Book Review: Accuracy and Precision for Long-Range Shooting, A Practical Guide for Rifleman

by
posted on November 4, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
booklitz2.jpg

Author Bryan Litz is an aerospace engineer who worked for the US Air Force on air-to-air missile design, modeling, and simulation, who became Chief Ballistician for Berger Bullets, and who is an active and successful long-range shooter.

Litz starts with a very simple premise: in order to get better at hitting targets, we must understand what causes us to miss targets. The stated intent of this book is to explore the uncertainties and inaccuracies of real world shooting so that riflemen can make well informed decisions about how to improve their hit percentage.

The book is divided into three parts: Precision, Accuracy, and Weapon Employment Zone Analysis. Precision is about small groups. Accuracy is about centering that small group on the intended target. Weapon Employment Zone (WEZ) analysis is used to calculate hit percentage against various targets and to analyze which factors impact hit percentage.

To help the shooter improve hit percentage at long-range, Litz uses an evidence-based analysis that relies on four key factors (he also looks at a number of factors that must be considered): wind estimation, range estimation, rifle precision, and velocity consistency. Throughout Part I Precision, Litz visually demonstrates, how wind uncertainty, range uncertainty, inherent precision, and muzzle velocity effects will alter hit percentage at different ranges.

In Part II Accuracy, he looks at the basics of accurate shooting, leveling your sights, trajectory modeling, secondary trajectory effects, calibrating ballistic solutions, and live fire verification. Part III Weapon Employment Zone Analysis tackles such subjects as 300 Winchester Magnum, 300 Win Mag vs. 338 Lapua Mag, score shooting, wind sensor array, varmint hunting, medium and big game hunting, and military and tactical shooting.

Accuracy and Precision for Long Range Shooting, A Practical Guide for Rifleman is a highly technical book filled with math, charts and tables. The reader should not expect to sit down, zip through this volume, and “get it.” Not at all. This book requires careful study and reflection on what is being said.

One of the key statements in the book is this: “long range targets are missed more often due to a lack of accuracy, than for a lack of precision.” Rifles that can deliver a 10-inch group at 1000 yards, Litz says, aren’t particularly rare, but shooters who can hit a 10-inch target at 1000 yards on the first shot are. Skillful shooting at long range requires a change in thinking, the courage to face the difficulties presented by long-range high-accuracy shooting, and studious application of the principles in this book. Bottom line: highly recommended for the technically minded.

Accuracy and Precision for Long-Range Shooting, A Practical Guide for Rifleman
By Bryan Litz
296 pages, copyright 2012, Hardcover

Latest

Mullers ARC July2025 1
Mullers ARC July2025 1

NRA Announces Dianna & Ryan Muller As Brand Ambassadors For America’s Rifle Challenge

NRA announces Dianna & Ryan Muller as brand ambassadors for America’s Rifle Challenge program, promoting AR-15 marksmanship, safety and training.

Eley’s New Trial Packs Let Competition Shooters Find Their Perfect Rimfire Match Ammo

Eley launches trial ammo packs to help shooters test and match precision .22 LR rounds to their firearms.

Ava Downs Captures Junior Olympic Trap Title On Home Turf

Hillsdale’s Ava Downs takes gold in women’s trap at the 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships hosted at the Halter Center.

Brandon Powell Claims 8th Georgia State Sporting Clays Title

Brandon Powell wins his eighth Georgia State Sporting Clays Championship, continuing his dominance with multiple top finishes at the 2025 tournament.

Vincent Hancock Claims 30th ISSF Medal As Team USA Dominates 2025 Lonato World Cup

Team USA shines at 2025 ISSF Lonato World Cup with golds from Vincent Hancock and Sam Simonton, plus silver for Dania Vizzi.

Jon Shue Clinches Third Straight NRA National Precision Pistol Championship Title

Shue continues his dominant streak in bullseye pistol shooting after 2025 NRA National Precision Pistol Championship victory.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.