Zero movement post shot

Last weekend I tried to help a few shooter out.  It is common with new shooters to break the shot and then lift their head to see the animal fall, or not fall as the case may be.

Regardless of how temping it may be, you must work on having ZERO movement after the shot and strive to be rock steady for 3-5 seconds after the shot.  I mean everything!  Including the trigger finger!  Do not remove the finger from the trigger after the gun goes bang.  99% of all shooters do this as a natural reaction.  It is kinda funny when you think about it.  The "damage is done", no quick removal of your finger will change what just happened.  See THIS post about staying with the trigger.

Another good example is THIS video.  To truly know when the trigger breaks watch the firing pin by his right thumb.  A small pin on the end of the bolt goes forward and that is when the shot breaks.  Note there is ZERO motion with hand, head, body after the pin disappears into the bolt.  His trigger finger stays on the trigger. It is a good habit to develop!

This info could be better organized with a website but for now it is buried in 113 posts.  Hopefully you can find a few nuggets.

Walter Mitty Challenge results

Walter Mitty defined.

In this sport it is not about who wins.  It is about those folks who participate in the sport which is run by volunteers.  All of us dream of being "top gun" some day.  Some of us will try hard and may never get there but it is still free to dream!  When I go to a big match I dream of shooting as well as Jarred Perry but I doubt that will ever happen.  Still, I keep trying and based on recent results, I have some local competition that will force me to get more serious.  To see just how well some of the silhouette shooters can shoot, check out my Pe Ell post with results.

The Walter Mitty award is intended to have a little humor and recognize the shooters that come to the NH matches and although they may not be at the top of their class, they come and have fun anyway.

Results are sorted as a percentage of hits to total attempted hits.  You can read as much into these stats as you want.  Keep in mind some competitors who are shooting 1/5th and some are shooting 1/2 with a scope which tends to make the results fuzzy at best.  In other words, you really can't draw any meaningful conclusion from the results.  Just having some fun and keeping it light!

Walter Mitty Challenge - GSR 2012

Pe Ell, WA results and 1/5 participation in NH

Some of us were talking at the 2012 GSR about why some people don't take on the 1/5th challenge.  The first and obvious reason is that it is bloody hard when compared to 1/2 scale animals!  I argue that "hard" does not mean it can't be fun.  It can be hard and fun at the same time.  It is a true quest to become triple AAA or MASTER in the small animals.  And, let's face it, once you are a MASTER class shooter, you are going to attend the big matches to watch the top shooters in the country walk away with the top spot.  It becomes more of a hobby to get together and visit, encourage new shooters and compete against yourself.

Still, with that said, 38 MASTER class shooters traveled to Pe Ell in 2008 to see if they could beat Cathy Winstead Severin.  She still bested them all by 4 animals hitting on average 37 little guys.  The top 5 shooters shot on average 36/40.  But everyone shows up to play.  It is not just about winning but getting together and swapping stories and enjoying the game.  Everyone has to have personal goals.  Mine is to always do as well or better than the prior year.  It has not happened but I try.

My point, there are 5 classes in which one can compete shoulder to shoulder with their fellow shooter.  The closer you get to MASTER the harder the competition gets.  But in AAA, AA, A and B, there is plenty of fun to be had.  I my mind, if you own the book for cowboy, why not put some SBR and SBHR scores in it.

Yup, people go to Pe Ell and a B shooter shot on average 11 animals.  I bet they had a blast and learned a ton.  I was looking at the 2003 Winnsboro results and I shot a whopping 17 and 15 in SBHR.  The food and the country is beautiful. Ever had smoked oysters made to order?  Wow!

So, have a look at any of the results.  I will add more if I can find them.  In 2008 see how 95 shooters of 1/5th showed up and attempted to shoot 180 animals.  Yes, 95!  We're going to have a mini Pe Ell Sept 30th, 1/5th only, squaded! I have 160 cast NRA animals and I'm working to have a third big box. Maybe even have some grilled lunch.  Sorry, no oysters. See you there!

Historical Pe Ell Results.  Have a year that I don't, please let me know.

2012  87 Shooters
2011
2010  94 shooters
2009  90 shooters
2008  95 shooters
2007  86 shooters
2006  86 shooters

Pe Ell pics.  Take the slide show.

