Season is fading off...
- Thread starter PedroS
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Friend PedroS:
When you sit down at the bench to start a target, please take us through your routine.....
Things like how many foulers you shoot.....and when you know the barrel is at it's optimum for best performance...
And here's a biggie.......what if nothing seems to come together....gun is just wallering....what do you do then?
Thank you in advance...
Your LBK and pistol fool friend, Bill Calfee
____________________________
PS:
One other thing.....when you catch a condition do you shoot as fast as you can, or, do you have some more methodical method?
When you sit down at the bench to start a target, please take us through your routine.....
Things like how many foulers you shoot.....and when you know the barrel is at it's optimum for best performance...
And here's a biggie.......what if nothing seems to come together....gun is just wallering....what do you do then?
Thank you in advance...
Your LBK and pistol fool friend, Bill Calfee
____________________________
PS:
One other thing.....when you catch a condition do you shoot as fast as you can, or, do you have some more methodical method?
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Thanks Bill, good points to bring to the table.
I'm already excited to go through a seldom discussed process.
Let's put it by topics:
Routine is a defense process of the body, as it leads to energy economy.
Routine in any sport is a major key success driver, as a movement/action can be exactly repeated.
However, routine can also be a "softly success killing", driving life boring...
Routine and comfort zone is not the same thing. But you build your comfort zone by routine.
So, bench routine is a good or bad thing? Does it contributes to correct actions, or it hints progression?
Correct routine is the key. To achieve correctness, in anything, you have to have the basics (technique), and experiment sample variations to better adapt yourself to the technique. Not the other way around...
As we don't have an establish benchrest technique, we are relying on what top shooters are doing.
Ok, in short, we need at the bench:
Please feel free during the process to make questions, share your thoughts, explain your rational if you disagree or do differently. We can only learn during this journey.
I'm already excited to go through a seldom discussed process.
Let's put it by topics:
- Bench routine
- before the 1st shot
- preparing the target
- warming
- ready to start
- Rhythm in the wind
- Nothing seems to come together...
Routine is a defense process of the body, as it leads to energy economy.
Routine in any sport is a major key success driver, as a movement/action can be exactly repeated.
However, routine can also be a "softly success killing", driving life boring...
Routine and comfort zone is not the same thing. But you build your comfort zone by routine.
So, bench routine is a good or bad thing? Does it contributes to correct actions, or it hints progression?
Correct routine is the key. To achieve correctness, in anything, you have to have the basics (technique), and experiment sample variations to better adapt yourself to the technique. Not the other way around...
As we don't have an establish benchrest technique, we are relying on what top shooters are doing.
Ok, in short, we need at the bench:
- Check the needed gear on bench top
- Always the same procedure
- Double check everything before the 1st shot
Please feel free during the process to make questions, share your thoughts, explain your rational if you disagree or do differently. We can only learn during this journey.
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2015
- Messages
- 9,667
- Reaction score
- 223
Friend PedroS:
Excellent beginning.....the stage is yours......
(I'm personally really interested in your "Nothing seems to come together", #3, commentary)...BC
Thanks Bill, good points to bring to the table.
I'm already excited to go through a seldom discussed process.
Let's put it by topics:
Routine is a defense process of the body, as it leads to energy economy.
Routine in any sport is a major key success driver, as a movement/action can be exactly repeated.
However, routine can also be a "softly success killing", driving life boring...
Routine and comfort zone is not the same thing. But you build your comfort zone by routine.
So, bench routine is a good or bad thing? Does it contributes to correct actions, or it hints progression?
Correct routine is the key. To achieve correctness, in anything, you have to have the basics (technique), and experiment sample variations to better adapt yourself to the technique. Not the other way around...
As we don't have an establish benchrest technique, we are relying on what top shooters are doing.
Ok, in short, we need at the bench:
Please feel free during the process to make questions, share your thoughts, explain your rational if you disagree or do differently. We can only learn during this journey.
Excellent beginning.....the stage is yours......
(I'm personally really interested in your "Nothing seems to come together", #3, commentary)...BC
Thanks Bill, good points to bring to the table.
I'm already excited to go through a seldom discussed process.
Let's put it by topics:
- Bench routine
- before the 1st shot
- preparing the target
- warming
- ready to start
- Rhythm in the wind
- Nothing seems to come together...
Routine is a defense process of the body, as it leads to energy economy.
Routine in any sport is a major key success driver, as a movement/action can be exactly repeated.
However, routine can also be a "softly success killing", driving life boring...
