How to Improve Shooting Accuracy — 7 Practical Tips for Every Shooter

TIP #1: The right stance is the foundation (70% of success)

Let’s start with the most important thing: the correct stance determines about 70% of your accuracy. The best scope or most expensive pellets won’t help if you stand incorrectly. The good news? You can learn the stance in 10–15 minutes.

Why is stance so important?

Imagine your body is a tripod. If you stand poorly (weight on heels, unstable position), the whole gun sways. A movement of just 2–3 mm at the trigger means a shift of 10–15 cm at 25 meters. That’s why we start here.

Correct stance for long guns (air rifles, T4E rifles)

Basic standing stance:

• Feet shoulder-width apart — not more, not less
• Weight evenly distributed — NOT on heels or toes
• Center of gravity through your core — as if you were about to bump someone in rugby
• Slight forward lean — about 5–10 degrees
• Shoulders relaxed — no rigid tension

Stability test: Ask a friend to gently nudge your shoulder. If you move or lose balance → wrong stance. If you remain solid → right!

Correct stance for pistols & revolvers

Air pistols need a slightly different approach:

Isosceles stance (recommended for beginners):

• Face the target squarely
• Both feet equally spaced from the body
• Both arms extended forward
• Shoulders level

Weaver stance (advanced):

• Support-side foot slightly forward
• Body rotated ~45°
• Strong hand extended, support hand slightly bent
• Better recoil absorption

Weight with pistols: Unlike long guns, put your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet — it helps control recoil (even if airguns have minimal recoil).

Practical stance drill

At-home practice (5 minutes daily, Week 1):

1. Stand before a mirror with an unloaded airgun
2. Adopt the correct stance per the steps above
3. Have a partner nudge your shoulder — check stability
4. Hold the position for 30 seconds without moving
5. Repeat 10× daily

Progression:

• Days 1–3: Stance without a gun
• Days 4–7: With an unloaded gun
• Day 8+: With a loaded gun, but don’t shoot yet

Universal principles for all firearms

Whatever you shoot, three fundamentals always apply:

1. Stable center of gravity — imagine a line from head through core to the ground
2. Repeatable consistency — same stance every time = same results
3. Relaxation — tension = shake = worse accuracy

TIP #2: Breathing technique can boost accuracy by 30%

Breathing is the most underrated factor in precision shooting. Chest movement while breathing moves the gun 3–5 mm — at 25 meters that becomes 8–12 cm. Biathletes know correct breathing is as crucial as aiming.

Why does breathing matter?

As you breathe, your chest rises and falls. A shouldered gun moves with it. Shot during inhalation = chest up, muzzle dips. Shot after a full exhale = possible tension from lack of oxygen. The sweet spot is the natural pause after exhaling.

Correct breathing step by step

Phase 1: Preparation (2–3 seconds)

• Take 2–3 deep breaths to calm down
• Exhale slowly, release tension

Phase 2: Focus (3–4 seconds)

• Inhale normally (not overly deep)
• Acquire the target
• Exhale slowly to ~70–80%

Phase 3: Natural pause (1–2 seconds)

• After exhaling, a natural pause occurs — the body waits for the next inhale
• This is when the body is most stable
• Now press the trigger smoothly

Phase 4: Shot & exhale

• After the shot, complete the exhale
• Total process: 5–7 seconds

Common breathing mistakes

❌ Holding breath over 8 seconds → lack of oxygen causes hand tremors
❌ Shooting while inhaling → chest up, shot lands low
❌ Breathing too fast → nerves, instability
❌ Forced, tense breath-hold → worse than a natural pause

Breathing drill without a gun

Week 1 (Days 1–7): Practice WITHOUT a gun

Learn the technique away from shooting:

1. Sit comfortably
2. Place a hand on your chest
3. Rehearse the cycle: inhale → exhale to 80% → natural pause → inhale
4. Repeat 5 minutes daily

Week 2: Apply with a gun

Now with an unloaded gun:

1. Adopt stance
2. Aim at an imaginary target
3. Apply the breathing technique
4. During the natural pause, “press” the trigger (still unloaded)

Week 3+: Live fire

Now apply it on every shot.

