Homemade stocks

A few of us went to a youth prone match today and as with any trip to another club, you learn so many little things.

Ok, this is an equipment centric post, sorry.  Getting youth to shoot should not be focused on equipment!  But....we need to have functioning equipment first right?  One of the guns I always suggest when they ask me what to get for a youth is the CZ Scout.  It is light weight (5.5 lbs), small and amazingly accurate for the money.  I am not current on the whole CZ marketing strategy as the move from the 452 action to the 455.  Based their website, the Scout is still based on the proven 452 action which is a good thing! Any used or new Scout will work.

Other than a Cricket, it is the smallest, commonly available 22LR for youth today weiging in at 5 lbs vs the Cricket's 2.5 lbs.

The purpose of this post is to share my story with making a youth silhouette stock.  The take away can be; how easy it is to make a quick and dirty stock as well as how you can make a stock to help withe head position, cheek weld.

Material was to pieces of Baltic birch plywood glued up.  Cut the blanks to the desired profile before gluing them.  Rout out the inlet and bed (fit) by using

bondo.  No need to get fancy.  the hardest part is keeping the "depth" of the stock the same as the factory stock so the factory action screws and metal fit on the new stock just as they did on the old stock.  Measure twice, cut once.

Then get out a rasp and a cold beverage of your choice and shape the stock.  The next day sand, file, rasp and repeat for the right size.  If I were to do mine again I would make the "wrist" of the stock smaller.  Otherwise, it works great.

To the right, if you look closely, you can see the bondo.  Bed the action with bondo and save yourself inletting in plywood.  Not fun!  It took me a work week of evenings to get this stock made.  Then let the shooter pick out their favorite color at the store and have some fun.  Always make it fun!

The shape of this stock lets the kid get the heel of the stock into their shoulder while also getting their head holding the stock and gun more steady.

It does not need to be beautiful.  if they can get their head in the right position and hold the gun with more bone on bone support and less "muscle" hold, they will be far more excited with the results. 

Next up on the Scout is figuring out how to put iron sights and a rail on it!  We saw a Scout fitted with an aftermarket rail and iron sights and it looked like a very promising 5.5 lb target gun for 3P.  Or, if your child is bigger and ready for a gun ready for 3P, you can buy a CM-2 Youth aka Cadet. Here is some info on these guns but they weigh 7.2 lbs and now we are getting into a heavier gun.

Blog restored! PHEW!!

Below is an email I sent to folks on 4/9/13 who have previously attended a silhouette match and are on the "silhouette distribution" list because my BLOG was down.  Google has just restored it and I thought I would ensure the letter is here as well.  There are some good links and general info.  Of course there is also some stuff you may not understand.  Contact me if you have questions.

I wrote....

1. Some of you may have noticed my blog is gone.  Google's "automated system" disabled it 4-3-2013 and even after my "human" plea asking they restore it, no response as of yet.  I remain optimistic as it was disabled due to SPAM.  Based on what I read, all my external links suggest I am "SPAMMING" to a bot-program analyzing blogs when in fact I am sharing information.  For now, if you need this year's schedule, go HERE for NH or HERE for all the various Metallic Silhouette matches in the NE quadrant of the country.
2. May 18th clinic at PSI.  I would like some helpers and some new folks to come out and ask all those questions you have never been able to ask.  The intent, for the first half of the day, with no guns going off, ask questions, get some background, find out some things you might not have known.  In the afternoon, have a fun mini match with a veteran and learn the ropes in a no pressure environment.  This was a great success last year and I hope we have some folks who want to attend this year.  If you're a veteran, bring a new shooter!
3. Volunteers.  There are three core non shooting responsibilities at a monthly match.  Steel set up, calling the line and stat shack.  This year I am going to try something different because...I want to shoot to get ready for Nationals.  I am going to ask for 3 volunteers to call the line.  8:30 - 10:30, 10:30 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 2:30.  This will be "pre arranged" I hope and those that volunteer get a free shoot that day.  Send me an email telling me which time slot you want. First come first served.  Steel setting is a non issue really.  Stat shack is an issue which I have not resolved.
4. 1/5th Squadding.  May 19th things WILL BE DIFFERENT for 1/5th shooters...in a good way.  If you are a club rifle, cowboy or pistol shooter, nothing changes and you don't need to read this.  If you shoot 1/5th, the AM time period will be SQUADDED! The PM will be McDonalds style.  What does that mean?  If you want to shoot 1/5th squadded with a shooting partner/spotter or even some person you don't know, you pay your money and get assigned a partner.  You will be assigned an animal and a relay.  This "1/5th am registration" will end at 8:45 and the teams get called to the line at 9 to the 1/5th barrels. Even if some folks are already shooing, the 1/5th barrels will be "reserved" for the squadded teams.  Then, just follow the range commands and we hold a squadded match simultaneous to cowboy, club etc who will be putting their numbers on the board for 1/2 scale animals, business as usual.  In the AM, no numbers will go on the board for 1/5th.  When the 1/5th squadded match is over, we return to business as usual. I suspect squadded match will be done by 11.  Casual shooters are not affected.  You don't have to shoot squadded if you don't want to. New shooters will get the help they need from a spotter/coach to tackle the more difficult 1/5th game.  Teams can practice as a team for Nationals in Ridgeway.  The only negative I can see, if you want to shoot 1/5th squadded, you have to get out of bed and get to the range by 8:30 so you can get yourself on the list.  If you sleep in....you can shoot 1/5th on your own or non 1/5th stuff whenever you arrive.  
5. Don't forget, April 13th, first match is at Georgetown, MA put on by Tom Cannon, match program HERE.  Second match in April is John Bartlett's CLA match April 28th, match program HERE.  And, Purgatory is up and running. Their dates are in the schedule and they look forward to seeing you!  PSI match program HERE.  Sorry, I don't have the PFFG program yet.