Routine and comfort zone is not the same thing. But you build your comfort zone by routine.
So, bench routine is a good or bad thing? Does it contributes to correct actions, or it hints progression?
Correct routine is the key. To achieve correctness, in anything, you have to have the basics (technique), and experiment sample variations to better adapt yourself to the technique. Not the other way around...
As we don't have an establish benchrest technique, we are relying on what top shooters are doing.
Ok, in short, we need at the bench:
- Check the needed gear on bench top
- Always the same procedure
- Double check everything before the 1st shot
Please feel free during the process to make questions, share your thoughts, explain your rational if you disagree or do differently. We can only learn during this journey.
Thanks both for encouraging me writing this.
I must say I like to write but I'm much more a talking person, preferring face to face conversations.
I think it reflects in the way I write, a much live one, I think.
But writing is harder, because it must be right and reflecting what we want to say, not always evident.
In fact, routine approach is not much different, easier to say or listen, than to do. I don't pretend to have the only valid vision on the subject, but I would like to see more people willing to try what others say it works. I do. Take your time and decide which route to continue.
Nothing fantastic about, just being smart. If others have tried and it worked, we just have one left step to do, experiment, and not the whole process.
Sorry for this small way around, but doesn't hurt to try what worked for others.
Coming back...
What to bring to the bench?
Easy answer... just what you'll need.
Remember benchrest is all about having control, so anything you'll bring to the table requires your control. Less is more here.
Normally I bring a rear bag with an under mat for it, shooting elbow rest pillow, a front rest (with or without disk feet if needed), a pro level (don't use cheap ones), couple of towels (one to clean hands, and the other to cover the bench where my arm and hand touches the bench to control the joystick), a stopwatch, ear protection, a tiny screwdriver, bottle of water, the RIGHT ammo (don't mess here) and your rifle and bolt.
Of course, you can have more stuff on the bench, but...
My routine starts here:
Then I put on the resting towel, 5 warming bullets, and two competition ammo boxes. I never overload the bench with ammo boxes, because doing it, it's just calling for trouble...
Lube my bolt lugs and wait for the starting signal to feed the rifle with the 1st warming bullet.
Since I start working on the bench routine I'm always learning and reading the wind. Feeling the wind waves and starting to be wind connected.
Of course there is much more to say at each control point, but that's not the goal on this thread, like the centring of the rifle at target 13, driving the target from below, and so on...
Only then the 1st shot is ready to be done. Well, in fact, only after the starting whistle.
I must say I like to write but I'm much more a talking person, preferring face to face conversations.
I think it reflects in the way I write, a much live one, I think.
But writing is harder, because it must be right and reflecting what we want to say, not always evident.
In fact, routine approach is not much different, easier to say or listen, than to do. I don't pretend to have the only valid vision on the subject, but I would like to see more people willing to try what others say it works. I do. Take your time and decide which route to continue.
Nothing fantastic about, just being smart. If others have tried and it worked, we just have one left step to do, experiment, and not the whole process.
Sorry for this small way around, but doesn't hurt to try what worked for others.
Coming back...
What to bring to the bench?
Easy answer... just what you'll need.
Remember benchrest is all about having control, so anything you'll bring to the table requires your control. Less is more here.
Normally I bring a rear bag with an under mat for it, shooting elbow rest pillow, a front rest (with or without disk feet if needed), a pro level (don't use cheap ones), couple of towels (one to clean hands, and the other to cover the bench where my arm and hand touches the bench to control the joystick), a stopwatch, ear protection, a tiny screwdriver, bottle of water, the RIGHT ammo (don't mess here) and your rifle and bolt.
Of course, you can have more stuff on the bench, but...
My routine starts here:
- cleaning the bench (I clean my bench with a large brush, because I hate dirty environement)
- but the rear bag matt and then the rear bag
- put the shooting elbow pillow
- align the rear bag
- align the front rest
- put the level (I put the level perpendicular to the front rest, so, if I forgot to level the rifle a quick look tell me that levelling the rifle is missing)
- after levelling the rifle I guide the level parallel to the front rest (this way I know the rifle has been levelled)
- towels
- ear protection
- ammo
- tiny screwdriver
- rifle
- bottle of water
- put the stool (in a way that I'll be leaning slightly to the front)
- level the rifle (I just level the rifle stock)
Then I put on the resting towel, 5 warming bullets, and two competition ammo boxes. I never overload the bench with ammo boxes, because doing it, it's just calling for trouble...
