Shooting tip, whats your process, secrets?

[ruhler]

I started this post in another thread went a bit offtopic so decided to make a new topic instead. This is mainly for onehanded bullseye pistolshooting at 25meters basiccly its my firingplan I have never put down in words before but these are the steps I take and I realize its alot going on. Things that I dont think of normally, probably forgot some aswell. First of all im no expert or topshooter. Perhaps it gives somekind of help/tip for anyone, maybe it gives a laugh for how ridicilious it is for someone else . But this is how I do it. Hopefully you understand what Im writing my English it isnt my primary language.

SAFETY, act as all guns are loaded even if handed to you and checked by anyone else you still need to make sure the gun is unloaded, always keep muzzle in a safe direction, leave bolt/chamber open and magazine out of the gun at all times unless youre about to shoot. Never lay down a loaded gun.

MISFIRE / HANGFIRE / SQUIB LOAD
If a misfire happens keep holding the gun downrange and wait a while (60sec atleast) before doing anything it could be a hangfire, STOP unload and investigate, make sure that there is no bullet stuck in the barrel before shooting next round. I myself have stopped a experienced shooters from shooting again when a Squib load occured on a competition. Another time a shooter got lucky with a 44magnum, no bullet on paper but alot of splatter from the cylindergap, and hell of a recoil that hurt alot but could have been worse.

Shooting with both eyes open.
I shoot with both eyes open I have practiced that for a while, it feels more relaxed, it gives better field of view especially when having multiple targets or while hunting. Learned this by: started with aiming as "Normal" with left eye closed to find the sights then opened both eyes, when I started to focus on wrong sightpicture I just closed eye quickly. Its easy to practice daily just point your finger at a spot at a wall or something aiming as normal with one eye closed open both eyes and practice.

This is what I do as a "plan" for each shot. (isnt neccessary right for anyone else but works for me) for a serious practice trying to be consistant, trying to keep mind clear, relaxed "dont waste oxygen on keeping tension in other mucles than needed".

Stance
First I make sure the stance is comfortable and relaxed. When shooting onehanded pistol I make sure to have the weightbalance is on the middle above the feet just in front of the heels. Feets are about shoulderwith apart at a angle at the target, you should be able to close your eyes raise the gun and then the sight should be on target without effort not need to move your arm sideways. Keep the shoulder low and relaxed. The other non shootinghand I just stick in my pocket.

Grip
I grip the gun as it feels comfortable, on a pistol I try to get as high grip as I can. Grip should be like a firm handshake, too loose and you will be squeezing with the whole hand, the only motion in the hand should be in the triggerfinger.Triggerfinger should be on the trigger in the middle between the first joint and the fingertip the motion should go straight backwards without touching the frame of the gun. Its important that the triggerfinger gets som air between the finger and the grip, you should be able to push a paper between the grip/frame and trigger finger. If not adjust the grip. Dont forget the thumb should just rest on the side out of the way not applying any pressure.

Aiming
Before loading I lift the gun with my eyes closed as Im about to shoot and aim down range with the gun. When I open the eyes I will notice if the gun pointing wrong. Focus on the front sight the gun should be naturally without effort in the middle of the target sideways. If sightpicture is right but aim is on the sides of the target, adjust the stance by moving the feet/angle against the target and try again. I aim at 6oclock hold.

Triggerpull/firing
Breathe in deep during raising the gun above the target, feel the trigger and practice to take up the slack/pretravel in the trigger, hold your breathe for a while and exhale out slowly while lowering the gun. Focus on the front sight and keep the front and rear sight level. The target is suppose to be blurry. When entering the POA keep exhaling slowly to a point where you have 60% air left (think about it as a airpillowsupport for your torso). Hold your breathe and keep aiming POA (everyone shake/wiggle dont try to control where the trigger breaks its suppose to be a surprise). You got about 8seconds to fire. Followthrough like its a waterpistol keep the gun at POA after firing, analyze how did it feel, where did I hit, what did I do right/wrong. You can use a scope to confirm each shot and you will learn to identify each shot what happened.

