GTA
Target Shooting by Match - Match Results => OPEN - "STEROID 15" OFF HAND AIR RIFLE MATCH - Pos => : Truman March 22, 2009, 11:49:37 PM
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A good fun shooting weekend by all! This is the last of the weekend shoot!,As of Big-Bills suggestion, the Steroid15 will now run for a week (7 days) Sunday midnight to Sunday midnight! Thanks everybody for taking part!
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Good job tallying the scores Truman. I like the font size you gave yourself ha ha. You had such an excellent outcome with the "General Open Rifle" match....and such a downer with the "Steriod 15". I think you can only go up from here on.......
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I wouldn't bet on it Stan! I think there's some kind of mind game going on with the Steroid 15! The big Gamo targets I can hit near the center but put a few together like the '15' and I go to pot! I'm not going to give up on it! I will get a good score one day if it kills me, something over 50 would be a starting point!
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Truman,
Just keep shooting the steroid in practice this week. You'll find the Gamo targets look REALLY BIG later. The smaller targets force you to really focus on finding "your" technique - breathing, stance, focus, trigger, etc. Shooting off-hand is more like playing golf. You have to learn the "muscle memory" to RELAX and get IN THE ZONE.
I used to shoot local competition about 30 years ago - power burners. I'm struggling, too, with air rifles - it requires much more effort to shoot an air rifle (especially a springer) off-hand.
Just keep practicing, and you'll get there!
George
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Thanks for the vote of confidence George! I was bad at golf too, but enjoyed it, especially the 19th!!
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I know what you mean Truman.....with all the little targets, they disturb the concentration....and the gun tend to sway all over the place. HAVE TO FOCUS, HAVE TO FOCUS AND BREATH.....I keep telling myself.
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Just thought about it some more...
1) You may find that your POI will change between bench and off-hand. So, shoot about 10 shoots off-hand and adjust accordingly. As your technique gets better, recheck your off-hand POI. It will change.
2) In my experience, the BEST shooters tend to hold dead center while trying to maintain as small a movement as possible while "squeezing" the trigger. However, other techniques work well too. Some shooters do better by slowly raising or lowering the rifle (REAL SLOW) while squeezing the trigger. It takes a little practice to get the timing right, but it does work. I've also heard of "figure eight" patterns being used.
Of course, all my information is based on 30 years ago, but I thought these might help. Maybe the top shooters might help us out. How about Bill, Bill, or Jeff. Care to share your techniques?
George
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(http://../jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif)Thanks Truman for being one of the officials for the Steroid 15 Match #7.....like your font size......I used Gamo Match for my pellet .177cal .....Bill(http://../jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif)
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Shooting tips... well, to be honest I'm not sure anyone wants to study my approach. I don't exactly have your typical target rifle. AND I had a health issue over the winter and wasn't allowed to do much but I could shoot. I fired 15,000+ pellets over a ten week period. That's with my pistol at 5 and 10m, and my rifle at 10m and 20yd. All indoor in my basement.
I changed my grip and stance more than once until I found a position I could stand in comfortably and REPEATEDLY. Same with my grip. Anything that changes pressures exerted on the gun and/or how you move as and when it's fired will affect POI. Learning a consistent stance and grip made all the difference.
When I shoot a target I plant my feet and don't move for the duration. I use a pellet pouch to hang in my jeans pocket so I don't have to twist around too much to get the pellet. I shoot right handed which means most of the weight (when holding the rifle on target) is on my left arm - so I taught myself to load the rifle left handed..... Between shoots the rifle is resting on my right arm... Gives my left arm a short rest. I wobble!! My shots are all about timing, usually as I slowly raise the sights across the target. I'm sure a competive shooter would laugh.
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I'll give anything a whirl at the moment! I think it down to having a very light gun and the copious amounts of coffee I drink! I'm going to try and add a bit of weight up front to slow everything down a bit! Hopefully I will have my Gamo Maxima ready for this weeks shoot! It doesn't move quite as much!
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Laugh? Not likely! I've known many competitive shooters with similar styles. It's all about finding what works for you. I'm still working on finding my "airgun" style - but I'll get there eventually. Right now, my "sporter" shoots better than I do.
BTW - If you look at some OLD films of off-hand "crack" rifle shooters, you'll find most of them used a unsupported left arm, tight right shoulder, and leaned heavy into the shot. Of course, they were shooting powder burners, but they were GOOD! Most competitive shooters might scoff at their styles today, but I doubt if many could have "out-shot" them using the firearms of the period.
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For those interested in shooting stance/positions here is a link to some competition photos.
http://www.pilkguns.com/menu_photo.shtml
The rifle categories are precision and sportster. The 2 major differences between the 2 are the rifle and the shooting outfit.
Most of you guys are shooting the equivalent of a sportster rifle. But also look at the precision shooters for technique and ideas.
As was mentioned, there is no BEST technique. What is best is what works best for YOU.
Sometimes the technique matches your style of shooting, sometimes you have to be taught a technique.
Me, I had to be taught the proper technique, as I could not shoot worth beans when I first started shooting 10m. The only thing I will say about my early shooting is, I was able to keep all 10 shots on the target paper, and it looked like a shotgun pattern.
CaptGeorge
I would say that you still have to lean into the shot if you are shooting a .30-06 or .308/7.62NATO to handle the recoil. .22LR and air have comparatively no recoil so the stance can be different.
You implied another point. The stance is affected by the rifles design.