Lube my bolt lugs and wait for the starting signal to feed the rifle with the 1st warming bullet.
Since I start working on the bench routine I'm always learning and reading the wind. Feeling the wind waves and starting to be wind connected.
Of course there is much more to say at each control point, but that's not the goal on this thread, like the centring of the rifle at target 13, driving the target from below, and so on...
Only then the 1st shot is ready to be done. Well, in fact, only after the starting whistle.
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Preparing correctly the bench is the 1st routine you should endeavour and learn by heart. It has to be automatic. Perfect and repeatable every time.
That's a thing you can practice at home.
When you decide to seat, you agreed to yourself that the bench is ok. This action should tell your brain: "Next step"
Now you focus totally on preparing the barrel for the target. It should be fouled and brought to the shooting temp. I found that a good tuned rifle has a big shooting temp window, but, like choosing ammo, you have to learn yours.
I control my barrel temp using the back of my left index finger. It's a very sensitive zone and you'll be surprised how accurate it can be with a little practice.
Touching the barrel, with that finger zone, just ahead of the action, is a must to check proper shooting temp. A word of caution here. Rimfire is not centerfire, where you'll burn your finger after a couple of shots. Rimfire runs much colder then. Too warm (note I'm not saying too hot) is worst than too cold. Don't ask how I know...
Practice with a cold, and after 10 shots barrel. Learn that difference and you'll be ok. Even in very cold weather a difference is notorious.
My rifles, after prepared to start the target, can wait until 4min, not shooting, having confidence that the next shot will land where I want. This is a must in competition. But fear nothing, if your rifle, let's say, can only wait two min, every two min shot on a sighter and you are on the right window temp.
That said, let's return to our 1st shot...
I told you, that on the bench, I lay 5 warming bullets and 2 boxes of competition ammo. Very seldom I brought o the bench more than one shooting ammo lot. That's because, in the heat of the match a mistake is an easy thing to happen, be aware. In the case of having two different lots, they are separated by my tiny screwdriver, being closer to me to usual lot, and farther away the 2nd option.
Funny enough, none have asked why I do need a tiny screwdriver on the bench...
You heard the starting signal and the 20 min countdown is on its way. Those 5 warming shots are done quick, very quick, but in control. They are not shot into the target, they are just to foul and to warm the barrel. Why shooting them quick? Because the clock is ticking...
After those shoots take a barrel temp measure and proceed to the bottom right sighter (at least me), and start shooting the comp ammo.
Now you are doing three things:
Couple of warnings here.
There are a lot of "9 starters", meaning 10, 10, 10 at the sighter, then 9 on score. You'll need much more practice.
Also, remind yourself that sighters don't count, so don't "waist" good condition on sighters.
You should not be a machine gun, your barrel will increase its temp to a danger (bad scoring) level.
Normally, I take 2-3 min on this process, usually starting my scoring at 18-17 min left. I have tried all, fewer shots, more shots, higher cadence, slower shooting... found this sequence the best for me, and my rifles.
Next: Rhythm in the wind
That's a thing you can practice at home.
When you decide to seat, you agreed to yourself that the bench is ok. This action should tell your brain: "Next step"
Now you focus totally on preparing the barrel for the target. It should be fouled and brought to the shooting temp. I found that a good tuned rifle has a big shooting temp window, but, like choosing ammo, you have to learn yours.
I control my barrel temp using the back of my left index finger. It's a very sensitive zone and you'll be surprised how accurate it can be with a little practice.
Touching the barrel, with that finger zone, just ahead of the action, is a must to check proper shooting temp. A word of caution here. Rimfire is not centerfire, where you'll burn your finger after a couple of shots. Rimfire runs much colder then. Too warm (note I'm not saying too hot) is worst than too cold. Don't ask how I know...
Practice with a cold, and after 10 shots barrel. Learn that difference and you'll be ok. Even in very cold weather a difference is notorious.
My rifles, after prepared to start the target, can wait until 4min, not shooting, having confidence that the next shot will land where I want. This is a must in competition. But fear nothing, if your rifle, let's say, can only wait two min, every two min shot on a sighter and you are on the right window temp.
That said, let's return to our 1st shot...
I told you, that on the bench, I lay 5 warming bullets and 2 boxes of competition ammo. Very seldom I brought o the bench more than one shooting ammo lot. That's because, in the heat of the match a mistake is an easy thing to happen, be aware. In the case of having two different lots, they are separated by my tiny screwdriver, being closer to me to usual lot, and farther away the 2nd option.
