Top Drills to Improve AR-15 Shooting Skills

Introduction

Improving your shooting skills with an AR-15 rifle requires practice, dedication, and the right drills. Whether you are a beginner looking to enhance your marksmanship or an experienced shooter aiming to refine your technique, incorporating specific drills into your training routine can help you achieve your goals. In this article, we will explore some of the top drills that can help you improve your AR-15 shooting skills.

Sight Alignment and Sight Picture Drill

One of the fundamental aspects of shooting accurately with an AR-15 is ensuring proper sight alignment and sight picture. This drill focuses on aligning the front and rear sights of your rifle correctly and placing them on target.

• Start by ensuring that your sights are properly adjusted.
• Focus on aligning the front sight post in the center of the rear sight aperture.
• Aim at a target and practice obtaining a consistent sight picture each time.

Trigger Control Drill

Trigger control is another critical element in shooting accurately with an AR-15. This drill helps you develop a smooth and steady trigger pull, minimizing any movement that could affect your shot placement.

• Practice applying gradual pressure to the trigger without jerking it.
• Avoid anticipating the shot and focus on maintaining proper trigger control throughout.
• Use dry fire practice to refine your trigger control without live ammunition.

Reload Drill

Being able to reload quickly and efficiently is essential for any shooter, especially in competitive or tactical scenarios. This drill focuses on practicing different reloading techniques with your AR-15.

• Practice both tactical reloads (reloading before running out of ammunition) and speed reloads (reloading when completely empty).
• Work on developing a smooth and consistent reload motion to minimize downtime between shots.
• Experiment with different reload techniques to find what works best for you.

Movement Drill

In real-world shooting situations, you may need to engage targets while on the move. This drill helps you practice shooting accurately while moving with your AR-15, simulating dynamic scenarios.

• Start by walking slowly while aiming at a target downrange.
• Gradually increase your speed while maintaining proper shooting form and accuracy.
• Add lateral movement or changes in direction to simulate different shooting environments.

Barricade Drill

Shooting from behind cover or a barricade is a common scenario in both competitive shooting and tactical training. This drill focuses on practicing shooting positions that utilize cover effectively with your AR-15.

• Set up barricades or obstacles at varying distances from your target.
• Practice shooting from different positions (standing, kneeling, prone) behind cover.
• Aim to minimize exposure while maintaining accuracy when engaging targets from behind cover.

Summary

Incorporating these top drills into your training regimen can significantly improve your AR-15 shooting skills. By focusing on fundamentals such as sight alignment, trigger control, reloading, movement, and shooting from behind cover, you can enhance your marksmanship and readiness in various shooting scenarios. Remember to practice consistently, seek feedback from experienced shooters, and continually challenge yourself to push beyond your limits. With dedication and effort, you can become a more skilled and confident shooter with your AR-15 rifle.