Resting
Rest between shots, dont move around but relax as you stand, keep your grip but finger off the trigger. Hold the gun resting against table with muzzle pointing down range. Dont stare at the target, sky that are to bright, just rest your eyes on a wall, floor or something neutral close by.

Most important if it feels wrong never take the shot, you start shaking, taking to long, starts thinking about work and so on and you starting to think that you must fire. When trying to let the trigger break at POA your on the way out of the POA. Just stop and take down the gun, relax/rest a while, figure what went wrong check the stance/hold and make a new try.

Cant wait until this winter is over, really miss to be at the range in good daylight, warmweather, Sometimes shooting its frustrating, exausting both physically and mentally. But I do like the feeling afterwards, I always leave the range in a good mood, relaxed with a clear mind. Being at the range is sometimes about just plain fun, other times its serious competition, but remember its about having a good time among friends and family.

[markiver54]

Good tips for target shooting. In my youth, my instructor really stressed the breathing. It HAS helped me over the years. Thank you for taking the time to describe some very good points. Many of these techniques however would not be possible in a self-defense situation.
Good post...thank you!

[North Country Gal]

To be sure, there is very little in common between traditional bullseye shooting and self-defense shooting. I'm definitely a shooter in the bullseye school and I have no fantasies about me being an expert self-defense shooter. That's fine with me, because I am purely a target and recreational shooter.

I started my shooting career in 8th grade when I joined a Junior rifle club, shooting four position, 50 foot rimfire bullseye using the club's Remington 513T target rifles with peep/globe sights. I had an excellent coach who took an interest in me because I took the shooting so seriously. I still have a picture in my head of him tapping a finger on his head while saying, "Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate!"

If I could share one thing about shooting that has helped me most over the years, it is that very thing. Concentration on that sight picture, before, during and after the shot (follow though) is everything. You don't have to have super eyesight or steadiness to be a great shot as some mistakenly believe, but you do need to train your mind to develop the concentration needed to be a good shot and that only comes with quality practice time, quality meaning enhancing good shooting habits and avoiding bad shooting habits. Shooting is ultimately a mental game.

[North Country Gal]

Concentration? Here's an example.

I've often drawn an audience back in the old days when I was shooting handguns with horrific recoil (454 and up), but nevertheless shooting such guns with good accuracy and, make no mistake, that is a shooting challenge. Many of those onlookers were shocked to see a gal shooting such guns because they assumed you had to be Arnold Schwarzenegger or similar to handle such recoil. When they asked, I told them it was just a matter of developing the technique needed to handle such recoil, of course, but then I would tap my finger to my forehead and tell them it mostly a mental thing to not let the recoil ruin my concentration when I shot.

[daytime dave]

Concentration? Here's an example.

I've often drawn an audience back in the old days when I was shooting handguns with horrific recoil (454 and up), but nevertheless shooting such guns with good accuracy and, make no mistake, that is a shooting challenge. Many of those onlookers were shocked to see a gal shooting such guns because they assumed you had to be Arnold Schwarzenegger or similar to handle such recoil. When they asked, I told them it was just a matter of developing the technique needed to handle such recoil, of course, but then I would tap my finger to my forehead and tell them it mostly a mental thing to not let the recoil ruin my concentration when I shot.

I have to say I agree with the mental preparedness / concentration example whole heartedly. I've taught a couple of people how to shoot. If they encounter difficulty, it has usually stemmed from the disconnect between knowing what to do and actually performing it. The brain changes things slightly if they don't have the ability to concentrate and overcome the natural aversion to an explosion going off in their hands and near their faces. Once they "get" it, it has been self correcting for them if provided good basics. At least in my limited experiance that's what I have seen.

[Mr. Neutron]

Ruhler, Thanks for taking the time to make the really good write up and the help you just gave!

