Long-distance rifle shooting has always captured my attention. But ultimately, it was a shooting distance that I believed would be too difficult and frustrating for me to try. Eventually, I decided that instead of missing out on all the fun, I would dip my toe into the world of long-range shooting and see what all the hype is about. Here is my experience shooting at one hundred yards and what I learned along the way.
What is Long Distance Shooting?
A simple definition of long-range shooting is hitting your target at a significant distance. It requires a focus on ballistic factors such as the environmental effects of the wind and gravity.
This type of precision shooting is not one where you simply guess where to aim and hope for the best. Rather, it’s a sport that requires science, mathematics, strong fundamentals, experience, and, more importantly, practice to master.
Based on these disciples, many shooters find this distance challenging. However, that does not stop it from being a fan favorite amongst individuals in the firearm community.
It is important to state that my first time shooting one hundred yards is not technically long-range. According to the NRA, long distance is one thousand yards or more.
I am starting with one hundred yards as my first “long-range” experience because this distance is not only the furthest I have ever shot a rifle, but it is also a good way to establish if long-range shooting is ideal for me.
I don’t want to invest the time, energy, and resources into long-distance shooting and end up hating it. Overall, the best approach is to start out at one hundred yards and work my way up each distance.
Setting Up for Long-Distance
As soon as I stepped foot in my designated booth, I wasted no time setting up. I got to work by placing my target up, loading ammunition in my magazines, and uncasing my Marlin 22LR. This rifle is a great option because it’s easy to operate and can shoot at one hundred yards without problems.
As I rested my rifle on a few sandbags the range had provided, my significant other, Mike, walked over with a spotting scope. A spotting scope is a portable scope designed to observe objects at a distance.
By using this tool, Mike could easily inform me where exactly I was hitting the target so I could make the appropriate corrections. This device was easy to use, making targets very clear and easy to see at longer distances.
Taking the Shot
Settling into a seated position, I switched the safety off my rifle and narrowed my eyes down the scope to settle it on my target, taking a few deep, calming breaths. Once I lined my reticle up to the center of my target, I squeezed the trigger and released the round. After the first shot rang out, it was officially go time.
Both Mike and I knew early on that the scope on this rifle needed some minor adjustments. However, we decided to work around it to the best of our abilities. After a few rounds, we fell into a routine. Mike would declare where I hit the target, and I would move the crosshair in slow increments to try to hit the center.
Sometimes, I missed the target completely. Sometimes, I hit the target at the complete opposite end of where I hit last time. But sometimes, I got close to the center but not close enough.
“You Hit It”
Round after round, I could feel the frustration and excitement grow until it came to a roaring pause when I heard the words, “You hit it.”
When I heard that sentence, I nearly leaped out of my seat and screamed because I was so excited. I honestly could not believe it and needed to confirm it for myself. Millions of thoughts soared through my brain as I glanced through the spotter.
Maybe Mike was joking. Maybe he was looking at the wrong target on the range. There was no possible way that I had actually hit it. I took a peak, only to see my target staring back at me with a perfectly rounded 22 ammunition hole in the center.
The world seemed to pause, and my heart thumped wildly against my chest at the realization that I had actually done it. I hit a bullseye at one hundred yards!
Dialing It In
As fun as it was experimenting where I needed to aim on the target to hit the center, I eventually decided to make shooting easier. I would need to dial in the scope. However, I didn’t want to fix the scope myself and risk messing things up. So, I opted to ask a range officer to assist, and they gladly did with no issues.
It never hurts to ask a professional for help, and I am glad that I did. My rifle did a complete 180 and felt like a brand-new firearm in terms of accuracy. Plus, I learned a valuable lesson in how important it is to properly sight your scope and the effects it has on your aim when you do not.
Nonetheless, once the scope was sighted, I managed to hit a few more bullseyes with much greater ease. And I felt the same chest-pounding excitement I experienced the first time. Each round I fired grew my confidence, was invigorating to hear, and made me fall in love with the sport of shooting all over again.
By the end of the day, all I could ask myself was, “Why haven’t I done this sooner?”
It was safe to say that I was officially hooked.
Expectations vs Reality
The best description I can give of long-range shooting is that it is the most challenging memory game you will ever play. This distance requires skill, strong shooting fundamentals, and, most importantly, the ability to focus.
To shoot successfully, you have to be able to pay attention to the last area you hit on your target and make split-second corrections to hit a bullseye. At times, I felt frustrated, but shooting at one hundred yards was rewarding and invigorating. It made me deeply appreciate shooters who can shoot at larger distances.
My day started with me walking onto the range, fearing that I would be unable to hit the target. It ended with me leaving feeling energized, proud, and happy at what I accomplished.
This distance was challenging but not impossible and I could not be happier with my experience. For beginner shooters especially, one hundred yards is a great introduction to long-range and is a distance that you will certainly not regret trying.
