- Thread starter Skimafia
- Start date
I would have to say a chronograph. Prior to that I was guessing at muzzle velocity, reading the back of ammo boxes, trying to compare to online results with certain factory ammo and similar rifles. It was an exercise in frustration to say the least. Yes, I could generate drop tables by going out and shooting different ranges, but lord did I burn thru ammo trying to do so. And god forbid I decide to try a different brand or switch it up when I found something that grouped a little bit better. Now, I get solid muzzle velocity data at a certain baro pressure, save it into a ballistic calculator and can generate tables for current altitudes, atmospherics. Just the fact of having a solid starting point on muzzle velocity made my data better and greatly improved first round hits and confidence in my data tables. I find I use that chrony on my AR's, all my bolts and across a wide spectrum of different rounds. If you get one, your friends will be thankful also.
A laser rangefinder is a close second, but can be mitigated if you know how to range using a reticle or are shooting on known distance ranges.
A laser rangefinder is a close second, but can be mitigated if you know how to range using a reticle or are shooting on known distance ranges.
Dillon 550. I don't save any money but I shoot more per dollar, and more shooting makes me more gooder.
A $30 crappy wooden folding ladder from Craigslist.
Well.. that and sending thousand of rounds of barricade practice off it.
Well.. that and sending thousand of rounds of barricade practice off it.
More ammo and trigger time seem to have made the biggest difference for me.
The chronograph helped dial things in a little better with less guess work.
And last I would say upgrading to a better trigger and stocks that fit my frame more accurately.
The chronograph helped dial things in a little better with less guess work.
And last I would say upgrading to a better trigger and stocks that fit my frame more accurately.
D
Deleted member 113831
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Spotting scope, for hours upon hours of watching mother nature do her stuff to wind over different types of terrain/tree-lines/buildings. Very interesting to set smoke pot/s in a valley or mtn top an just watch the wind.
Kestrel 5700 elite, it simplified things, it has not made me better or more accurate, just made things easier. No more unfolding a pc of paper with dopes for all seasons and reading through the scribbling. I may have said the same about my first phone app though also.
Spotting scope.
Kestrel 5700.
Once you have your muzzle velocity you just enter your range and shoot.
No more rolling around smashing your phone and trying to walk around figuring out drop charts. I use my kestrel everytime I shoot at ranges above 400 yards.
Once you have your muzzle velocity you just enter your range and shoot.
No more rolling around smashing your phone and trying to walk around figuring out drop charts. I use my kestrel everytime I shoot at ranges above 400 yards.
My answer would be the A&D scale with the auto throw/ auto trickler. This one piece of equipment has done more for group shrinkage than anything else I have purchased.
Todd
Todd
Good glass, can't play this game without it
I probably should have posted this in a different section. All this feedback is awesome. I've ordered 2 pieces of equipment recently that I felt was mandatory, a kestrel and a magspeed v3 chrono. I think these two things I'm sure will improve my game
'Most valuable' non-rifle equipment? Either my lathe or my pile of handloading gear.
Lathe for 'smithing my own barrels/rifles and reloading stuff for getting the accuracy/low SDs necessary for LR shooting.
Lathe for 'smithing my own barrels/rifles and reloading stuff for getting the accuracy/low SDs necessary for LR shooting.
My enlistment. Rather, SDM school (the old Ft. Lewis one). It was the first time I was introduced to a higher order of shooting. Keeping dope, applying it, seeing progress. Going back as instructor was even more enlightening, learned even more behind a spotting scope watching others.
Everybody else has mentioned great stuff on here too. Second on the chrono and Dillon.
Everybody else has mentioned great stuff on here too. Second on the chrono and Dillon.
^+1 on the game changer. It gets used on almost every stage. I thought they were a little silly when they came out. Boy was I wrong. I would hate to go back to not having one.
The book "Long Range Shooting Handbook" by Ryan Cleckner...knowledge is power!
lessons for me, followed by ammo to practice those skills.
The best piece of tangible equipment you can buy as a rifle shooter is a spotting scope..... a good one.
Not having a spotting scope is a no go.....as it makes shot-to-shot diagnosis impossible......
Take what you are going to spend on your next rifle and put that into glass, and you’ll be significantly better off in the long run
Not having a spotting scope is a no go.....as it makes shot-to-shot diagnosis impossible......
Take what you are going to spend on your next rifle and put that into glass, and you’ll be significantly better off in the long run
I don’t agree with this. A high quality optic would be first for me.
I have t had a spotting scope yet and the ones I have looked through weren’t that impressive.
