Getting my lazy butt off the bench...

[mcoulter]

I too needed to get up and shoot off hand. I practiced this weekend, 200 shots or so at the 10m targets.

This is tonight’s effort, much improved over yesterday. I was doing well but then just had to throw those two low.

HW30 scope on 4x. Interestingly I shoot much better on 4x vs 2 or 3x.

200 shots is a good deal of practice! 

I think when you find a hobby where doing something 200 times in a row is a treat, you've found where the right place to be in   

[Struckat]

Much more erratic tonight, 50-70 shots, some off hand, some from the bench.
All bad.

[HectorMedina]

Matt;

A good deal of trigger control reflexes can be gained by shooting pistol, but you need to shoot it at real targets (10 M ISSF targets). You can always OVERLAY one of these formal targets to one of the "Diagnostic" targets and see where things are going astray.

Once you have shot at least 40 rounds through the pistol, return to the rifle, and try different hand positions.
The 34's stock is NOT a match stock by any means, so "pulling the trigger straight back" is a figment of the imagination/wishful thinking.
In a sporter stock, the best pull/trigger squeeze is when you can have a "swept back" trigger setting (possible with the T06), and you press the index towards the most convenient point between ball at the base of your thumb and the tip of your thumb. SOMEWHERE in there, there is a spot that allows to concentrate of pushing the trigger UP AND TO THE REAR, in such a way that you are squeezing the stock/rear closing plate/safety into the trigger. THAT is the straight line that you need to find and it will depend on your hand size and preferred position.

If I am not making too much sense, let me know and I will try to create something to clarify this.

Once you attain this position, you will realize that the long first stage is absolutely NO problem.

The other aspect is that the T06 can be adjusted to act almost as a single set trigger in the sense that you can locate the "hump" where the trigger blade will not return anymore and the slightest of added pressure will let the shot go.
For SOME shooters this works well in the offhand position.

It's a journey, so enjoy it!

Keep well and shoot straight!





HM

[JuryRigger]

Just popping in to say thanks for all the excellent information here!! I have learned many things just from this thread and I'm already a better shot than before .
Thanks to all who posted their tips,
Jesse

[mcoulter]

NICE!

You now need to buy grass courts marking paint.

And re-paint your target every day.

;-)

Keep well and shoot straight!

HM

Life has become busy, but I did pick up a couple of cans of marking paint.  And I am glad that I did     It covers very well.  FWIW, I chose to not refinish the face after my first shots:





The only shooting I have done was on a cold (40f) afternoon.  I'm still hovering around 5-6 hits out of 10 shots at 25 yards.

[HectorMedina]

Life has become busy, but I did pick up a couple of cans of marking paint.  And I am glad that I did     It covers very well.  FWIW, I chose to not refinish the face after my first shots:

The only shooting I have done was on a cold (40f) afternoon.  I'm still hovering around 5-6 hits out of 10 shots at 25 yards.

Matt,

If you analyze your "track" across the target, it clearly shows that you are pushing with your offhand when you try to release the shot.

So, you need to do a LOT of dry-fire exercises. And see/"call" where the sight were when you the trigger went "click".

It is also possible that you are ANTICIPATING the shot and therefore the offhand pushes the gun up and left.

Another possibility is that you are trying to shoot "on the fly", as the gun flies past the target.

Calm down, breathe two or three times before even raising the gun to address a shot, make sure you ARE getting into your NSP/NPA, and then TRUST your TRIGGER FINGER.

You are about to develop a bad habit, so stop and correct the SHAPE of the group before it gets real bad. Groups should be round. Otherwise, you are not doing things properly.

HTH and keep us posted!






HM

[mcoulter]

I truly appreciate the feedback on this Hector.  Yes, I definitely felt "out of the groove" when shooting those previous shots.  It was cold and I was tight and stiff.  (OK, I'm done with excuses!) 

I got out for a few shots today and saw the exact same pattern forming when shooting paper.  I tried some different seated positions and am coming back to how I'm supporting the rifle being a problem for me.  I googled field target seated position and didn't find any examples of how have been supporting the rifle.  I have primarily been sitting cross legged with my supporting arm's elbow essentially on my knee.  This felt good in that I used little (if any) muscle to support the gun, but my knee and elbow are boney and in a way it was like shooting off a monopod where it was hard to stabilize the gun laterally. 

I found some good pics for positions and tried a few just sitting in my basement.  This one feels the best.  I'll be testing this one this weekend...



(random internet pic, not mine)

[fwbsport]

I truly appreciate the feedback on this Hector.  Yes, I definitely felt "out of the groove" when shooting those previous shots.  It was cold and I was tight and stiff.  (OK, I'm done with excuses!) 

I got out for a few shots today and saw the exact same pattern forming when shooting paper.  I tried some different seated positions and am coming back to how I'm supporting the rifle being a problem for me.  I googled field target seated position and didn't find any examples of how have been supporting the rifle.  I have primarily been sitting cross legged with my supporting arm's elbow essentially on my knee.  This felt good in that I used little (if any) muscle to support the gun, but my knee and elbow are boney and in a way it was like shooting off a monopod where it was hard to stabilize the gun laterally. 

I found some good pics for positions and tried a few just sitting in my basement.  This one feels the best.  I'll be testing this one this weekend...



(random internet pic, not mine)

That's a good position there! Wish I could curl my legs and arms up like that around my air rifle for steadier shots!

[north country gal]

That is a great field shooting position. I used it back in the day, but now I'd have to call an EMT to help me back up.