{"id":3478,"date":"2022-08-27T00:59:41","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T00:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=3478&#038;fishpig=1661560510&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","slug":"what-is-good-marksmanship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Good Marksmanship?"},"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\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/#What_is_Good_Marksmanship\" >What is Good Marksmanship?<\/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\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/#Primary_Marksmanship_Instructor\" >Primary Marksmanship Instructor<\/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\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/#Cozy_Up_to_Your_Rifle\" >Cozy Up to Your Rifle<\/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\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/#Ace_Your_Optics\" >Ace Your Optics<\/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\/what-is-good-marksmanship\/#Practice_Efficiently_Marksmanship_Principles\" >Practice Efficiently. Marksmanship Principles<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Good_Marksmanship\"><\/span>What is Good Marksmanship?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>What is Good Marksmanship?. Defining what is good marksmanship can hopefully help hunters and shooters further their skills from the range to the woods.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anyone can shoot. But marksmanship is a skill in and of itself that turns the good to great. However, to realize the advantages of what it means to be a marksman will take you down a long road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1405\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1405\" style=\"width: 593px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1405\" title=\"What is Good Marksmanship?\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Logan-Trigger-Control-1024x819.jpg\" alt=\"What is Good Marksmanship?\" width=\"593\" height=\"474\" 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: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1405\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What is Good Marksmanship?<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For sportsmen and women, better <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship : Trigger Control Equals Success\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1438\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marksmanship ushers cleaner kills and extends ethical shooting<\/a> distances. For competition shooters, improved marksmanship means more medals and trophies on the mantle. For hobbyists and gun enthusiasts, perhaps it\u2019s more of the satisfying sound of lead <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Bgb30FjeexM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ringing steel<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Primary_Marksmanship_Instructor\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Primary Marksmanship Instructor<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is good marksmanship? In short, it is being great with your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/why-the-2-5-15x-rifle-scope-is-ideal-for-hunting\/\">rifle<\/a>. While accuracy is an obvious \u2013 and potentially the greatest \u2013 component of marksmanship, the definition is broader than tighter groups on paper. It also includes a familiarity with weapon and glass, powder and ball, and application of both book knowledge and instinct. While some instinct is God-given, a complementary part can be nurtured and developed overtime. Here are some ways to improve your <a title=\"TORIC Riflescope Line Up\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aventure-chasse-peche.com\/video\/toric-riflescope-line-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marksmanship skills<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cozy_Up_to_Your_Rifle\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cozy Up to Your Rifle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Comfortability and familiarity are critical ingredients of good marksmanship. It\u2019s important for shooters to feel and move in unison with their weapon. Different <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/attending-a-long-range-shooting-course\/\">rifles<\/a> with the same specs will simply feel different when mounted, shot, and cycled. The right rifle will give you the same warm and fuzzy feeling as a perfectly fitting article of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-best-layering-system-for-hunting\/\">clothing<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We must learn the various functions of the rifle so it\u2019s second nature when the money is on the line. Learn basic operations, such as <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"947\">how to<\/a> take the safety off without causing a \u201cclick.\u201d Become proficient reloading the rifle quickly and completely. Comfortability will also increase over time as you spend more time behind the gun.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ace_Your_Optics\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ace Your Optics<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While the rifle may be the star of the show, <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the scope mounted on top is the engine that makes it run<\/a>. It\u2019s obviously important to understand <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-maximize-deer-hunting-season\/\">how to<\/a> properly operate your <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"scope\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"946\">scope<\/a>. But to truly stand out, a marksman needs to be able to use it on the fly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_3480\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3480\" style=\"width: 676px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3480\" title=\"What is Good Marksmanship?\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/IMG_4323-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"What is Good Marksmanship?