- The stock design of a sportster, service and early match rifles are similar, with shallow forestocks. The later match rifles have a deep forestock, level with the bottom of the trigger guard, gets your support hand lower, which is better for shooting off-hand.
- The pistol grip area of sportsters, early service (M-14 and earlier) and early match rifles is close to horizontal, so your shooting arm is high and away from the body. Later service rifles (M-16/AR-15) and match rifles which are closer to upright, so your shooting arm can be tucked against the body.
So the rifles design has evolved allowing the stance to evolve.
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Why don't you join our informal matches and share your insights? I'm sure we will all benefit. After all, the whole idea is for all of us to learn to shoot better. I most certainly agree with changes in match rifles. Wow! Today's are a lot different than when I was shooting.
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Well, since you asked,
It is important to find your natural body position, so that when you bring your rifle to bear, it will be centeredon your target, Ifit is centered to your target naturally, you won't be pushing or pulling your rifle, to get it on target. A good solid pair of boots or shoes also helps keep your body stable !
Being a stable as possible, with your body weight and rifle in position over your feet and balanced, is very important.
Your body is held up by your skeleton, so keeping your body erect, and locked into position is important. Keeping your body joints, locked, or as firmly controlledas you can, also prevents wobble and drifting.
Now take several breaths, 4 or 5, bring your rifle to bear, hopefully your sights will be above your target. Then exhale slowly, as your sightslower to the target center,begin to squeeze the trigger. And with some practice, you will learn when to squeeze by where your shot strikes. Practice and consistency is important. Other methods also work well with practice !
Good breathing between firing, helps relax you and, gives your body enough oxygen to continue. Do Not Rush !
So address your target, locate your natural body center to the target.
Take several deep breaths
Bring your rifle to bear
Slowly exhale, squeeze your trigger as your sights are cominginto alignment tothe target
If for any reason you fail to get your shot off, do not force it. Put your rifle down, and start again
BANG !
Start all over again !
Now that is how I used to shoot, and as I try to shoot now !
I hope that some or all of this help each of you !
Bill
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Big Bill,
Thanks! Good stuff!
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Hey George !
I just noticedthat you beat me this week ! Perhaps you should be giving advice on what you have been doing !!!
Good Shootin !
Bill
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Not on the Steroid, I didn't. And, not on the open rifle either...I counted 2 extra points for X's. (I thought that was local rule here.) So.....you're still ahead and the expert!
I'm still trying to FIND my air rifle style. It changes depending on what's working that particular day. In by-gone days, I always tried to hold dead-on, minimize wobble, squeeze trigger, and hope for the best. Lately, I've tried using a slow drop and a slow rise. However, for the most part, you and I have similar styles. Here's my routine for what it's worth:
PREPARATION
I shoot about 10 or more off-hand practice shots to warm up both me and rifle. Then I make any minor adjustments on scope for my group. I find my group POI changes a little from week to week.
BREATH CONTROL
I take three breaths at port arms, shoulder rifle on fourth breath, let half fifth breath out. Settle from top down on target, hold, and squeeze.
SHOOTING STANCE
I try to maintain athletic, comfortable stance about 45 deg off target with left elbow tight on body. I rest rifle in open palm and keep my thumb straight down side of rifle instead of wrapped around grip. (It helps prevent any jerked shots.) I also keep my head as high and comfortable as possible with my sporter type stock. And, I just touch that "same, familiar spot" with my cheek.
Now you know, all my "secrets", too. Plus, practice, practice, practice.....
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Hey George,
Great minds think alike. lol
Try adding a breath or two, and relax between shots. You can never have too much oxygen in your system, it adds stability to your muscles. And resting between allows the oxygen to get into the muscles, and waist to pass out of the muscles. It also helps prevent tunnel vision and blur outs.
I have a bad heart, that doesn't do the job, so I must do everything that I can to "help" maximize !
And who cares, your score was better than mine. Competition is what drives the human male :) Keep up the GOOD WORK !
Bill
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Good point, Bill. I forgot to mention relaxing & breathing between shots, but yes, I do that, too. Competition - you bet! I may even buy some H&N match pellets to make up for those TWO points. :0) It sure sounds like we went to the "same school" for shooting.
Look out on pistols, too. I captured a "wounded" Crosman 1377 yesterday just so I have something decent to shoot in the pistol matches. I have a little trouble "seeing the sights" with these old eyes, but a little dab of paint and maybe some trigger work - lighter would be nice - and I'll have a shooter.
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This is what it's all about eh! Sharing our experiences. I'm taking note of what you two are saying and hope I can pull off a blinder this weekend! I was going to say 'Don't hold your breath though!' but that's part of shooting!
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That's it, Andy. The main thing is to digest all this information and use it to develop your own personal style. If something somebody says makes sense and helps you, then include that in your shooting style. For me, it's finding the most comfortable style that fits my mind and body. Then practice, practice, practice. Air rifles - especially springers - are a whole lot different than match .22 rim fire or match 30 ca. So, I'm still learning, too.
Once you have a comfortable, accurate shooting style, you can start working on the little things: slight changes in stance, breath, & trigger control. And, improving your equipment. For instance, you may find that adding a 1/2 inch slip-over recoil pad improves your length of pull and helps you keep rifle fixed on your shoulder. You might consider a new aftermarket trigger or mod. Or, try some higher quality pellets or better sights. You might even want to try a match grade rifle. There's always room for improvement.
BTW- Congrats on newest moderator. These weekly matches are great. You can actually measure your improvement over time. Keep them coming!