Body and left leg approx 15o to rifle Right leg in line with rifle (straight or bent) Test and adjust by moving: Right leg Body to or away from rifle
The Foresight Aperture The Rearsight Aperture For A Correct Aim Picture… The Aiming Mark The Foresight Aperture The Rearsight Aperture The Eye …Four Things Must Be Correctly Aligned
Correct Aim Picture Aiming is divided into three parts: Getting the sights perfectly upright Aligning the sights Precise alignment of the eye, rear sight, foresight and target. Completing the sight picture Maintaining perfect alignment while bringing the foresight on to the aiming mark.
Focussing on the Target Produces Erratic Shots Aiming Mark In Focus Blurred Foresight Aiming mark Focussing on the Target Produces Erratic Shots
Both Aiming Mark AND Foresight In Focus Impossible ! !
Focus On Foresight Giving A Slightly Blurred Target Correct ! !
You have lost the picture Rest your eyes and try again ? ? You have lost the picture Rest your eyes and try again
Remember The First Sight Picture Is Always The Best
Shot Release & Follow Through Locked in and totally relaxed The only thing to move is the end of the trigger finger - but when? At the end of the natural breathing cycle extend the “breathed out” phase by up to six seconds Squeeze the trigger and hold the pressure until the rifle stops “bouncing about” The sights should return to, more or less, the aiming mark