Marksmanship Question

[X-ffdo]

My 2 cents.
Tie your trigger pull to your breathing, Grasshoppah!
Long slow subdued exhalation and constant straight back trigger pull.
For some reason you have something of a mental nature throwing you off, a detractor when you do long distance shooting. So you create a focus point.

[rundmlee]

I've heard that some people tape dimes to the target... That seems to work, right Trin? hehehehe :-)

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by AuburnHunter

Ok I have a marksmanship question for you guys.

I have been taking a few marksmanship classes at a local range. Last night I discovered I have an interesting mind game issue.

Typically we shoot a silhouette targets in the class. To show/teach us not to focus too much on the X ring the instructor had us hang a standard piece of letter size paper up at 15 yards. He said that this is basically the same size as the 10 ring/COM and to focus on keeping all shots on the paper. Doesn't really matter where on the paper as long as it is on the paper. The point was to teach focus on the front sight and trigger pull.

At 15 yards I have no problem keeping all shots on the paper. Then when we hang a silhouette up I keep the majority of the shots in the 10 ring/COM however I start to drop a few into the 8 ring.

This obviously gets more noticeable at 25 yards. So to kind of reinforce the concept and give visual feedback the instructor sets up soda cans at 25 yards. I can hit that damn soda can at 25 yards every damn time. But when we switch back to the target most of my shots are in the 8 or even 7 ring.

Long story short the instructor said that when shooting at the target I get too focused on trying to hit the X, rather than just COM. So I start jerking the trigger, not focusing on the front sight, etc.

Any tips on how to get over this? I know focus on the front sight, smooth trigger pull. So do I just need to practice, practice, practice. Should I shoot at more soda cans and blank pieces of paper to build my confidence at 25 yards?

As an active competitive shooter, I have experienced the same thing ... many people begin "bullgazing" ... or peeking at the target. It is more common when you can see your hits. You then begin to absorb the holes in the paper and subconsciously forget about the front sight. I have seen people go from shooting all 10's on the 25 yd line Timed Fire Target to barely sholding 6 -ring .. that can happen in between mag changes .... Front sight, front sight, front sight.... stop peeking!

[BearFlagger]

I took a class from a Guy last year and trust me, (I'll say it) I suck. I'm still not great but much better and one of the best tools I found was that Guy standing behind me saying, "Pull slower....Slower....SLower.... SLOWER".. ever sense then when I pull that trigger I can dang near feel those damn brislely wiskers on my ear saying.... yeah you guessed it.