Author Topic: Spot shooting  (Read 753 times)

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Offline tedfl

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Spot shooting
« on: April 01, 2004, 12:15:17 AM »
How do you select the spot when spot shooting?
If you are shooting a spot (paint chip) on the ram for example, and the only spot happens to be in the middle of the target, and your approach is from the left or right, in theory, you would be dragging the dot horizontally about 2 ½  inches from the edge of the target through the target without shooting to the spot and then break the shot.  

If the spot were ¼ inch from the top of the rams back and you approached from the bottom or top this would also represent a different situation for either style of approach.

In analyzing the shot and the spot is not in a place that you like, what is your alternate plan?  What type of spot locations do you avoid?

Tedfl

Offline davei

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Spot shooting
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2004, 04:47:18 AM »
put the dot on the spot and break the shot.  

sometimes we make things far more difficult than they need be.  if the spot isnt' exactly where you would like then break it on the edge of spot that is in the correct direction.   a little mantra...

put the dot on the spot and break the shot.

Offline Arizona Jake

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Spot shooting
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2004, 06:06:09 AM »
I try to use the same approach as Dave. Most targets are made of nodular cast iron and have a little "riser" proruding from the center, on one side of it. I try to aim for that spot and break the shot there. Otherwise, I try to pick a bullet splash near the center of the target and release the shot.... if I can just get the @%$^*&!!! dot to quit moving around so much!!! :wink:
Joaquin B.:cb2:

Offline lucho

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Spot shooting
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2004, 10:53:22 AM »
I have altered Dave's approach a little.

Since I can't seem to put the dot on the spot I try to break the shot when the dot is close to the spot.  I would be holding the rifle for a long time if I tried to get the dot on the spot.  

Try breaking the shot during your best hold on the spot.  Trying for perfection can get in the way of a lot of good shots.

I also don't try and make the dot stop moving I try to make it slow down to a managable speed.

I feel that as I improve the shots will break closer to the spots and the dot will slow down more and more.

Lucho

Offline davei

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Spot shooting
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2004, 11:09:59 AM »
Lucho is such a wise man.  demand perfection but don't wait for it.   close counts in our game.  as long as close is still in the white and you follow-thru.  

as or more important than where you break the shot is how well you follow-thru.  if you aren't going to follow-thru then you should go fetch your dog and come with me to herd cattle.

Offline Leadlauncher

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Spot shooting
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2004, 06:37:51 PM »
Dave,

Can you please explain "follow through". After I shoot the muzzle is off the target. Do I bring it back on to the target & hold it there for a while?

regards

Leadlauncher Down Under.

Offline davei

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Spot shooting
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2004, 07:48:20 PM »
Hi Lead,

i think the best way to describe follow-thru is to think of when you are sighting in with your smallbore rifle on a swinger or an actual target.  you have your rifle on the rest, you break the shot and actually watch your bullet impact the target, and then, watch the target fall.  okay...  so visualize your ram, the bullet hitting center, and the ram hopping backwards off the target stand.  

now...  you are standing at the firing line shooting off-hand.  when you follow thru correctly, even in the off-hand position, you should be able to see the bullet impact the target.  you should be able to watch the same movie you watch when you shoot of the bench.

so following thru well means you are able to maintain the sight picture you have when you break the trigger.  extremely important.    there are quite a few things that will diminish our follow-thru...  an unstable base position, a stock that doesn't fit, incorrect head position, a rifle supported by muscle, relaxing or tightening muscles when you break the trigger, too much or too little tension in your hold...  

so...  i guess what i am saying is that we don't just decide to follow-thru.  we don't just decide to shoot well.  we have to build a solid foundation in our position, have good trigger skills, mental skills, equipment that will allow us to excell...  if we focus carefully on all the little bits, the foundational skills, following thru and shooting well will take care of themselves.  

does that help?
dave

Offline Leadlauncher

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Spot shooting
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2004, 04:33:20 PM »
Dave,

thanks for the info. I think I did read a previous thread that you or someone posted re the stance & hold etc. I will find this & start from there.

kind regards

Leadlauncher