Funny enough, none have asked why I do need a tiny screwdriver on the bench...
You heard the starting signal and the 20 min countdown is on its way. Those 5 warming shots are done quick, very quick, but in control. They are not shot into the target, they are just to foul and to warm the barrel. Why shooting them quick? Because the clock is ticking...
After those shoots take a barrel temp measure and proceed to the bottom right sighter (at least me), and start shooting the comp ammo.
Now you are doing three things:
- finalising barrel preparation
- feeling the drift
- regaining the right rhythm
- focus on wind drift
- double check the barrel readiness
- raise confidence levels
Couple of warnings here.
There are a lot of "9 starters", meaning 10, 10, 10 at the sighter, then 9 on score. You'll need much more practice.
Also, remind yourself that sighters don't count, so don't "waist" good condition on sighters.
You should not be a machine gun, your barrel will increase its temp to a danger (bad scoring) level.
Normally, I take 2-3 min on this process, usually starting my scoring at 18-17 min left. I have tried all, fewer shots, more shots, higher cadence, slower shooting... found this sequence the best for me, and my rifles.
Next: Rhythm in the wind
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Pedro, Superb rational approach to routine!I
I was inspired by your videos and post, I make checklists to make sure I don't forget anything (I can be distracted), one to know what equipment to bring, one to put everything in place and finally one for the shooting sequence.
With the small screwdriver to be able to extract a stuck socket.
I also measure the height of my stool in relation to the table and check the stability of the table so that I don't lean on it at all if it wobbles.
How do you align your front rest so that it is exactly perpendicular to your rifle? »
nice to read you
I was inspired by your videos and post, I make checklists to make sure I don't forget anything (I can be distracted), one to know what equipment to bring, one to put everything in place and finally one for the shooting sequence.
With the small screwdriver to be able to extract a stuck socket.
I also measure the height of my stool in relation to the table and check the stability of the table so that I don't lean on it at all if it wobbles.
How do you align your front rest so that it is exactly perpendicular to your rifle? »
nice to read you
Thanks Etienne for bringing those very pertinent points, and yes, that's why I always have a tiny screwdriver...
Seating height and leaning a bit forward are a must, but they are so underrated that shooters don't understand their importance. A correct stance is fundamental basis in benchrest.
Your third point is a tricky one. And the front rest should be not only perpendicular to the rifle but also aligned with the rear bag at target 13. Why? Because this way you'll get the least amount of lateral torque on rifle stock, when you move right or left. If, for exemple you align at target 10, you'll have a huge right torque with no left one. A not desirable situation. Remember, lateral torque will drift, to the opposite side, the bullet...
Achieving a perfect perpendicular rifle is, as I said, tricky, and we should rely ou our must accurate measuring tool... our eyes. It's incredible the precision our eyes can achieve. Don't agree? Well, quite easy to find a non squared picture on the wall, isn't it? Think about that.
Issue is our lateral bench position. Take a step behind and look through the barrel, you'll find it easier to spot inconsistencies.
I've seen all types of tools, wood, metal, to align the front rest. But using them, instead of a solution, you can compose the problem, because are you sure the measuring tool is correct?
Of course I've used some too... but being pragmatic I always strive for simplicity, and bringing another item is just the opposite.
So I did check my alignments with and without a tool, and with a little eye practice I achieved the same results.
But, the torque issue, is not totally overcome if you did your best alignment at target 13... because any movement from there will torque the stock.
That's why I use a front rest where the sand bag assembly moves. It's the only way to eliminate the torque. And, having such a facility, also helps a not so aligned from rest. However, such a device should be perfectly manufactured to not bring other issues on top of torque.
Ok, a very simple trick, and much less cumbersome than a fixed tool jig... a non stretch rope that you measure from the end of the stock to a lateral part of the front rest. Ancient as the human culture, but extremely precise.
-Very good precision Pedro.
Yes the eyes are an excellent control tool.
I also use à rope and I do a triangulation with a tape measure, I measure from the center of the top rear of the stock to each latter end of the front support and there must be exactly the same measurement.
Are you referring to a "Lenzi" front support with pivoting head?
Do you use a rear bag with short ears to have less stress on the crook?
Looking forward to reading you
Yes the eyes are an excellent control tool.
I also use à rope and I do a triangulation with a tape measure, I measure from the center of the top rear of the stock to each latter end of the front support and there must be exactly the same measurement.
Are you referring to a "Lenzi" front support with pivoting head?
