Author Topic: I'll never learn (Read 720 times)

bobg · « **on:** August 20, 2003, 01:55:33 PM »

I have been shooting my 13" Contender in 221FB a lot. Thought i had it figuerd out. Guess i don't. Every time i start to squeeze the trigger the crosshairs move off the target. Is this something i am doing wrong? The amount of money i have tied up in barrels i sure want to figure out how to shoot them. I asked this once before and followed the advice given. I guess my original question was more on proper grip than this question now. Help me if you can.

Thanks very much,
bobg

KYODE · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2003, 04:03:45 PM »

get a good handgun rest, or set of sand bags. set the gun in the bags so it almost holds itself on target. two bags(stacked) under forearm, and one bag under the grip. just start gently applying more and more pressure with your trigger finger until the gun goes off(almost as surprise). all the while, concentrating on keeping the crosshairs centered on target. let the gun recoil naturally, and try to be consistent with hold and grip pressure.
get that trigger lightened, so it's not hard labor to pull. the forearm should not touch the barrel. shim it(by whatever method) to keep it from touching as much as possible.
don't know if that helps or not, but it's some ideas.

Peeter · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2003, 04:31:22 PM »

If your trigger is too heavy and you are right handed you will pull to the right. If you are left handed you will pull to the left. A heavy trigger is hard to work with.

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2003, 04:37:43 PM »

I'd be willing to bet your shooting your gun right handed? Typical hand torque for us right handers. (Thank God I'm ambedextrious) Why I don't see it with lefties I can't answer. Anyway, I see quite a few right handers squeezing the trigger toward the left side, instead of straight back. Just a thought, may not be your situation. (Crosshairs leaving the target to the right side?)

Another thought - are you shooting with your dominent eye? If not, you may be trying to compensate for that sub-consciencely(sp?). If you are right eye dominent and shooting with your left eye, you may be trying to aquire your sight picture with your right eye, moving you off target. I actually have to document which eye I use for load development, being "skillfull in the use of both hands" also means you are "skillfull with the use of both eyes". This can be troublesome when you work up a load with your left eye, and a few months later find your point of impact has changed because you're using the "wrong" eye. Trust me - it's happened.

DanL · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2003, 04:46:07 PM »

Dry fire. A lot. Mucho. Often. Break it all the way open between every click to make sure a gremlin hasn't snuck a bullet in there. :-D I found that moving the point of contact of my finger with the trigger made a big difference. I used to put that last fingerjoint against one side of the trigger, now I center the fingertip over the trigger and it doesn't pull to the side anymore.

And yes, letting the gun "surprise" you is the best way to avoid a flinch. If you're not a little surprised at every shot, you were probably bracing for it and moving the crosshairs.

BTW that works really well on the hard kickers, too. Learning to trust that your reflexes will keep the gun from backing into your face after a shot takes many many trigger pulls.

At the range, pretend you're just doing another dry fire. Squeeeeeeeze - SURPRISE!!

Just let it happen...

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2003, 06:31:45 PM »

Use a snap cap if your going to dry fire! It's been said that dry firing a contender will mess up the pin rebound spring. KN

PJ · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2003, 07:11:17 PM »

Your shooting a small caliber soooo.Just don't hold it to tight let it recoil.I had to learn this and now I do the same with the big one too.

bobg · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2003, 11:51:31 AM »

Thanks for the advice guys. I have a good solid bench. I have a decent front rest and sandbags for the rear. I use a very light hold and try to rest it the same way every shot. That leaves a trigger job. I think that will help alot.

Thanks,
bobg

JoeRobbins · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2003, 03:45:58 PM »

With a Contender you are not really "dry firing" it when you pull the trigger with the hammer not cocked. But you are getting a real feel for what to expect when the sear breaks.

I had to do this quite a bit on the .223 barrel to get used to it. I was pulling off every time too. You can even get a feel for when the sear resets without actually breaking the action open every time.

The first time it really showed up for me was after shooting the 22 Magnum barrel and I switched back to the 223. The first time I pulled the trigger it was still set on rimfire and I yanked the hell out of it. Gun didn't go boom, but my ego took a BIG hit. I started to practice the trigger pull after that.

Joe