Improving your rifle shooting accuracy is a skill that takes time is perfect,  there are many factors that need to be considered when shooting  a target from a distance. So we at GlowShot have compiled a list of 10 top tips for improving your shooting accuracy.

Tip 1- Get into a comfortable position and loosen up

Make sure your rifle is pointing naturally at the target, and that the crosshairs fall naturally on the target.

When realigning the rifle, it’s important to do this by moving your whole body starting with the legs, rather than just twisting your torso. You may also need to lift and replace the bipod if you are using one.  This can be difficult when in the field or at the range so a range mat is advised to help create a good base for aiming.

Tip 2- Practice at shorter ranges: then once you are shooting tight group gradually start increasing your distance

Many people start to shoot at long range when their short-range skills are still developing.

Adding basic errors to your attempts to work out issues around elevation and windage is not a recipe for success.

The ability to shoot consistently at short range is the first element of long-range success. Splatter targets are a great tool to use at the range to help, they make it much easier to see where your shots are landing, especially once you start to increase your distance.

Tip 3- The shot release and follow through must be made without undue movement from blinking or flinching.

The trigger should be squeezed with the centre of the pad of your index finger and your fingernail parallel to the trigger guard, so the motion is straight back.

Squeeze the trigger whilst maintaining a fixed gaze through the scope. If you blink or flinch when squeezing the trigger it could have a major impact on hitting the target.

Many people often anticipate the kick and subconsciously compensate before the shot is taken, this results in micro movements which takes the crosshair off the mark.  Dryfiring is recommended to help make your trigger pull consistent and smooth.  Accessories like the pro-series shooter 2 have been to designed to help train smooth natural trigger pull

Commit to memory where your crosshairs are when the shot breaks. You then need to refocus on the moment the bullet hits the target or lands nearby.

Both sets of information are vital to the placement of your next shot.

Tip 4 – Find the right ammunition!

This quest is where the rubber meets the road, and we do not have any quick solutions. The answer is trial-and-error. Each rifle is different, and your rifle will tell you immediately which loads it does not like. Your job is to find the one it prefers.

We suggest taking several different brands and bullet weights to the range. When you change from one type to the other, you should clean your barrel or allow up to five shots of the new ammo to settle in the bore. If you clean your rifle, allow two fouling shots with the new ammo to settle in the bore. If you switch from non-coated to coated bullets, clean the bore and allow for five or more shots to properly coat the bore before testing for accuracy. If you are going from coated to non-coated bullets, give the bore a thorough cleaning. Then, add two fouling shots with the non-coated bullet before testing for accuracy.

Tip 4 – Break In your rifle barrel

Many rifle barrels have not been properly broken in, which helps to minimize accuracy-reducing fouling. If not properly broken in, we have observed hunting rifles to completely foul out in as little as five rounds. Many will foul out at fewer than 20 rounds. When a barrel fouls out, accuracy is dramatically reduced. Properly breaking in a rifle barrel is a must for our target rifles and our hunting rifles. We believe that this step is very important to optimize the accuracy potential of your hunting rifle. You will not have to worry about your rifle fouling out during the hunting season.

The break-in process is simple but takes time at the range. Use any inexpensive ammo and targets. Start with a clean barrel, fire one shot, and clean the barrel. Make sure that you get all the copper out. Repeat the single shot/clean routine for five shots. Next, fire two shots and clean. Repeat three times. Now, fire three shots and clean. Repeat three times. Cleaning the barrel should become easier and copper fouling should be minimal.

Tip 5 – Zero the rifle 

Bore-sighting is recommended. First remove the bolt and with the rifle in a secure position line up a target like a clay 50m away in the center of the bore (Clay target hangers are great for this). Then, without moving the rifle,  turn the windage and elevation dials until the reticle is centered on the clay. Then move to a large target to ensure you land your first shots where you can see them. The first shot at a target should be somewhere on the target at 100m. If they aren’t, move it in closer until you hit the paper! Adjust your windage and elevation until point of impact is roughly two inches high at 100m. At 200m spend more time refining windage and elevation so that at that the rounds land on your point of aim.

 

Tip 6 – Stay focused through the sights

It is just human nature to pull your head up to admire the shot you just made on a deer or target, especially when it is close. You cannot make that movement and hit where you are aiming. Follow through with the recoil and stay in the rifle.

Tip 7 – Make sure your view through the scope is perfect

When looking through your scope don’t take the shot unless the view is 100% clear, any shadow or tunnel effect will induce parallax error and throw the shot off. Be certain the front (objective) lens and the rear (ocular) lens are in perfect alignment with the rear lens just exceeding the diameter of the front lens.

