The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

Reaper Tips: Trigger Follow-through

Reaper Tips: Trigger Follow-through

January 23, 2015 by Nick Irving 10 Comments

Some shooters argue that follow-through on the trigger is not important when it comes to fundamentals, due to the fact that, whether the trigger is slapped, yanked, or simply flies off, the bullet has already left the barrel and is now on its way to the target. I disagree.

In order for us to understand the importance of follow-through, we need to take a look at the step-by-step process the rifle must go through before the bullet exits the muzzle.

  • The brain makes a conscious decision to pull the trigger to the rear.
  • The finger receives this command and begins to apply pressure, causing the finger’s pad to depress in the distal phalanx (the pad on the trigger finger that separates the tip from the first joint).
  • Once the trigger finger’s pad is compressed, tension begins to form, exerting the prescribed trigger pull weight (typically 3-5 lbs.)
  • Once the trigger finger’s pad is compressed and the trigger pull weight is achieved, the trigger compressed to the rear, the trigger releases the hammer.
  • The hammer then slams forward, making contact with the firing pin.
  • The firing pin moves forward and makes contact with the primer of the cartridge.
  • Once the primer is hit, it sparks, causing the gunpowder to burn, not explode.
  • Once the powder begins to burn, pressure begins to build within the cartridge itself. As the pressure builds, it will find a path of least resistance, this being the bullet projectile seated within the cartridge.
  • When enough pressure builds, the bullet will unseat itself and slam forward into the rifling of the barrel.
  • As the bullet makes contact with the barrel, it begins 168,000-230,000 RPMs while moving through a 26-inch barrel.

All of these steps occur between the moment the trigger breaks and the round begins its trek out of the rifle. So is follow-through, meaning holding the trigger back and to the rear until the perception of recoil is over, important? I think it is. After all, the bullet is likely still in the barrel when we instinctively release the trigger.

Think of it in these terms: When the trigger is pulled, and the bang of the rifle is perceived, most shooters tend to blink. Yet they are able to open their eyes while the sound is still being perceived. The human eye blink is calculated at 300-500 milliseconds. There are 1,000 milliseconds in one second. If the trigger is reset immediately following that blink, or while the blink is occurring, the bullet is likely still in the process of leaving the barrel. Any movement caused by a premature reset of the trigger could negatively impact the trajectory of the round.

Share This

Filed Under: Shooting Tips & How-To Tagged With: follow-through, Long range, Ranger, SEP30-home-row9, sniper, sniper rifle, Trigger, trigger pull

About the Author

Avatar

Nick Irving is a former U.S. Army Ranger with multiple combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During his service within the 75th Ranger Regiment, Nicholas served as an Assaulter, Heavy and Light Machine Gunner, and Designated Marksman.

See All Nick Irving Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

Ammo Review: CCI COPPER-22, the Fastest .22 LR Ever
Ammunition

Ammo Review: CCI COPPER-22, the Fastest .22 LR Ever

AR Build Kits under $300
Firearms Technology

Peak AR: Davidson Defense AR Build Kits under $300

Featured

Stories from Delta Force Selection: When not to dance

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers