The difference between close range and short range training is two (2) fold and should not be mistaken one for the other.
Close range sniper training should be accomplished as often as possible and is as important as long range training.
We will identify and define what close range training is. Close range training, for the purpose of this session is that range from zero to seventy five (75) yards.
The reason that the sniper is at such a close range can be contributed to one or a combinations of reasons. First and the most frequent is the lack of sufficient stand-off. The sniper simply sets up to close. Sometimes this cannot be avoided do to observation obstructions. A second reason is that the suspect advances toward the sniper, diminishing the distance.
For whatever the reason, the sniper must maintain consciousness of the fact that hold-under is now required.
The greatest difference (off-set) from bore line to sight line occurs from fifty five (55) yards down to zero yards. Using the Point Mass Ballistic solver program by Bryan Litz for the Federal Gold Medal 168 gr. Match ammunition and a scope height of two (2) inches we can track the bullet flight at five (5) yards intervals. Assuming that our sniper rifle is sighted in at 100 yards, and the center of our scope is two (2) inches above the bore line, we have less than a quarter (1/4”) inch difference from 60 to 100 yards. At 10 yards we have 1 ½” of hold under, at 25 yards 1” and at 30 yards 0.86 or 7/8”, at 35 yards 0.71 or
¾”, at 40 yards 0.45 or ½” and at 45 yards 0.45 or ½” of hold under. These measurements may be critical depending on the circumstances that surround this crises i.e. a hostage being held tight against the body of the suspect. Obstructions between the suspect and the sniper i.e. tree limbs, power lines, window frames etc.
For these reason the Police Sniper must train at “Close Ranges” to be able to deliver a first round neutralizing and instant incapacitating shot.
Training at “Short Ranges” not to be confused with training at close ranges. Most
Police Snipers do not have long distance ranges available to them, so they are required to train on whatever range that they have. Sometimes that is only a twenty five (25) yard

Page 2 pistol range. Some snipers use the technique of reducing their 100 yard targets by one half
(1/2) and by twenty five percent (25) to simulate the 100 yard targets at those ranges.
While this technique may seem simple, it should be realized that no matter how small a target you shoot at, on the twenty five (25) yard range, it is still shooting at 25 yards. It is only shooting at small targets at twenty five yards. You can not duplicate the wind, light and other outside interferences of anything other than the 25 yards. Just as shooting at a one half (1/2) reduced target at 100 yards does not duplicate shooting at 200 yards. The conditions are for 100 yards only. How reduced targets can help is by giving a simulated view of what the target would look like in the scope at those extended ranges.
My final thought on the matter is, train for “Close Range” encounters and if all you have is a 25 yard range to shoot on, then train on it while remembering that the conditions cannot be duplicated to any distance other than 25 yards no matter how small you reduce your targets.