Want to learn more about 2013 Pe Ell, email Steve Wooster.  Here is an early email he sent out to past shooters putting the cap at 120 next year.  There are 20 shooters per relay (4 animals x 5 positions)  That means 6 relays.  5 relays is 100.

The CBC will be on April 20th & 21st, 2013.  Last years shooters have their spot. But I will need to know soon as possible. I am hoping we will fill up this year with 120 shooters. So let your friends know and let me know. I will mail out programs around December or early if you want yours. In case I have a waiting list, let me know soon as possible. I would like to have entries by March 1st, so I can get prizes ordered.  By the way, the 21st is my birthday, i will accept cash.

Steve

One way to make 1/2 scale paper targets

Or, the way I do it.  Not the only way.  I know Paul N. has some very elegant printed versions.  Mine is far less sophisticated.  Next time you are at the range bring a piece of paper or an old paper shopping bag and trace all the animals.  Then, take that pattern and cut out a stencil from thin plywood known as Luan.  IIRC, home centers stock a thin underlayment product in 4'x4' squares to put under vinyl flooring.  Any scrap of wood will do.  It does not really matter.  You can see in my picture I found something at the dump.  Wood is better than corrugated for the long hual because it is rigid and presses against the surface you are spraying.  Corrugated will work but gets flimsy after a while.

The key tool needed is a saber saw aka jig saw to cut out the silhouette.  Then, using some spray paint, paint up either paper or corrugated.  As for the target frame, this is a system I made up that suits the Pioneer Silhouette rails.  What you use at your club is up to you.  I can hang mine on the 2" deep rail and life is good.  I introduced these at the Silhouette Clinic in May.  I am confident you can adapt it for your range.

Find my post about how to become a master shooter.  Using paper targets is key to improving your iron sight shooting ability.  You really need to have a spotting scope or binoculars for instant feedback after every shot.  I simply record the hit on a small version of the target on the bench in front of me.  This helps me keep track of my bullet holes.  Once 10 shots are down range, things can get busy and it is more difficult to tell a new shot from an old shot.  So I trudge down with either tape to cover the holes or put up a new target.

Hope that helps on 1/2 scale.

For 1/5th scale, you can find printable targets to the right.  Practice vs. training.  I was reading on this topic recently and I am guilty of failing to train.  So, I went to the range to get my stencil as well as take a few very specific training shots.  Turkey's are my problem so I worked JUST on them.  I used paper and took just 5 shots per animal.  I started on the right, don't ask me why.  That was NPA so that is where I started.  Point #1.  Those two top edge shots tell you 'yikes' on paper whereas on steel you would say, 'cool, I'm a good shot'.  You simply cannot tell where you hit a turkey all the time.  Likewise the left turkey misses I thought broke in the animal.  I was surprised to see it in white.  You then take moment and think about what happened after the shot broke and correct it for the next shot or dry fire a few times and then load a live round.

My left animal is only 3/5 but is a crazy group.  Do I want 4/5 sloppy shots or 3/5 tight shots?  Something to process while you train.  What is/was the difference when I was shooting?  Try to catch yourself doing something right and repeat.

On my last shot of the training session I told myself, "ok, this is my 10th turkey or my chance to win a shoot off, make it my best shot of the day!"  It worked, dead center!  Not a bad thing to do before you leave the range.  Take that last shot and treat it like it is your 10th animal for a grand slam.  Helps develops some mental toughness.

Granite State Regional Wrap up Part 2

Numbers are in a worksheet and can be seen at the link below.  PCCR was won with a rimfire!  That is the world turned upside down!  We had a 39/40 shot in SBCR match 1.  I need to check with the NRA as to whether that gets added to the national record.  I hope this match will continue to appeal to more shooters from farther away.  Time will tell.

Thanks to all those who helped make the weekend a success.

2012 GSR Results.

Granite State Regional wrap up part 1

FIrst, I want to thank everyone for coming to the GSR.  We had 37 shooters show up to have a try at the animals.  I think the best part was how everyone helped out whether it was bringing metal detectors to find lost animals or bringing extra animals to the club.  Weather was beautiful and food was yummy!