This is a Great Topic, for old and new shooters alike. Everyone should be open to learning about this stuff......

Really Excellent Advice, North Country Gal! Thanks for that!!! Hits home to me because I had struggles with that very thing off and on when I began shooting the matches I used to shoot. And especially with Instinctive Archery shooting as well. That takes a TON of concentration on the tiniest speck on the target you can focus on.......

I know this sounds all "Zen-like" and such, but a really great IPSC shooter in the '90s named Brian Enos wrote a book called "Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals". The text in the book on the subject of relaxation were right up there with concentration as well, and the relaxing led to better focus/concentration for me.

[BrokenolMarine]

A very good write up regarding target shooting. All excellent points and things I taught in basic marksmanship in the Corps and in Law Enforcement. A couple things to add to help the novice and the experienced shooters alike.

Follow Thru -

Bullet Holes won't disappear if you don't check the shot IMMEDIATELY after squeezing the trigger. HOLD your sight picture through the recoil and for a pause after firing the shot during target shooting and then bring the gun down. The shot is NOT completed until you have Followed thru. If you find that even though your sights are on and most of the shots are centered you still have shots bleeding out the bottom of the target, you are likely "Anticipating" the shot and pushing the muzzle down as you shoot so you can check the score/see the shot. This causes low shots. Follow thru.

Trigger Squeeze -

As stated above, the hand grips the firearm and the trigger finger squeezes or presses the trigger. The trigger squeeze should be similar to using an eye dropper. If you squeeze to hard or too fast the contents of the dropper squirt all over the eye and too much is applied. If you baby the dropper, the drop starts out, then is sucked back in. Starts out again, then is sucked back in. A steady even pressure applied to the dropper will result in ONE drop falling as a surprise into the open eye. A steady even pressure applied to the trigger will result in a smooth surprise break of the trigger. The trigger is pressed straight back. Curling the trigger will result in the shots pulled off target. Left for the Right handed shooter, Right for lefties.

Front Sight -

My mantra, in the back of my mind when competing, after all else is done. Has always been, "Front Sight, Front Sight, Front Sight." In Fact, across the top of my range clip board in bold letter are the words, "Front Sight."

The Marine Corps taught us in Boot Camp that sight alignment is The clear tip of the front sight centered from left to right in the fuzzy rear sight aperture."

I always taught my students that if you aren't seeing the front sight, you aren't aiming. Everything else is fuzzy.

[ruhler]

Great input lots of experience talking here, will defineatly be useful for me and others, Felt it was a topic worth bringing up-

[GunnyGene]

A very good write up regarding target shooting. All excellent points and things I taught in basic marksmanship in the Corps and in Law Enforcement. A couple things to add to help the novice and the experienced shooters alike.

Follow Thru -

Bullet Holes won't disappear if you don't check the shot IMMEDIATELY after squeezing the trigger. HOLD your sight picture through the recoil and for a pause after firing the shot during target shooting and then bring the gun down. The shot is NOT completed until you have Followed thru. If you find that even though your sights are on and most of the shots are centered you still have shots bleeding out the bottom of the target, you are likely "Anticipating" the shot and pushing the muzzle down as you shoot so you can check the score/see the shot. This causes low shots. Follow thru.

Trigger Squeeze -

As stated above, the hand grips the firearm and the trigger finger squeezes or presses the trigger. The trigger squeeze should be similar to using an eye dropper. If you squeeze to hard or too fast the contents of the dropper squirt all over the eye and too much is applied. If you baby the dropper, the drop starts out, then is sucked back in. Starts out again, then is sucked back in. A steady even pressure applied to the dropper will result in ONE drop falling as a surprise into the open eye. A steady even pressure applied to the trigger will result in a smooth surprise break of the trigger. The trigger is pressed straight back. Curling the trigger will result in the shots pulled off target. Left for the Right handed shooter, Right for lefties.

Front Sight -

My mantra, in the back of my mind when competing, after all else is done. Has always been, "Front Sight, Front Sight, Front Sight." In Fact, across the top of my range clip board in bold letter are the words, "Front Sight."

The Marine Corps taught us in Boot Camp that sight alignment is The clear tip of the front sight centered from left to right in the fuzzy rear sight aperture."

I always taught my students that if you aren't seeing the front sight, you aren't aiming. Everything else is fuzzy.

"Blessed are those who, in the face of death, think only about the front sight." Jeff Cooper.

[bikeridertim]

A very good write up regarding target shooting. All excellent points and things I taught in basic marksmanship in the Corps and in Law Enforcement. A couple things to add to help the novice and the experienced shooters alike.

Follow Thru -

Bullet Holes won't disappear if you don't check the shot IMMEDIATELY after squeezing the trigger. HOLD your sight picture through the recoil and for a pause after firing the shot during target shooting and then bring the gun down. The shot is NOT completed until you have Followed thru. If you find that even though your sights are on and most of the shots are centered you still have shots bleeding out the bottom of the target, you are likely "Anticipating" the shot and pushing the muzzle down as you shoot so you can check the score/see the shot. This causes low shots. Follow thru.

Trigger Squeeze -

As stated above, the hand grips the firearm and the trigger finger squeezes or presses the trigger. The trigger squeeze should be similar to using an eye dropper. If you squeeze to hard or too fast the contents of the dropper squirt all over the eye and too much is applied. If you baby the dropper, the drop starts out, then is sucked back in. Starts out again, then is sucked back in. A steady even pressure applied to the dropper will result in ONE drop falling as a surprise into the open eye. A steady even pressure applied to the trigger will result in a smooth surprise break of the trigger. The trigger is pressed straight back. Curling the trigger will result in the shots pulled off target. Left for the Right handed shooter, Right for lefties.

Front Sight -

My mantra, in the back of my mind when competing, after all else is done. Has always been, "Front Sight, Front Sight, Front Sight." In Fact, across the top of my range clip board in bold letter are the words, "Front Sight."

The Marine Corps taught us in Boot Camp that sight alignment is The clear tip of the front sight centered from left to right in the fuzzy rear sight aperture."

I always taught my students that if you aren't seeing the front sight, you aren't aiming. Everything else is fuzzy.

Thank you for the trigger Squeeze info!!
This is the best explanation I have heard or read!
I will remember this next weekend at my bench rest match!

[RanchRoper]

I’m from the Mr. Magoo school of handgun shooting. Best to stay behind me.

[BrokenolMarine]

I’m from the Mr. Magoo school of handgun shooting. Best to stay behind me.

Maybe so, but you are from the Quigley school of rifle shooting, best not to be in front of you at any distance in that case.

[BrokenolMarine]

Two more practice tips for the handgun.... I taught these in my private classes.

For improving trigger control:

Take a spent case and balance it on the end of the barrel of your semi-auto or revolver.

Aim in
(Yes, Yes, I know you can't really aim in as the case is in the way... do your best.)

Pull the trigger smoothly to the rear until it breaks.
(use snap caps or dummy rounds to protect the hammer or firing pin.)

The spent case should NOT fall off the end of the barrel. It may wobble and dance at first.
But the goal is for it to stay on the end of the barrel. As your trigger control improves, the casing should begin to sit dead still at the end of the barrel, even in double action trigger movement.

Triangulation Practice.

You'll need a piece of cardboard for backing, and an index card or piece of typing paper, and a new unused sharpened #2 pencil to start.
Your UNLOADED handgun of sufficient caliber that the #2 pencil fits in the barrel.

With a marker, draw a series of circles on the index card or typing paper.

Tape the paper to the cardboard or poster board that will be your backing.

Mount this board on a wall, bulletin board, fridge with a magnet, or any location where it will be at shoulder/eye level.

This will work with the Revolver or Semi-Auto handgun both, but only Single Action in the Revolver.