Breathing by context

Target shooting (sport): Full technique — you have time
Recreational: Short version — one natural pause is enough
T4E self-defense training: Faster — inhale, 50% exhale, shot (2–3 seconds total)

TIP #3: Quality ammo = Half the battle

Here’s where it gets interesting. The difference between cheap and premium pellets can improve accuracy by 40–50%. It’s not the price — it’s manufacturing consistency. Let’s break it down by platform.

For air rifles: Pellets are fundamental

Why pellet quality matters:

A difference of just 0.05 grams in pellet weight can shift impact by 5 cm at 30 meters. Cheap pellets often have:

• Burrs on the skirt → off-axis spin → unpredictable flight
• Uneven surface → inconsistent drag
• Weight variance ±0.15 g → every pellet flies differently

Premium pellets (JSB):

• Clean skirt edges → perfect rotation
• Weight variance ±0.02 g → consistency
• Smooth surface → stable flight

Comparison: Cheap vs Premium pellets

Parameter	Cheap (Gamo)	Premium (JSB Exact)
Price	± €6.00 / 500 pcs	± €16.00 / 500 pcs
Group size at 25 m	8–12 cm	2–4 cm
Manufacturing quality	Burrs, uneven	Precise, smooth
Weight consistency	±0.15 g	±0.02 g
Best for	Plinking up to 15 m	Targets, pest control, sport

Price difference: €10.00
Accuracy difference: 40–50% improvement

Top pellets by purpose

For target shooting (10–50 m):

• ✅ JSB Exact 4.52 mm — bestseller, versatile
• ✅ JSB Match Diabolo — Olympic grade

For pest control (where legal):

• ✅ JSB Hades 5.5 mm — expanding head
• ✅ JSB Exact Jumbo Heavy — higher energy

For fun/plinking:

• ✅ Gamo Pro Magnum — good value
• ✅ Umarex Cobra — basic, affordable

Air pistols & revolvers

Good news: They use the same pellets as long air rifles!

• JSB Exact 4.52 mm work great in pistols too
• Shorter barrels = less long-range precision, but up to 15 m you’ll barely notice

For T4E markers: Rubber Ball projectiles

T4E markers don’t use pellets but rubber balls in different calibers.

Projectile types:

• .43 cal Rubber Ball — standard for most T4E
• .50 cal Rubber Ball — for HDR 50, HDP 50
• .68 cal — paintball calibers

Quality matters here too:

Parameter	Cheap No-name	Umarex Original
Price	± €6.00 / 100 pcs	± €11.00 / 100 pcs
Group size at 10 m	12–15 cm	6–8 cm
Shape	Irregular	Consistent
Hardness	Variable	Uniform

How to spot a quality pellet?

4 quick checks:

1. Skirt inspection — no burrs, clean edges
2. Weigh a sample — weigh 10 random pellets. Max difference should be 0.05 g
3. Smooth surface — should feel silky to the touch
4. Clean hands — your hands shouldn’t get dirty or greasy

Czech pellets = world-class:
Did you know JSB Match Diabolo (Bohumín) are considered among the most accurate pellets in the world? Olympians use them — Czech QC is legendary.

Browse JSB pellets in our shop | T4E Rubber Ball projectiles

TIP #4: Scopes & red dots — up to 2× better accuracy

Quality optics can double your accuracy — literally. Iron sights are great up to 10–15 meters. Beyond that, you need optics. Caution — a cheap scope on a powerful springer may last barely 100 shots!

For long air rifles: Scopes

Why a scope helps:

• Magnifies the target 4–24× (model dependent)
• Eliminates sight alignment error
• Better target visibility
• Reticle is always on the same plane as the target

WATCH THE RECOIL!

⚠️ Springers have a specific “double recoil” — first back, then forward. That destroys cheap scopes designed for firearms.

Solution: The scope must be airgun-rated — built for springer recoil.