Do you use a rear bag with short ears to have less stress on the crook?
Looking forward to reading you
Yes, I do refer to the new Lenzi head.
Very well made, but needs a special attention from time to time to adjust the correct tension on the ball bearing.
Other than that, perfect.
Regarding the rear bag, I noticed shorter ears are more accurate. I know, agains common sense, but all related to lateral torque.
However, using the new Lenzi head I regain the usage of my medium size rear bag ears.
I got so nice comment about Pedros wrote that must share!
My friend (2 times World Champion on CFBR) readed Pedros wrote and he wrote to me:
"Maybe Pedro needs more quality and higher level to competitors when he is giving his tricks out".
'Need harder competions.
*But everything what makes newbies "road" smoother to go near the top is very important.
'Thank You Pedro about Your effort!!!!!
BR, Timo
My friend (2 times World Champion on CFBR) readed Pedros wrote and he wrote to me:
"Maybe Pedro needs more quality and higher level to competitors when he is giving his tricks out".
'Need harder competions.
*But everything what makes newbies "road" smoother to go near the top is very important.
'Thank You Pedro about Your effort!!!!!
BR, Timo
Thanks friends for your kind words, and to Timo sharing the feedback from his friend.
You just made my day!
I realised from College that if you don't share, and learn from others, you won't progress.
Sports are no different.
Back to the theme... Rhythm in the wind
Let's pick Bill's question again:
"One other thing.....when you catch a condition do you shoot as fast as you can, or, do you have some more methodical method?"
Wind has patterns that tend to repeat over time.
However, they are not always the same, let's say, slow, increasing, turbulent, strong, turbulent, decreasing, faint, slow... you name it. Recognising the patterns, their trend and direction, leads (should lead) to a condition choice, better two!
Then, the idea is picking one of those chosen conditions and shoot. Devil, is in the details... Condition will not be always the very same, not maintained through the same time, neither followed by an increase or decrease wind speed.
Knowing this you will be in a better shape to how minimise the risk. Yes, 1st time I introduce the theme "Risk minimisation".
Now, to the answer.
No, I don't change my rhythm much. Normally I shoot 3~4 shots and stop. Took barrel temp, look around the field, to feel the wind and the wave, wait for my condition and restart.
Shooting quickly in a condition is hard to do correctly, because it's harder to maintain the wind feeling when you rush shooting. And more often than not you stop when you shoot a 9... stop, you say. You should have stopped much sooner!
Good conditions don't stay long, not even indoors. I'm not, by any means, an indoor specialist, but I used to practice and test indoors, and... it's tricky too.
If I took the last Worlds, where wind was crazy, I did quickly shot 2~3 shots when my condition appeared. It was the only way to survive in those terrible winds. One thing that you have to be careful is not misinterpret the wind, and let the condition settle a little.
A final word of caution, lazy wind conditions days, could be more trickier to shoot than you anticipate, just because you tend to be lazy too...
Always stay focused.
You just made my day!
I realised from College that if you don't share, and learn from others, you won't progress.
Sports are no different.
Back to the theme... Rhythm in the wind
Let's pick Bill's question again:
"One other thing.....when you catch a condition do you shoot as fast as you can, or, do you have some more methodical method?"
Wind has patterns that tend to repeat over time.
However, they are not always the same, let's say, slow, increasing, turbulent, strong, turbulent, decreasing, faint, slow... you name it. Recognising the patterns, their trend and direction, leads (should lead) to a condition choice, better two!
Then, the idea is picking one of those chosen conditions and shoot. Devil, is in the details... Condition will not be always the very same, not maintained through the same time, neither followed by an increase or decrease wind speed.
Knowing this you will be in a better shape to how minimise the risk. Yes, 1st time I introduce the theme "Risk minimisation".
Now, to the answer.
No, I don't change my rhythm much. Normally I shoot 3~4 shots and stop. Took barrel temp, look around the field, to feel the wind and the wave, wait for my condition and restart.
Shooting quickly in a condition is hard to do correctly, because it's harder to maintain the wind feeling when you rush shooting. And more often than not you stop when you shoot a 9... stop, you say. You should have stopped much sooner!
Good conditions don't stay long, not even indoors. I'm not, by any means, an indoor specialist, but I used to practice and test indoors, and... it's tricky too.
If I took the last Worlds, where wind was crazy, I did quickly shot 2~3 shots when my condition appeared. It was the only way to survive in those terrible winds. One thing that you have to be careful is not misinterpret the wind, and let the condition settle a little.
