Target shooters . . . HELP ME PLEASE!

[Patrick Chadwick]

Why does it seem that I get better groups, when I use a more rapid pace of fire? #1 #2 #3 #4

Because you are trying too hard! Ease up!

Gunner has basically expressed the problem. You will get the best results when you are in a Zen-like semi-trance. The essence (at least for my simplified understanding - you can keep the philosophy) of Zen bowmanship is that the moment of release of the arrow is NOT a conscious "Now I'm going to let it go" but a moment in a continuous flow. If you are in that flow, you will get more consistent results and thus better grouping.

Likewise when shooting a rifle. There should be no "Now I'm going to pull the trigger" - because that is exactly what you will do - and pull the shot.

And do not overpractice - that is what you appear to have done. There is no statistical differnce in the grou p size between the first two targets, but by the last target, your eye muscles are tired, you are not seeing as well as at the start. I looks like you could have saved target 4.

Next time, fire five shots at a moderate pace WITHOUT CHECKING WHERE THEY WENT. Between shots, do NOT carry on looking through the sights. Look at the countryside (in poor light), or even close your eyes for half a minute (in bright light). You must prevent the ciliary muscle from being cramped. After the 5 shots, stop. Look at the group. Adjust the sights if necessary. Then do it again. Stop , check the group. Repeat for a MAXIMUM of 30 shots in one session, spread over an hour. More and faster will not help.

The breathing, as mentioned by Gunner, is a vital part of getting that Zen-like rhythm.
And if your trigger does not let you apply a gradual squeeze until the firing comes almost as a surprise, then get it seen to before you waste a lot of ammo.

The very first stage here is to do exactly the same thing every time. The second stage is to do the right thing every time. For that you need a recognized good shot who will look at your position while you shoot. Bad habits can be hard to correct!

Enough for the moment. For the next session, try what I suggested above - and let us all know how it worked out!

Patrick

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.