Recommended scopes by platform:

Springers (up to 16 J):

• ✅ Valiant Lynx 3–9×40 — Czech brand
• ✅ Umarex 4×32 — entry level, basics covered

PCP air rifles:

• Almost no recoil = you can use most rifle scopes
• ✅ Valiant Themys II 10×32 — great value
• ✅ Arken SH-4J 6–24×50 — premium tier

Mounts — the underrated piece

You won’t attach a scope without a mount.

Why mount quality matters:

• Cheap aluminum mount = soft → loosens → 5–10 cm POI shift
• Quality steel mount = rigid → consistent hits

How to choose the right mount:

1. Rail type: 11 mm dovetail (EU airguns) or 22 mm Weaver (tactical)
2. Tubing: 25.4 mm (1″) or 30 mm
3. Height: As low as possible (objective clearance)

Price ranges:

• Alu mount: €8–€20 (OK for PCP, weak for springers)
• Steel mount: €16–€48 (a must for powerful springers)

For pistols: Red dots (optional)

When does a red dot on a pistol make sense?

• Competition/target shooting
• Older shooters (vision aid)
• Longer air pistols

When it’s NOT needed:

• Recreational shooting up to 15 m
• Quality iron sights are usually enough

Recommendations:

• Micro red dot — mount on a Weaver rail
• Red dot sight — fast target acquisition for dynamic drills

For T4E markers: Depends on use

Self-defense practice:

• Iron sights usually suffice
• Red dot can help (faster acquisition)

Sport/target:

• Red dot recommended
• Quick target pickup

Browse Valiant scopes | Scope mounts

TIP #5: Aiming & trigger control

Now for the final phase. You’ve got a perfect stance, proper breathing, quality ammo and optics. The last step: press the trigger smoothly without jerking the gun. Sounds simple — yet 90% of beginners make big mistakes here.

Correct aiming

With iron sights:

• Focus on the FRONT SIGHT, not the target
• The target may be slightly blurry — that’s fine
• Front sight, rear sight, and target must align

With scopes/red dots:

• Focus on the reticle or dot
• The target and reticle are sharp together
• Maintain the same eye relief

Smooth trigger technique

Use the pad of your finger:

• NOT the fingertip (poor control)
• NOT the first joint (too deep)
• Use the fleshy middle “pad”

Press straight back:

• Finger pressure must be straight to the rear
• Any lateral force shifts the shot

Most important: SLOW & SMOOTH

• Think of the trigger as a “surprise”
• You should be slightly surprised when it breaks
• Shot anticipation = #1 culprit

What is “shot anticipation”?

Problem: You expect the bang → subconsciously dip the muzzle right as the trigger breaks

Why: Brain anticipates recoil and tries to “help” → a jerk

Fix: Press the trigger SO SLOWLY the break surprises you

“Dry fire” drill

Used by professionals worldwide:

You need: Unloaded airgun + a coin

Steps:

1. Place a coin on the muzzle end
2. Adopt the correct stance
3. Aim at an imaginary target
4. Press the trigger smoothly
5. The coin should NOT fall

If it falls = you’re jerking. Repeat until it stays.

Frequency: 20× daily for a week before live fire

Specifics for pistols

• Shorter sight radius = tougher alignment
• Hand stability matters even more than with long guns
• Common issue: anticipation + flinching

TIP #6: Proper grip by platform

Grip dictates stability and accuracy. White-knuckling = shake. Too loose = movement. Find the golden mean.

Grip for long guns (air rifles, T4E rifles)

Strong hand (on the trigger):

• Firm but RELAXED grip
• 60–70% strength (not 100%)
• Thumb over/along the stock (never under)
• Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Support hand (forend):

• Bears most of the gun’s weight
• Hand under the forend (not on the side)
• Elbow under the rifle (not flared at 90°)
• Draw the gun slightly back into the shoulder

Shouldering:

• Buttstock firmly in the shoulder pocket, not on the collarbone
• Cheek welded to the stock consistently
• Same mount on EVERY shot

Grip for pistols & revolvers

Strong hand:

• As high on the backstrap as possible (close to bore axis)
• Firm grip — here 80–90% strength is fine
• Thumb pointing forward along the frame

Support hand:

• Wraps around the strong hand from below
• Thumb parallel under the strong-hand thumb
• Pushes forward (while the strong hand pulls back)

