{"id":3706,"date":"2022-09-21T20:10:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T20:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=3706&#038;fishpig=1663790012&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:27","slug":"rifle-shooting-and-academic-knowledge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/rifle-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/","title":{"rendered":"Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Did you know that combining <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/why-the-2-5-15x-rifle-scope-is-ideal-for-hunting\/\">rifle<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-with-a-muzzleloader\/\">shooting<\/a> and academic knowledge can help take your skills to the next level?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of the great aspects of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/5-long-range-shooting-tips\/\" title=\"5 Long Range Shooting Tips\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1472\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting sports is the range<\/a> of opportunity. <span style=\"color: #ff6600\">Novice <a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/r2.dotdigital-pages.com\/p\/5GBO-4VS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>shooters<\/strong><\/a><\/span> can experience the rush of their first trigger pull. Veterans have endless availability to acquire more skills and continuously deepen their knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Rifle_Shooting_and_Academic_Knowledge\" >Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Advanced_Ballistics\" >Advanced Ballistics<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Units_of_Measurement\" >Units of Measurement<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Scope_Specifics\" >Scope Specifics<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Handloading\" >Handloading<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Gunsmithing\" >Gunsmithing\u00a0<\/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-shooting-and-academic-knowledge\/#Understand_Proper_Storage\" >Understand Proper Storage<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rifle_Shooting_and_Academic_Knowledge\"><\/span><strong>Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Combining rifle shooting and academic knowledge can help take your skills to the next level. Shooters who seek proficiency will eventually see their skillset plateau. Rifle <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/long-range-shooting-etiquette\/\" title=\"Long Range Shooting Etiquette\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1359\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting fundamentals are honed through time on the range<\/a>, but to take the next step in expertise and aptitude, sometimes time behind the glass will not make as much of an impact as time in a textbook. Book knowledge paired with experience is extremely important to be able to see success in greater consistency, especially at longer <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=\"1669\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ranges and in extreme<\/a> conditions. Here are some additional areas of intelligence to take your know-how to the next level.<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advanced_Ballistics\"><\/span><b>Advanced Ballistics<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A deep understanding of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/making-the-shot\/\">ballistic<\/a> performance is rarely needed for someone who spends their time on a 100 yd range or someone who <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/understanding-turkey-behavior\/\" title=\"Understanding Turkey Behavior\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1464\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunts<\/a> in close quarters. However, when shot distance is extended, it\u2019s critical to know how your round will perform.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Factors like wind, elevation, shot angle, and humidity can all push a round off course. Likewise, distance impacts how much a round will drop. Each component will change a round\u2019s flight due to extremity and the type of round used, and a deeper familiarity is necessary to consistently hit beyond 300 yds.<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2179\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2179\" style=\"width: 371px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2179\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/2.png\" alt=\"Why You Might Consider a Ballistic Calculator\u00a0\" width=\"371\" height=\"404\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2.png 540w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2-276x300.png 276w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/2-150x163.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 371px) 100vw, 371px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2179\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Why You Might Consider a <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/impact-ballistics-mobile\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ballistic Calculator<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Units_of_Measurement\"><\/span><b>Units of Measurement<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once a deeper understanding of ballistics is established, shooters should learn <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=\"944\">how to<\/a> apply the concepts to the field. Knowing how much a bullet will move is only half of the equation. Shooters should then use that insight and adjust their <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"scope\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"221\">scope<\/a> to represent the bullet\u2019s flight path.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Certain measurements are built into <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"rifle scopes\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"116\">rifle scopes<\/a> to provide shooters consistent ways to make adjustments. <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/moa-vs-mrad-rifle-scopes\/\" title=\"MOA vs MRAD Rifle Scopes\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1873\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Minutes of Angle<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/making-the-shot\/\">MOA<\/a>) and Milliradians (mils) are the two main forms of measurement. Each form of measurement sees advantages and disadvantages over the other. Shooters should learn the concepts of both to be able to properly adjust for longer and more extreme shots.