A final word of caution, lazy wind conditions days, could be more trickier to shoot than you anticipate, just because you tend to be lazy too...
Always stay focused.
All is working fine, you're shooting fine, the scores just follow what you are doing, and one day... nothing seems to come together....your target looks like a 12-gauge caliber one, what's happening?
Whatever you'll do, rimfire is totally dependent of ammo. That's why, chasing good ammo is a fundamental game part. But even then, there are occasions where nothing seems to come together, and man, we are shooting our best ammo!
It will happen to everyone, and sooner than later. Just be prepared.
Of course it will happen differently to the different shooters. If your comfort zone is around 245, one of those days, your score will drop to 235~240, with no apparent reason. But if you shoot a lot of 250, on those dreadful days, you'll drop to 247~248...
The feeling is terrible, your confidence is down the road.
There are a couple of things you should do to understand if it can be corrected immediately, and then is was not a dreadful day, or if no apparent reason is discovered, you have to recompose yourself.
I will address this issue in two different ways:
You are shooting Xs, and solid 10s, but then, you start just barely touching the 10 ring, shot after shot. This is a very important warning sign. Stop, think, look and understand. Majority of times is you, the shooter, that are out of focus, not aiming off correctly respective to the wind. This is the very 1st premise. So, again, stop. Look and feel the wind, go to the sighter, understand what you are doing. Correct the action, believe in yourself and restart.
Normally this happens when you are overconfident and loose environment contact. Shooting quickly is one of the culprits. Tunnel view, another one. But the worst is maths... don't do that, the scores are done at the end. Don't think you can win, or in the way to break a record. These thoughts hurt your flow and mental shooting focus. Stop and recompose.
The other possible component, other than the shooter, is a gear sudden fault. This is easy to notice, except at the target beginning.
Look at a shot cartridge and, does it show an apparent difference from others? Does your bolt start to misfire? Ignition problems can occur at any moment. Can be subtle and not much is found on the target, or catastrophic, and nothing can be done.
The other point, is starting the target and nothing groups. Please do yourself a favour and have registered your tuner setting. Look at it, has it move? I just use tuners that either can be locked (not really locked, but unable to turn) or some that I modify so they can not turn. More seldom than not, many shooters cleaning, or just handling the rifle, move the tuner unnoticed and disaster will happen on the next target.
Tuner has to be set all the time.
The other item to looked for is your ammo. Swap ammo box. Sometimes, one box is off from the others. Remember when I said I have 2 ammo boxes (same lot) at the bench. Just for that. If I have the minimal doubt I swap boxes, not even looking back.
In summary, if something can be recognised, you were not experiencing a dreadful day, but just a setback. Setbacks can be avoided by good preparation before the match and before the target. Revisit your bench and before 1st shot routine.
The other hypothesis, the really dreadful one, is when nothing comes together, and everything looks perfect.
There's no noticeable gear fault, neither a shooter one... hmm... then what?
I've tried my best to understand, and learning warning signs, before that "thing" happens. Let's call it "thing", I don't have a better definition to it.
When the "thing" happens, you'll be lost. So lost that you will be tempted to do rubbish actions and/or decisions.
One of those, is letting this idea surfing your mind: "my rifle is out of tune". If you let it in and you'll act accordingly, I can guarantee you'll be really lost.
Take a step behind... before the "thing" you and your rifle are ok, right? So, why is your rifle not ok now? Rifles do drift, but not because being out of tune, just because wear and tear happens, or something on your chosen ammo.
I never touch my rifle, if the "thing" hits me. I know it will go away as quickly as it appeared. I don't have an explanation, I never saw one.
So, what to do? Nothing really productive... just continue shooting, accept the errors, don't think much about it. Have fun, don't find excuses. A bad day is a bad day, nothing more. Take a breath, wait a couple of days before next practicing. Don't overdue shooting. Again, take a breath.
Refocus your goals, prepare the next shooting session and went for it. I'll bet, the "thing" just went away.
That's rimfire!
Whatever you'll do, rimfire is totally dependent of ammo. That's why, chasing good ammo is a fundamental game part. But even then, there are occasions where nothing seems to come together, and man, we are shooting our best ammo!
It will happen to everyone, and sooner than later. Just be prepared.
Of course it will happen differently to the different shooters. If your comfort zone is around 245, one of those days, your score will drop to 235~240, with no apparent reason. But if you shoot a lot of 250, on those dreadful days, you'll drop to 247~248...
