Trying to improve my groups

[Erik]

Thanks guys.
On the trip this summer I went to Blue Ridge Arsenal range in Virginia, on recommendation from Ben Rumson, hired an instructor and had a great time. Not sure where I'll go next time, but somewhere in the south sounds interesting.

Yes, it's a semiauto competition gun, a Baikal. It's not top of the line, but it's definetely more accurate than I am, I'm sure a good shot could score 50 with it. I'm pretty sure the fit and the trigger is more personal preference for me than a real problem, and I think I should be able to manage it with practice. I'm thinking if I could ask to try one of the Unique guns next time, and see if it does any difference, just for the sake of it.

Yeah, airsoft and airguns are legal if you're over 18, if they aren't too powerful. I bought a Gamo Compact to have at home and practice with. Thought of a laser, maybe I can find one to try that with. Thanks for the tips

[SeekHer]

A GOOD target gun will shoot better then any human can ever shoot it!

The same gun will be built to lessen the effect of the human body on the outcome!

The most important part of any firearm is the trigger...I can have a $100 mil-surp rifle that has a really good trigger in it and I be able to outshoot a $1,000 target gun with a crappy trigger and have! A really good trigger will improve your scores more then any other, repeat any other, piece of equipment, period!

Concentrate on your sight picture and target and just squeeze the trigger until it releases--Let off should come as a surprise to you...A good trigger breaks cleanly, crisply and with the least amount of pressure...My BR, benchrest, rifles let off at 50 to 60 grams (2 oz) and air guns at around 1,000 grams (2 to 2.25 lbs)...

A note of caution: A very light trigger pull is dangerous so most hunting rifles have theirs set at around 1,500/1,600 to 1,800 grams (3, 3½ maybe 4 lbs)...I worked on one for a .22LR that I used for Smallbore Silhouettes that was so light that closing the bolt could set it off and having no safety it was too dangerous to have around so had to order a new trigger for it, set at 825 grams (1½ lbs)

If you're using a true target grip, free style pistol--sort of like a glove, then the pressure of the gun should be felt on the heel of the palm and on the pad next to the thumb and the tip or pad of the trigger finger, fingers curved very loosely, no tension what-so-ever...

Can you draw up some of the slack in the trigger before shooting like on a multi stage trigger…If you haven’t already, get a bolt action rifle with double triggers and feel how much pressure is needed to let off the front trigger by itself and again when cocked by the rear…that is how they should let off but with a heavier weight…

See about renting a good target pistol and practice with it before you qualify...I say get an air pistol and this way you can practice at home...Most homes can set up a 10M range even if you have to shoot through a couple of doorways...The biggest thing is practice, practice and practice some more...to the point that your muscle memory takes over and follows through with the shot...

A practice aid--get some large sheets of paper, newsprint is fine and mount a target spot on it with marker or crayon, whatever...Now shoot at the spot over and over again...Stop for an hour break, get into position again, fire your first shot and then close your eyes, blindfold you and shoot the rest of your 10 shot string that way...see how close ingrained muscle memory and sight picture will bring you close to your target...the big sheet is to show you where you hit if memory and sight aren't in sync...

Remember, that practice does not make perfect, only consistent! Start off correctly, with good instruction and practice...

[mekender]

Thanks guys.
On the trip this summer I went to Blue Ridge Arsenal range in Virginia, on recommendation from Ben Rumson, hired an instructor and had a great time. Not sure where I'll go next time, but somewhere in the south sounds interesting.

you come on down to NC (slightly south of VA) and we will go out to blackwater USA... you ever been in a shoot house?

[Mike OTDP]

It seems like part of the problem is arm and grip strength.

Arm strength can be built up by extending both arms out to the sides, and moving them in circles...about 15cm will do nicely. Work up to 100 circles forward, then 100 circles backward. Then try it with a 500gm weight.

Grip strength can be built up with grip exercisers, or simply by getting a jar, filling it with sand, and picking it up by the mouth using only your fingertips. Repeat up to 20 times.

Now, as to your questions....

The gun can make a BIG difference. A good pistol is far easier to shoot well than a bad one.

Cross-dominance is a serious issue. You may want to try shooting left-handed. The other solution is to get grips that twist the gun in your hand to align the sights with the eye...Rink offers this as an option.

Trigger control is something that improves with practice. The key is to start to build pressure, then keep adding pressure smoothly while your attention is focused on your sights. It's like walking and chewing gum.

Hope this helps....

[Darrell]

How about using good ammo? It might improve consistency.

[Erik]

I do think the trigger is a big part of my problem. I feel I have to think about pulling it slowly until the shot goes off, instead of focus on the front sight. The trigger has some slack in it, then it gets heavier, but there is more of what one website called "a roll" in it than a crisp trigger. It really shouldn't make a difference, but I had the same problem with DA guns in the US, a crisp trigger is just easier for me.
The ammo I use is Pistol Match ammo, not bulk. I dont know the quality of it, but it's what everyone else is using, so I think that it's not a major issue. At least not until I try to go from 46 to 50

I will take the tip of excercises, and see if I can build up some strength, that will help a lot I'm sure. As luck have it, I do have a 10m distance in my house that I set up the range for the airgun on. And the Gamo Compact has a trigger that also is fairly heavy, so I will just have to do a lot of practise with it.

Mekander, I thought about going down south to Myrtle Beach this summer, so I might go through those states next time. Never been in a shoothouse, or anything except a regular range. Unless I count the my time in the military of course. So I'm looking forward to maybe be able to try IPSC sometime in the future, but the shoothouse sounds really fun

[mekender]

you let me know when you are headed this way, i have a few contacts down in the myrtle area that would be glad to meet up with ya.

[Aglifter]

As I'm in MB during the summer, I'll be happy to help out as much as possible -- at the least, I can help w. restaurants, and provide lots of free ice cream...

There's not much gun culture around MB, but there are some shooting ranges around -- there's one convenient place, if the old codger's still running it, which is pretty decent -- but outdoors, and can get quite hot.

We do have a pretty decent sporting clays course in the area... Well, seems decent to me, anyway. I don't know if they ever opened up a rifle and pistol range or not.

There's an IPSC group on occasion, and then there's a pretty big club that has quite a few competitions a couple hours away.

If you do decide to go to MB, let me know if there's anything in particular you're interested in shooting, and, if I have it, I'll bring it up w. me.

[Combat Controller]

Check your breathing, try to only pull on your breath out. this way you are more consistent. SH has given you all the good advice already, so I will just chime in and say +1 to that.

[308Mike]

Not sure where I'll go next time, but somewhere in the south sounds interesting.

If you have the time and money, I've heard everyone who goes to Knob Creek (Kentucky) has an INCREDIBLE time! I'm sure you can find plenty of videos on YouTube of people shooting there.