This process of “lining up the circles” is just as important with a telescopic sight as it is with aperture sights on target rifles.

Tip 8- Hold the rifle firmly,  in order to control recoil. but don’t strangle it

When looking through the sight your cheek should firmly engage the stock with the head held reasonably upright and not an angle.

Good ‘cheek weld’ is vital. Keep a firm hold of the pistol grip with your thumb curled around it for safety.

Leaving your thumb behind the bolt or alongside the safety catch can a painful habit if you use large caliber rifles with heavy recoil.

Tip 9- Use real paper targets

If you’ve never used real paper targets, you’re in for a treat. Real targets are printed on paper that doesn’t tear the way standard copier paper does. If you print your targets on a  printer you will have almost no idea how large or small their groups really are.

Paper targets are printed on special paper, which is why they cost a little more; but, if you care about accuracy, they’ll deliver the results you want. Splatter targets will improve on shot reading even more and the GlowShot app will even calculate your MOA for you.

Tip 10- Shoot with both eyes open

For guns with iron sights and some kinds of optics (red dot sights or a both-eyes-open scope), shooting with both eyes open allows the shooter to relax more, enhances their field of view, and allows them to focus more on what they’re doing. If possible, learn your eye dominance, and shoot with both eyes open.

 

 

The .300 Blackout has emerged as a new up and coming caliber, with several rifles chambered in it recently released. We wanted to examine what this could be suitable for in the Australian environment.
The round was designed for close quarters combat and was never meant for long range shooting. But it is an effective round at shorter ranges. Like the .30-30 Winchester, this round is best used under 200 yards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This makes it suitable for a number of species and hunting environments in Australia. It would be perfect for close range pig shooting in scrub. Anyone who is currently using a .30-30 of .45-70 could switch to the .300 Blackout and expect good results.
It also suits close range Sambar deer hunting in the high country, where the caliber delivers good stopping power at the ranges you typically see the deer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weight of the bullets range from 78 grain at 2,880fps out of a 20″ barrel to 125 grains at 2,215fps from a 16″ barrel. These are all supersonic, and produce a significant crack when fired.
At the other end of the spectrum you have 220 grain bullets with a velocity of 1,010fps. This provides a real positive of this caliber, which is a subsonic hunting round that can cleanly kill large game. This allows you a better chance of a follow up shot if you miss the first one as well as not spooking other animals nearby.

The GlowShot Steel Heavy Duty Target Stand is the perfect companion for a .300 Blackout rifle. When paired with the GlowShot 10″ Adhesive Reactive Splatter Shooting Targets you can get great practice by easily seeing where your rounds are hitting.

Decided to take the first step to get out and hunt?  where do we start?

I guess first we have to start with a gun license. To get a firearm licence one needs a genuine reason for doing so, this usually falls under two categories; Hunting and Sport/target shooting, in some states you can put both hunting and sport shooting onto the same license allowing you to do both, (I would recommend doing so as it will avoid having to do it later).  Becoming a member of the S.S.A.A allows you to list this genuinely on your gun license application form. (FYI you will not be able to receive a firearm license if you have a criminal record or have committed any violent offences)

step two is taking your gun safety course, if you have no experience with guns then a good idea is going to your nearest S.S.A.A branch to talk to the safety instructor and book in weapons act safety course.

after you have completed your safety course you will receive a “statement of Attainment” which is your proof that you have completed your safety course.  along with the “statement of Attainment,” you will need 2 passport photos to be submitted with the application.

submitting the application can be done two ways, online or by going to the local police station and filling the “application for a licence” form 1 and a “proof of identity” form 30, (these can be downloaded online and printed). Your local officer or you then send these form to Weapons Licensing Branch where they will be processed. (minimum 4-week wait). but when your license arrives we are ready to go on to the next step.

If you guessed going to the nearest gun dealer and purchasing your new rifle or shotgun then I’m afraid not yet. first, we need to get a safe and secure it. This requires a safe storage, this means either a gunsafe or for the avid collector a strong room, simply put if a safe weighs less than 150kg it must be bolted down to a structure, drywall does not suffice it must be something like brick or wall studs using bolts. after its installed, you will need to arrange an official to come out and inspect it.

Ok so we have our license and our safe mounted, now off to the gun dealer, but there is one last step before taking home your firearm, you will need your “Permit To Aquire” or “PTA” this can be submitted at the gun store and will take a day or so to process, however since this is our first gun purchase we must wait the 28 day “cooling off” period.

so that is it, once your PTA comes back you are now free to stroll in and collect your firearm. lets just say, you’re only interested in sports and target shooting then head to your local gun range and gun club. For those interested in taking it to the field,

Part 2 next, getting out for the hunt.