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XQTrAAuasgQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><p>Josh from <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/PursuitofAccuracy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pursuit of Accuracy<\/a><\/span><\/strong> discusses MOA and MRAD to help you decide what is better for your application<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scope_Specifics\"><\/span><b>Scope Specifics<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">More than likely, the owner\u2019s manual is the last thing picked up when someone first receives a new scope. That being said, an intimate grasp of your scope is critical. Not only is it important to be able to correct problems, but the instructions can give better insight on sighting in and making adjustments.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scopes with a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/compensating-for-shooting-angle\/\" title=\"Compensating for Shooting Angle\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1705\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bullet drop compensation<\/a> (BDC) reticle can be extremely helpful but also require separate study. These reticles allow shooters to adjust their hold for longer shots instead of adjusting their dials. While extremely helpful when quick shots are needed, a deeper understanding and some memorization may be required beforehand.<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_3707\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3707\" style=\"width: 669px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/help.tractoptics.com\/p\/5GBO-4DJ\/mounts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3707\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-1024x585.png\" alt=\"Did you know that combining rifle shooting and academic knowledge can help take your skills to the next level?\" width=\"669\" height=\"382\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-525x300.png 525w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To-150x86.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Riflescope-How-To.png 1050w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3707\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge &#8211; <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/help.tractoptics.com\/p\/5GBO-4DJ\/mounts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Mount Your Rifle Scope<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Handloading\"><\/span><b>Handloading<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Off-the-shelf ammunition has drastically improved over the years. Improvements in machining and processing have led to low failure rates of factory-produced loads. Nevertheless, nothing made in a factory will have the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/building-a-custom-rifle\/\">custom<\/a> feel or performance potential of high-quality, hand-loaded rounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every rifle is different, and every rifle has different ammunition preferences. Even a single grain of powder can make a difference in a rifle\u2019s accuracy \u2013 especially over distance. Shooters should learn the basics of handloading and fine-tune and customize each round to their rifle\u2019s liking.<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gunsmithing\"><\/span><b>Gunsmithing\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gunsmithing is perhaps the one area on this list with the steepest barriers of entry. The subject matter is extremely deep, and the equipment needed is extremely precise \u2013 not to mention expensive.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To acquire true shooting proficiency, however, a shooter should understand rifle construction backwards and forwards. And there\u2019s no better way <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/how-to-keep-your-feet-warm-in-winter\/\" title=\"How to Keep Your Feet Warm in Winter\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1179\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">to learn the differences in build quality like knowing how<\/a> to deconstruct one and put it back together. Plus, if a rifle is consistently in disrepair, a shooter will spend more time repairing their firearms instead of shooting them.<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand_Proper_Storage\"><\/span><b>Understand Proper Storage<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gun storage is important for longevity and consistency in your rifle. Temperature, humidity, and rust should all be controlled, and shooters should spend the time researching and studying the causes, preventions, and repairs for guns that are intended to last a lifetime.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Time on the range is great for developing an initial skillset. But to make the most out of rifle shooting and academic knowledge, time in the books is paramount. It&#8217;s the secret in advancing from being a good shot to a true marksman. Learn each of these topics to take your shooting to the next level.<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1547\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1547\" style=\"width: 728px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/r2.dotdigital-pages.com\/p\/5GBO-4VS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1547\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-728x90-1.png\" alt=\"Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge - Long Range Shooting Guide\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-728x90-1.png 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-728x90-1-300x37.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-728x90-1-600x74.png 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/04\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Long-Range-Shooting-Guide-728x90-1-150x19.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge &#8211; <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/r2.dotdigital-pages.com\/p\/5GBO-4VS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Long Range Shooting Guide<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rifle Shooting and Academic Knowledge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12106,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2267],"tags":[2361,2927,2938,3004,3032,3189],"class_list":["post-3706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-shooting-skills","tag-ballistics","tag-moa","tag-mrad","tag-rifle","tag-rifle-scope","tag-shooting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3706","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=3706"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11385,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3706\/revisions\/11385"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}