Sac Valley Silhouette to improve CCW accuracy

[ptbarnacle]

Well when another member was going to the range last weekend, and I couldn't go over the weekend, I had to find a way to go during the week.

To mix up the standard paper punching of target shooting, I brought my CCW's and two .22 LR scoped rifles, and a Kimber Custom .22 1911. After a quick sight in, I proceeded to shoot .22 silhouette targets at 25 yards and 60 yards with the rifles (Rem 581 bolt, Ruger 10/22). When all of the silhouettes were knocked over, I shot the big bore pistols at paper to mix it up. The pistol bays at Sac Valley are adjacent to the 22 Silhouette range and only require moving 20 feet between the the two positions.

Soon, I was knocking over the silhouettes too quickly during the 15min sessions and was running out of targets. I then switched to the Kimber .22 LR 1911 pistol. This 5 in barreled custom 22 is very accurate and a dream to shoot at 15 yards and 25 yards where I had only shot it previously. The spinners were easy to hit at 25 yards with this pistol but more challenging free hand. I then moved to 60 yard distance for the silhouettes. I was able to get to the point were shooting from a rest brought better than 50% success. Then for a major humbling experience, I went to free hand! This was much harder and much less successful. The first magazine got a lucky hit, but the second was a skunk. But it did show when I jerked the trigger or rushed the shot. After about 50 shots, I was doing much better free hand and really getting a workout trying to hold steady.

After a couple grueling sessions of this, I shot 25yard targets and did much better than the beginning of the session! I saw a big improvement in placing where I wanted the bullet to go, rather than just grouping shots. I had a better feel for trigger break and confidence in the "short" 25 yard distance.

I will do more long range .22 pistol silhouette to improve my Kimber CDP .45 ACP accuracy. If you are at Sac Valley, I'd recomend trying the .22 Silhouette range to mix it up. Also, shooting .22 rifles freehand reminded me of what it is really like in the field for many shots under 100 yards. I will bring a sling next time to steady free hand shots.

[AuburnHunter]

I shot the .22 shilouettes out there a couple of weeks back, and it was a lot of fun! Especially with an accurate .22 rifle.

Good tip on the .22 practice for CCW. Wish I had a .22 conversion for my Kimber, would be a lot cheaper to practice with too!

[BonoVox]

I love my Kimber Target 22lr. I have seen improvement in my shooting through practice with it.

Yes it is a dream to practice at $12 for 550 rounds!

[1buba]

I've had Anthony on the .22 sillys. it was a lot of fun. He LOVED it. I think the feed back of seeing the target fall instead of just punching a hole is great for a kid.

[AuburnHunter]

Originally Posted by 1buba

I've had Anthony on the .22 sillys. it was a lot of fun. He LOVED it. I think the feed back of seeing the target fall instead of just punching a hole is great for a kid.

Not just for kids!

[ptbarnacle]

I loved the feed back. Although I am a kid. With the scope, you can topple them with a spin to left or to right depending on where you hit them. I took my 9 yr old there the day before and watched him have a blast. Couldn't shoot as I was helping him. I had to go back alone so I could shoot! Definately kid friendly.

[sealbeach]

I only went to Sac. Valley range once, but we really enjoyed it, nice range.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

I only went to Sac. Valley range once, but we really enjoyed it, nice range.

Next time we'll get the kids to the .22 sillywet range - IF we can get ptb outta the way!

[spc]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

I only went to Sac. Valley range once, but we really enjoyed it, nice range.

Great range and a great Northern House get together. I could do that again sometime.

spc

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by spc

Great range and a great Northern House get together. I could do that again sometime.

spc

Now that my kids like to shoot, I have a great built in excuse to get out of work! "Honey, it's for the kids!"

[sealbeach]

Originally Posted by spc

Great range and a great Northern House get together. I could do that again sometime.

spc

No kidding, it was a blast...we should do it again...

[1buba]

Agreed!!!

[akulahawk]

I couldn't agree more!!!

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Well when another member was going to the range last weekend, and I couldn't go over the weekend, I had to find a way to go during the week.

To mix up the standard paper punching of target shooting, I brought my CCW's and two .22 LR scoped rifles, and a Kimber Custom .22 1911.

I will do more long range .22 pistol silhouette to improve my Kimber CDP .45 ACP accuracy. If you are at Sac Valley, I'd recomend trying the .22 Silhouette range to mix it up. Also, shooting .22 rifles freehand reminded me of what it is really like in the field for many shots under 100 yards. I will bring a sling next time to steady free hand shots.

It's aways great to cross train for learning your guns.

We used to throw clay pidgeons on the impact spots on the burm and try to break them into smaller and smaller parts. First with pistols, then as they got hit, we had to break out the scoped rifles and make clay shards.

Fun, fun, fun .....

[Sigman]

Sounds like another UH range day is coming up