Long-range shooting has been getting more and more popular among firearm enthusiasts. We see influence from movies and video games depicting this. Along with that, manufacturers have noticed this trend. Because of this, it has become much easier to experience the satisfaction of hitting a target at distance.
To become proficient at long-range shooting, several important factors must be considered. These include equipment selection, practice, understanding ballistics, weather variables, and geographic location.
Equipment Selection
When it comes to long-range shooting, equipment selection is key. You’ll need a rifle and ammunition that’s capable of accurate and consistent shots at long distances. This means choosing a rifle with a heavy barrel, free-floated stock or chassis system, a precision trigger, and a high-quality optic.
Sky’s the limit with equipment. With countless manufacturers, we have the luxury of a wide variety of choices. We have the option of 1000-yard-ready rifles straight from the factory in all sorts of price ranges or take on the rather addicting world of custom-built rifles. Either way, the choice depends on your application. Distances, different forms of competition, hunting, or just flexing on your friends with a rifle capable of .10 MOA at 100 yards.
Be careful making the mistake of fixating on the rifle only (of which, in my early years of long-range shooting, I am guilty of doing). Glass is as important as anything else. Too many times have I seen someone’s kitted-out rifle with sub-par glass. It’s like seeing a fully restored ’69 Chevy Camaro with a 4-banger under the hood. It hurts my soul.
Don’t get me wrong, absolutely work around your budget. Selling kidneys is not what you should be doing to achieve your long-range dreams. Great manufacturers make budget-friendly rifles and optics. Some examples of rifles are the Howa 1500, Savage 110, and Remington 700 (Some of the more well-known manufacturers). Plenty of optic choices as well. Such as the Vortex Diamondback Tactical Line and Burris Signature HD Line. Again, there are many more choices than this. Determine your application, do some research, and make an informed decision.



The caliber of the rifle is also a very debated topic amongst LR enthusiasts. 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 PRC, .338 Lapua, the list goes back to seemingly the dawn of man. Many factors go into deciding the right cartridge for, your application. Many of these cartridges will be good to start and get experience with. Keep in mind the price of ammunition as well, especially these days.
Training and Practice
Long-range shooting requires patience and practice. This means spending time in dry fire sessions to make sure you can control your breath and trigger control. Also slinging lead at the range, honing your skills, and mastering the fundamentals of marksmanship. One important aspect of long-range shooting is learning how to read the wind and environmental conditions. Wind can have a significant impact on a bullet’s trajectory, and accurately gauging wind speed and direction is essential for making accurate shots. Big tip here, spend time watching the mirage through your optic. This is a skill that will help you determine the direction of the wind and help you focus on the target.
In addition to practicing at the range, it’s also important to train for shooting positions that are common in long-range shooting scenarios. This can include prone, kneeling, and standing positions.
Understanding Ballistics
Another important factor in long-range shooting is understanding ballistics. This means knowing how your bullet will behave at different distances, and how factors like wind and gravity will affect its trajectory. Sure, you can get behind someone’s rifle and smack steel at 1 mile after they have spun the spinney nobs on the scope and input some hieroglyphics into a little calculator with a fan built in (as long as you have the fundamentals of shooting, of course). Learning to do this on your own, is an adventure.
The previously mentioned Rosetta stone for ballistics is a Ballistic Calculator. These tools allow you to input information about your rifle, ammunition, and environmental conditions, and provide you with detailed information about bullet trajectory and drop. They can come in the form of an app on your phone (Strelok Pro is a great app) or as a standalone, hand-held device with a built-in wind reader.
Final Thoughts
Long-range shooting is a challenging and rewarding hobby. There is loads of information on the internet to help further grow this passion and develop your skill. Explore Impact Guns as we have the equipment and tools to get you to defeat the distance.