Plus you have to have a spotter to actually use the thing. Most people shoot by themselves more then with a buddy.
I have t had a spotting scope yet and the ones I have looked through weren’t that impressive.
Plus you have to have a spotter to actually use the thing. Most people shoot by themselves more then with a buddy.
i consider optics part of the rifle.....but obviously that would be first.
also, you only need a spotter if you are shooting on steel and miss your target......if youre shooting on paper, it make it possible to confirm your hits....lets face it, most of us arent shooting at 600-1000+ every range trip......most of us are shooting at 300 and less the majority of the time.
simply prop it up in front of you at the shooting line and shoot then spot without breaking position.
and if you buy a cheap spotting scope....its gonna look like shit....spend money for a decent one.
D
Deleted member 10043
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Data book.....
I own everything else but my memory sucks so no matter what my spotter, Kestrel, etc. do to help me produce more accurate and consistent shots, it wouldn't mean shit if I couldn't refer to it later
I own everything else but my memory sucks so no matter what my spotter, Kestrel, etc. do to help me produce more accurate and consistent shots, it wouldn't mean shit if I couldn't refer to it later
Proper glass. That’s where it all starts. You don’t know proper glass until you see it, either.
Lots of FB groups talking about how their glass works great blah blah blah and they only spent $200. That’s great they did. But I’d guess that none of those people have ever been able to compare it to something that is really good.
Lots of FB groups talking about how their glass works great blah blah blah and they only spent $200. That’s great they did. But I’d guess that none of those people have ever been able to compare it to something that is really good.
Excellent glass
Chronograph
High quality reloading components
Copenhagen, cause I can’t shoot for shit without my Copenhagen
Chronograph
High quality reloading components
Copenhagen, cause I can’t shoot for shit without my Copenhagen
Strelok Pro, has helped me a lot.
And a reliable scope.
And a reliable scope.
D
Deleted member 10043
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Yes. Strelok is a one man band and has done an excellent job offering the free, Plus, and Pro versions.
A 1907 sling. Learning to use it WILL make you better.
watching other people shoot through quality glass has been most instructive for me with regard to the wind and mirage.
I’d also say that I’m shopping high end 15x56s after using them at a few matches. For simply spotting hits and trace inside 1000, I prefer them 2:1 over a spotter.
I’d also say that I’m shopping high end 15x56s after using them at a few matches. For simply spotting hits and trace inside 1000, I prefer them 2:1 over a spotter.
My 1000K range. 
Actually just a long bean field that I pushed up some berms, placed target stands, mow a path down.
Actually just a long bean field that I pushed up some berms, placed target stands, mow a path down.
The best thing that's ever happened for my shooting is having a wife who lets me play with my go-bang toys and doesn't begrudge me time spent at the range or the bench. Everything else is secondary.
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Most valuable, I translate as most useful; Chargemaster Lite. It's a day and night difference from my old Lock-n-Load. The Lock's membrane switch failed the test of time, and it got so bad about overcharges that I just pitched it and got the RCBS dispenser with the glass touch screen. Life has been a lot more enjoyable since the upgrade; I load plenty of ammo, .223 through .30-06.
For me, 'buy more ammo' actually means 'build more ammo'.
Greg
For me, 'buy more ammo' actually means 'build more ammo'.
Greg
A quality scope. I wasn’t sure why my impacts weren’t matching my drop table until I learned about low quality scopes and their terrible tracking. My US Optic B-25 has perfect tracking and makes shooting more enjoyable. I know that when I miss that it is my fault, and not the equipment.
Voduu 22 LR - NRL22 matches are a blast
Reloading gear. I didn't get serious until I started reloading, or maybe I started reloading because I was getting serious. Either way, taking up reloading coincides with the turning point in my shooting skills and results-oriented mindset.
I keep thinking about buying one but most of my shooting is under 1k yards and I shoot a lot by myself. I haven't been able to talk myself into it yet because the one I was is almost 4k.
While you certainly won’t regret spending $4K on “Gucci” glass..... it’s by no means necessary..... especially for your first spotter.
You can spend $1-2000 on glass and get excellent glass
I want an moa reticle and the options are pretty slim. That's why I was looking at Swarovski glass. Leupolds reticle sucks in their gold ring and the Athlon is about the next in line. I don't want to spend money on a middle if the road to be unhappy with it then turn around and spend the money on the one I originally wanted. I've been down that road too many times with other shit
Build a baracade and practice your positional shooting. Everyone’s strength is shooting prone. Matches are won and lost on baracades and positional shooting. You can build one for $50 worth of lumber, and your practice will be much more worthwhile.
