1. NRA Probationary Course
Unit P3
Principles of Marksmanship

2. Principles of Marksmanship
Position & hold must be firm enough to support the rifle (sling)
Natural alignment
Correct aim picture
Shot release & follow through

3. Position & hold must be firm enough to support the rifle (sling)
The left arm should be as close under the rifle as possible
The left wrist must not be too close to the ground (Bible)
The sling (and jacket) must be tight enough
The left hand should only support and not grip
The rifle should be locked in without right hand grip

4. Sling Positioning

5. Natural alignment Basic Starting Position Rifle pointed at target
Body and left leg approx 15o to rifle
Right leg in line with rifle (straight or bent)
Test and adjust by moving:
Right leg
Body to or away from rifle

6. The Foresight Aperture The Rearsight Aperture
For A Correct Aim Picture…
The Aiming Mark
The Foresight Aperture
The Rearsight Aperture
The Eye
…Four Things Must Be Correctly Aligned

7. Correct Aim Picture Aiming is divided into three parts:
Getting the sights perfectly upright
Aligning the sights
Precise alignment of the eye, rear sight, foresight and target.
Completing the sight picture
Maintaining perfect alignment while bringing the foresight on to the aiming mark.

8. Focussing on the Target Produces Erratic Shots
Aiming Mark In Focus
Blurred
Foresight
Aiming
mark
Focussing on the Target Produces Erratic Shots

9. Both Aiming Mark AND Foresight In Focus
Impossible ! !

10. Focus On Foresight Giving A Slightly Blurred Target
Correct ! !

11. You have lost the picture Rest your eyes and try again
? ?
You have lost the picture
Rest your eyes and try again

12. Remember
The First Sight Picture
Is Always The Best

13. Shot Release & Follow Through
Locked in and totally relaxed
The only thing to move is the end of the trigger finger
- but when?
At the end of the natural breathing cycle
extend the “breathed out” phase by up to six seconds
Squeeze the trigger and hold the pressure until
the rifle stops “bouncing about”
The sights should return to, more or less, the aiming mark