“Push-pull” technique:

• Strong hand pulls back: ~5 kg
• Support hand pushes forward: ~5 kg
• Result: stable, shake-resistant position

Common grip mistakes

❌ “Death grip” — clenched fists = tremors
❌ Limp wrist — weak wrist on pistols = poor recoil control
❌ Thumb over the slide — risk of injury from slide movement
❌ Finger on trigger between shots — safety risk

Grip self-check

For long guns:

1. Close your eyes
2. Have a partner gently push the gun
3. The gun shouldn’t move more than 1–2 cm

For pistols:

1. Raise the gun to eye level
2. Close your eyes
3. Lower into your aiming position
4. Open eyes — sights should already be aligned

If you must correct alignment → grip/stance aren’t natural (“natural point of aim”).

TIP #7: Training & zeroing — Consistency is king

You’ve got technique and gear, but without proper training you won’t turn it into consistent accuracy. Good news: You don’t need 4 hours a day. 15–20 minutes, 3× weekly can boost accuracy by ~40% in a month.

Zeroing — first step before training

What is zeroing?
Adjusting optics or sights so the point of impact matches the point of aim at a given distance.

When to re-zero:

• After mounting a new scope
• After drops or impacts
• When changing ammo type
• After long breaks (3+ months)

Step-by-step zero:

1. Stable rest (must!)

• Use a shooting rest or sandbags
• The gun MUST be supported
• Eliminate human error

2. Base distance: 10 meters

• Fire 3 shots at a target
• Always aim at the SAME point
• Evaluate the group location

3. Adjustments:

• Hits left → dial right
• Hits low → dial up
• After each correction, fire another 3-shot group

4. Progression:

• Zero at 10 m → move to 25 m
• Zero at 25 m → move to final distance (50 m)

Training plan for long guns (4 weeks)

Week 1: Stance & breathing basics
3× weekly, 15 minutes

• 5 min: Stance drills (no gun)
• 5 min: Dry fire (coin drill)
• 5 min: Breathing with unloaded gun
• 0 live shots (yet!)

Week 2: First live fire
3× weekly, 20 minutes

• 10 shots at 10 m — focus on technique, NOT speed
• 30-second pause after every 2 shots
• Debrief each string: What worked? What to improve?
• Total: 30 shots/week

Week 3: Move to 25 m
3× weekly, 25 minutes

• 15 shots at 25 m
• Sets of 5, 2-minute breaks between sets
• Track group size: Week-1 goal = 10 cm, Week-3 goal = 5 cm
• Total: 45 shots/week

Week 4: Real-world simulation
3× weekly, 30 minutes

• 10 shots at 10 m target
• 10 shots at 25 m target
• 5 shots at 35–50 m (if possible)
• Mixed positions: standing, kneeling, seated
• Total: 75 shots/week

Training plan for pistols (4 weeks)

Week 1: Dry fire + grip
30 minutes daily

• Practice two-handed grip in front of a mirror
• “Push-pull” technique — strong pulls, support pushes
• Dry-fire with a coin on the slide
• 0 live shots

Week 2: 7 m
3× weekly

• 30 shots total
• Focus on grip & stability
• Pause and assess after every 5 shots

Week 3: 10 m
3× weekly

• 50 shots total
• Sets of 10
• Average group goal: under 8 cm at 10 m

Week 4: 15 m + speed drills
3× weekly

• 40 accuracy shots
• 20 speed shots (2 seconds/shot)
• Blend accuracy with speed

T4E (self-defense) training

T4E training differs — emphasis on speed + accuracy in realistic scenarios.

