10 meter air match #4 and the dreaded "chicken finger"

Disgraceful.  More odd experiences at the range. 

Thoughts.  The first change was that due to a large turn out for Air Pistol on Monday nights, I said I would move Air Rifle (me) to Tuesday nights and see if we can grow the program.  So, new format, just me and one other shooter.  Not quite the intensity or focus of Monday nights. 

Next, I have been practicing at home.  I felt as though I have developed the mechanics to get into the right postion, NPA, etc to create a high value shot consistantly.  I was excited to put it to the test and felt 540 was a distinct possibility. Maybe too high an expectation.  As one advisor suggested, "don't be so worried about the score, focus on good execution."

To my delight and fear, the first three shots were 9s and 10s.  "WOW!  This realy does work I'm telling myself".  Then, out of no where, I put a snowbird on paper.  I little "quiver" as I made the shot and the night was over from a score perspective and my intensity drained out of my body.  56 shots to go!  I knuckeled down telling myself it is just one shot.  My first 10 was an 88, impressive since one shot gave up 6 points. Five more 88s would have been a 528. 

But, it would seem there were more birds in the flock and I landed two more in the white.  Bizzare.

My evaluation is "trigger tremor".  With a 3.7oz trigger and a 3.6mm insert, I think it is too much to put together for the "perfect" shot and nerves or trying to execute that 'perfect shot' which is more than I can manage.  I found THIS article useful and perhaps my effort to get the "perfect shot" creates more negative results than positive.  Yup, I am "Cheeken" to squeeze the trigger and I end up with a huge "ah crap".

So.  My shooting partner gave me some old steel Anschutz inserts and I am going to try 4.3mm and shoot one or two matches and then re-evaluate.  I don't want to change too many things too quickly.  But that 3.7 oz trigger may also be on the the "to do" list.


DATA

2012-13 Season score log

#1 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#2 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7 or lower, 15 10x.  previous practice 1x
#3 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7 or lower,  7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.
#4 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7 or lower, 11 10x. JSB ScHAC pellets. First Tuesday night. 12/11
#5

2011-12 Season score log

Match #1  515 (87 83 87 88 90 80)
Match #2  510  (85 89 85 86 82 83)
Match #3  532  (94 87 83 91 89 88)  (season high, 94/100 tied best ever 10 shots)
Match #4  530  (87 90 90 93 89 81)
Match #5  524  (86 84 88 91 85 90)  
Match #6  517  (88 85 88 87 90 79)
Match #7  524  (82 91 88 91 84 88)  

Personal Top three 600 scores.  Goal, 540.

539  (93 90 90 85 87 94).  11x 7 or lower, 22 10x.  11/??/08
532  (94 87 83 91 89 88)   3/??/12
530  (87 90 90 93 89 81)   3/??/12

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