In the world of shooting sports, there are countless drills and exercises that can help improve your marksmanship and overall proficiency with firearms. One drill that stands out for its effectiveness in honing speed, accuracy, and sight tracking is the Bill Drill. Named after the legendary firearms instructor Bill Wilson, this drill has become a staple among both competitive shooters and self-defense enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of the Bill Drill, its benefits, and how it can elevate your shooting skills to new heights.
Understanding the Bill Drill
The Bill Drill is a straightforward yet challenging drill that focuses on rapid target engagement and recoil management. The primary objective is to shoot six rounds into a single target within a time limit while maintaining accuracy and minimizing split times. By repeatedly practicing this drill, shooters can develop better control over their firearms, enhance their reaction times, and improve shot placement.
Wilson’s time standard is two seconds at seven yards. Although you may not be there on your first attempt, keep trying until you increase your proficiency. Many people in shooting sports bring the time down to 1.3-1.4 seconds, which is crazy to comprehend. The most unbelievable demonstration I’ve seen was from a world champion shooter who shot a Bill Drill in under two seconds, at 25 yards, with a stock 1911 using factory ammunition. You can push your skill level to whatever level you can dream of if you have enough discipline to practice efficiently.
Executing the Bill Drill
To perform the Bill Drill, you will need a reliable handgun, a sufficient amount of ammunition, and a safe shooting environment, such as a range. Follow these steps to execute the drill effectively:
- Establish a solid shooting stance: Start by assuming a proper shooting stance that provides stability and allows for recoil management. Ensure a firm grip on the firearm, with both hands working together to control the recoil. I recommend having your feet shoulder width part with your weight favoring forward to help keep the gun from rising. If you are off balance the fast succession of shots will start to knock you backwards.
- Set up the target: Place a target at a suitable distance for your skill level. As a beginner, starting at a closer range is recommended, gradually increasing the distance as you become more proficient. Try it at five yards to start, then seven yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, moving all the way out to 25 yards to see where your accuracy fundamentals are really at. Inside of 10 yards, most people will be shooting intuitively and predictively, but at 25 yards, you have to be reactive and get a near-perfect sight picture every time.
- Ready position: Begin the drill from the ready position, where the firearm is holstered or held at the low ready, depending on your preference and the shooting range rules.
- Start the timer: As the drill begins, draw the firearm from the holster or bring it up from the low ready position, and engage the target with six rapid shots, focusing on accuracy and quick follow-up shots.
Benefits of the Bill Drill
- Speed and accuracy: The Bill Drill strongly emphasizes shooting rapidly while maintaining accuracy. By practicing this drill, shooters can significantly improve their ability to deliver precise shots within a short time frame, enhancing their overall performance in dynamic shooting scenarios. Getting comfortable with my gun recoiling fast helped improve my splits on targets at matches. I could trust that my gun would settle into the correct position for my second shot. If I could cut .01-.05 seconds per split time throughout a 200-round match, that’s up to 10 seconds of saved time overall. That could make or break or placement for a podium finish.
- Recoil management: The Bill Drill requires shooters to quickly recover from recoil and follow up immediately with more rounds. This drill helps develop the necessary muscle memory and control to mitigate recoil effectively, leading to faster follow-up shots and reduced target acquisition times.
- Understanding your firearm: The Bill Drill is a great way to help “feel” the recoil in your gun. When your skill reaches an enhanced level, you know exactly how your firearm is supposed to recoil. You become one with your gun, so you know if it’s empty, if you pulled a shot, or if something went astray during the course of fire.
Tips for Success
To maximize the benefits of the Bill Drill, consider the following tips:
- Start slow and focus on fundamentals: Begin by practicing the drill at a manageable pace, prioritizing accuracy and technique. As you become more comfortable and confident, gradually increase your speed. Everything comes with time, so you may not be hitting that two-second mark right off the bat. A great way to help increase speed is to break the drill down, where you work on a single shot draw, two shots, three shots, etc until you have worked your way up to six.
- Use proper gear and equipment: Ensure that you have a reliable and suitable firearm, ammunition, and holster that allow for efficient draws and smooth follow-up shots. Quality gear contributes to the overall effectiveness of the drill. I recommend using a Kydex holster specifically designed for your firearm. Leather and Nylon holsters can become unsafe with time and not allow proper firearm retention.
- Train with a purpose: Set specific goals for each training session and monitor your progress. Whether reducing split times or improving accuracy, having measurable objectives will help you track your improvement and maintain motivation. Open a notes tab on your phone or bring a notebook to the range. I used to be a huge nerd, bringing my laptop with an Excel sheet of all the drills I worked towards. It was a great way to see improvement over time. My personal record for a bill drill is 1.43 seconds from my USPSA belt and 1.65 seconds from concealment.
Safely drawing the pistol at the beginning of a Bill Drill.
Conclusion
This is one of my favorite drills. It was one of the first drills I ever tried as a new shooter and one I will continue to do as I keep enhancing my skill. This drill is something I usually end my practice session with to end on a good note. It’s fun, it’s testing, and I always like to see what type of times I’ll lay down with whatever gun I am shooting for that day. This drill is not mutually exclusive to a pistol. It can be done with a rifle, PCC, a shotgun, or even a Barrett .50 Caliber sniper rifle. Check out this video of Jerry Miculek shooting six rounds of 50 BMG in under a second!
The Bill Drill is a fundamental exercise that can take your shooting abilities to the next level. By mastering speed and accuracy, this drill can enhance your overall performance as a shooter, whether you engage in competitive shooting or prioritize self-defense. Remember, consistent practice, a focus on fundamentals, and a commitment to improvement are essential for success in the Bill Drill and all aspects of shooting. So, pick up your firearm, head to the range, and elevate your skills with the power of the Bill Drill!