 

 

You’ve spent the offseason getting your eye in at the range but now its deer season and you want to make all that practice count. Here are 5 tips from the Glowshot Targets Team to get you on your way to an excellent Deer season. Safe hunting!

1. Mask your scent
Did you know that deer have 20 times more powerful sense of smell than humans? They will
often smell you before they see you, even if you are upwind. The best way to mask your scent is
to keep your hunting clothes in a sealed container or bag along with leaves, mud and other
natural scents up until you begin your session. Try not to contaminate your clothing on the way
to your hunt.

2. Scout out your location
You don’t need fancy tech to scout out and plan your hunt. With google maps you can scope out
the terrain and tree cover to get a good idea of what you are up against and plan where you may
want to start out.

3. Practice makes perfect.
Practice setting up and taking down your equipment before your day out. You want to minimise
the noise you make and be ready for that perfect shot when the timing is right. You don’t want
to miss that perfect opportunity when it comes up by fumbling with your gear.
Offhand shooting practice with a .22 is a great way to make sure your muscle memory works in
your favour when you get out in the field. It is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your
shooting skills fresh.

4. Stay warm and dry.
Nothing ruins your day and a clear shot like being wet and cold. Your extremities are particularly
sensitive to the cold and any stiffness or shivering in your hands can really effect how you line up
the cross hairs. Keep spare dry clothes with you to change into and layer up if needed. Don’t
forget to mask the scent of your clothing to ensure if doesn’t give you away.

5. Arm yourself appropriately
Make sure your rifle and projectile will humanely dispatch the deer. This generally means .243 or
larger. As deer are relatively thin-skinned animals, most projectiles will do the job well. If you
stay away from varmint projectiles that may expand before they reach anything vital or solid
rounds that won’t expand at all you can’t go too far wrong. So long as they are well constructed
most popular brands will prove lethal.

Importantly you should practice well with your chosen rifle and be able to fire it with reasonable
consistency, whether leaning on a tree/rock or off the shoulder, as sometimes this will be what
is needed to be able to get that deer that breaks cover unexpectedly.
Got any good tips we may have missed? Let us know in the comments.
Happy hunting from the Glowshot Team!

by Daniel O’Dea

reactive targets

In many facets of the shooting sports these days, it would seem in some ways we may be overly restricted, but in others, we are almost spoiled for choice.  One area of growth would be the variation of target designs and systems to add value and enjoyment to the sport.

The history of targets over the ages is quite fascinating, with everything from old European ornate painted target scenes to live pigeon shooting in the 1900 Paris Olympic Games. However, as a young shooter in the 1980s and 1995, it seemed plain old paper targets – be they bullseye- style or animal silhouettes – were about the only option for me. But all that has changed. Gone are the days when I would split Mum’s wooden pegs into two pieces and stick them in the ground upright to act as cannon fodder to my air rifle. Today, most gun shops will have a variety of target designs and systems to suit every need. GlowShot in Victoria offers a range of products from traditional-style paper targets with a twist, to fun reactive target systems. The company recently sent some products for review and there were some enjoyable highlights.

Reactive Splatter Targets

First, let’s cover the paper targets. Most paper targets might be black on white or other contrasting colours. GlowShot’s, however, called Multi Color Reactive Splatter Targets, are black with brightly coloured fluorescent scoring rings. The rings are individually coloured and glow under the black scoring zones, so, when shot, a bright halo appears of the same colour around the hit. This gives a highly visible strike indication that instantly stands out against the background and can be clearly seen at distances that would usually have you reaching for the binoculars. The Splatter Targets come in sizes from 6 to 16″ (152 to 406mm). The targets are made in the United States, which explains the imperial measurements. Targets supplied came in round targets measuring 6, 8 and 10″ in diameter (152, 203 and 254mm), and oval targets measuring 16×10″ (406x254mm) and 11×7″ (279x178mm) wide. All carried a bright fluoro orange centre bullseye measuring 0.75″ (19mm) across. A strike within this centre remains orange. On the round targets, the first inner ring is 1″ (25mm) from centre or 2″ (50mm) across. A strike within this area halos in white. The next ring is 2″ (50mm) from centre for a 4″ (100mm) spread. Depending on the size, this trend continues in either 0.5 or 1″ increments to the outer ring that matches the overall size. Colours vary, but generally, whatever the ring colour is, the area within registers the same colour when hit. The oval targets differ, in that the horizontal increments are at 1″ (25mm), but the vertical increments are at 1.5″ (38mm).

