So.....what did you shoot today?

[Blowpipe Sam]

Up today is my first 22 caliber, lets hope she's gentle...
Put the steel breach and 3-9x50 UTG scope on last night - 20 yard target shooter?

I think you'll find it pretty accurate out to forty yards with the right pellet. 

I'm sitting in the yard right now with Rube Goldberg Trailer Trash smoker going.  It's got a beef Brisket, eight pork chops, and four links of sausage slow cooking.  I have a large libation near by and a variety of air rifles to hand.  Been shooting the XS60C and the ProwlFire at spinners thirty yards away.  Both are boringly accurate.

Thinking about switching to something more challenging but I really don't want to wrestle a magnum springer or a pumper in this heat.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nothing today and the forecast calls for wind in the 20s ramping up to the 30s. Been the case many days for almost two months now.

But after dinner last night, it only puffed intermittently, with enough time in between them to make practicing worthwhile. I started with the scoped 880 at 50’, standing offhand (conservatively estimated; probably was a little farther). Then to the peeped Blue Streak at 50’ also, which did not go well until I switched down to closer shots and worked back up to 50’. And then I suddenly readjusted myself to using the peep sight, with successive good hits.

I’ve noticed both in pistol and rifle offhand practice that the wobbles are worst at the beginning. I have to consciously tell myself, “Calm down and relax!” This even applies when shooting sitting on the ground with a bent knee supporting my supporting arm.

Offhand is the most fun for me, but also the hardest. It’s a good thing the funness provides incentive to keep practicing.

Hi Pat.

I practice shooting off hand quite a bit as I mostly practice hunting scenarios.
This is what I do to avoid the wobbles..
I raise the rifle slowly, from a relaxed downward position, straight up.
As the sights begin to align on the target I begin the trigger squeeze process.
It is a practiced timing reflex action.
The idea is for the rifle to fire as soon as the target is centered in the sights.
There is no time for the rifle to bob and weave because you are not trying to hold the rifle still and then align the rifle sights.
Least wise... that is what I do and it works well for me.


Best Wishes - Tom

[sekiar]

Spent a good part of the afternoon shooting my new Cometa Fenix Star in .22 caliber and it was like aiming a laser with only a very very few misses which in every case it was due to the old shooter behind the trigger.    I can't remember having any more fun with this rifle than of many I have.   We just jelled right off.  Charles

[Back_Roads]

 I Mowed then was going to move a concrete slab over to the firepit area  then move the smoker over to that location. Instead I cut down a tree in the 30 yard range since wind was right and power lines nearby. Clean up mess, My sore back telling me to take it wasy so grab FX DRS and air, run some targets to the 30 and 50 yard mulch buckets.

 Yay! shooting time   I had to shoot back some jungle on the 30 yard target, so not all shots stayed straight but now I have a clearer line of sight to the targets 
 I think the but pad extension is helping  the gun fit me eye lings up with the scope instantly now before I had to fish for the best view. Also hard to squeeze the trigger when arm is all scrunched up
 Off to get some 50 yard time in with the DRS and Norma 17.6 gr pellets, I think I need a beeter bench for my bench ?? hard to get a sore back comfy to stay on target, but managed to brace myself and the gun well enough to pull of a few good hits

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Nice setup James !  Nice yard too ! 
I know what a sore back feels like ! 
It is tough to shoot like that because you can't relax and concentrate on a shot very well.
The same thing goes for getting swarmed by mosquitoes while trying to shoot.
If it is not windy I have a thermocell that I can use for the mosquetoes.
If the wind blows then you might as well turn the thermocell off and tough it out.


I've got a clear shot out to 50 - 55 yards from the back door of my garage.
I can add another 10 yards if I shoot from inside of the garage and another 5 yards to that if I shoot from the front walk out door thru the back walk out door, as the 2 doors line up pretty good.
If I clear a shooting lane in the back woods, I can go out to 100 yards + but there are a few dead-falls out there that must be shot over.
On occasion, I have put pop cans out on a big oak dead-fall and shot at those.
If I fill them up with sand they stay put pretty good.


Best Wishes - Tom

[airgunaut]

Nothing today and the forecast calls for wind in the 20s ramping up to the 30s. Been the case many days for almost two months now.

But after dinner last night, it only puffed intermittently, with enough time in between them to make practicing worthwhile. I started with the scoped 880 at 50’, standing offhand (conservatively estimated; probably was a little farther). Then to the peeped Blue Streak at 50’ also, which did not go well until I switched down to closer shots and worked back up to 50’. And then I suddenly readjusted myself to using the peep sight, with successive good hits.

I’ve noticed both in pistol and rifle offhand practice that the wobbles are worst at the beginning. I have to consciously tell myself, “Calm down and relax!” This even applies when shooting sitting on the ground with a bent knee supporting my supporting arm.

Offhand is the most fun for me, but also the hardest. It’s a good thing the funness provides incentive to keep practicing.

Hi Pat.

I practice shooting off hand quite a bit as I mostly practice hunting scenarios.
This is what I do to avoid the wobbles..
I raise the rifle slowly, from a relaxed downward position, straight up.
As the sights begin to align on the target I begin the trigger squeeze process.
It is a practiced timing reflex action.
The idea is for the rifle to fire as soon as the target is centered in the sights.
There is no time for the rifle to bob and weave because you are not trying to hold the rifle still and then align the rifle sights.
Least wise... that is what I do and it works well for me.


Best Wishes - Tom

Thank you posting what works for you, someone who mostly shoots offhand. I always thought it odd how oftentimes when I did NOT try to hold still and make a perfect shot, the trigger finger and eyes seemed to sync at just the right position with the muzzle also just right. I wish it would happen more! It has been most likely to happen with the P3 pistol—once I got used to the very light two-stage trigger. It would feel almost like the gun took over.