Training focus:

• Cover shooting — around corners, from behind walls, kneeling
• Moving targets — simulate an attacker
• Stress drills — time limits, noise, distractions
• Short distances — 3–10 m (realistic scenarios)

Weekly plan:

• 2× weekly: Fast fire on static target (50 projectiles)
• 1× weekly: Dynamic shooting on the move (30 projectiles)
• 1× weekly: Self-defense simulations with a partner

Tracking progress: “Improvement log”

Record after each session:

1. Date & conditions: Temperature, wind, lighting
2. Ammo type: Brand, caliber, weight
3. Distance: 10 m, 25 m, 50 m?
4. Shots fired: Total rounds
5. Best string: Group size of best 5 shots (cm)
6. Average group: Average across strings
7. Notes: What worked/what didn’t

Example log:

08.10.2025 | 18°C, no wind, indoor lighting Ammo: JSB Exact 4.52 mm Distance: 25 m Shots: 15 (3 strings of 5) Best string: 4.2 cm group Average: 6.8 cm Notes: Rushed the 3rd string → worse result. Perfect breathing on the 1st string. 

After a month: Compare your first and last entries. Improvement? Great! If not, revisit tips 1–6.

Gun maintenance for consistent accuracy

Dirty bore = 20–30% loss of accuracy.

Cleaning long air rifles:

• Frequency: Every 300–500 shots (springers), 800–1000 (PCP)
• Gear: Cleaning rod, cotton mops, gun oil
• Method: Oil the mop, pass from chamber to muzzle (NEVER the other way!)

Cleaning pistols:

• Frequency: Every 200–300 shots
• Shorter barrels = faster fouling

Lubrication of moving parts:

• 1–2 drops on piston/slide every ~500 shots
• NOT in the bore! (except on brand-new guns for break-in)

Targets for practice | Cleaning kits

Summary — 7 steps that work for everyone

We covered 7 specific steps to improve accuracy by 30–50% within weeks. Recap:

Universal tips (for all platforms):

✅ TIP #1: Proper stance & stability — 70% of success depends on how you stand
✅ TIP #2: Breathing — shoot in the natural post-exhale pause
✅ TIP #5: Aiming & smooth trigger — eliminate anticipation
✅ TIP #7: Regular practice & consistency — 15–20 minutes, 3× weekly

Platform-specific:

TIP #3 — Ammunition:

• Air rifles: JSB Exact pellets (€16.00 / 500 pcs) → BUY
• T4E: Umarex Rubber Ball original (€10.80–€11.99 / 100 pcs) → BUY

TIP #4 — Optics:

• Long air rifles: Valiant scopes (from €79.90) → BROWSE
• Pistols: Red dots optional (from €17.99) → BROWSE
• T4E: Choose by use — self-defense vs sport

TIP #6 — Grip:

• Long guns: Butt firmly in shoulder, two-hand support
• Pistols: “Push-pull,” thumbs forward and parallel

Key takeaway

“The best scope and most expensive pellets won’t help if you neglect the basics — stance, breathing, and consistent practice underpin EVERY platform.”

What now? 7-day action plan

Days 1–2: Fundamentals (no gun)

• Practice stance 10× daily in front of a mirror
• Breathing drill 5 minutes daily
• Re-read this article and take notes

Days 3–4: With an unloaded gun

• Apply stance + breathing + grip WITH the gun
• Dry-fire coin drill
• Evaluate what’s hardest (stance? breathing? grip?)

Days 5–7: First live shots

• Zero at 10 meters
• 10 slow, controlled shots
• Pause after each shot — self-evaluate technique
• Log results in your “improvement journal”

🎯 READY TO LEVEL UP?

For air rifles:
→ JSB testing kit (€12.91)
→ Valiant scopes (from €79.90)

For pistols & revolvers:
→ JSB pellets 4.52 mm (€16.00 / 500 pcs)
→ Red dots (from €17.99)

For T4E:
→ Umarex Rubber Ball (€10.80–€11.99 / 100 pcs)
→ T4E accessories

Final tip: Patience wins

Precision shooting is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t expect to be pro in a week. But if you apply these 7 tips consistently — 15–20 minutes, 3–4× weekly — in a month you’ll be the shooter others at the range admire.

Remember:

• 🎯 Technique > Talent — 90% of accuracy is learnable
• 🎯 Quality > Quantity — 20 slow shots with perfect form beat 200 fast ones
• 🎯 Consistency > Intensity — 15 min 4× weekly > 3 hrs monthly

Every pro once started where you are. The difference? They didn’t quit. They drilled the basics, trained regularly, and improved step by step. Now it’s your turn.