Consistency and accuracy, questions.

[Noxx]

Let me preface this with a little background.

In most of my years of gun ownership, I've settled for being a "competent" marksman. While that may mean different things to different folks, to me it meant I can put a whole mag into the COM of a silhouette target at any distance I might encounter in my own home, rapid fire.

Lately I've gotten the bug to become better, a LOT better. I'm heading to the range at least once a week over the last few months, and I've been popping up as a spectator at the local IDPA matches. I see people shooting 3" groups at 25 yards with a 1911 and I think "I want to be *that* good"

So I've been practicing, and here's my problem with practice shooting so far.

Some days, I can go out and just tattoo a 6" shoot'n'see at 15 yards, other days, same gun (P220), same distance, same conditions and stance.. I'm all over the place. Just today I put 20 rounds inside 5" with no flyers, last week, not so much.

I know repetition and muscle memory are key to shooting well, but I *feel* like I'm doing the same thing every time, but obviously from my targets, I'm not.

Is this a common problem when practicing / improving ones accuracy, or am I falling into some shooting pothole I may not be aware of? Thoughts, suggestions?

 

[Geronimo45]

Is this a common problem when practicing / improving ones accuracy, or am I falling into some shooting pothole I may not be aware of? Thoughts, suggestions?

One word for you. Golf.
Amateur golfers see that kind of thing happening to 'em all the time. Matter of fact, Golf & Gun hobbies are very similar in a lot of ways.

The pros - of golfing and gunning alike - do a lot of practice, most every day of the week. Dryfiring a few hundred times a day, every day, would probably help.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If you want to become a better shooter, compete.

 

[bluto]

Double Post.

 

[bluto]

Double Post. What is going on? Sorry.

 

[bluto]

I would say: "Yes, it is a common problem."

I've been working on accuracy and consistency for about 5 years. There are so many things that can vary from session to session that it can take a long time, and lots of ammunition, to narrow down what particular weaknesses are causing inconsistency. From my own experience I can say that it is very sobering to realize just how big a difference absolutely minute variations in shooter input can make.

When you're going from 10 shot 10" groups to 8" groups at 25 yards improving almost any of the basics (sight picture, trigger control, grip, steady hold, elimination of flinching, and stance) will give better results. As you strive to improve accuracy further (from, say, 10 shot 4" groups to 3" groups) all of these skills have to blend together. Everything has to be just right. What's more, for your groups to get tighter and tighter, any variance of one skill tends to affect all the others. Figuring out which of these skills is the problem during a session can be challenging. Correcting them while remembering to apply all the other skills is basically a continuing learning experience.

 

[Newkid]

Good morning. This is a subject I know a lot about and would like to comment on how important it is too learn how to breath when you are at rest. Breath in until you feel your lungs have filled up to almost full, Then breath out until you are almost at the end of that cycle, which should be at your most relaxed position., and fire. This is what and how the Military suggests for optimal target accuracy. I have used .22 ruger rifles, M-16 Rifles, M-14 rifles, .45 caliber 1911 style pistols and .38/.357 and was an expert marksman with the service. Once you feel like you are at the best relaxed position, squeeeze the trigger just so gentle like, do not snap the trigger, Do not grab the trigger and just pull, Put your trigger finger in the same place everytime. Most of all, Learn to breeth, easy like and not forced, like you would if you were expecting to get excited from the recoil or maybe if you knew that it is possible that you will flinch.