Second, a big thanks to Melanie and Bob Poole who made my life much easier by running all the stats and taking on the the roll of Match Director Sunday.  In short, the NH silhouette crowd is just a really nice group of people.

Third, I have not started the stats.  But, here are photo's of the score sheets.  A more offical results document will follow.

Thanks again everyone!

Smallbore Hunter Rifle and Smallbore Rifle.  (1/5th scale).  Click on photos for larger image.




















Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Rifle and Club Rifle Iron sight


















Smallbore Cowboy and Club Rifle Scoped

Unexpected trip to Hendrick Hudson

I had a family command event in CT.  I noted that Dick Dorman was holding his match that Saturday.  I chucked the gun and some bullets in the car and headed on to the family weekend.  As I think many folks experienced, Friday and Saturday were rain outs.  I am blessed with an understanding family who said go ahead and play outside in the rain.  So I did.  Just 170 miles round trip.


Match Nerves:

The best part about heading to Hendrick Hudson is I can be a pure visiting competitor.  The bad thing about visiting an unfamiliar club is I find even after 11 years of this silly game I suffer from match nerves.  On the first ready command of the match I managed 4 chickens.  By the end of the match, I managed 10 rams.  Go figure!  Something to work on.  I'm not really sure how to work on it.  One thought, get my airgun out and once a day I get one shot.  It has to be a good shot or I have to clean the cat boxes.  Something so I can get over first shot syndrome.  Of course in this case, it was all 10 shots!

Fun at the ram line:

HHF&G shoots in yards.  That means the rams are 28 feet closer than what we are accustomed to in NH.  They just seemed easier to hold the dot on the animal and if I got a clean break, they fell.  I managed to hit 8 in a row.  Now the brain starts working.  I spun 9.  Now the brain really started working!  Take a clean 10th shot!  I did and it fell.  The good news, the 9th ram was off the pad touching the rail so it was a hit.  I went for a long run and only managed to hit the first animal.  They start the long run right in the middle of the match so that is somewhat uncalming.  At least I got one.  Second shot went right where it broke, just over the horn.  Ah well.

First Loser:

I first heard the term from my dear friend Bill Motl.  Talk about a great shooter with an even greater attitude toward life.  Bill is always up beat and never gets flustered when the animals don't fall.  So, I use the term with his same positive outlook on life.  After a very inconsistent 28 caused by a shakey start on chickens, I was determined to improve the number when I shot SBR in the afternoon.  As a rule I don't count misses.  I just shoot as well as i can.  8 chickens certainly confirmed what I already knew.  First pig shot, I yanked the trigger on that giant pig and went over the back.  DUH! Got serious and cleaned the next nine.  Long story short, I could only manage to put 30 animals in the dirt with yet another turned ram.  This one however did not lean on the rail so poof!  I tied Ken J. who bested my 6 turkeys by one animal and the day was done.  Woulda coulda shoulda.  Maybe next time!

Traveling:

I really enjoy traveling to matches and meeting new faces with like interests!  I got to meet the Staten Island gang and it is always interesting to hear the issues other MD's are dealing with.  It was a great match and worth every mile and rain drop.  Having 22+ shooters all working on the 1/5th animals is neat.  HHF&G has two approved NRA matches left in the 2012 season.  Sept 15th and Oct 6th.  Note, these are squaded matches.  One match in the AM and a second match after lunch.  It is not a re-entry match so you can only shoot one NRA rifle per day.  I.e., you can shoot SBR in the AM and SBHR in the PM.  Or, shoot SBR or SBHR in the am by shooting back to back and then shoot a fun 1/2 scale rimfire cowboy match in the afternoon.

Picture....first loser mug.  Just for fun and add some color to the blog after no pics for a while.

HHFG Aug results

2012 New Hampshire Granite State Regional

I thought I would put the details here.  This way I can update things if anything changes.