Recheck your handgun of choice to insure that it is unloaded and no ammunition is present in the area.
You stand in your shooting stance in front of the target, and present the handgun. You'll want to be at a distance where the muzzle is about 2" from the target at first. Aim at the target and insure that the muzzle is level or slightly (VERY slightly elevated.) If not, adjusted the level of the target.

Now, cock the hammer on the firearm you are using unless it's a double action semi-auto.
Elevate the muzzle, and drop the sharpened pencil, eraser first, into the muzzle.
Readdress the target and check your distance from the paper. You'll want the pencil to be about an inch from the paper.
Aim in, squeeze the trigger (Which we practiced above) watching the front sight at all times, maintaining your sight alignment and sight picture.
Your trigger break should come as a surprise.

When the trigger breaks, the firing pin/striker will hit the eraser and drive the pencil into the paper. A mark will appear on the paper.
Repeat this drill twice more and lay aside the handgun. Connect your three dots forming a triangle.
Repeat the drill until you begin to tire. You should see the size of the triangles begin to shrink.

AS you improve, make your aiming points smaller, this will also help make your triangles decrease in size...

NOTE: Your dots WON'T be on the DOT you use an an aiming point as the muzzle is well below your aiming point. You are sighting and dry firing for groups. I suggest your aiming point be a 6 0'clock hold for consistency. You'll be surprised what a difference the two drills will make.

The revolver, of course, can only be used in single action mode due to the rotation of the cylinder in double action. Cock the hammer to Single Action, Then insert the sharpened Pencil, and dryfire. Place a snap cap/dummy round in all cylinder chambers to ease the drills.

This drill is harder to explain than it is to do once you get the mechanics down pat. My wife got used to seeing the index card on the fridge, I just left it there.

[GunnyGene]

Here's a short video of how it's done for the real world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo23qjWav0Q

[markiver54]

Here's a short video of how it's done for the real world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo23qjWav0Q

[BrokenolMarine]

Here's a short video of how it's done for the real world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo23qjWav0Q

This is an amazing short period of Instruction Gunny. I copied the link and sent it to my Rabbi from my PD days. He is a retired 30 year veteran of the PD, 82 years old, still shooting competitively and winning. He was a Marine Crew Chief and Door Gunner in Nam, the Range Master for 13 years for a major metro department, and a Patrol Sergeant. He turned down opportunities for promotion into the brass as he wanted to stay on the street. He still teaches private classes at his home in the country.

HE too is known as "The Gunny." I titled the email, "You should add this to your Firearms Class Lesson Plan Immediately."

I can't wait to get his reply.

[GunnyGene]

Here's a short video of how it's done for the real world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo23qjWav0Q

This is an amazing short period of Instruction Gunny. I copied the link and sent it to my Rabbi from my PD days. He is a retired 30 year veteran of the PD, 82 years old, still shooting competitively and winning. He was a Marine Crew Chief and Door Gunner in Nam, the Range Master for 13 years for a major metro department, and a Patrol Sergeant. He turned down opportunities for promotion into the brass as he wanted to stay on the street. He still teaches private classes at his home in the country.

HE too is known as "The Gunny." I titled the email, "You should add this to your Firearms Class Lesson Plan Immediately."

I can't wait to get his reply.

Great! I trust you'll post his reply here?

[Mr. Neutron]

Wow!!! That video was INCREDIBLE instruction!!!

I'm no Rob Leatham or Jerry Miculek, but shot Speed Steel & Action Pistol matches for years. Maybe a "decent local level" pistol shooter???

After seeing that video, I now fully realize I've been shooting pistols so wrong for years! I thought you were supposed to at least maybe LOOK at the sights???

However, I don't see what was wrong with the second shooter's insults?? I know I was intimidated by them......