Normally this stuff goes in my BLOG but it is gone for now.  For the month of April and most of May....I think this is a good start for new and veteran shooters alike.  Questions, email me.  Forward this to anyone you think might be interested in shooting.  Hopefully my blog will be back soon.  Look forward to seeing you May 18-19th at PSI!

Jud

10 meter Air Rifle match # 16

Twenty one 10s!  Now the less good news, one 5, two 6s and four 7s.   ARGHHHHHH!  Woulda coulda shoulda! 

In truth, the only reason I went to tonight's 10m match is because.....I run it.  Only one other shooter showed and he shot a pistol.  I had not shot since March 11, the last match.  Issues have kinda gotten in the way and 10m AR has kinda faded in my priorities.  What a perfect time to shoot my top score of the season right?  I shake my head in dismay.  531 with no practice!  No real engagement.  Go figure!?!?!?

I was very "muscle hold" at first which never turns out well.  I knew it and worked hard to rediscover the right position and tension again.  I had to relearn the trigger again as my 5 taught me!  Let's face it, anything less than an 8 is pretty sad shooting and I had seven shots less than an 8!

Make it a game.  There were times when things went right.  Lanny says, "catch what you are doing right and do it again".  Great advice.  "Never give up" is another cardinal rule!  Not sure who said that.  When I shot a ten, I told myself, "do it again" on the next shot and let's see how many I can string together.  Silly really.  But, it made me FOCUS!  I tried for three tens in a row once and failed but the fail was a 9.  I tried it again and I got it (shots 26, 27, 28). 29 and 30 were both nines.See a pattern here?

Then, shots #55, 56, 57, 58 were all 10s.  #59 and 60 were 9s.  I guess by playing a game of trying to string tens together helped me focus.  For any shooter, stringing 8s or just keeping it in the black could be the trick. When you do something right, work on repeating it and forget what went wrong.  Now, if I could just get shot #51 back....it was a 5 For whatever reason I did not get setup right when moving to the new target.  I know better and shot #52 was a 10!

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)
#12 502 (82 85 87 84 77 87) H&N (3.8) fist
#13 512 (91 83 84 78 83 93) H&N (3.8) fist. I shot a 3 on target 4.  ugh!
#14 526 (87 93 90 89 85 82) H&N (3.6) fist.  14 10x
#15 525 (92 86 84 85 90 88) H&N (3.6) fist.  17 10x!
#16 531 (79 88 93 91 91 89) H&N (3.6) fist.  21 10x!

10 meter Air Rifle match #14 and #15

The good news, I am shooting up where I should be.  At this point, I believe my below PR shooting is the result of mental factors.  I get this weird desire to "get the shot behind me" at times.  This is what I need to stamp out.  I lose confidence in my hold and I start taking less than solid shots and....well....that is how a 7 or 6 sneaks in.  I'm better than that.

Fist is working well.  NPA is critical.  Both vertical and horizontal.  I switched to the 3.6 element.  I think it helps me take more center shots.  But, if the hold (poor NPA & tension) The smaller element can induce snatching at good sight picture which rarely yields a positive result.

