Last updated on March 5th, 2024
Long range shooting can be a daunting subject with so many elements to making shots count. However, there are great resources available to help you whether you are just beginning or if you are a seasoned long-range shooter. Here we are going to look at the best long range shooting books on the market.
You really can’t own too many books, especially on subjects that can take a lot of time to understand and master. Many of these authors bring a wealth of experience, being ex-military sniper instructors and professional competition shooters. Let’s take a look at the top books available to help get you ringing steel at long range!
1. Ryan Cleckner’s Long Range Shooting Handbook
A must have in the best long range shooting books line up! Especially if you are getting into long range shooting! This was the first long range shooting book I read when starting my journey. This book is the complete beginner’s guide to long range shooting written in simple language that makes it easy to understand. Ryan Cleckner is a former special operations sniper and sniper instructor who includes personal tips and best advice. Even if you are an experienced rifle shooter, this book will be a resource covering the principles and theory of long-range shooting.
The book helps you understand fundamental concepts such as MOA vs Mils and external ballistics, that can be like a trusted resource at the range. Another great thing is that 25% of this book’s proceeds will be donated to two military charities: the Special Operation Warrior Foundation and the Sua Sponte Foundation. If you are starting your long range journey or even looking to improve, get this book.
Pros
- Very well written
- Covers the fundamentals
- Value for money
Cons
- Not long enough!
2. Precision Rifle Marksmanship: The Fundamentals: A Marine Sniper’s Guide to Long Range Shooting
The author is a former Marine sniper and current shooting instructor Frank Galli. Frank also runs the popular long-range shooting website, ‘snipershide.com’. The book focuses on the fundamentals of marksmanship whilst remaining easy to read. There is a lot more focus on the authors military service compared to Cleckner’s book, but it is complimented with great gear recommendations.
This book is included in the best long range shooting books line up as its fantastic for focusing on techniques that truly make a difference on the firing line. The chapter on wind makes this book a worthwhile investment alone. If you are interested in a down to earth view then you are getting your money’s worth with this purchase.
Pros
- Professional insight
- Concise
- Great information on wind
Cons
- Has a large section about the author
3. The Official US Army Sniper Training and Operations Manual
There is one place that has a reputation for professionally teaching the art of long-range shooting. Fort Benning Georgia. This book takes the knowledge and wisdom from the sniper school instructors and presents it in an easy to follow 450 pages.
The book covers off on true sniper skills such as gathering intelligence, stealth, situational awareness and all things long range shooting. If you have gotten interested in long range shooting from reading about military snipers and their capabilities, this book will not disappoint. It brings all the elements of sniper school into one concise resource.
This is a great read for marksmen at any level, especially if you have an interest in military snipers and how things work at sniper school.
Pros
- Tactically focused
- Great overview of fundamentals
Cons
- Targeted towards military application
4. Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting 3rd Edition
Don’t be off put by the heavy title, this book takes the concepts of applied ballistics and explains them in everyday terms. You don’t need a science degree to understand it because it’s written to help out the average shooter.
The author Brian Litz, is an expert at long range shooting and makes the topics covered crystal clear. The book may be overwhelming to a complete beginner who hasn’t ever touched a firearms before, however each chapter does stand on its own which helps with understanding the topics.
This book balances technical and practical advice, ensuring the reader is not overwhelmed. This is great read in the best long range shooting books line up for understanding ballistic coefficients and what that means for caliber selection. If you are interested in the study of long-range shooting and the ballistics behind the shot, this is a must have.
Pros
- Explains ballistic coefficients
- Expert reference book
- Great balance of technical and practical
Cons
- Could be tough for a beginner
5. The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters
If you need to own one book dedicated to reading the wind this is it. Dealing with the wind is a factor of long-range shooting that you need confidence to battle. It doesn’t matter how expensive your gear is if you don’t have knowledge or experience in reading the wind.
The better you understand the impact wind has on your bullet, the better you will understand your bullet. This book focuses on straightforward guidance for reading the wind, tactics and techniques to ensure a hit. The great thing about this book is that it does not just focus on one discipline such as shooting a .22, it talks about shooting a rifle in the wind, and all that encompasses it.
After reading this you will be confident in drift, deflection, direction and speed of wind. There is no other book that best sums up the effects of wind when shooting.
Pros
- Plenty of diagrams
- Quickly gets to the point
- Comprehensive
Cons
- Relies on wind flags alot
6. Precision Long Range Shooting and Hunting
Last but not least is the intro to precision rifle shooting book. This book does go into a few topics that are incredibly informative such as scopes, rangefinders and maintenance. The book covers off on a lot of topics that the beginner needs to know about. I would get Cleckner’s book first and if you found that difficult to comprehend, then this book might be a bit easier.
Pros
- Good beginners book
- Simple and easy to read
Cons
- Around two pages on most topics
- Heavy on selling online courses
7. Conclusion
If you are interested in long-range shooting, get Ryan Cleckner’s book.
Long Range Shooting Handbook
For the more tactically inclined, the US Army Sniper Manual will be a great read.
Precision Rifle Marksmanship
Wanting the most out of your shots, you need to understand the ballistics of your round, read Brian Litz’s book to understand ballistics.
Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting 3rd Edition
Everyone is going to battle the wind at some point, learn how to combat the wind with confidence.
The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters
Be sure to checkout our article on the best hearing protection when at the firing line.
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