Top Long Range Shooting Books of 2025 – Must Reads for Beginners & Experts

Last updated on April 2nd, 2025

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!

2. Precision Rifle Marksmanship: The Fundamentals: A Marine Sniper’s Guide to Long Range Shooting

Written by former US Marine sniper and current shooting instructor Frank Galli, this book is another heavyweight in the world of long-range shooting literature. Galli is also the founder of the well-known website Sniper’s Hide, which has become a hub for precision shooters around the globe. If you’ve spent any time in the long-range community, chances are you’ve already come across his work or forums.

Where Ryan Cleckner’s book leans more towards the complete beginner, Frank Galli’s Precision Rifle Marksmanship digs a little deeper into the mindset and discipline behind marksmanship, all while staying easy to read and down to earth. It’s written in a conversational tone that makes it feel more like a private lesson than a textbook, and it’s full of practical tips and no-nonsense advice.

There’s a greater focus on the author’s military background in this one, which brings an edge of real-world credibility to the lessons. While it covers all the expected fundamentals — body position, recoil management, trigger control — it’s the detail in the why behind the techniques that sets this book apart. Galli doesn’t just tell you what to do, he explains how and why it works under pressure, in competition, and in the field.

One standout chapter is his treatment of wind. Honestly, the section on wind calls alone is worth the price of the book. It breaks down one of the most complex and frustrating parts of long-range shooting into something manageable, especially for shooters who are starting to stretch past 600 metres.

You’ll also find some solid gear recommendations sprinkled throughout the book, which are based on Galli’s years of experience rather than brand sponsorships — which is refreshing. If you’re after a straight-talking, field-tested perspective on improving your precision rifle skills, this is the book to get. It’s informative, practical, and just gritty enough to keep you engaged from start to finish.

Pros

• Professional insight
• Concise
• Great information on wind

Cons

• Has a large section about the author

There’s one place that’s become almost mythical in the world of professional marksmanship — Fort Benning, Georgia. It’s home to some of the most respected sniper training in the world, and this book brings that level of instruction straight to your bench or bookshelf. Written by Major John L. Plaster, a decorated veteran and sniper instructor, The Ultimate Sniper condenses decades of sniper school knowledge into a 450-page powerhouse.

This isn’t just a shooting manual. It covers everything from ballistics and precision marksmanship to real sniper tradecraft — things like gathering intelligence, concealment, situational awareness, camouflage, and fieldcraft. If you’ve ever found yourself fascinated by military snipers and what goes on behind the scenes, this book offers a no-holds-barred look into that world.

What makes it stand out is how comprehensive it is. It doesn’t just skim over the shooting side of things; it dives deep into the mental game, field operations, mission planning, and the sniper mindset. The writing is clear and methodical, with plenty of diagrams, photos, and real-world examples to drive the lessons home. It’s not written for beginners in the same casual tone as Cleckner or Galli, but if you’re serious about learning the art of long-range shooting from a military perspective, it’s a goldmine.

This is an especially valuable read for marksmen who are interested in the military or tactical side of long-range shooting. It’s like getting a front-row seat at sniper school without ever stepping onto the range at Fort Benning. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or just fascinated by how the professionals do it, The Ultimate Sniper is a must-have for your collection.

Pros

• Tactically focused
• Great overview of fundamentals

Cons

• Targeted towards military application

4. Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting 3^rd Edition

Don’t be put off by the technical-sounding title, this book takes the complex science behind long-range shooting and delivers it in a way that the average shooter can actually understand. You won’t need a physics degree to make sense of it. Bryan Litz, a former missile design engineer turned ballistician and professional long-range shooter, has written this book specifically to demystify applied ballistics for real-world marksmen.

Litz is widely regarded as one of the top minds in long-range shooting, and it shows. His ability to break down difficult concepts like drag models, ballistic coefficients, and transonic flight is impressive. He explains the “why” behind your drop charts and dope cards, giving you the knowledge to make smarter decisions about gear, calibre selection, and how to set up your rifle for success.