Key focus area.  Why my hold goes away in a match?  I think this problem then kicks off my mental desire to "get the shot behind me" in some hope the hold will come back by the next shot.  Things to work on.

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)
#12 502 (82 85 87 84 77 87) H&N (3.8) fist
#13 512 (91 83 84 78 83 93) H&N (3.8) fist. I shot a 3 on target 4.  ugh!
#14 526 (87 93 90 89 85 82) H&N (3.6) fist.  14 10x
#15 525 (92 86 84 85 90 88) H&N (3.6) fist.  17 10x!


2011-12 Season score log

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

Home or last post.

Road trip to NRA Junior Sectional Precision Air Rifle

This post is written for those wanting to learn more about youth precision shooting programs.  It is New Hampshire and rifle centric.  Good read and many links for the parent trying to lean more about what might be available for a young girl or boy interested in precision shooting.

For some time I have been wondering how to help create a true youth rifle team.  Team or individual.  I ask myself why?  In truth, because I guess if I were to do it again, I wish there had been such a program for me to join when I was a small-fry.  Even with all the video games, there is nothing like live fire to build discipline and mental toughness.  Plus, they learn how to interact with their peers and adults as an extra bonus!

My serious shooting days are about over and it would be good to pass down the little I do know to the next generation and their parents..  I also believe precision shooting and the mental control it requires is a great way for kids to develop self esteem.  Kids can't blame their goalie, their coach or the referee.  The buck stops with them.  Sure, I guess you can blame the equipment.  Nothing a quick bench test or parents' check book can't solve!  If a youth is able to "out shoot" their equipment, that is a what I call a "good problem to have".

As I research what is going on in the area of precision shooting sports, there are currently two hotbeds of activity in NH.  First and foremost, I think the Hudson Fish & Game Club in, no surprises here, Hudson, NH, has a very strong program.  I also am told and certainly witnessed the shooters who traveled from Keene, there is a strong program at the Cheshire County Fish and Game Gun Club.  Their team is called the Ferry Brook Junior Shooters.  Here are the results from the road trip.  It was an NRA regional event.

So what does strong mean?  First, it means kids.  There were 24 kids who preregistered for the NRA Jr. Sectional I visited Feb 23rd, just 40 miles from Concord.  I suspect if the range had more shooting positions, there would have been more shooters.  Second, fully engaged parents.  I would say there were more Moms than Dads there.  This sport is no different than hockey, swimming or skiing.  It takes equipment, special facilities and travel.  These parents see the value of this individual sport for their child and support their child's pursuit of it.  Better yet, unlike skis or skates or pads, quality shooting gear depreciates very little.  Over the past 10 years I would argue all of it appreciates!

Third, I would have to say the sponsoring club has to be supportive with range time and budget.  When I talked to a group of Moms, they said when they first started, they simply brought their child and the club provided coaches and entry level equipment.  Of course now the parents have purchased collegiate level equipment but at the start, the club set the hook as well as validated the child's interest with club resources.

Fourth, volunteers.  I was very impressed at how deep the volunteer pool was. One for stats, registration.  Two for scoring. One for calling the line and likely three floaters.  All were Hudson Gun club members with club sweatshirts.  Very well done.  I saw seven volunteers of which only two had kids shooting that day.  Yup, seven folks who never fired a shot and five of them did not even have a kid in the program.  Very impressive.



So what do I know?  The first step is to see what kind of interest lies out there in the local area.  There is no organized youth program with the objective being to provide a path toward collegiate level shooting and potential scholarships offered by Div I, II and III schools.  Shoulder to shoulder competition does exist in the North East.  Even in NH!  Precision shooting is 80% mental.  It is about putting it all together and executing each element perfectly 40 or 60 times in a 40 or 60 minute time period.

Second, identify those "seven" volunteers, preferably some with kids, to help start building a program.  What type of "Program" do you mean you ask?  In my humble opinion, it all should start with air rifle.  Optimally it should start with what is called "Sporter air" for which there is an NRA rule book and a range of approved guns.  These guns are not $2,000+ as you see pictured above.  Here is a pretty comprehensive electronic publication from the NRA.  If you read it, you will see a broad range of different levels of shooting. From the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program to full blown youth Olympics in Colorado Spring, CO sponsored by USAShooting.  USAShooting is the the Olympic Development organization for Olympic shooting sports in the US.

