Great point about moving the tripod towards you instead of pushing it away. It is very annoying to have the tripod collapse on you when trying to move it away.
I think dryfire is a very important part of training and do it all the time. However, I have modified firing pins so hitting the chamber area is less of an issue for my rifles. It also depends on the rifle. Some manufactures say it is safe, most advise against it. If you're really committed to getting better, I recommend buying a second firing pin and grinding it down so that it sits below the bolt face. That way there is no possibility of damage and you get the exact feel of the trigger. Spare firing pins go for $20-$40 in my experience so not too big of an investment for a valuable way to train. Just don't forget to swap it back before a match haha!
