How to Maximize your Time on the Range
There’s nothing quite like going to the range to shoot off a few rounds. This is a great time to work on maintaining fundamentals and improving skills. However, not all range sessions are created equal. If you want to get the most out of your time on the range, you need the right targets.
Believe it or not, some shooting targets can help improve your shot placement better than others. The right target will challenge your transitions, speed, accuracy, and more. Below are a few targets that can aid you in the journey to becoming the marksman you’ve always dreamed of.
1. IQ Target
Sending rounds down range is fun, but sending them with purpose is important. You can shoot thousands of rounds, but if you aren’t practicing any of your fundamentals, improving or at least maintaining the skills you have, then your shots are pointless. Targets, like that of the IQ Target from RE Factor Tactical, is a great target to use when you want to shoot with a purpose. Not only does it give the shooter multiple target points, but it also tests accuracy within target transitions. The target also requires the shooter to think between shots if combined with the Dead Man’s Hand Shooting Deck—made for the pistol and rifle.
IQ Target Scenario
The shooter can have a second person call out a specific number, shape, and/or color and then, as quickly as they can be accurate, fire a shot into the given area. Or, the shooter can draw a card from the deck and follow the instructions provided on said card.
The shooting deck comes with a variety of drills that anyone from basic to advanced shooting experience can benefit from. If you’ve been shooting your entire life, it’s a fun way to get rounds down range while testing your skills. If you’re a new shooter, it’s a fun way to see how well you’ve grasped the fundamentals.
Specs
• Measures: 23 x 35 in.
• Unlimited amount of shooting combinations
• Pistol targets: 3 in. shapes
• Rifle targets: 5 in. shapes
• Made in the USA
2. Essentials Target
The Essentials Target is another excellent target to help maximize your time on the range. Combined with the Essential Shooting Guide, shooters can focus on slow aimed fire, weak and off-hand shooting, target transition, trigger speed changes, drawing, magazine reloads, and controlled multiple shot groups. The Essential Shooting Guide provides a variety of drills for both novice and advanced shooters.
Essentials Target Scenario
The One Hand Bullseye Progression drill is only one of several drills found in the Essential Shooting Guide. It is meant to help shooters work on both their strong and week-hand shooting while focusing on sight alignment and sight picture. Starting from the 3-yard line, at the shooters own pace, 5 rounds will be shot into the bullseyes using the strong-hand. Upon completion, the shooter then switches to their weak-hand and fires another 5 rounds. If a score of 70 points or better is achieved, the shooter should move to the 5-yard line and so on until they can no longer obtain a score of 70.
Specs
• Measures: 23″ x 35″
• Unlimited amount of shooting combinations
• Designed to maximize range time
• Made in the USA
3. Hitman Target
Next, we have the Hitman Target. This target was designed for the long range shooter; however, it can be used with a pistol. The target includes a comprehensive zeroing and engagement system for precision marksmanship. It also comes with a grid overlay system so shooters can see the impact offset and adjust onto different zeroing squares. This not only gives you various points of aim, but it also helps you maintain an MOA zero at 100, 200, and 300 yards.
Hitman Target Scenario
If you want to use the Hitman target to practice your pistol shooting, you can use the 1, 2, and 3-inch squares to practice accuracy and speed in the 1-2-3 Drill. You can practice this drill from various distances to test your accuracy. It’s both fun and comes with bragging rights.
Specs
• Measures: 23″ x 35″
• Metric and US/Imperial units of measure
• Grid overlay system
• Made in the USA
Conclusion
At the end of the day, yes, shooting can be fun, but it should be fun with a purpose if you’re planning to utilize your pistol or rifle to its full potential. Don’t just send rounds down range, send them down range with precision by maximizing your time on the range using quality targets.