Third, create some awareness.  Host a Jr Sectional in Concord area and promote it to parents and youth so they can come see what it is all about.  As they like to say in Missouri, SHOW ME! Pioneer has an excellent facility that could provide these youth the chance to travel to an unfamiliar place and work on performing as well as they can at their home club.  An important component of training.  No doubt the club might learn a few things along the way as well.

So, bottom line, in some parts of the Country kids start off in earnest with the simple Daisy 499 BB gun and compete in the Daisy Nationals. They can then move on up to NRA, CMP, JROTC programs. If they love it and strive to do more, they can head to Colorado Springs, CO for the Junior Olympics.  Some of the kids I saw last weekend will be heading to the Junior Olympics.  Hats off to them! Even if they don't achieve Olympic level performance, they have a sport for life.  They know and respect the use of firearms and likely have learned one heck of a lot more about themselves.

To the right is a picture from 2011while in Texas for a silhouette match.  Shooting in Texas is no different than Little League.  Kids start with the Daisy 499 and if they have fun (note the pink gun with flames) they keep on shooting.  Click on picture to enlarge.  They are all the same gun.  Just some creative woodwork to make the butt of the stock longer or shorter.

Learn more about Daisy and their youth BB gun program go HERE.  Daisy is quite involved in the youth shooting arena and has a full line of competition youth guns under the Avanti line. Not the stuff you find in Walmart.

As always, click on pictures to enlarge for detail.

Interesting links.

CMP - Primer on youth shooting sports. For more look under Air Gun, Coach Resources for other good articles, manuals, powerpoints etc etc.  .

2013 Metallic Silhouette Schedule for New Hampshire

U P D A T E D     (April 30th)

Sam and George have stepped forward to lead Purgatory.
Tom C. has new Approved NRA Matches in Georgetown, MA!

See links in this post for details!

The major change is that we are pulling the Granite State Regional (GSR) up a month to July which has caused Purgatory to pull the State Pistol Championship up a week.  In short, see schedule..  The GSR change was mostly to avoid back to college/back to school dates which was a major problem last year.  It also can serve as one last warm up before the NRA Nationals!

This year the NRA nationals will be held in Ridgeway, PA.  It typically alternates between Raton, NM and Ridgeway, PA.  This year it is relatively close to us and all match directors are trying to keep those dates open so as many North East shooters can make the journey to PA.  It is a spectacular event, I encourage you to think about adding it to your schedule this year.

The silhouette clinic was a big success.  With enough volunteers we will try to put that on again the Saturday before the first match.  My goal this year, have a 40 shot match where the veteran shoots the first five and the rookie shoots the second five so new shooters can actually she how a match happens.

Tom's matches at Georgetown Fish and Game in Georgetown Massachusetts are new in that they are "Approved" this year which means they go in your book.  He will be shooting both NRA 1/5th and Cowboy 1/2 scale so bring your scoped .22 and your iron sight .22 cowboy gun!  No club rifle, no "shoot when you want".  This is squaded. See GF&G Match Program PDF.

For those that are interested in traveling, I included match information for other key matches.  Mostly so I could try to avoid scheduling a match on a date that another club had a match.  


2013 Schedule plus NY and Nationals.

And, for those who do not want all the extra information, I have a STRICTLY NH version.

FINAL 2013 Strictly NH/MA matches as of April 29th  F I N A L !

Last years post with schedule with useful extra links.

Notes about traveling to MA with firearms (long arms) for non MA residents.  Keep the guns in a locked case, preferably not in the passenger compartment but in the trunk or truck bed.  And, print the CG&G Match Program and carry with you.  Traveling to an organized match with a firearm and ammo is legal in Massachusetts.  Just have the program should anyone ask where you are traveling.

For details about the laws, go HERE and read up on the topic and learn about the Federal "safe passage" provision.

See you soon!

10 meter Air Rifle match #12 and #13

Just putting in an update.  The last two matches I have shot with a new hold.  I am leaving the split finger hold as it gets too tired by the end of the match.  I am trying a fist support like the rest of the world.  It feels very uncomfortable but it will take some getting used to.  I practiced before match #12 but did not get any practice before #13.  My interest waned a bit.  A solo sport is hard for sure.

I think long term the first support will help.  I need to work on tension.  I have the tendency to slide left or right when the shot breaks and I have not been able to determine what is "loose" that lets this happen.  

It is all about time commitment and dedication.  My lack of progress shows that.  Yet, a 93 at the end of the evening also shows the prior "match practice" helps and that the fist hold supports my observation that my stamina improves.

