Top 10 Drills to Sharpen Your Rifle & Handgun Accuracy

Master These to Level Up Your Range Game

Accuracy isn’t just a matter of pulling the trigger, but a skill that’s built through repetition, good fundamentals, and smart training. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, a new handgun owner, or a competitive marksman, these 10 proven drills will help you tighten your groups, improve your confidence, and make every shot count.

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Handgun Accuracy Drills

1. Ball and Dummy Drill

Fix flinching and anticipate less.

Load a mix of live rounds and inert dummy rounds into your magazine. When the dummy round comes up, you’ll catch yourself flinching or jerking the trigger—then you can fix it. This is one of the best drills for trigger control. The recommended gear for this drill is snap caps, extra magazines, and a range timer.

2. Dot Torture Test

Ultimate test of fundamentals in a single sheet.

Use a printable dot torture target (just search online). You’ll perform a mix of draws, trigger presses, reloads, and transitions by following the directions specified on the target. Start your distance at 3 yards and work back. As an added challenge, score a perfect 50/50 before moving back.

3. 1-Reload-1 Drill

Build consistency and increase reload speed.

From the holster, fire one round, reload, and fire another. This will track real-world draw, reload, and trigger reset under time pressure. A shot timer or shot timer app can be used to track speed.

Click here to view Kestrel Shot Timer

4. Failure to Stop Drill (Mozambique Drill)

Fast transitions under stress.

Fire two center-mass shots, then one headshot. This classic drill teaches fast sight picture recovery and transitioning from body to a smaller target area. Use a silhouette target for added realism.

Click here to view Birchwood Casey Silhouette Targets

5. The Bill Drill

Six shots, one target, maximum speed + control.

From the holster, draw and fire six rounds as fast as possible into an 8” circle at 7 yards. This drill teaches recoil management and sight tracking under pressure.

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Rifle Accuracy Drills

6. Box Drill (Four Corners)

Improve windage and elevation consistency.

Fire one shot in each corner of your target in a box pattern. This helps diagnose scope tracking, improves shooter consistency, and identify zeroing issues. Try it at 100 yards for bolt guns and 50 yards for ARs.

Click here to view Burris Sight-In Targets for Box Drills

7. Cadence Drill

Teaches rhythm and recoil control.

Fire one round every 2 seconds, then one every second, then as fast as you can while staying on target. Great for AR shooters working on transitions or follow-up shots.

8. Transition Drill (Near to Far)

Simulate hunting or tactical targets at mixed ranges.

Set up two targets: one close (25–50 yards) and one far (100+ yards). Transition between them while keeping accuracy and proper holdovers. For added challenge, use a shot timer or buddy call-out.

9. Five-Round Group Challenge

Pure accuracy, nothing fancy.

From prone or bench, shoot 5 rounds at the same point of aim. Tight groups = good fundamentals. Spread = time to adjust technique or check your rifle. Use this drill to verify scope zero after cleaning or travel.

10. KYL Rack / Know Your Limits Drill

Hits the mental side of accuracy.

Use a steel KYL rack or simulate with paper targets of decreasing size. You shoot from largest to smallest, but if you miss once, your turn ends. This adds pressure and tests decision-making. It can be used with .22 LR or centerfire rifles.

Click here to view Caldwell KYL Rimfire Ring Challenge Target

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Final Tips for Success

• Keep a range logbook to track your progress.

• Use a shot timer to push yourself under time pressure.

• Mix in dry fire versions of these drills at home.

• Don’t forget to check your stance, grip, breathing, and follow-through. The fundamentals matter most.

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Practice doesn’t make perfect, but perfect practice does. These drills offer a structured way to make every range session more productive, whether you’re sighting in for deer season, prepping for your first competition, or just sharpening your skills.

Need snap caps, fresh targets, or ammo? Stop by Buffalo Gap Outfitters and we’ll help you gear up, train smart, and shoot better.