{"id":1393,"date":"2024-04-11T02:19:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T02:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=1393&#038;fishpig=1618018046&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:59","slug":"rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Rifle Marksmanship : Trigger Control Equals Success"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Rifle_Marksmanship_Trigger_Control_Equals_Success\" >Rifle Marksmanship : Trigger Control Equals Success<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Rifle_Marksmanship_Series_Part_2_Trigger_Control\" >Rifle Marksmanship Series Part 2: Trigger Control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Surprise_Shot\" >Surprise Shot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Two_Types_of_Trigger_Control\" >Two Types of Trigger Control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Finger_Placement_on_the_Trigger\" >Finger Placement on the Trigger<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Errors_in_Trigger_Control\" >Errors in Trigger Control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Dry_Fire_Drill\" >Dry Fire Drill<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/#Read_the_entire_Rifle_Marksmanship_Series\" >Read the entire Rifle Marksmanship Series:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rifle_Marksmanship_Trigger_Control_Equals_Success\"><\/span>Rifle Marksmanship : Trigger Control Equals Success<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><strong>Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer to fall without disturbing the crosshairs on your intended target.<\/strong><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1592\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/9Q7A7744-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success\" width=\"566\" height=\"377\" \/><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rifle_Marksmanship_Series_Part_2_Trigger_Control\"><\/span><strong>Rifle Marksmanship Series Part 2: Trigger Control<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">What is trigger control? Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer to fall without disturbing the crosshairs on your intended target. William &#8220;Bart&#8221; Bartholomew, lead instructor at <a href=\"http:\/\/egaprecision.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EGA Precision<\/a>, explains that &#8220;it may be difficult at first, but you must ignore the hammer fall and not anticipate the shot.&#8221;\u00a0 Trigger control should become a reflex action that occurs once your mind subconsciously realizes all factors needed to fire the shot are present: sight picture, correct position, relaxed body, etc. Bart teaches that like all skills, trigger control is developed through &#8220;snapping in&#8221; (dry firing) and actual range time. Once attained, you can easily lose this reflex with lack of practice, so practice often.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Bart will tell you that most <a title=\"Tips for Off Hand Shooting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/tips-for-off-hand-shooting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1688\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting errors result from poor trigger control.<\/a> Some claim that it is the hardest <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/marksmanship\/\">marksmanship<\/a> principal for the novice shooter to grasp.<\/strong><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surprise_Shot\"><\/span>Surprise Shot<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Your goal when <a title=\"Rifle Marksmanship Supported Shooting Positions\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1717\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting is to fire the weapon exactly when the rifle<\/a> settles into the desired aiming point. However, it should be a subconscious effort not to disturb the crosshairs. Trigger control should become a subconscious movement you make every time with great consistency. Learning your desired trigger pull and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"how to\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"955\">how to<\/a> adjust with target exposure time and moving targets will require a lot of practice. The key is consistency.<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Two_Types_of_Trigger_Control\"><\/span>Two Types of Trigger Control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ol style=\"text-align: justify\"><li><strong>Uninterrupted Trigger Control<\/strong> &#8211; This will be your preferred method. Firing the shot is completed once you pull the trigger. You need to commit to an unchanging rate of pressure without speeding up, slowing down, or stopping. Any slack in the trigger is taken up initially as the remainder is applied toward the pressure to fire the shot.<\/li><li><strong>Interrupted Trigger Control &#8211;<\/strong> You will use this method of trigger control in extremely windy conditions, when engaging moving targets, or when target exposure time is limited because the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-scope-accessories-you-might-consider\/\">rifle<\/a> may not be completely settled. This forces you to fire the shot when the target comes into the desired aiming point. You should take up the initial slack and begin normal trigger control. The pressure is halted until you have focus and proper sight picture for the type of target being engaged or conditions being experienced and then breaks the shot.<\/li><\/ol><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finger_Placement_on_the_Trigger\"><\/span>Finger Placement on the Trigger<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">When teaching his <a title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Scope Fundamentals\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1399\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long range precision<\/a> classes, Bart points out that your finger placement is correct when you can pull the trigger straight to the rear &#8220;without disturbing the crosshairs. Your exact placement may vary from other shooters due to differences in hand sizes and the way you grip the stock. The most desired is a natural placement point between the tip and second joint of the trigger finger. This will require less thought and provide the most consistency. Bart demonstrates that the trigger finger must not touch the stock, or a smooth, steady, rearward trigger pull will be impossible to achieve and the pressure touching the stock will pull the sights off target.