Sharky?

[12884-SHOOTER]

Im taking you up on an offer you made a few months ago. Its a marksmanship problem. I have an HW-97K(Beeman Model) with a scope mounted. It ways about 15+ pounds. My problem is that I am having a hard time learning to shoot form the standing position. 2 inch targets at 25 yds. give me a hell of a time. I was wondering if you had any techniques or suggestions for me?. If anyone else has any ideas you input would be appreciated.

[Sharky]

Shooter, first of all, let me say that I don't consider myself an accomplished enough shooter to be coaching anyone very much but I will try to help if I can. The help I will be able to provide will be kinda limited because I am not able to see your position, watch your breathing patterns, see feedback from your targets etc... Since I take it that you already have done some comp. shooting I will take it that your breath control is Ok. My guess would be that your problems, like mine in standing, normally lie within your position, specifically, your natural point of aim. The key to a good shot is your Natural Point of Aim. Get in your normal standing position and first, take a look around at your position as best you can starting with your feet and work your way up seeing if there is anything that might be a little sloppy that could be cleaned up. Remember the bone bridge from your hand to wrist to elbow to hipbone to knee to the ground. Take as much muscle out of your position as possible. Once your position is cleaned up get behind the sights and just RELAX! Close your eyes and twist your body left and right off the target in both directions and just let your muzzle come to rest whereever it naturally wants to stop. Open your eyes and see where your sights are pointing. This is your natural point of aim. That point where your sights will go when you are completely relaxed in your position. Now make small adjustments with your feet to bring yourself onto target. You will probably have to move your feet laterally slightly to line up for windage and you may have to spread your feet slightly or bring them closer together to correct your elevation o you may need to slide your support hand back or forward on the stock for more radical elevation changes. Once you are on target and you are completely relaxed in your pos. Close your eyes and move the rifle off target again both directions and come back to your natural point of aim. Open your eyes and get back on your sights and see where you are on the target. You should be very close this time. Keep repeating this process until you are on target and totally relaxed and not using muscles to stay on target. If you are using muscles they will tire fast and will start twitching slightly which will create serious problems. If your muscles are relaxed this will not happen. Lastly, again, pay attention to your breathing. Once you go into your natural respiratory pause and start getting on the trigger dont rush it. Don't send anything less than a perfect shot. If you cant get the shot off stop your trigger squeeze and breathe. If you dont breathe the first thing that is affected is your vision. So, take a breath and resume your trigger squeeze until the shot breaks. I know this isn't much but I hope it helps. David Tubb has a great book out called "High-Power Rifle" that has a world of great stuff about all aspects of marksmanship that you should check out. Also has a great section on the mental facets of marksmanship. I've seen Davids mental plan in action at Camp Perry and it is like watching a robot shoot. I dont even think he knows where he's at when he's shooting because he is so focused on what he's doing. Kinda weird and amazing at the same time to watch. I know you're not shooting high-power but marksmanship is marksmanship no matter what you are shooting. Also I would advise you to get rid of the scope and invest in some quality competition open sights. I'm sure that Beeman can recommend some good sights for their guns. Like I said, I hope this helps and if you have a more specific question I will try to help if I can.

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F.I.D.O.

[This message has been edited by Sharky (edited 09-23-2000).]

[12884-SHOOTER]

Thanks alot Sharky. That was VERY helpful.

[Sharky]

No prob dude. Good shootin to ya! Practice everyday but make sure your practice time is not too long. You will lose focus and start learning bad habits if you practice too long at one time. If you only shoot ten shots per day, that is fine. But, make sure you are focused and doing it right for those ten shots. If you see yourself getting sloppy, put the gun away. The biggest secret of marksmanship is consistency. Do everything the same way every single time. Have a routine for everything, from unpacking your gear to mounting your rifle onto your shoulder. Air rifle is the best tool going for learning pure marksmanship. Stay with it and don't be afraid to ask questions.

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F.I.D.O.