This month’s skill builder combines the numerous shooting skills and fundamentals of marksmanship that we have built for a solid foundation over the last year. If you are new to the Safariland CADRE Dispatch, go back and review those articles.
At War HOGG Tactical, we use a building block methodology of teaching. Our special operations combat experience helps you become a more efficient and effective shooter while building a solid foundation of the fundamentals of marksmanship.
This drill was built during our On The Range Podcast “CREW” members’ range day. I wanted to run the “CREW” members through a plate rack drill and used my static 8-inch steel plates to build an improvised plate rack. That is where the idea comes from for multiple hits on the targets, thus the birth of the War HOGG 1 to 5 drill.
The nice thing with fixed targets is that I can do a drill like this. Typically, with a plate rack, once you hit the target, it falls, unless you can lock the plates from falling. The other pro is that most plate racks are expensive and bulky. My improvised system fits in the back of the truck and can go anywhere.
When you are out training, opportunities will present themselves; make sure you capitalize on them. This is how we developed our Fitness and Firearms program. I was working out in my gym and saw my gun belt, and timer, and that’s where the idea came from.
Equipment Needed
- Your normal range and firearms equipment
- Live Fire Range
- Dry Fire Training Area
- Shot Timer, we recommend the PACT Club Timer III. Click the link to learn how to use a timer effectively in your marksmanship training.
- The Firearms Training Notebook – available on Amazon
- Recording device and tripod or holder
- 6 Targets, 8-inch steel plates if you have them.
How The Skill Builder Works
At the beginning of the month, shoot the monthly skill builder exercise. Remember the War HOGG standard, shoot it cold, this will show your shooting on demand performance level. After shooting the skill builder, record your shooting performance data in your copy of The Firearms Training Notebook. Develop your dry fire training plan from that data and work your plan throughout the month.
Around the end of the month, reshoot the skill builder and see your improvement.
The War HOGG 1 to 5 Drill Set Up
You will use six targets total if available. I like to use 8-inch steel plates to hold myself and my marksmanship more accountable. I take five target stands and place them right next to each other for my 1 to 5 shots on 4-foot posts.
A sixth target, the stop plate, is placed away from the group for a larger target index distance. The purpose of the stop plate is to force a deliberate final target index and a clean finishing shot when your brain wants to sprint to the end.
There is no single “correct” spacing. Pick a standard that matches your range, then keep it consistent for the month so your data means something. I place mine on a 3-foot post and about 6 feet away.
How to Run the War HOGG 1-to-5 Drill
Remember to run the drill cold and see where your shooting performance on-demand skills are at. On the shot timer beep:
- Draw the pistol from the holster or the ready position.
- Fire one hit on Target 1.
- Fire two hits on Target 2.
- Fire three hits on Target 3.
- Fire four hits on Target 4.
- Fire five hits on Target 5.
- Finish with one hit on the stop plate.
That’s 16 rounds total if you shoot it clean. Shoot the drill three times and get the average of those three runs.
Also, look at all the data. Were the splits consistent? Were the index times around the same? How many misses? This is all important data to see where to make your improvement in your marksmanship.
The Dry Fire Element
After reviewing your shooting performance data, you will see any problem areas. Maybe your draw time was slow, and you have to work on that skill before you even move on to the dry fire 1 to 5 drill.
Most shooters only press the trigger once during dry fire. For the War HOGG 1 to 5 drill, you must press that trigger 16 different times. With each trigger press, the red dot movement will tell you something about your possible grip pressure change. Aim for as little dot movement as possible when pressing the trigger.
Remember, with target indexing drills, our eyes move first, then our sights. If you keep your eyes in the sights, nine times out of 10 you will go past your intended target.
Don’t be afraid to try different techniques and see if you get a change in performance. A common one I often see is just a trigger finger placement adjustment for better results.
The Skills
Building from January’s skill builder, the War HOGG 5 shot drill, the primary skills developed with the War HOGG 1 to 5 drill are recoil management, target indexing, and calling your shot.
Shooters learn to observe the red dot’s movement during recoil, watching it lift out of the optic window as a “red blur” and snap back as it moves back to the target area. This visual tracking allows for immediate follow-up shots without waiting for perfect alignment, building intuitive control over muzzle flip through a firm and equal pressure grip.
Consistent dry fire practice minimizes erratic dot paths, revealing and correcting issues like uneven grip pressure.
Check On Your Work
Near the end of the month, head back out to the range and reshoot the War HOGG 1 – 5 drill and see where your shooting performance level is at. If you have conducted your dry fire training using The Firearms Training Notebook to build your training plan, you should see improvement in your shooting performance.
Build Your Shooting “CREW”
Having other like-minded shooters around will help you push to make yourself better. If you have friends, family, or co-workers who share your shooting passion, start building that shooting tribe. This way, not only do you have your own accountability, but you also have others to help you improve on your marksmanship journey. They can record you shooting, possibly give you feedback on things they see, and it’s always good to have some fun competition to help you grow.
At War HOGG Tactical, our motto is “Be 1% Better Everyday!” You can always join us in sharing your marksmanship growth.
Go to our On The Range (OTR) Patreon “CREW” members’ page and join like-minded shooters looking to get more proficient in their marksmanship skills. My co-author, Mark Kelley (Kelley Defense), and I conduct bi-monthly interactive Zoom calls where we break down each shooter’s skill builder. We have even reviewed video of “CREW’ members shooting during our Zoom call and given immediate feedback on where we see they can improve their shooting skills.
Conclusion: Put In The Work
To see improvement in your marksmanship skills, you must put in the work. This means having a solid dry fire training plan throughout the month and a way to record your progress, like with The Firearms Training Notebook. Using additional tools, like a shot timer and a phone to video your training sessions, you can take your dry fire training to the next level and see increased performance during your live training.
Train Hard, Stay Safe, and see you “On The Range” – Rick
