Need Metallic Silhouette shooting pointers

[Poper]

I have shot three matches so far, scoring 5, 3 & 3. Three chickens, one javalina, one turkey; two javalina one ram; and two turkeys one ram, respectively.
Weather during all three matches has been ideal. Not too hot, not too cold; almost zero breeze. - Very unusual for this particular range.

I am having one hell of a time staying on target during the trigger squeeze. Not all is steady until then, heck no! But being able to break the trigger in a steady squeeze while on target is seeming to be more and more like a complete impossibility. :banghead:

Frustrating is stating it mildly. Golf is much easier and far less frustrating!

Any tips and practice drills would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jwrowland77]

What's the pounds on the trigger pull? I've noticed that the more I can lighten it and still feel comfortable, the better. That way it'll surprise me every single time.

 

[Nwflycaster]

While I'm not familiar with silhouette nor the rules for it, I would look up and find what the minimum trigger weight is, and if your comfortable with it, take it down to that number.
I would also suggest paying attention to your trigger hands position on the stock and your trigger finger. When you squeeze the trigger, does your finger come straight back not applying any side pressure that can take you off the target with a more aggressive trigger pull?
Have someone loading the rifle singly for you sometime when you are practicing, and have them sometimes load it and sometimes not, where you don't know if it's loaded or not. Then watch what is happening in your sights when you shoot with an empty chamber. It's usually some pretty good feedback.
Also, if I were struggling I would ask one of the better shooters after a match if he would mind you shooting with him next time he goes to practice and if he could give you some tips. Most shooters are very happy to help you out. Plus without seeing you shooting it's rather hard to say what the issue might be.

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Smallbore or highpower?

Are you familiar with the concept of NPOA or NPA?

How much dryfire practice do you do?

What size groups do you shoot on paper from offhand?

Are you calling your shots?

I find when shooting offhand that my trigger squeeze is more compressed than normal. Still smooth, still follow through after the squeeze, but it's not the reeeaaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy slow squeeze of a good prone or seated position.

 

[Poper]

I am shooting Highpower Hunting Rifle.

Minimum trigger pull is 2 lbs. Maximum rifle weight is 8 lbs 4 oz including sights.
My current trigger pull is 2lbs 4 oz according to my RCBS trigger pull scale. My rifle weight is 7 lbs 11 oz including a 6-18x40 scope w/target turrets.

Smallbore or highpower? highpower hunter rifle

Are you familiar with the concept of NPOA or NPA? yes

How much dryfire practice do you do? little

What size groups do you shoot on paper from offhand? almost none - practice time is extremely limited - 12" at 100 yds would be a rather good day

Are you calling your shots? mostly, yes

Poper

 

[Jon_Snow]

Two thoughts:

1) Preload your trigger as much as possible. This means a LOT of dryfire practice, but if you have a trigger with a consistent pull, you should be able to take up 60%+ of it before you get on the animal. That way you don't have to pull the full 2lbs+ all at once. This is especially critical in hunter guns because of the minimum pull weight. If your trigger isn't consistent, get one that is.

2) Make sure to keep your right hand (assuming you're right handed) loose. Your right hand should lightly rest on the gun, not hold it in place. You have to have a well balanced rifle to do that, you should be able to support the rifle with just your left hand (earlier assumption applies). Add weight to the stock in the fore-end or butt to change the balance as needed. Personally, I tend to tense up if a match is going poorly and start gripping hard with my right hand, which makes me shoot even worse. If I force myself to relax my right hand I start shooting well again.

 

[Poper]

Thanks, Jon! This is the type of pointers I was looking for.

Once upon a time I shot 50' smallbore competition, but that was 45 years ago.
But I've forgotten more than I remember about those days.

Poper

 

[twofifty]

follow through

12" at 100 in a high power rifle is not a bad place to start at. Why? Because you're on paper and on your legs, which is better than many. And you've got the guts to show up and work at it. My hat is off to you.

I was able to improve my high power offhand shooting by shooting many many thousands of 22LR in a decent Anschutz sporter, with the trigger set the same as my HP rifle. This toned my muscles, helped me find a consistent stance, reduced my wobble area, refined trigger pull, and most important of all I learned to follow through (i.e. keeping the gun up and the sights on target after the shot is fired).

Without follow through, everything is left up to chance.

Poper, you'll find your former muscle memory groove and confidence after 5,000 rds of rimfire.
Keep us informed of your progress.