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)
#12 502 (82 85 87 84 77 87) H&N (3.8) fist
#13 512 (91 83 84 78 83 93) H&N (3.8) fist. I shot a 3 on target 4.  ugh!

2011-12 Season score log

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

Home or last post.

2013 Pellet Testing 10 meter air

Summary:


I set out to test the following pellets based on my inventory which is getting a bit more under control.


JSB SCHaK  (4500 in inventory. one lot, but when there gone there gone)
RWS Miesterkuglen  (4000 in inventory...mixed lots)  8.2g.
Vogel Sport (aka Orange)  10 test pellets from Tom.  They only sell one weight .53 grams and one size 4.5mm.
Daisy Precision (sighters....I use to make sure I'm close and then switch to the real pellets, they stink)
Crosman Wadcutters (2500 in inventory) Buy them at Walmart
Misc items not tested
(not tested) H&N vintage 1500.  Vogel Green 1500.  R10 1000.

New airgun shooter tip

If there is one thing I can encourage news shooters NOT to do.  Don't do what I do which is to have a "mix master" of pellets.  Pick one and buy extra and avoid the distraction of "mix and match pellets" like the above.  And this is after burning up 4 other small lots of just "stuff" I had accumulated over the years.  It's all a big distraction from the real task at hand.  Sure, testing value for accuracy is important for some.  If you do this, don't let the odd stuff collect in the corners as I did.

Methodology

Two 2002SSPs shot off the bench.  I put a 8-32x scope on which can focus to 10m.  Shot at a dot with pellet impacting below on heavy target stock.  Objective, use the pellet which after 5 shots leaves the smallest hole in the target paper.

Two desired outcomes.  As I work harder to improve my technique, I wanted to be double darn sure there were no equipment issues.  If nothing else, remove all doubt so I know all problems are related to the shooter.  I also find I'm going through pellets faster than usual.  I'm slowly cleaning out the random tins in an effort to make my core supply last longer.  I have emptied 6 tins so far this season.  Yea!  But messing with odd ball pellets has slowed my path to goal.

Results.

1)  Best pellets were the JSB SCHaKs. Still.  I was surprised to learn they are JSBs practice pellet.  Works for me.  Wish I had 25,000.  They are now $110/5000.

2) I only had 10 Vogel Sport (orange) to test and the first group of 5 was worse than the Daisy Precision which made NO SENSE.  I adjusted my "bench position" and had another go.  I made a second 5 which was as small as the JSB SCHakS.  It is possible that the Vogel Sport (Orange) are as good as the SCHaKs but due to the odd result, they come in second.  More testing required.

3) Meisterkugeln 8.2g.  My first group of 5 from the the Blond gun was not that impressive.  Slightly larger than JSB and Vogel.  I decided it was me.  But, when it came time to shoot the laminated gun, again, the Meisters were kinda sloppy.  For me they are no longer the "defacto" pellet to go buy unless you are just buying tin to tin at local retail.  Let's face it.  In NH, there is not much to choose from.

4) Maybe I was tired.  But I tested my beloved Walmart Crossman Wadcutters at the end.  They were not as good as I remembered and not as good as prior tests.  Not good enough for competition and best used for holding drills.  Still, they deserve review for novice shooters as they are 7.9g (light) and for new shooters with a big wobble zone, they a good bang for the buck when you need to "cut" a target for score.

5) Daisy did better than expected.  Still, I hate these pellets.  Dirty black things, slag in the tin, made in China.  They chamber inconsistently.  I will be glad when they are gone.  I got them from CMP for $27/5000.  Almost gone and will never return.  Life is too short to go this cheap for adults.  Small fry, sure.  I think even CMP stopped selling them.  Their lowest price pellet is now $70/5000.

Learnings:

Bill said it and he was right.  My two guns are pretty much identical in that they would put good pellets in the same tiny hole all day long.  Any issues I am having are not the result of using an inaccurate gun.  It's all about my physical condition, my technique and my mental management. Buying the right gun or the right pellet won't solve these issues!  Showing up with a gun and some pellets is the most important first step.

Pellet buy:

So, I don't really need any pellets, so why am I searching?  Unclear.  HERE is the JSB offering.  I find it interesting the colors line up a bit with Vogel's green and orange.  I think I got my SCHaK pellets for $35/5000.  I thought that was expensive.  HA!  I did not realize even pellets have doubled in price over the past 10 years.  Still, cheaper than powder driven ammo.  It's likely that pellets will only cost more in the future.  If you play the game, there is no reason to not buy a few sleeves of what shoots well for you, they don't go bad.  I did 10 years ago and I am still living off of them.  Still, it may be time to restock.

