These days I'm all about frequency over volume.
A few years ago I found with 1-2minutes of dry fire every day, my groups improved, and trigger control became almost subconscious. I generally dry fire off hand - it's the most difficult position, and all inputs are magnified. Jerk the trigger AT ALL and the crosshairs will show you! Getting a shot to break EXACTLY when intended is not easy. Kind of like a baseball player who hits a fastball ball before they consciously see it leave the pitcher's hand. There's subconscious stuff going on here, might as well embrace it. No better way to get ones body 'in tune' with the rifle, imo.
I too like learning from every shot. For me, volume shooting can make that difficult.
I often set up a target on private land and plunk a couple into it on my way to work. I'll mark the target but leave it up. When I come back in the afternoon the conditions will have changed. I don't use wind flags or an anemometer. Without digressing too far, I've found myself becoming more and more in tune with the environment. Feel the wind. Be the bullet. Ommmm.... But by far the most valuable tool is mirage. It's almost a disease, I catch myself behind binoculars looking across valleys, over knolls, focusing on the fluid - even when I'm not shooting!
I'm pretty new to the long range concept, so generally I setup somewhere between 450-600yd. I've got a 3' long 1x2 steak that rides around with me, I pound it into the dirt with the side of my hammer-tacker, and then staple a piece of cardboard (my target) to the steak - basic and portable.
Occasionally, winds are prohibitive (30mph) and even 300yd seems like a long shot. I'll setup for offhand practice in a shooting lane. I like ~150yd.
Here's 4 shots offhand at 132yd with my .223
This could have been a really good group, but the second shot isn't even in the frame...
I try to balance maintaining a decent level of proficiency, and building new skills without investing huge quantities of time and components.
One fun drill I do in preparation for altitude hunting is a 'run down'. The competitive way to do it is with 4 targets abreast, 5 shots per target, timed. It's even more fun with an 8" gong though. I mark 4 firing lines in 100yd increments from the gong 100, 200, 300, 400. Start at 400 off my pack. Run to 300, shoot sitting. Run to 200, shoot kneeling. Run to 100, shoot standing. Great way to learn heart rate management. I like to reinforce first round hits, so I'll limit myself to 2 shots per position, and move on as soon as I connect.
I know it's not a long range drill, and perhaps a bit off topic, but to me a lot of 'hunting' has been following tracks. Often predator pressure is involved (wolves, cougars, other hunters). Game is on the move, and in an endeavour to catch up with the herd/individual often an animal presents itself much closer than expected. Having the ability to convert on fleeting opportunities under pressure makes me a better hunter. Being able to place my bullet precisely at long range makes me a better hunter. I'm not as experienced or proficient as many here, but I do take learning seriously. Like most, I've had surprises in the field. I've also lived in a city. It's hard to make 'range time', and when one does, it's a controlled range with massive berms everywhere. If you're still with me here
, my advice to the silent minority is; find a farmer, find some public and do it like you're gonna do it. It's the only way to do it.