That said, this book isn’t written for someone who’s never touched a firearm before. If you’re an absolute beginner, some chapters may feel a bit full-on. But the beauty of it is that each chapter stands on its own, so you can approach it at your own pace and circle back to earlier sections once you’ve got more experience. It’s a book you’ll keep returning to as your knowledge grows.

The balance between technical data and practical advice is what really makes this book shine. It’s informative without being overwhelming, and Litz always ties theory back to what actually matters on the firing line. Whether you’re trying to wrap your head around G1 vs G7 drag models or want to understand how ballistic coefficients affect your bullet’s performance over distance, this book is the gold standard.

Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting deserves a spot in any serious shooter’s library. If you’re genuinely interested in understanding the science behind your shot, this is one of the best resources out there. Insightful, practical, and surprisingly accessible — this is a must-have for those looking to take their knowledge beyond the basics.

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 there’s one book every long-range shooter should own specifically for learning how to read the wind, this is it. The Wind Book for Rifle Shooters has become the go-to resource for understanding what is arguably the most frustrating and elusive part of precision shooting — the wind. You can have the most dialled-in rifle and top-tier optics money can buy, but without the ability to read and manage wind, your hits will always be a gamble.

This book breaks down wind reading in a way that builds real confidence. It’s not about fancy gadgets or theoretical math — it’s about understanding the elements in a way that’s clear, logical, and grounded in experience. From mirage and terrain effects to estimating wind speed and recognising subtle directional shifts, the authors walk you through practical techniques that translate directly to better results on the range or in the field.

One of the standout features is its broad relevance. It doesn’t just apply to a single discipline like .22LR or F-Class — it covers the principles of shooting in the wind, full stop. Whether you’re plinking with rimfire, chasing tight groups with a .308, or pushing a 6.5 Creedmoor to 1000 metres, the insights are all directly applicable. It’s focused, thorough, and written in a way that makes the content stick.

You’ll come away with a solid grasp of key concepts like wind drift, bullet deflection, directionality, and how wind speed impacts your flight path at different distances. Best of all, it teaches you how to spot patterns and make adjustments on the fly — a critical skill if you’re shooting beyond a few hundred metres.

There’s simply no other book that sums up the art of reading wind for rifle shooters better than this one. It’s one of the most practical and useful reads in the long-range library, and a must-have for anyone serious about tightening their groups when the breeze picks up.

Pros

• Plenty of diagrams
• Quickly gets to the point
• Comprehensive

Cons

• Relies on wind flags alot

6. Precision Long Range Shooting and Hunting

Rounding out the list is Precision Long Range Shooting and Hunting, a solid introductory book that bridges the gap between practical field shooting and foundational long-range knowledge. Written by Wayne van Zwoll, a seasoned hunter and shooter with decades of experience, this book takes a more traditional and accessible approach to the fundamentals.

This isn’t a technical manual full of formulas and theory — instead, it’s aimed squarely at beginners who are looking to gain confidence with their gear and understand how to use it effectively in real-world scenarios. The book dives into a wide range of topics that are essential for getting started, from rifle selection and optics to rangefinders, bullet drop, and basic maintenance. It offers simple, practical guidance without overwhelming the reader.

Compared to Cleckner’s Long Range Shooting Handbook, this book is even more relaxed in tone. If you found Cleckner’s writing a bit too information-heavy or fast-paced, then van Zwoll’s book might be an easier starting point. It’s approachable, well-organised, and written in a way that assumes no prior knowledge — perfect for someone just stepping into the long-range world, especially from a hunting background.

What this book does particularly well is tie precision shooting into the context of hunting, showing how the skills translate to ethical shots in the field. It’s less focused on the competitive or tactical side and more about helping everyday shooters become more capable and confident with their equipment.

It may not have the advanced depth of books by Bryan Litz or Frank Galli, but for new shooters or hunters looking to stretch out beyond the usual 200–300 metres, it’s a great first step. Easy to digest and filled with practical tips, Precision Long Range Shooting and Hunting earns its place as a useful entry-level resource in any shooter’s library.

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 3^rd 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