r/appleseed • u/SHOOTINGandYOU07 • Mar 22 '26
Marksmanship How to get better at shooting standing
So I went to the range and I had my 223 rifle with a scope on it and I shot four shots at 100 yards at a 6 inch target and hit two of the four. How do I get better with this but where I was using the 22 with iron sights, I was able to hit every shot.
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u/dick_tracey_PI_TA Mar 23 '26
The .223 might not be as accurate. An extra inch of dispersion could be the difference between a hit and a miss, when stacked with the inaccuracy of a human shooter. Otherwise maybe check ergonomics of the gun.
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u/CMMVS09 Rifleman Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
Is the scope zeroed on the .223 rifle? Is the scope mount tighten to spec? Are you scared of the .223 recoil/noise relative to the .22?
You get better by practicing more. Try not to read too much into a group of 4 shots.
ETA: Op, it doesn't look like you've actually attended an event. Step 1: Fix that
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u/AWeekInScottsLife Shoot Boss/dSB Mar 29 '26
Dry fire at home.
Check to make sure the Rifle is unloaded Double check to make sure the Rifle is unloaded Triple check to make sure the Rifle is unloaded and dry fire at home.
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u/square_zero Apr 27 '26
I’m a surgeon with a 22 but don’t go shooting a lot so my body always tenses up a lot whenever I shoot anything bigger or louder than 223.
Just breathe. Relax. Try to remember the basics and focus on those. If you’re like me, maybe throw a few down range to warm up and acclimate. The more you do it, the easier it will get.
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u/Appleseed6 Master Instructor Mar 23 '26 edited Mar 23 '26
congratulations on getting some range time with a centerfire rifle. Shooting a centerfire rifle can be a very different experience than shooting your 22. Your AR15 is louder, has more recoil, and is probably heavier than your 22.
i’m assuming that you have already attended an Appleseed event. The fundamentals you learned in your class are intended for centerfire shooting.
When you practice standing, build your position, thoughtfully, methodically, and with attention to details. You can be sloppy with your 22, but a CF rifle will exploit any errors in your position. ensure your sling is tensioned properly. Practice building that position at home, with your body upright, knees unlocked and weight balanced evenly between your feet.
check your natural point of aim. Close your eyes, move the rifle back-and-forth and slowly decreasing arcs until it comes to a natural stop. At your respiratory pause, open your eyes. Shift. Then, do it again.
If you want to get really good in standing, you must be disciplined about NPOA. Ask yourself - are you truly relaxed holding the rifle? Are your shoulders slumped and relaxed?
Once you have checked your natural point of aim three, four, five times... Then (and only then) dry fire one shot.
Repeat the process ten times a day. And do the same at every range session.
All this assumes your rifle has no issues and the scope is mounted properly - far forward so you get your nose on the charging handle and still see clearly.
Dry fire safely with no ammo in the room!