Best pellet "bargain" for new shooters?  RWS Hobby for $52/5000 7.0g.  Airguns of Arizona. Plus freight I would think they would land for just under $6/500.  Hummm.  Based on how well the Miesterkuglens shot......would I want to save that kind of money on RWS Hobby in my gun?  I think I would go with the Vogel Merlins first. We are going to be placing an order for Vogel Merlins through CMP.  $70/5000 or $7/500.  We have to buy in 'sleeve' quantitiy so those wanting less know that we'll fiddle with the less than sleeve orders to hopefully make everyone happy.

10 meter air rifle match #10 and #11

Yea!  4th 90/100 and it was a 92!

I put in a concerted effort after reading some of the Ways of the Rifle book.  Ended up moving my trigger forward and taking all the spacers out of my stock.  I would like to get some sight risers but that is not in the budget.  My head should be more erect.

I like the shorter stock.  Still having some AD issues due to the light trigger.  I used to 'flutter' my finger to find the second stage.  This has led to an occasional AD.  My new method is to just slowly pull my finger back and that seems to work much better in reliably finding the second stage.

I hold too long.  Way too long.  But, I do know what it takes to make a 10.  Right now, it takes too long for me to get that sight picture and calm on the target.  As a result, my split finger gets tired and that is what contributes to the occasional 7 or worse. I need to return to the fist hold.  I may not have given this enough time.  I just felt I had no "micro" adjustment.  Steady yes, but when I was moving, they were big moves.  Split finger lets me stay closer to the bull.  Could be tension and position.

The good news.  I can walk up to a target and shoot a 10 80% of the time.  I know how to do it.  Long hold, resets, but I know what it takes.  My area of focus is how to do this 60 times in the time available. Get there sooner, execute the shot sooner.

2012-13 Season score log

#01 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#02 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#03 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#04 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#05 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#06 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#07 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#08 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#09 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!
#10 513 (88 85 89 85 86 80) 9 7s or worse, 9 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Stock shorter
#11 518 (83 92 83 87 85 87) 8 7s, 1 6, 12 10x. H&N (3.8)

2011-12 Season score log

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

Home or last post.

TPM #4

We had a light turn out.  I could blame the cause of the late post of TPM4 results due to the fact I was waiting for some folks to get their scores in.  But that would not be totally true.  I should have just kept by the rules of a strict cut off.  But, my leniency did let a new shooter get his scores in with his new 853!  Well done Mike!!

So, like so many things, a full head of steam at the bottom of the hill.  But as time passed, enthusiasm seems to have waned. Not sure why that is.  Can I do anything better?  Just three shooters made the true deadline.

Recall I started this as a scoped Silhouette game.  It was a way to get folks off the couch and get back to shooting in the months that are not friendly to those of us in the colder climate.  So, indoor shooting was a must.  The decision as to whether to scope or not to scope was the next call.  And lastly, what target to use.  I made some decisions and now it is time to change things up.

Now that everyone is familiar with how this works and in an effort to re kindle excitement, I am going to revert to making this a 10m Air Target rifle program.

TPM #5 will use a BULLSEYE target.  Specifically, the ISSF 10m Air Rifle target. This will be an aid to those with iron sights.  If you want or need to use a scope, no worries, just use it and tell us.

Targets:  You can use any ISSF 10m air rifle target.  For example, we use the AR-5/10 at the club.  There are variants to this as to how many bulls on one the target paper.  Or, go HERE and on page 4 (just print page 4 when you ask it to print).  As info, the AR-5/10 targets we buy are $8.85/100.  You can't inkjet them for that!  Then again, you may not want 100.  Check with your club, they are common and may be collecting dust somewhere.

Course fire:  To make it easier on some who said 40 shots was a lot of work, (you know who you are) we will take your best string of 20 shots.  A regular 10m ISSF match is 60 shots.  This will be just 1/3rd of that.  Shoot 20 shots and see what you get.  145/200?  Think you can improve?  Put up another target and shoot another 20.  Turn in your best "string of 20" for your score, time unlimited.  .177 cal pellets only, 10m (33 feet).  Not sure how score these targets, go HERE.

Aperture shooters will be very happy to see this change.  Scoped shooters....well....I have tried it and find the human eye is an amazing thing. I shoot apertures better than a scoped 10m gun.  So, get out that Daisy 853 or Anschutz 2002CA.  Get out that FWB 300S and be ready to challenge Niklas with his scoped FWB 601 RT.  With our luck he can put target sights on it.  But will he want to????