The feeling is terrible, your confidence is down the road.
There are a couple of things you should do to understand if it can be corrected immediately, and then is was not a dreadful day, or if no apparent reason is discovered, you have to recompose yourself.
I will address this issue in two different ways:
- Noticeable something faulty
- Nothing is noticeable faulty
You are shooting Xs, and solid 10s, but then, you start just barely touching the 10 ring, shot after shot. This is a very important warning sign. Stop, think, look and understand. Majority of times is you, the shooter, that are out of focus, not aiming off correctly respective to the wind. This is the very 1st premise. So, again, stop. Look and feel the wind, go to the sighter, understand what you are doing. Correct the action, believe in yourself and restart.
Normally this happens when you are overconfident and loose environment contact. Shooting quickly is one of the culprits. Tunnel view, another one. But the worst is maths... don't do that, the scores are done at the end. Don't think you can win, or in the way to break a record. These thoughts hurt your flow and mental shooting focus. Stop and recompose.
The other possible component, other than the shooter, is a gear sudden fault. This is easy to notice, except at the target beginning.
Look at a shot cartridge and, does it show an apparent difference from others? Does your bolt start to misfire? Ignition problems can occur at any moment. Can be subtle and not much is found on the target, or catastrophic, and nothing can be done.
The other point, is starting the target and nothing groups. Please do yourself a favour and have registered your tuner setting. Look at it, has it move? I just use tuners that either can be locked (not really locked, but unable to turn) or some that I modify so they can not turn. More seldom than not, many shooters cleaning, or just handling the rifle, move the tuner unnoticed and disaster will happen on the next target.
Tuner has to be set all the time.
The other item to looked for is your ammo. Swap ammo box. Sometimes, one box is off from the others. Remember when I said I have 2 ammo boxes (same lot) at the bench. Just for that. If I have the minimal doubt I swap boxes, not even looking back.
In summary, if something can be recognised, you were not experiencing a dreadful day, but just a setback. Setbacks can be avoided by good preparation before the match and before the target. Revisit your bench and before 1st shot routine.
The other hypothesis, the really dreadful one, is when nothing comes together, and everything looks perfect.
There's no noticeable gear fault, neither a shooter one... hmm... then what?
I've tried my best to understand, and learning warning signs, before that "thing" happens. Let's call it "thing", I don't have a better definition to it.
When the "thing" happens, you'll be lost. So lost that you will be tempted to do rubbish actions and/or decisions.
One of those, is letting this idea surfing your mind: "my rifle is out of tune". If you let it in and you'll act accordingly, I can guarantee you'll be really lost.
Take a step behind... before the "thing" you and your rifle are ok, right? So, why is your rifle not ok now? Rifles do drift, but not because being out of tune, just because wear and tear happens, or something on your chosen ammo.
I never touch my rifle, if the "thing" hits me. I know it will go away as quickly as it appeared. I don't have an explanation, I never saw one.
So, what to do? Nothing really productive... just continue shooting, accept the errors, don't think much about it. Have fun, don't find excuses. A bad day is a bad day, nothing more. Take a breath, wait a couple of days before next practicing. Don't overdue shooting. Again, take a breath.
Refocus your goals, prepare the next shooting session and went for it. I'll bet, the "thing" just went away.
That's rimfire!
AlapahaJack
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I should preference this, I am only a club shooter. I follow what I glean here to learn from the best.
Your post was very encouraging to me.
I shot a two card match at a club Saturday where I share the top record for that match. When everyone's out to best you, you feel the pressure. Warming up, everything was perfect. Perfect groups. Little wind.
The match started and an unusual (for that field) seven mph tail wind (blowing toward the target) appeared. The flag closest to the target was constantly spinning and never slowed. The other flags would vary, almost stopped at times. I had to select my shooting condition, remember it, and wait for it before shooting.
I mistimed it once on each card and lost one-point on each card. My mind wouldn't accept the fact that if that target flag was spinning, my round would rise about 10mm. In my experience, the flag closest to the target doesn't usually effect the round that much. But it did in that match in those conditions.
I finished next to last.
I didn't sleep that night reviewing my mistake, in my mind, over and over. It makes no difference that I got it right 48 times, but failed twice. I lost.
Next match? I'm slowing down. I'm not assuming that I know what to do. I'm going to proof each decision on a sighter before attacking the scoring bull.
Your post was very encouraging to me.
