Shooting accuracy and older eyes

[Yankee1]

Hi Charles
   I'm 76 and had cataracts removed last year and lens implants put in.
The operation is a piece of cake.  They did one eye then the other one a month later. I can see excellent now.  Before I had my eyes done I shot Bench rest Air rifle outdoor in the wind at 25 yards. The target is only one tenth of an inch.
I set the new American record for match air rifle but I was using a 32x Burris scope.  Now after the operation I can shoot my iron sighted pistol just fine.
Also can shoot my compound bows without any trouble.
The lens implants were made by Alcon Laboratories of Fort Worth Texas.
They are called  Acry Sof IQ.  The difference in vision is dramatic.
By the way my name is Charles also.
                                    Yankee1

[the lone gunman]

I am 50 and even as a kid I always had real shaky hands (A family tradition ) I just cant do well shooting at paper, but seem to do pretty well if its game in my sights or if Im just plinking. When shooting paper I just get to worked up about getting good groups and get even more shaky. Just had lasik surgery on my eyes and see well. As far as dragging a deer I just had both hips replaced so I dont know how well thats going to work out. Might have to enlist some help on that. Just hang in there I guess.

[Oldshooter]

the lone gunman,

Now I'm not one to criticize someones looks but with a mug like that you may not need a rifle to hunt. You might can ugly game to death, if you don't mess em up too bad!

[the lone gunman]

Im gonna take that as a compliment.

[Oldshooter]

Good ! 

[Yankee1]

Hi Again
   After reading about hands shaking I thought I would offer some things that have worked for me.
1. with pistol shooting using two hand grip.  Push forward with your right hand and pull back with your left hand. That will remove much of the movement.
2. Twist your right hand to the right and twist your left hand to the left.
These two movements will control most of the movement.
If you have a lot of adrenalin flowing and require further control do not attempt to hold directly on the target instead hold a little high and pull down very slowly through the target while squeezing the trigger.  This stops peripheral dispersion and will give you a vertical line of impact.
For the rifle. use a hasty sling. Then as you raise your elbow up on the sling arm the whole set up will tighten up and remove most of the movement. It helps a lot to position your feet about shoulder distance apart and shift your pelvis forward. This stops your legs from the automatic movement to keep directly under your torso for balance. This is what causes a lot of the movement you see when you hold your sights on a target. By immobilizing the legs by shifting the pelvis forward you prevent that movement.   One last tip. Keep your head erect.
If the head is tilted the vestibular mechanism of the inner ear will use up a large portion of the brain just to let you know that your head is tilted. Better to use full ability of the brain for shooting.
             I hope these tips will be helpful
                                  Yankee1

[p5200]

Hello! been awhile since I posted any way, I'm 53 with early stage cataracs, diabetes, and progressing Glaucoma among many other medical conditions too many to list. most, of my shooting any more is at 50yds. and target only, due to lower back, both knees, and heart and lung conditions etc. so, hunting period is out of the question for me any more. but, I'm going to continue to shoot till the Glaucoma tells me it's totally useless or dangerous. 

[Savage_99]

Lonegunman,

I have you on ignore until you remove that picture.

thanks

[kiddekop]

When I was 20-45 years of age, I thought nothing of taking 400+ yard shots at deer.  I had a Rem 700 in 30-06 with a 3-9 gold ring Leopold and a Browning BBR in 25-06 with a VXII Leopold.  Now I'm 62 and I have a dozen or more deer rifles with better scopes, better ammo, and cleaner rifle barrels and I can't shoot nearly as well as I could in my younger years.  Finally I can afford what I want, but my range results aren't improving.  I wouldn't dream of taking a 400-500 yard shot now.  For one reason, I don't want to drag a deer that far.

Is anyone else in my boat?  Bad to grow old, ain't it!

I went elk hunting at 72 and am going again this year I'll be 75 have had cataract surgery in both eyes still shoot a 300wm,06,45-70 plus.I don't take anymore 600 plus yard shots because we lost out range in the late 80's where we practised shooting at 300,400,500+ yards 3 days a week the ranges we have now are 200 max yards.My knees are bad ,back is so so get winded am overweight but I enjoy hunting  ,I degreed in wildlife mgt with range  & fisheries classes so I can still remember a lot of what I learned in college.

[Oldshooter]

Getting old ain't for sissies!

[the lone gunman]

Lonegunman,

I have you on ignore until you remove that picture.

thanks

OK , your loss.