All target sizes come in either heavy card or adhesive versions. The heavy card units are, as suggested, a heavy gauge paper or card and require affixing to a target backing. The adhesive targets are in effect stickers that are peeled off and stuck on the backing, whatever that may be. As a bonus, the adhesive targets come with additional patches that peel off the main surround and can be used either as patches or additional aiming points on the backing. All targets came in plastic-wrapped packets of either 25 or 50, depending on size.

I tried the target in various applications over a period of time. That meant everything from long strings of handgun fire at close range to sighting-in rifles out to 200m.  At closer ranges. the reactive nature of the targets makes spotting your shots much easier than more traditional designs.  With handgun practice and training, this is agreat aid.  Being able to spot your individual hits as they land helps confirm correct sight-picture. The different colored zones also come in handy on rapid-fire strings as you quickly identify
any ‘fliers’.

At ranges of 100m-plus, the coloured halo around each shot also makes it much easier to pick up in your optic or spotting scope. On many ranges. the changing light angles of the sun at different times of the day can make it hard to distinguish hits on targets at long range with all but the best of optics. GlowShot targets overcome this issue. The added vertical height of the oval-shaped targets can also assist in sighting rifles for longer distances, where you might purposely sight the point of impact high to take advantage of a maximum point-blank range.

Target Stand

GlowShot also produces tough stands and is ideal for use with all of their targets. It is made in Australia from 6mm steel to stand up to plenty of punishment. It is impervious to all pistol caliber and rimfire rounds with a minimum range of 25m and centre fire rifles less than 2900fpm at 100m or greater. It comes with a stiff target backer that will survive at least 500 hits, also easy to install, It’s steel leg plants firmly in the toughest of soil.

Flipping Jack Targets

Next out of the bag were the GlowShot .22 Flipping Jack Targets. Made in Australia from tough high carbon steel, these targets are designed like a large caltrop, with a round target head on the end of each
spike. A caltrop is a device of four spikes are fabricated in a fashion so whichever way it hits the ground, one spike points directly up. In early days, they were used on the battlefield to hinder cavalry, while modern tyre spikes used by law enforcement agencies follow the same design. With the GlowShot Flipping Jacks, you simply shoot the top target head and the target flips over,

exposing one of the others. As with shooting any steel targets, safety must always be considered. Firstly, these targets are rated for use with standard-velocity .22 Long Rifle ammunition only. Secondly, a minimum stand-off distance of 25m should be respected for the shooter and anything else that might be averse to a little lead splatter. Naturally, a safe location and backdrop should be selected when setting up, and ear and eye protection is advised when shooting.

Getting the full experience, I set up the GlowShot Target Stand at 25m and dropped a Flipping Jack Target either side. Using a corner post as a rest, I checked the zero of the standard-velocity .22LR ammo in my old Brno Model 2. A correct strike on the Flipping Jack Target is rewarded with both the visual of the target flipping over and an audible report. Repeated hits have the target, in effect, ‘walking’ away from you. To add to the fun, these should be bought in pairs so you can challenge your friends to a race – who can roll their target the furthest in 10 rounds, for instance, or with unlimited rounds within a set time. It’s not only great fun, but can also build and hone real field-shooting skills.

Clay Pigeon Hangers

Another nifty target idea from GlowShot comes in the form of Clay Pigeon Hangers. Once upon a time, I held a AA grade in Trap shooting, and over the years, I’ve shot literally thousands of clay targets, but they were always thrown from a trap and shot with a shotgun. It was not until recently that I discovered clay targets also make cheap, static but reactive targets for both pistol and rifle shooting activities.

GiawShot reactive targets

The GlowShot Clay Pigeon Hangers are as simple as they are ingenious. The hangers are strips of pliable metal. with one end that clips onto the rim of your standard clay target. Adjustments can be made for differing thicknesses of the target rim. The other end of the metal strip is bent and formed into whatever shape is required to hang in from the desired backing.

On my test range. I have an old swing set. which holds four steel reactive plates. The addition of a single wire strand across the top of the frame allowed me to hang six bright orange clay targets. utilising a single packet of Clay Pigeon Hangers.

At 110mm across. a standard-dimension clay target can offer quite a challenging offhand target at 100m when presented with your favourite hunting rifle. With safety and common sense observed. the options of where you could hang these portable reactive targets are almost endless. Better still. you can now buy modern clay targets that are environmentally friendly and will decompose. leaving nothing behind when the shooting is all done.

David at Glowshot is continually testing and developing new solutions for shooting targets, firearms and storage, so look out for more great ideas and target options.GlowShot targets are being stocked by an ever-increasing range of gunshops. Ask at yours or visit www.glowshottargets.com.au where you can see instructional videos and buy direct.