Here at Tactical Rifleman we focus more on “Combat” shooting than “Competition” shooting. While the laws of physics are the same, there are obvious differences between the two. That said, there are also similarities where “combat” shooters can learn from “competition shooters.” One of those is accuracy. Specifically, today in this video, we will be talking about how proper Sight Alignment is required for accuracy.
If you have served in the military, then you have been on the rifle “Zero” Range and seen the best and the worst. Some shooters are done zeroing in 3 groups; but others take 10 or even 15 separate shot groups, over an hour, and still can’t seem to get their rifle zeroed. Their zero target looks like you hit it with a shotgun. What causes this? Broke guns? Nope; the military is anal about taking care of their weapons. Maybe the shooters have bad eyes? Nope; if they needed glasses, they are issued in Basic and if their eyes were really that bad then they wouldn’t even be let into the military. Then what?
I believe that 90% of the time it really comes down to poor sight alignment.
We are all taught in Basic:
Proper body position (good support)
Proper sight alignment (aligning the front and rear sights perfect)
Proper sight picture (aligning those perfectly aligned sights on the center of the target
Proper breathing (shoot during your body’s natural pause)
Proper trigger squeeze (don’t jerk that puppy)
However, there was never any real explanation why or which were more important than others. We were just told: if you jerked it sideways, it was your trigger pull; and if you jerked it up or down, it was your breathing. While possible, those are not the only explanations. More than likely, it was from poor sight alignment.
You can have a sight picture with that front sight right in the very middle of the bull's eye; but if the sights are not properly aligned you will miss the target. However, if your sights are perfectly aligned, you can put those sights anywhere on the target and you will at least hit the target every time. Let that sink in.
Most “Combat” Instructors stress just shooting fast and say 25 meters is “good enough” for accuracy. While I agree the fastest shooter wins within the room; I believe accurate shooting will always win the day. So, I push to balance speed with accuracy. While most people talking about “Combat Shooting” conduct most of their training within 25 meters; most actual combat engagements happen outdoors, at ranges of 25 to 300 meters. To hit at these distances you must apply all the fundamentals of marksmanship; especially Sight Alignment.
Before one of you asks; Yes, it still applies when using RedDot sights, though not as bad as when using iron sights. RedDots or Holographic sights are marketed as being parallax free. That is not true. They are good, but not that good. Test it out… Fire a 5 round group and mark your target. Then, physically move your head to the left on the stock (still looking through the sights) and fire another group and mark. Then, “turkeyneck” you head forward and backwards on the stock, shooting and marking more groups. You’ll see that, by throwing off the alignment of your head behind the sight, you moved your sight alignment and your point of impact.
For a precision rifle to be accurate, it must be shot with all variables consistent. That includes sight alignment. So, focus on ensuring that you marry your cheek to the cheek pad the same way and in the same place every time. Also, ensure that you focus on having the front sight deadon right smack dab in the middle of that rear sight. Do that and, with a smooth trigger pull, you too can have tight groups at 300 meters and beyond.
Hope this helps. Strength & Honor, TR.

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