\" width=\"676\" height=\"451\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3480\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">What is Good Marksmanship? <span style=\"text-align: justify;font-size: 16px\">Precision machined turrets with multi rotation zero stop makes sure you do not get lost in the rotations when <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/dial-or-not-to-dial\/\">dialing<\/a> those <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/toric-34mm-4-25x50\/\" title=\"Introducing the TORIC 34MM 4-25X50 Extreme Long Range Rifle Scope\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1674\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extreme long range<\/a> shots.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good shooters are able to estimate yardage without a rangefinder. This is done by judging the height or width of an object \u2013 a deer, for example \u2013 and knowing how many hashmarks on a scope equal those variations at different distances. If you can count the hashmarks and know which distance matches the number of hashmarks, you can estimate shot distance and give yourself the opportunity to pull the trigger faster than the next guy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another important skill is learning how to make shot adjustments without a DOPE card. Some BDC reticles estimate holds that are pre-tuned based on the speeds and weights of certain standard bullets. While this may not be the best way to shoot the most accurate groups, it can certainly be more effective when a shooter doesn\u2019t have enough time to calculate and dial for a perfect shot or doesn\u2019t want to miss a narrow shot opportunity.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practice_Efficiently_Marksmanship_Principles\"><\/span><strong>Practice Efficiently. Marksmanship Principles<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good practice is tantamount for good marksmanship. Bad practice is a waste of time and money. The difference lies in the methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shooters should master different fundamentals, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-breathing-control-techniques\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">breathing control<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-trigger-control-success\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trigger pull<\/a>, at the range. Not in the woods or at a competition. One way to improve the latter is to focus on a trigger follow through by holding the trigger after the shot. Good marksmen can also identify proper rest and know how to control their breathing to lessen the effects of muzzle sway while improving steadiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1348\" style=\"width: 728px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/all-products\/toric-uhd-4-5-30x56-34mm-ffp-mrad-elr-extreme-long-range-rifle-scope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1348 size-full\" title=\"Marksmanship\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/TRACT-ELR_728x90.jpg\" alt=\"Marksmanship\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/11\/TRACT-ELR_728x90.jpg 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/11\/TRACT-ELR_728x90-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/11\/TRACT-ELR_728x90-600x74.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/11\/TRACT-ELR_728x90-150x19.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marksmanship<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once shooters and hunters master the fundamentals and are able to mindlessly deploy them, they should<a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/key-elements-of-a-good-shooting-position\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> learn how to apply the same techniques in multiple positions<\/a>. Since you likely won\u2019t find a bench in the woods, <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">practice shooting offhand, prone, sitting, kneeling, shooting over a pack, even utilizing the \u201chasty sling\u201d method,<\/a> to become even more proficient.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To truly understand the concept &#8211; what is good <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/improving-rifle-marksmanship-part-1\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Scope Fundamentals\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1401\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marksmanship &#8211; a rifle<\/a> and shooter must become one. Hopefully, over time, the combination of natural instincts and practiced skills will unify. Then, you will know what it means to be a true marksman.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Read the entire Rifle Marksmanship Series:<\/strong><\/p><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\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 6 &#8211; Supported Shooting Positions<\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/rifle-marksmanship-shot-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Part 7 &#8211; Shot Analysis<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Defining what is good marksmanship can hopefully help hunters and shooters further their skills from the range to the woods.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12107,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2265,2267],"tags":[2391,2396,2398,2401,2412,2414,2417,2418,2420,2421,2422,2423,2424,2425,2427,2432,2433,2435],"class_list":["post-3478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rifle-scope","category-shooting-skills","tag-best-ballistic-calculator","tag-best-bino-tripod-for-hunting","tag-best-binocular-company","tag-best-binoculars-canada","tag-best-books-for-outdoorsmen","tag-best-buy-binoculars","tag-best-coyote-call","tag-best-crossbow-scope","tag-best-deer-tracking-dogs","tag-best-hunting-arrows","tag-best-hunting-binoculars-canada","tag-best-hunting-rangefinder","tag-best-hunting-scope","tag-best-hunting-scopes","tag-best-hunting-sunglasses","tag-best-lens-pen","tag-best-leupold-binoculars-for-hunting","tag-best-monocular"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3478","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=3478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11387,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3478\/revisions\/11387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}