I shot a two card match at a club Saturday where I share the top record for that match. When everyone's out to best you, you feel the pressure. Warming up, everything was perfect. Perfect groups. Little wind.
The match started and an unusual (for that field) seven mph tail wind (blowing toward the target) appeared. The flag closest to the target was constantly spinning and never slowed. The other flags would vary, almost stopped at times. I had to select my shooting condition, remember it, and wait for it before shooting.
I mistimed it once on each card and lost one-point on each card. My mind wouldn't accept the fact that if that target flag was spinning, my round would rise about 10mm. In my experience, the flag closest to the target doesn't usually effect the round that much. But it did in that match in those conditions.
I finished next to last.
I didn't sleep that night reviewing my mistake, in my mind, over and over. It makes no difference that I got it right 48 times, but failed twice. I lost.
Next match? I'm slowing down. I'm not assuming that I know what to do. I'm going to proof each decision on a sighter before attacking the scoring bull.
One obvious thing that we tend to forget frequently is... having fun!
Fun, passion, desire to excel are the fundamentals keys to progress and achieve our goals.
But by goals I mean what make you happy with the hobby. They can be from just having a great day shooting with others, to winning big competitions, and everything in between.
We don't earn our living shooting, so why put so much pressure on us? We have to achieve the perfect balance, hardest to do than to say, between pressure and excel.
Whatever you'll do, maintain that passion and have fun!
Fun, passion, desire to excel are the fundamentals keys to progress and achieve our goals.
But by goals I mean what make you happy with the hobby. They can be from just having a great day shooting with others, to winning big competitions, and everything in between.
We don't earn our living shooting, so why put so much pressure on us? We have to achieve the perfect balance, hardest to do than to say, between pressure and excel.
Whatever you'll do, maintain that passion and have fun!
Hello Pedro,
The wind, another subject that you master well!
I appreciate you telling me about the instinctive part that will make decisions during a particular match if it's windy.
I noticed that during difficult matches where I had little time to analyze a changing wind, I instinctively often shot before consciously deciding to do so with good results!
Should we be wary of this way of shooting or should we let ourselves be guided by intuition?
You continue the story
The wind, another subject that you master well!
I appreciate you telling me about the instinctive part that will make decisions during a particular match if it's windy.
I noticed that during difficult matches where I had little time to analyze a changing wind, I instinctively often shot before consciously deciding to do so with good results!
Should we be wary of this way of shooting or should we let ourselves be guided by intuition?
You continue the story
Hello Pedro,
The wind, another subject that you master well!
I appreciate you telling me about the instinctive part that will make decisions during a particular match if it's windy.
I noticed that during difficult matches where I had little time to analyze a changing wind, I instinctively often shot before consciously deciding to do so with good results!
Should we be wary of this way of shooting or should we let ourselves be guided by intuition?
You continue the story
Wind, analysis, instinct and intuition.
Shooting in the wind is the most difficult part of benchrest. Some say it's the only part. How wrong those are...
Let's start by the last two: Instinct and intuition.
They are not the same, but one leads to the other?
Instinct vs Intuition:
Instinct is a natural reaction, not a thought; you respond automatically to a situation, without even having time to think.
Intuition is when the individual sees something beyond what is presented.
But we mix them a lot. Regarding wind, the human being doesn't have any shooting instinct, because both have a learning path. However, we tend to say when we learned so well an action, when we respond to it automatically, we tend to say "instinct" reaction.
On the other way, some "instinct" reaction are not always the best ones... learning the hard way. Then we develop an intuition to such an action. We respond automatically, but with a learned answer.
That's the pinnacle of shooting in the wind! The shooter has absorbed all the theory behind it, developed an habit reaction, transforming the "instinct" answer to an intuition response.
I'm not gaming with words. I presented the goal of shooting in the wind: "an intuition response to a stimuli". In this case to a certain wind pattern.
Wait, and where's analysis in between?
Analysis is the path that have to be crossed to achieve an automatic answer to a certain condition. You need analysis to understand.
I'll pick an exemple... driving a vehicle.
When we start driving, all stimuli have to be analysed, brain digested until a response can be achieved. Imagine a STOP sign. At beginning, we look at the sign, analyse it, recognised as a STOP sign, and only then we brake. Analysis and action.
After some time we brake, even without thinking, when our eyes see a STOP sign. Instinct.
Then when maturity driving appears, we anticipate the action immediately after recognising a STOP sign. Intuition.
When a shooter doesn't realize how he/she have shot an X, after an X, in the wind, he/she is shooting with intuition.