Submit the following with TPM #5 in subject line by midnight Feb 24th.  I will have results published by end of month, I promise!

Name:
State:
Air rifle model:
Scope details if used:
Power used:
Pellet used:
Score xxx/200
Number of 10x to break ties....if any

Send to with TPM#5 in subject.

d  u  r  a  n  t  j  u  d  (a  t)  y  a  h  o  o  .  c  o  m

10 meter air rifle match #8 and #9

Things have been hectic and cold.  Not conducive to shooting or the mental aspects of shooting.  Keeping the woodstove going and cars running is a process in and of itself when the high of the DAY is -2F.

I was able to bring a new shooter to match #8 (1/22/13) but found that effort took me completely off my game.  Forgot spotting scope and in general was distracted.  Or, that is my excuse.  I even practiced some and thought I learned a few things.  Those things being, split finger may fatique for 60 shots but yeilds better net results than a fist.  Or so the data shows.  Fist shooting will be put off to another time.  Next, work at pushing the left hip up to the left elbow and make more "positive contact" with hip to elbow.  Seems to help stability.  Third, a wider leg stance seems to reduce verticle wobble.  All those great learnings still netted a disaster.  My head simply was not there.

Match #9 (1/29/13) I went solo and focused on trying things again.  Things went better except I seem to have some tendency to quiver just as I release the shot.  Not sure if it is subconscious or my effort to make the sight picture that "tiny bit better".  Net result is some stupid 7 or worse one 6!  If I could get it so my bad shots are 8s, I would be happy.  It seemed when I really worked on NPA and taking good shots, I could feel the 10 when the "quiver" stayed away.  Practice I think is the word of the day. 91 was my best target of the year and it had one 7 and three 10x, rest were 9s

2012-13 Season score log

#1 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#2 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x. previous practice 1x (3.6)
#3 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower, 7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#4 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#5 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88) 7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#6 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86) 14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#7 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85) 8 7s, 12 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#8 490 (75 85 76 84 86 84) not worth noting. SCHaK (3.8)  Guest shooter.
#9 516 (91 87 86 82 86 84) 11 7s, 13 10x. SCHaK (3.8)  Must stamp out 7s!

2011-12 Season score log

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

Home or last post.

H&R Premier Small Frame Auto Ejecting 32 S&W

click on picture for full image

And now for something non Silhouette just because I find it to be interesting.  I may do other non silhouette posts because too much of one thing can get boring.

The gun pictured on the right is one of two handguns that remain from my my father's collection.  In 1992 he sold 8 of 10 handguns.  These things happen.  I suppose at the time he was ecstatic to get the $4,000 for the lot.  My favorite was his Colt New Service 8" barrel SN 58470.  It had what my Dad called a hair trigger and the blueing was a mile deep.  I never shot it but it was a piece of art in your hands.  It is long since gone to some collector along with the Lugers, Broomhandle Mausers and a Walther P-38.  But this little guy for some odd reason was kept for personal defense. I found it in his desk. 

What I find amazing is the date of manufacture.  Per my father's notes, he called It a "Harrington & Richardson Pocket Revolver 5 shot in 32 S&W".  His note card put an estimated date of mfg to be between 1920 and 1930.  I found a forum that discusses these guns and learned it is much older than that!

Based on the serial number, this gun was manufactured in 1898 in Worcester, Massachusetts.  The gun has not gone far from home during its 115 years and I suspect it has had little to no use. One advantage of being an obscure calibur is it won't be shot much.  Here is a post from Jim Hauff who collects H&Rs and was willing to share his considerable knowledge after collecting them for 16 years.

click on picture for full image

YOU HAVE an excellent example of a 1st Model PREMIER SMALL FRAME AUTO EJECTING 3rd Variation (1897-98). They rarely show up with that much color case on the trigger. Serial number fits within the known range for that mod. and var. Since it is pre 1905 production - H&R would not recommend the use of smokeless/Nitro powders in the earlier guns - their prohibition not mine. The BLUED finish is very scarcely found in these early examples and is worth a premium to collectors. Prefix code 'O' seems to have been used in 1898. Current RETAIL value, in my humble estimation for a piece in that condition would be in the range of $275 - $300 if presented to the right audience. NICE heritage piece.

also: it has the latch hold open device - the small button on the left side of the top strap, when pushed all the way in while lifting the two piece latch, then released will hold the latch and cylinder retainer upward while you remove the cylinder - DO NOT attempt to reinstall the cylinder without the latch and retainer hook upright or you will "engrave" a very fancy pattern all over the surface of the cylinder - I've got a couple that folks have so embellished.  (original post)

I just thought I would change things up a bit.  Should anyone have reloading dies I am casually thinking of loading up some fresh ammo.  Most likely it will sit in storage as it has for the past 60 years.  Maybe I will do the other handgun should there be interest. SAAMI link on exact case size.  Lyman mould would be a 311252 or 311227 should anyone be willing to loan a mould or cast some for me.

