A common mistake when pulling the trigger is the so-called "flinching", an unconscious jerking of the gun when firing, usually caused by recoil anticipation. This impulse to move is often difficult for the shooter to recognise, as it takes place in a fraction of a second. It is also difficult for outsiders to observe. Another effect when firing a rifle is the lack of follow-through. This is when the shooter does not remain in the firing position after releasing the shot and, for example, moves his/her head or shoulder very early, thereby losing body tension before the bullet has left the barrel. In order to achieve accurate shots, it is therefore crucial to consciously maintain the position after the shot going off. For the hunter, this is also important in order to be able to make out any sign of the game or its direction of flight.
How to use the Ball and Dummy Drill to improve your shooting results
The Ball and Dummy Drill is a tried and tested method for diagnosing errors when shooting. This involves loading a magazine with live cartridges and at least one dummy cartridge, with the shooter unaware of the order in which the cartridges were loaded. If a "click" occurs instead of a shot, it becomes clearly visible whether the shooter jerked the trigger. This allows movements and unconscious errors to be clearly identified. The shooter receives immediate feedback and can correct the causes in a targeted manner (pun intended). Our training experiment clearly showed that, thanks to the dummy cartridge, unconscious movements were not only visible to the observer, but also recognisable to the shooter himself, even during the first round. This realisation is the most important learning step in order to be able to correct the error. The training was then continued, with improvements being recognised through repeated drills. Consciously maintaining a secure posture behind the weapon was particularly helpful. A stable position, for example in a prone position using a rest or on a shooting bench, reduces unwanted movements and makes it easier to control the trigger. It was also emphasised that dry fire practice is a crucial part of transferring the correct technique into muscle memory.
The rifle setup for this report: Savage Impulse Klym in 7mm PRC with Leupold VX-6HD Gen2 3-18x56 CDS riflescope
The Impulse KLYM is Savage's lightweight version of the Impulse straight-pull rifle platform. Savage uses an FBT carbon fiber stock and a Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel – designed for low weight and high rigidity. The Klym model is available in the following calibers: 6 .5 Creedmoor 6.5mm PRC, 7mm PRC, .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum and .300 Winchester Short Magnum.
A scope from Leupold from the new VX-6HD Gen2 CDS series was used.With the new SpeedSet-Dial Technology, this riflescope has turrets dials (elevation and windage) that can be zeroed without tools and are also interchangeable without tools. The riflescope has improved elevation and windage adjustment with greater tactility and excellent repeatability. Leupold also includes two additional dials that can be customised with individual laser etching. The zoom ring of the VX-6HD Gen2 uses the quick adjustment throw lever familiar from the Mark-5 and both the objective and eyepiece lenses are protected from damage by hinged aluminum protective covers.
Short and sweet: everything you need to know about Hornady Outfitter 7mm PRC ammo
Outfitter ammunition from Hornady combines hunting ruggedness with reliable performance: the 160-grain CX bullet is monolithic and lead-free, specially developed for rough use in mountain hunting and where the hunter needs to be able to "stay out" for longer. The nickel-plated, watertight sealed cases offer increased corrosion protection and make the cartridge particularly suitable for storage and field use – ideal in adverse weather conditions. Ballistically, the Hornady Outfitter with 160-gr CX bullet from the 24" barrel delivers a V0 of 914 m/s (4,335 J). The bullet has a high ballistic coefficient (G1-BC value: 0.596 approx.), which results in a flat trajectory and good energy retention at longer ranges. Thanks to the monolithic design, the bullet is easy on the barrel and has a reliable effect with a clear exit wound.
Findings from the Ball and Dummy Drill
The central realisation of the training is:
- Practise follow-through – After the shot, the position should be held stable for one to two seconds.
- Visualise errors – The Ball and Dummy Drill can be used to reliably detect trigger errors.
- Optimise posture – A stable position and conscious leaning of the body prevent unnecessary movements.
- Regular dry fire training – Only through repetition can the movement sequences be permanently memorised.
Conclusion: if you follow through, you hit – The shot doesn't end with the trigger pull
Our experiment impressively demonstrated that even small corrections to the shooting position and trigger behaviour can lead to a noticeable improvement in shooting performance. The Ball and Dummy Drill is a valuable tool for recognising mistakes in the shooting process and eliminating them in the long term. This training method is a practical and effective way of improving your shooting skills "sustainably", especially for hunters and sport shooters who need to hit the target reliably even in tense situations, whether in competition or on the hunting ground.
Find out more about the Savage Impulse Klym here and more about Hornady Outfitter ammunition here.
For more information on the riflescope described please visit the Leupold VX-6HD Gen2 product website.
