A fun shoot and a realization

[kamagong]

I took a break from the merciless paper targets yesterday and attended a fun shoot at my local rod and gun club. This was my first time shooting non-paper targets and I had a blast. At 25 yards we shot at balloons, charcoal, golf balls, dog biscuits, powder filled Easter eggs, and finished up with water balloons at 50 yards. I used my trusty .22lr CZ 452 Trainer and I saw a Henry pump action, a couple of 10/22s, and some sort of Mossberg with the shooters in my immediate vicinity.

I was one of the few shooters at the event using iron sights. Maybe two-thirds were using scopes. I was also one of the few shooting offhand, nearly all the others were shooting off the bench. From what I saw I was the only one shooting both offhand and using the irons.

My targets showed it. I had no problem hitting grapefruit sized balloons even though there was a slight breeze and they were swaying back and forth. I did well enough hitting the hanging charcoal briquettes even though they were also swaying in the wind. I had much more trouble with the golf balls, dog biscuits, and powder filled easter eggs. Trying to hit the water balloons at 50 yards was an exercise in frustration. I think I only hit one of my targets, and they were cleaned up by the other shooters around me.

I hate to admit it, but comparing my targets to the others' I can't help coming to the conclusion that I was one of the worst shooters there. They hit many their targets more easily and much more efficiently. This was a bit of a gut check, I've always considered myself a decent shot. I guess I need to practice some more.

Still, I have to admit that I learned a bit about myself yesterday.
1. It's a good thing to get away from bull's eye targets every so often. Shooting at other objects is fun. I especially enjoyed seeing the charcoal briquettes explode and golf balls go zinging off when you hit them just right.
2. Knowing the fundamentals is one thing, performing them is another. I feel that I have a good grasp of sight picture and trigger control, but I definitely need to work on my breathing.
3. I need to practice shooting at longer distances. Most of my shooting with the 452 takes place at 25 yards, I should learn to take advantage of the awesome tangent sights that are on the gun.
4. I need to learn how to use a sling. I can't help thinking that if I knew proper sling usage I would have performed a lot better yesterday.
5. I need improve on my gunhandling skills. I had no problem working the bolt yesterday while keeping the gun tucked into my shoulder and the sights on target. I had much more difficulty changing magazines. I'm gonna work on that.

I do want to mention that as poor as I feel my performance was, at least a couple of the other shooters yesterday thought I did alright. During one of the breaks when the range was cold, I overheard two people talking. They were talking about how difficult it was to shoot unsupported, much less to try it without the use of optics. Apparently they were in lanes near mine and they thought that I had held my own considering.

As frustrating as yesterday was, I still had lots of fun. I'm glad I went, otherwise I don't think I would have gained this insight into my shooting abilities. Now I know what I need to work on and hopefully next time I'll be able to give a better account of myself.

 

[mikejames]

G,day kamagong . No need to be frustrated by certain technological limits . Iron sights are essential to learn shooting accuracy. Practice, practice and practice again. Never give in. Trust your eye, and let loose. Start with a slingshot , then a bow, a pistol, then a rifle. Hand eye coordinance is all that matters. Hope this helps, cheers, Mike.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Don't go beating yourself up.

Bench shooting gives you no real education as to how well you actually shoot. People do it for two reasons:
1.) It's always easier to hit the target from the bench.
2.) Many ranges won't let you use any position but seated, braced at the bench, seated offhand, or standing offhand.

What you were doing is a more accurate gauge of what you can actually do. Plus, it helped you identify some shortcomings, namely your breathing, and wanting to learn to sling up means you've determined that you have too much natural wobble.

Also remember that moving targets are harder to hit. What you were doing is harder than shooting paper. Sounds like you did well to me.

 

[willywonka]

Right on Cpl. I agree 100 percent. Another guy brought up your points in another forum and people freaked out, namely shooters that were always shooting from the bench, but other than easy fun (AKA easier to shoot from bench accurately) and for sighting in and testing ammo and gear, or for serious precision work (sniper or hunter bracing on a log or rock), it's better to practice off hand. In anything other than long distance hunting one will need to be able to take shots on the move and on their two feet and faster than half a minute per shot (which is what I usually see at the range). But off hand or timed shooting or even consistent rhythmic shooting is a rarely practiced skill as most men treat the ownership of a gun as though simply owning a gun as some kind of testament of their manhood or a magic talisman against others doing bodily harm to you and they don't wanna get their egos bruised going thru the learning curve of shooting off hand.

 

[willywonka]

and ps: keep at it kamagong!! you are doing great. You are now REALLY learning to shoot. Congratz!

 

[mikejames]

Got to agree with the Cln. To become an proficient shot, you must learn to challenge yourself under constantly changing circumstances. From your report, you did well against better equipped shooters, so kudos to you. In real life, targets do not sit still, therefore adapt and overcome. Cheers, Mike.

 

[BFH44]

sounds like a good time - I need to get out and find a good place to shoot