On a more sorta serious note, I went to my Uncle's house yesterday in central OR. He's got some property, practically no neighbors, some long range (100, 200, & 300 yds.) rifle targets, and some 25 yd. and 50 yd. gongs, spinners, and stuff we whoot with 22s and lower power centerfire rifles and handguns. He has an old Winchester model 94 with a long 24" barrel that we took a few offhand shots with. I was hitting the 50 yd. gongs a bit easier with that 30-30 than with either of my Henry's (22 & 30-30). Seemed to wobble slower, less, and further seemed easier to follow through with. It does have a slightly longer sight radius than my receiver peeped Henry, but has the factory's buckhorn sights.

One thing I noticed was the weight of the front part (barrel) of the Winchester. Is more weight out front somewhat of an aid for offhand shooting?

[BrokenolMarine]

Here's a short video of how it's done for the real world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo23qjWav0Q

This is an amazing short period of Instruction Gunny. I copied the link and sent it to my Rabbi from my PD days. He is a retired 30 year veteran of the PD, 82 years old, still shooting competitively and winning. He was a Marine Crew Chief and Door Gunner in Nam, the Range Master for 13 years for a major metro department, and a Patrol Sergeant. He turned down opportunities for promotion into the brass as he wanted to stay on the street. He still teaches private classes at his home in the country.

HE too is known as "The Gunny." I titled the email, "You should add this to your Firearms Class Lesson Plan Immediately."

I can't wait to get his reply.

Great! I trust you'll post his reply here?

I might have to EDIT his reply. He's a Marine, A Police Sergeant, and retired. Yeah, I'd almost bet...
Let's just say, a young Trooper just out of the academy pulled him over one day and after my "Gunny" finished counseling him on his attitude, he was thanking him and calling him SIR when he let him go...

[BrokenolMarine]

A couple more tips and a touch of humor...

As stated in another post:

Break your focus between shots or sets.

When I was shooting PPC, we shot strings of fire. You were given time between strings to prepare to shoot and then stand ready on the line. Once I was in my proper shooting position and ready to shoot, I looked at the ground in front of me or closed my eyes. I waited for the Match Commands to start before raising my eyes to the targets. "Ready on the Right, Ready on the left..." This rested my eyes and reduced the eye strain. The main match was 150 rounds. The side matches were usually 60 rounds and there were several. It would be a long day. Eye strain can lead to reduced visual acuity and headaches. Every little bit helps.

Match Focus

Prior to being called to the line I certainly visited with other shooters as the social aspect of the PPC circuit was a large part of the reason I shot. I networked with the officers and agents from a wide variety of other departments and agencies. Once we were called for our relays for the various matches, most of us would focus on the task at hand and limited conversation to the match. Scoring of targets and questions related to the match. I didn't look around, I didn't try and figure out my score and where I might be placed so far. I didn't scan the other's targets to see how they were shooting. I focused on the task at hand. My clipboard had notes for each yard line, such as sight settings and aiming points and they do no good if you don't review them EVERY time. You have to have your mind IN the match.

Humor

I had a very nice set of electronic ear muffs I used when teaching, I wore a set and the single student on the shooting line wore a set. That way we could both hear, but the electronic muffs would dampen loud noise like gunshots. The students could hear commands while shooting if it became necessary.

I started to wear these muffs at matches, so I could hear the commands from the line better when I became senior enough in our PPC league to shoot on either end of the line. I usually shot on target 1, which I preferred as then I had no one to my left, meaning no ejected brass down my neck. We were shooting a state level match, and moving back to the 50 yard line, and I had my muffs on, standing at the barricade, waiting for the command to stand to.... I hear this:

"Dude, let's go, we are out of the running and it's HOT out here."
"Yeah, yeah, I just want to watch this next relay."
"Man, HOT, it's freaking Hot."
"Alright, I Just want to watch the Fat guy on target 1 shoot, he's good."


Wait... Target 1, the Fat Guy on Target 1?

vpra cav 14.jpg (176.12 KiB) Viewed 1367 times

About that time the tower says,
"Shooters, With Six Rounds, Load. Your next stage of fire will be....."

I never wore the electronic muffs again.