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1405\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success. What is trigger control? Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success. What is trigger control? Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer\" width=\"556\" height=\"445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-375x300.jpg 375w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px\" \/><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center\"><a style=\"text-align: center;text-decoration: none\" href=\"null?utm_medium=Trustbox&#038;utm_source=EmailNewsletter3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/emailsignature.trustpilot.com\/newsletter\/en-US\/3\/5fc7afaa58a6e200016f0dfc\/520\/170\/light@2x.png?stars=5,4,3,2,1&#038;fontSize=default\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"170\" border=\"0\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Errors_in_Trigger_Control\"><\/span>Errors in Trigger Control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-benefits-of-having-a-rifle-suppressor\/\">Shooting<\/a> errors are typically traced either directly or indirectly to improper trigger control more often than not. Common errors include:<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><ol style=\"text-align: justify\"><li><strong>Flinching<\/strong> &#8211; This is simply anticipating the weapon going off and the recoil associated with it. Moving your head, closing your eyes, tensing your shoulders, moving your shoulders to the rear, or a combination of both, are indications that you&#8217;re flinching.<\/li><li><strong>Bucking<\/strong> &#8211;\u00a0This is when you attempt to take up the recoil before the shot is fired by moving your shoulders into the weapon. Tense shoulder muscles and forward motion have a great impact on the accuracy of the shot.<\/li><li><strong>Jerking<\/strong> &#8211;\u00a0You can jerk the shot by rapidly pulling the trigger in an attempt to get the shot off in a hurry. The jerk disrupts the sight picture and causes the shot to miss the intended target.<\/li><\/ol><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dry_Fire_Drill\"><\/span>Dry Fire Drill<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/jon-lacorte\/\">Jon LaCorte<\/a> had the pleasure of sharing <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"350\">hunting<\/a> camp in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/\">Colorado<\/a> a few years back with Major John Plaster (US Army Retired and Author of \u201cThe Ultimate Sniper\u201d). One of the things he mentioned was that \u201cshooting is a perishable skill\u201d. We all know that getting to the range is not always easy. So what can people do in their home (safely) to help become a better shooter? Here is what he suggested:<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Coin-on-the-Barrel Technique<br \/><\/strong>Get into a solid position (make sure the rifle is unloaded) and have someone balance a coin on the barrel. If possible, just behind the muzzle. If your dry-fire technique is smooth and solid, the coin won&#8217;t fall. And if you&#8217;re really solid, it won&#8217;t move a bit. To make it more difficult, use smaller coins.<\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1344 size-full\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success. What is trigger control? Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90.jpg\" alt=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success. What is trigger control? Trigger control is your ability to move the trigger to the rear and allow the hammer\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90.jpg 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-600x74.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-150x19.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"http:\/\/egaprecision.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>William &#8220;Bart&#8221; Bartholomew <\/strong><\/a>currently instructs a 2-Day, 1,000-yard Precision Rifle Course with <a href=\"http:\/\/egaprecision.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EGA Precision<\/a> of PA as well a 3-Day, Long Range Precision School hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bergara.online\/us\/the-bergara-academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bergara Academy<\/a>.\u00a0 Bart is a retired Baltimore County SWAT Sniper Team Leader and has 46 years of long rifle experience\u201420 years as a Counter Sniper and is the recipient of the prestigious Carlos Hathcock Jr. Award.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_the_entire_Rifle_Marksmanship_Series\"><\/span><strong>Read the entire Rifle Marksmanship Series:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 1 &#8211; Scope Fundamentals<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 2 &#8211; Trigger Control Equals Success<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-follow-through\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 3 &#8211; Follow Through<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-breathing-control-techniques\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 4 &#8211; Breathing Control Techniques<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 5 &#8211; Key Elements of a Good Shooting Position<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rifle Marksmanship: Trigger Control Equals Success<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12021,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2265,2267],"tags":[2329,2330,2331,2332,2333,2334,2335,2336,2337,2338,2339,2340,2343,2797,2906,3004,3020,3058,3189],"class_list":["post-1393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rifle-scope","category-shooting-skills","tag-adjust-rifle-scope","tag-adjusting-a-rifle-scope","tag-adjusting-a-rifle-scope-left-or-right","tag-adjusting-a-scope","tag-adjusting-a-scope-on-a-rifle","tag-adjusting-rifle-scope","tag-adjusting-rifle-scope-turrets","tag-adjusting-scope-on-rifle","tag-adjusting-scope-to-point-of-impact","tag-adjusting-scope-turrets","tag-adjusting-scope-windage","tag-adjusting-turrets-on-a-scope","tag-aftermarket-scope-turrets","tag-hunting","tag-long-range-shooting","tag-rifle","tag-rifle-marksmanship","tag-rifle-scopes","tag-shooting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1393"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12526,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1393\/revisions\/12526"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}