Marksmanship Training at FTW Ranch | Gun Talk Nation

Published on December 2, 2021
Duration: 26:15

This video details the fundamental principles of marksmanship, emphasizing the importance of building a stable shooting position ('building your house'). Instructor Dave Konesick explains how to progress through different shooting positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, standing) and the necessity of achieving multiple points of contact for stability. The core objective is to minimize reticle movement, which is crucial for accurate shots, especially in hunting scenarios.

Quick Summary

FTW Ranch teaches marksmanship principles focused on building a stable shooting position ('building your house') and achieving acceptable reticle movement. Key techniques include proper breathing, sight focus (shifting to the reticle when shooting), precise trigger control to avoid jerking, and 'riding the bull' for effective follow-through, all aimed at ensuring an accurate first shot.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to FTW Ranch and Marksmanship
  2. 01:04FTW Ranch: Hunting and Shooting School Overview
  3. 02:43Principles of Marksmanship: Building Your House
  4. 04:24Shooting Positions: Prone, Sitting, Kneeling, Standing
  5. 05:01Achieving Stability: Points of Contact
  6. 09:02Marksmanship Order: Breathing and Sight Focus
  7. 10:20Sight Focus: Target vs. Reticle
  8. 11:12Breathing Techniques for Accuracy
  9. 12:24Trigger Control: The Most Crucial Element
  10. 13:12Acceptable Reticle Movement Explained
  11. 15:51Identifying Trigger Jerking: 'Don't Be a Booger Flicker'
  12. 17:56How to Detect Trigger Jerking
  13. 19:36Follow Through: 'Ride the Bull'
  14. 20:21Proper Follow Through Technique
  15. 22:10Post-Shot Actions: Animal Behavior and Follow-up
  16. 24:14FTW Ranch: A Special Place for Training
  17. 25:10FTW Ranch: Range Facilities and Terrain

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key principles of marksmanship taught at FTW Ranch?

FTW Ranch emphasizes building a stable shooting position ('building your house'), achieving acceptable reticle movement, proper sight focus, controlled breathing, precise trigger control, and effective follow-through ('riding the bull'). The ultimate goal is to ensure an instant kill on the first shot.

How does FTW Ranch teach shooters to build a stable shooting position?

The instruction involves 'building your house' by establishing a solid foundation with multiple points of contact. This starts with getting as low as possible (prone) and progressing to sitting, kneeling, and standing positions, utilizing gear like backpacks or rear bags to enhance stability.

What is 'acceptable reticle movement' in shooting?

Acceptable reticle movement refers to the degree of wobble a shooter can tolerate in their sight picture before firing. It means the crosshairs are within a certain zone (e.g., the kill zone or a specific plate size) and not excessively drifting, allowing for a timely and accurate shot.

How can a shooter identify if they are jerking the trigger?

A visual cue is the 'booger flicker,' where the trigger finger rapidly snaps off the trigger after firing. Instructors can also observe this by asking students to hold the trigger to the rear after the shot; if the finger flies off, it indicates a flinch or trigger jerk.

What is 'riding the bull' in the context of shooting?

'Ride the bull' is the term for proper follow-through. It means keeping your head down on the stock, trigger finger to the rear, and accepting recoil while observing the sight picture. This allows for immediate assessment of impact and readiness for a follow-up shot if necessary.

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