Who:  Any safe rifle shooter
When: Aug 18-19.  Practice and early registration starts at 2 pm Friday 17th.
Where: Dunbarton, NH go HERE for directions.
Why: To find the best silhouette shooter in the region
Rules used:  Here is the rule book.
Prizes:  Gold, Silver and Bronze to NRA events.
How much:  $20 first gun, $10 thereafter, 16 and younger, $12 and $6.
Lunch:  Available to purchase from BSA Venture group
Target Setters:  Venture group to help with setting.
Camping:  Yes, come early for the best spot, some firewood available.
Weather:  Rain or shine event
NRA Book: Books are required to shoot in an NRA classification match and are $13
Unclassified?:  Shooters will need to buy a book and shoot in highest class for match.
NRA events shot: Smallbore Rifle, Smallbore Hunter Rifle, Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action, Smallbore Cowboy.
Non NRA:  Club rifle scoped, club rifle iron sight.
NRA Program: The OFFICIAL PROGRAM is here.

The above is a high level summary.

Below is the text from an email I sent to all North East Silhouette shooters.  Wordy but goes into greater detail than the above.

The Granite State Regional.

Please check my blog.  I am going to put more GSR info there.  The most important fact to know are the dates.  18th and 19th of August.  Practice will hopefully start around 2:00 on Friday.  Note, the sun sets in such a way that you will have sun in your face in the late day.  Keep that in mind as you get your sight settings and schedule your arrival.  There will be some practice time Sat AM but it will not be extensive.

I have attached the PROGRAM submitted to the NRA.  For new shooters out there, this is more than an approved match.  It is a REGISTERED match which means national records can be set.  NRA books will be required for NRA disciplines.  Club rifle scoped and iron sights will be shot but not as an NRA event.  There will be no pistols shot at this match.  It is NOT a re-entry match.  You shoot 40 + 40 on each discipline for an "aggregate" score.  Once your 80 shots are complete, you are done for that entry.  Move on to the next.  You will be called to the line based on where your number is on the board just as in the monthly match.  Read, this is not a squaded match.

What we shoot.

SBR (Smallbore Rifle) which is the small 1/5th scale animals.

SBHR (Smallbore Hunter Rifle) ditto

SCR (Smallbore Cowboy Rifle) which is shot on the thin 1/2 scale targets

PCCLA (Pistol Cartridge Cowboy Lever Action) which is shot on the THICK 1/2 scale targets

For fun we also shoot,

Club Rifle Scoped on thick 1/2 scale

Club Rifle Iron sight on thin 1/2 scale

Cost is $20 for the first rifle, $10 for each subsequent rifle.  The added cost is for NRA fees but the discerning reader will also note, you are really getting a 40 shot match for just $5 after the first rifle.  Youth under 16, $12 for first gun, $6 there after.  Based on interest and on developments this year with youth.....we may have a youth supported club rifle and youth un supported club rifle.  That is to be determined.  My goal is to ensure youth are safe, have fun and it is fair in THEIR eyes!

Books: What if you don't have a 2012 NRA Classification Score book?  Well, you will need to buy one if you want to shoot anything other than club.  I can hear the disappointment already.  Here is my thought.  If you enjoy the sport, coming to this match and participating is a way to ensure the sport/event continues.  This is a small plea for you to participate.  As with any volunteer activity, you get out of something what you put back into it.  Bring your old book and buy a 2012 book for $13.  Never ever had a book before?  Well, you can buy one at the match.  The only "burden" you will bear is that you will be required to shoot as a Master shooter until the end of the tournament at which point you will receive your classification.  See NRA RULE BOOK and find 19.7.  The best solution to avoid this, head to Purgatory Falls in Mount Vernon for their match Aug 12th.  Buy a book and you can get your classification in advance of the GSR.  You could get all four classifications if you so desired. 

Camping:  John Bartlett will be camping in his trailer.  I will be getting the field mowed.  I can tell you that half of the fun is had after the rifles are in the case.  If you like to camp or have a camper, I suggest you hook things up and come to Dunbarton.  Power and water is only available at the clubhouse.  If I had a bunch of folks who wanted to camp.....maybe I get power back out to the cook shack next year.

Food:  I am excited to tell you that Pioneer is sponsoring a new Venturing group.  Venturing is a part of Boy Scouts but it is coed and has shooting sports. Traditional BSA has really clamped down on shooting venue but Venturing is more open and Pioneer is helping a new group get started.  They have accepted the challenge of helping re-set targets and cook lunch on the grill as their fundraiser.  So, as before, eating as many hamburgers as you can hold or stuffing the tip jar for the target setters is appreciated.  Our next generation of shooters is so important to us.

