Author Topic: more on spot shooting (Read 1121 times)

lucho · « **on:** November 18, 2003, 07:29:20 PM »

As I described in Dave Imas previous posting, I have recently become a spot shooter. This means I pick a spot or mark on the target and try to hit that spot. As I have worked on my spot shooting I have discovered a few things Id like to share. Im sure they are not new ideals to many of you, but I would like to know what you think?

In my mind there are three things that determine whether or not I hit the spot I am aiming for. They are:

1) how accurate in my gun
2) how good is my follow through
3) how close to the spot was my dot when I broke the shot. I call this shot selection.

Thoughts on

1) We all bench our guns and try to find the most accurate ammo we can afford. I shoot Wolf ammo at monthly matches. It will shoot about 0.5 inches at 50 yards (1.0 MOA) out of my Anz. 54.18. At big matches I shoot better ammo and this may come down to 0.35 inch. After picking an ammo, this factor become fixed and no longer in our control.

2) Follow through is insuring that the bullet impacts where the dot was when I break the shot. This is something that we must practice. I dry fire and watch to see if the dot moves when I break the trigger. I also shoot at paper and try to remember where the dot was when I broke the shot and compare that to where the bullet impact is. Basically if the dot is moving slowly and I dont jerk the trigger my follow through is good. If the dot is moving quickly and I jerk the trigger or relax or tense up, my follow through is bad. When I practice on paper at 50 yards the difference between where I break the shot and where the shot lands can be as much as 0.5 - 1.0 inches (~1.0 MOA). My follow through is pretty good, since this 1 MOA is actually both follow through and ammo accuracy combined. Good form and trigger control will insure good follow through.

3) Shot selection is the conscious or unconscious decision to break the shot. When I broke the shot was it close to my spot or was it far from my spot. Was it on the spot, was it 1 inch from the spot or 3 inches from the spot? If I shoot groups on paper at 50 yards I can shoot a ten shot group about 1.5 inches (3 MOA) So subtracting the errors due to ammo and follow through my shot selection is about 2 MOA.

What does this tell me? Well first ammo is important, my follow through is pretty good, but I can gain a lot by working more on shot selection. Also a ram is about 3 minutes tall and 5 minutes of angle long. So my 3 MOA group will fill a ram, not much room for error. If I can improve my shot selection from 2 MOA to 1 MOA my group will go from 3 MOA to 2 MOA. Picking the right shot (for me) is where great gains can be made.

Any thought?

Dave Imas any thoughts?

Sorry it was so long.
Lucho

Charlie Mc · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2003, 08:21:53 AM »

Lucho,
Great explanationThanks!
The idea of shooting on paper, is the best method of practice. The paper will tell no lies when evaluating your practice session. If you shoot on white targets and a black backstop, then use this same color combination for your paper practice targets.
It is also good to have some practice sessions on paper with your spotter. Make this practice session as if it was a match; use the correct time, take a break between each 5 shots, work on how you and your spotter are calling the wind and where the bullet hit, take notes concerning the visual information showing how much wind and what it will do to the bullet flight path (this will help when a range has a variety of wind/light conditions).

Another thought about practice.. How many folks miss some of the short line targets (half of your score)? If you do not hit all the chickens and pigs (easier targets), then why are you spending most of your practice time on the longer lines (harder targets). Practice on the short line until your score reflects your best abilities, then work harder for the turkey and rams.

yankee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2003, 02:31:38 PM »

Lucho-- One thing you might want to try is. When the shot is broke continue to focus on the spot on the target. Continue to steer the bullet to the spot. This is the follow through. You will see where the bullet hits, then you are done.

dave imas · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2003, 07:18:24 PM »

and then... with all this excellent practice and all the great advice from these experienced and successful competitors...

it all comes down to this. do you have the discipline to only take the good shot? well... do you?

was feeling like clint for a moment!

ajj · « **Reply #4 on:** December 08, 2003, 05:10:31 AM »

I shoot a lot of airgun practice in the garage, paper targets. I use some for more than one shot per animal. Interesting how the second shot seems to find the first pellet hole, even if it's not centered and sometimes when it's OFF THE TARGET.
Here's a basic fact we all "know" but which I sometimes can't seem to remember. If you are going to break the shot on the move the dot better be moving TOWARD the center of the target, not away from it. Those shots where you notice the dot has settled and then try to shoot are too late almost every time.
I'm starting to break some shots AS the dot settles but that's a different deal entirely.

Leadlauncher · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2003, 01:48:19 PM »

Charlie Mc

G,day from "down under" & a merry CHRISTmas to all. I have yet to shoot a "real" big bore silhouette match. Been a year buying & trying out what to use. Settled on .260 Rem. Bought a Rem 700 SS Mountain Rifle. Not very accurate. I relieved the stock & free floated the barrel with a dremel. I think i've stuffed it up completly now by grinding out that "lump" in the channel near the fore end.?? Anyway my question. What distance should I have the paper targets with a 1" dot for practice? kind regards,

dave imas · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2003, 05:17:28 PM »

Hi Charlie.
50 to 100 yards. keep in mind that the majority of your practice. 80%, should be done with an air rifle .22, or dry firing. much better for working on skills and technique, less expensive, and you won't develop a flinch.
also remember, you don't have to hold on the dot... you have to break on the dot. good follow thru will take care of the rest.
dave

Charlie Mc · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2003, 06:36:11 AM »

Leadlauncher,
Great to hear there is shooting "down under".... The news we hear is not good about your laws.
Listen to Dave, he is a great shooter and coach. Practice by dry firing, air rifle and .22, is the best. Just like the bullseye pistol shooters "we" (the normal shooter) must release the shot within our movement (wobble) around and through the target. I have watched some of the BEST shooters be able to hold a laser beam (mounted on a target rifle/pistol) on the target, while the other 99% of shooters only are on the target for short periods of time. Learning to release the shot at the optimum time for your personal wobble is a practiced skill. The more practice the better the skill.
Big reminder, we do this for fun---Keep it fun. The more powder you burn shooting whatever game, is practice. When I get a chance to shoot, I pull the trigger to enjoy myself and in turn I am practicing. Shotgun, pistol and rifle.