You are absolutely right in that it is a matter of timing rather than perfect stillness. If I hold my unsupported arms and hands out as if shooting—holding nothing at all—the finger that simulates the muzzle still will wobble if held out too long.

The good news is that although holding perfectly still for several seconds is not going to happen, timing and coordination can be worked on, as with other sports.

Again, comments based on your experience are much appreciated.

[2A Georgia]

I practice shooting off hand quite a bit as I mostly practice hunting scenarios.
This is what I do to avoid the wobbles..
I raise the rifle slowly, from a relaxed downward position, straight up.
As the sights begin to align on the target I begin the trigger squeeze process.
It is a practiced timing reflex action.
The idea is for the rifle to fire as soon as the target is centered in the sights.
There is no time for the rifle to bob and weave because you are not trying to hold the rifle still and then align the rifle sights.
Least wise... that is what I do and it works well for me.


Best Wishes - Tom

Tom.
I practice something similar, but the trigger as the target is centered makes sense and I will be trying that drill between now and August opening day.  Many thanks

[sekiar]

Mounted a new Hawke scope on my HW77K in .22 and what a joy it is.  I can easily cock with one hand and that is a great thing for me.  Charles

[Matchstickshooter]

 Shot some CPHP through the Shanghai model 62 (.22) trying out a different scope.

[Matchstickshooter]

  also:  Crosman 392PA   with CPHP's   

[Rabbit\Squirrel Killer]

My Woods Walker, one shot-one rabbit. It was a bit tricky as the rabbit was 30 yards and behind some stuff, but I could see it's head. That's all I needed though.

[Matchstickshooter]

  Shot the Crosman 392PA, and the Crosman CR357....

[avator]

Been wrapped up in projects around the house. I need a good day of just shooting.

[jackinil]

Shot the new P-5 in the basement at 10yards. Tried various pellets,nothing super accurate. Had an unopened tin of H&N Excite,8.18gr. Shooting the center out. Who figured?

[2A Georgia]

I saved the heaviest 64gr from the Accurate 30-62A truncated cone slugs for the .303 Challenger.  They were pure lead so they droppped at .302 and I assumed they wouldn't group so I only saved 10 and put the rest in the pot for MP35 slugs.  The 3000psi fill I went with is too low and chrono was around 65-75fpe...BUT.....the sonofagun's where 8for8 on the 1" spoon at 15 yards once I corrected hold over.  I may cast a "trial" batch to test 3800-4000psi starting fills.  RotMetals 40:1 is on the way so tru 40"1 should drop at .303 and we should have a winner finally.
I will post more on the MP35grain in the casting thread, but shooting.
The pp800r loved the MP35s...BUT.... they are just barely too long for the mag, but fine in the SST a solid 16fpe at 454fps(ish)
Harley (2240 stubby) spits the 35gr slug at a snails 350fps the last few started chambering snug so IIRC the barrel likes 5.52mm and these are supposed to be 5.55mm.
Put Harley back in the "look wha I built" case as I'm trying to move away from Co2 and the 800r fills the sidearm toolslot.
Really bummed that the Notos is in pieces as I'd like to see how these slugs do In the 20fpe gun (highly recommended for 50-70fpe 22s).

[bReTt]

Taipan the other day
40 yards at cardboard and steel eggs

[Frank in Fairfield]

Nothing.
Last night.
In the “Back Room”.

[NorCal David]

Taipan the other day
40 yards at cardboard and steel eggs

Impressive shooting.... and impressive coin collection. 1928 winged mercury that actually contains silver. And it is older than I am, 😂

[Matchstickshooter]

 Shot the CR357 at a "Shoot n See" target  down on the back lawn.

[airgunaut]

I fired the P3 30 shots while sitting on the ground, 33’ from muzzle to the face of a soup can hung in a cardboard box lined with 8 layers of cardboard. 17 shots with the LH (not good today) and 13 with the RH (good). I kept checking movement of the elevation screw and sure enough it did move once despite my taking great care to put cocking hand well away from the rear sight.

Made myself call it a day because, once again, the wind was only increasing.

BUT a chinch beetle happened to be sitting on the front porch when I was done. I didn’t want to put the muzzle really close because those beetles shoot a nasty, acrid spray at attackers. Nor could I aim using the sights due to the awkward position involved. It was strictly point and shoot. First air-only shot blew it onto its side and over about an inch. No spray—I suppose the beetle considered it like a wind gust. Second air-only shot sent it into the gravel off the porch. Enough; the plentiful bug-eating birds can pick it off if desired.

As I started shooting today, an Ash-Throated Flycatcher repeatedly called out its famous “Quick, three beeeers!” song. They’re a bit unusual here. Lots of Spotted Towhees calling also. Yesterday it was a pair of Violet-Green Swallows who lit on a branch very close to me and looked me right in the eye. I asked them what they wanted, it was so rare for them to sit still, let alone make eye contact. And then they began flying about as if expecting that my shots would kick up some gnats or other flying insects (the swallows hunt above me when I hand-pull weeds, which sometimes sends clouds of gnats up).

Of course, shooting a can doesn’t make gnats fly around, so the swallows eventually gave up. So many times do I wish I could know for sure why a wild bird does something! And last night after dinner when I stepped outside, three House Finches flew excitedly to a bush and sat watching me. I made a (lame) finchy call, at which one turned its head as if to hear better. Then they flew to a tree as I walked to the garage, still watching me. I hope my shooting doesn’t scare them. They still hang around every day, and I never aim towards them.