10 meter Air Rifle Match #7

This will be short as it is more for my training than any form of sharing useful information.

I had skimmed a little of Ways of the Rifle and Air-Rifle Shooting.  One nugget of info stuck which I tried to use.  I tend to get anxious or nervous when I start to shoot.  So, let me tell a short story on myself.

10+ years ago I went to my first "big" match.  By big I mean HUGE!  150+ silhouette shooters at the biggest event of the year, Winnsboro!  First shot, there I was with my mentor/spotter Fenton S.  I was trying to get the shot off and I was shaking  so much I could not get on the right bank let alone animal!  Fenton looked down at at my shorts which were shaking just as much as I was.  HA!  He said "What's the matter?  It's just like any other match."

I guess it is just the way I am wired.  I don't think I can change it.  Thus the reason I try to train all year.  My goal is to make breaking the shot feel like second nature or "subconscious".  My weakness, the more I try to execute that "perfect" shot, the "less likely" it is to happen.  If it is not habit or "routine", odds of success is low.

I had some of that last night.  My first shot was a deep 10.  I built my stance and did all the basics.  The next 5 shots were 9s.  Then I started to "try" to shoot well so as to not ruin the good run I had going.  I think you know what happened.  I was in and out of this mode for most of the match.  I look at the positive, I am getting better at "building" my standing position.  Now I need to reinforce the habit.

That said, here are the results.  I thought 12 10x was going to be tops this season.  How the heck did I shoot 15 10x on the second match of the year?  Goes to show just how big the mental aspect of this sport is for me.

2012-13 Season score log

#1 501 (81 81 84 85 82 88)
#2 515 (87 88 89 83 85 83) 11 7s or lower, 15 10x.  previous practice 1x (3.6)
#3 485 (82 82 80 77 86 78) 19 7s or lower,  7 10x. Daisy pellets, reduced barrel weight.(3.6)
#4 494 (88 74 87 88 76 81) 14 7s or lower, 11 10x. JSB SCHaK pellets. First Tuesday night.(3.6)
#5 522 (89 88 90 88 82 88)  7 7s nothing lower, 11 10x. Many high value 9s! H&N + SCHaK (3.2)
#6 492 (75 85 76 84 86 86)  14 7s or lower, 6 10x. SCHaK (3.8)
#7 520 (88 84 90 86 87 85)  8 7s, 12 10x.  SCHaK (3.8)

2011-12 Season score log

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

Home or last post.

Good reading on scope testing

The topic of scope testing came up again.  I refereed them to my posts on the matter as I really do not have any new material.

BUT!  There was a wonderful website by a Canadian Fellow with some tips and tricks.  A Dan Theodore had done some extensive testing on various brands of scopes. His article was useful not just from the objective data about scopes but also for his methodology.  I have regretted more than once that I could not point people back to this wonderful article.

Recently I found this web based tool which is part of the Library of Congress.  I can only gather there is some desire to archive the somewhat perishable website information.  If you have an old URL or even just want to see what a URL "used to say", put it in their "way back machine" and select from a calendar when you want to see the website.  I put in my missing or "broken" link and viola, there was the old website with the wonderful scope testing article!

Here is the "way back tool".  Correct, this is not shooting related, just a handy tool.

Here is an excellent read regarding scope testing saved by the "way back tool".  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

As info, here are some past blog entries re scopes:

Starter Scope
Entry level Scope
Canting a scope...why 
Shooting the box.....see scope repeatability HERE.

I am a little surprised.  I thought I had made an extensive post on how to "shoot a box" to test a scope's ability to return to zero aka repeatability.  I will keep on looking.  For now, you have to go to the last link and read about "scope repeatability" as I have not written my own version.  What I like about Dan's test is that ammo variability, wind and other issues are pretty much eliminated.  A quality 10m target air rifle will shoot one hole all day long.  His test truly measures the repeatability of a scope.  There are some great nuggets in his article.  I am glad I could find it.