by Marshall Bowen on January 26, 2012

Do you have current, accurate data in your rifle data book? Do you even have a data book? If you answered no to either of those questions, you are WRONG! I can’t stress the importance of a good data book enough.                                       

Ask yourself these questions. What is your mil hold for a target 400 yards away with your elevation set at 200 yards? Does your cold bore shot hit 2 inches high or 1 inch left? Is your 700 yard elevation 7 or 7+4? Do you have a .5 mil lead or a 1 mil lead for a target moving 2mph at 500yds? What is the formula to find the distance to a target in yards? What is the COS when shooting at a 30 degree angle? What is the total round count for your barrel?

These are just a few things that every good sniper should know.  If you have good data you will be able to answer all of these questions. If you have poor data, you will make a poor shot. In combat a poor shot could mean the difference between life and death. Wind, temperature, light, angle and elevation are just a few things that play a role in the impact of your round.

Some of you might be wondering how you gather all of this information. The answer is simple, get out to the range and shoot. Shoot in every temperature, light, angle, elevation and wind that you possibly can. Keep close track of the effects these different conditions have on your rounds. You are not going to be able to get all of this information in one day, it will take time. If possible, have a spotter with you when you are gathering data. Two sets of eyes are better than one!

-Marshall Bowen