Targets Setters:  See above re Food.

I hope that gets you charged up.  Program attached.  Check my blog for updates.  Forward this to anyone you know that might want to join in the fun.  Questions, email or call me six 0 three - five 4 five - four three two three

Jud

1/5th NRA animals vs. Club in New Hampshire

I'll warn you, this post is my opinion and it may not be the consensus of other shooters.  Bottom line, two things inhibit the "real game" of 1/5th NRA silhouette in our NH program.

First, club rifle is analogous to learning to ride a bike with training wheels.  It builds confidence but not skill.  Yes, it is a great way to get exposed to the game.  Learn how the under appreciated 22LR is extremely accurate out to 100m.  I laughed when I first saw the big rams at 100m.  Until my mentor hit them and they all fell down.  Then it was my turn and now the joke was on me!

Some background:

My first silhouette match EVER was in Ft. Worth, Texas at the Haltom City Rifle and Pistol Club. The match was called the "FUN" match.  At this match, we got there at 8 or earlier and as a group we set up the steel.  Thin 1/2 scale targets, white, stood on stands.  We would set up 3 or maybe 5 banks depending on what the turnout looked like.  We'd pair up in squads of two shooters.  Every new shooter was assigned a veteran. If, and only if, all the new shooters had coverage, would a veteran shoot with another veteran.

After my mentor, EK, politely inspected the gun I brought, he told me to put it away and we would shoot his gun and his ammo.  A beautiful original 52B sporter and Lapua Club in a can similar to a can of Pringles. 

My point, there was a fun match with large targets to INTRODUCE shooters to the game.  Sure, veterans were there to shoot and they always fought to see who could hit and down 40.  Typically they all shot 37-39s.  But mostly, they were there to focus on exposing new shooters to the sport they love.  Loaning equipment, giving counsel, explaining scopes, advising how to pick ammo and lastly, having fun.  One guy had was what called the "2x4 gun".  An old Mossberg crudely fitted to a 2x4 and wrapped with fence wire.  The stock, a 2x4, looked like is was fashioned (I can't say inletted) with an axe.  He often was in the top 3 hitting 35+.  Although I did not understand the game enough at the time, clearly his point was, "this is not an equipment game!"  He gave me a brick of Eley yellow box and paper targets and told me to practice.  I was stunned.  Guess that was a good investment, I am still here 12 years later.  My point, the fun shoot was a time to nurture new shooters first and have some fun second.  And, because it was squadded, we all finished at the same time, put away animals and a small group would have lunch nearby.  I was always welcome to join them.

So, the 1/2 scale game was called the "Fun Match".  The 1/5th was called the "Real Match" and it was held the following weekend.  Their goal was to help shooters graduate from fun to real.

When it comes to the real game, now the 2x4 gun stayed home.  The real ammo, the real equipment, the spotting scopes on tripods came out.  The game changed from fun to fun but with greater focus on the task at hand.

Since EVERYONE was shooting 1/5th it was squaded.  Everyone had a spotter.  The NRA books came out.  Classification became real.  Pins became real.

1/2 scale is forgiving.  It will let you pull the trigger and "pass shoot" and still drop the animal in the sand giving you a false sense of improving your game.  The truth is or my concern is, you are getting positive re-enforcement of bad technique.  Yes, you can develop poor technique and still drop 1/2 scale animals.  When a shooter then tries to shoot small 1/5th animals, what was a "good shot" on 1/2, now can be below the rail on 1/5th.  Even worse, the shooter thinks they were robbed because what felt like a good break as on the big animals fails to come close to a small animal.  And that is why I think we have low participation in the 1/5th game.

The final obstacle is for new shooters to learn the 1/5th game without a spotter or coach.  

You won't get better if you don't take off the training wheels and practice on 1/5th to see what is really going on.  So few make the transition.  If everyone tired 1/5th, then maybe we would have a bunch of B shooters with 11 and 12 animals.  That is where everyone starts their long slow climb.  It's nice to have company.

Please be sure to come to my1/5th only squaded 60 shot match September 30th!  I will not require NRA books be purchased for this one match.  I will ensure new shooters have spotters and you will hopefully walk away with a better undestanding of the game.