preparation on the firing point

[tbonesmith]

Here's my take on it, and I've been there too.
Until you have your own rifle you're on faith as to how the rifle shoots, nothing you can do so don't worry about it at all.
You're not going to win anyway as you're learning so start by focussing on the basics, position, breathing, consistency of trigger pull, consistency of cheek weld, consistency of sight picture.
There are lots of good articles on this site about marksmanship, read them and apply what you can.
What you absolutely can control regardless of whos rifle you're using is your position, sight picture, breathing and trigger let off. If you get these under control your scores will increase. If you don't worry about what you can't possibly control and focus you preparation and efforts on what you can control, you may be less flustered and more able to do the business.
One technique that I've found helpful in the past is to run through the shoot in your mind the day before in detail... go to the mound, lied down, adjust the sling, find your natural point of aim, take 2 dry fires, organize you ammunition, is my scope set up?, load a round, breath in, out , in, out , in, half out, find the sight picture, take the first pressure, squeeze off the round, watch for the fall of shot , relax, make adjustments, breathe... for the entire shoot, then you feel really mentally prepared for the shoot as you've kind of done it before.

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[peanuts]

Here's my take on it, and I've been there too.
Until you have your own rifle you're on faith as to how the rifle shoots, nothing you can do so don't worry about it at all.
You're not going to win anyway as you're learning so start by focussing on the basics, position, breathing, consistency of trigger pull, consistency of cheek weld, consistency of sight picture.
There are lots of good articles on this site about marksmanship, read them and apply what you can.
What you absolutely can control regardless of whos rifle you're using is your position, sight picture, breathing and trigger let off. If you get these under control your scores will increase. If you don't worry about what you can't possibly control and focus you preparation and efforts on what you can control, you may be less flustered and more able to do the business.
One technique that I've found helpful in the past is to run through the shoot in your mind the day before in detail... go to the mound, lied down, adjust the sling, find your natural point of aim, take 2 dry fires, organize you ammunition, is my scope set up?, load a round, breath in, out , in, out , in, half out, find the sight picture, take the first pressure, squeeze off the round, watch for the fall of shot , relax, make adjustments, breathe... for the entire shoot, then you feel really mentally prepared for the shoot as you've kind of done it before.

thank you Tbone this is exactly the sort of advice I was looking for. As you say I have little control over a loan rifle so pointless worrying about it especially as I now have my own gun for the next shoot. I have arranged for a shoot at a private range to sight the gun in at 100yds. I'll fit my PH-5C aperature rear sight and perhaps a larger front sight blade. Once the gun is shooting where I'm aiming and I can see the front sight clearly I can then start thinking about improving my marksmanship . perhaps a good book for xmas

[Gnr527]

Dont you have access to a club/range closer than Bisley?
Luckily we are only 50 miles away but 3 or 4 of us try to get a mornings practice a month - 3 or 4 to a target, works well for shooting, spotting, fiddling, discussing, advising, refiining - takes the pressure of the competitive element out of it - and works out fairly low cost.
The great thing is it allows familiarisation.

John

[peanuts]

Hi John yes I do have a couple of ranges near me (25miles ) but they are also MOD ranges and are usually booked by the MOD for cadet practice. Sometimes we get our club booking cancelled at the last minute .The range fees are quite expensive and to make it worthwhile you need to have a pretty good attendance or the fees would be even more that £20.00
As I do not have a FAC yet i cannot take my own gun anywhere . It has to be kept and brought to the range by the dealer who sold it me.

In addition to this as I do not yet have NRA certification. I am a probationer so I'm not allowed to shoot on any range without direct supervision .

I do not know of anywhere I could shoot at 400, 500 and 600yds full bore except through my club ?

I would be quite happy to shoot .22 occasionally once I have my FAC which would mean there would be a few other local ranges I could use which are smallbore only .
As a full time carer for my Dad I am rather limited unless I can arrange expensive respite care so Bisley looks unlikely for me at the moment. Perhaps circumstances will change in the new year with a FAC my options will be distinctly improved .
thank you for your suggestion