Summer of '02 I was out back every evening, shooting off about 100 pellets from my pellet pistol (styled like a Beretta Cougar). I could also keep all my shots in a 5" circle at 7 yards with my 1911 (which I didnt have a chance to do often, as I didnt have money for ammo).
Summer of '03, I only shot the pellet pistol once the entire summer. I couldnt hit crap when going to the range with any of my handguns (like we couldnt figure out where the heck my bullets were going, if they were even on the cardboard).
Now with rifles, I'm usually acceptable with them regardless of practice. Not great, mind you, but like 1" groups at 25 yards.
With shotguns, after a few misses, I'm able to get back in the groove of hitting 75-80% (clays thrown with one of those red plastic things, nothing special).
Kharn
