What was an absolute game changer for you in this sport?

[Sqwirl57]

Maybe you had been doing things a certain way forever and it worked well enough. Then one day you read or just tried something a little different and all of a sudden things just started to click. You were hitting more targets, your groups shrunk, and you were just overall a much better shot.

 

[shambozzie]

When I realized you need a rabbit to make rabbit stew. Good equipment, pellets, scopes ect. If you want accuracy leave the junk alone.

 

[mcoulter]

Pulling all the way through the 2nd stage of my trigger and remaining still in my interaction with the rifle until after the pellet hits the target.

 

[Gerry52]

For me, it was getting my 1st QUALITY airgun. I was using Hatsan BT65's (22 & 25) for almost 2 years. I learned a lot about shooting & tuning & actually got quite good with them. When my Mom passed & unexpectedly left us some money I got a Royale 500. Oh my God, the difference in fit,feel, function & accuracy was on a whole different dimension. NOW I understood why guys were willing to spend so much on higher tier equipment. I COULD NOT believe the difference. Really had an IMPACT (pardon the pun) on me. Bought a used Boss (.30) after that, same reaction! We DO get what we pay for. Sold ALL my other guns after getting those. Now, I only own a Bobcat .22, Royale .25 & my Boss .30. Not the MOST expensive but check every single box for me!

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

Using quality optics and bipods, really changed my wallet lol

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

Pulling all the way through the 2nd stage of my trigger and remaining still in my interaction with the rifle until after the pellet hits the target.

FOLLOW THROUGH!

 

[hawkeye69]

For me it was going from springers to PCPs. Quiet, no recoil, multi-shot magazines, no special hold requirements, just aim and shoot.

 

[L.Leon]

For me it was simply adding an Accu Tac BR4 G2 to my PCP… my shooting from overwatch positions on pests immediately got better.

 

[_CTAIRGUNNER_]

For me it was simply adding an Accu Tac BR4 G2 to my PCP… my shooting from overwatch positions on pests immediately got better.

Love that bipod!

 

[WorriedMan]

After years of pesting with a Crosman 760, hoping each time the gun would perform well, but never really knowing, to a PCP as a dependable "partner," capable of consistent "dime-size" groups @ 50 yards, was the game-changer for me. Confidence in bringing a solid performer to the contest with your quarry made a world of difference. WM

 

[RM100GUY]

When I experienced my first Bullpup airgun. I bought an FXwildcat Mk1 walnut .25 and from the first magazine I shot I was astonished how well I could shoot it...got a Bobcat .25 Mk2 next (still have it) than a Wildcat Mk1 .22 walnut that walnut .22 is the airgun I regret selling and I don't say that lightly, in a perfect world I would like to fine a Mk1 Wildcat with a laminate stock new inbox, I could do no wrong with that gun...sigh...YO got that one and life goes on. Veteran took it's place but still wish I had it back.

 

[Sqwirl57]

These are all great answers. Does anyone have any actual positional/hold improvement that made a huge difference? Like maybe you started tucking your elbow in a certain way for offhand shots and suddenly you realized you were steadier than you've ever been in your entire life.

 

[Motorhead]

Shooting SKILL ... to be more than just an operator, but learn what it is to be a marksman. MASSIVE !!!!

 

[Bigragu]

To never having to worry about air. Investing in a compressor and tanks(thnx, Gerry) took away all concerns of worrying about shot count, trips to the fill shop, etc

 

[Treefrog]

Shooting SKILL ... to be more than just an operator, but learn what it is to be a marksman. MASSIVE !!!!

^ That.

Training. It's made a huge difference in my ability to hit what needed hitting.

Be safe,

J~

 

[madeintheuk]

Realizing most of my shooting issues came from the fact I just can’t shoot bull pups!
up until shooting a friends crown, and owning a dream tac and leshiy 2, most of my rifles were bull pups. From a wildcat to even a veteran, I found I just wasn’t getting the groups I had seen others getting with the same setup. After shooting tactical, and traditional rifles instead, my groups not only shrunk, but became super consistent to.

 

[Ezana4CE]

A number of things come to mind, but two standout a bit more than most others: Focusing on maintaining my position during the PCP’s dwell time and practicing shooting exactly the way I intend to hunt.

 

[Prophet]

Going from a hand pump to an electric compressor helped me.

 

[Sqwirl57]

Going from a hand pump to an electric compressor helped me.

Lol thats probably the best answer yet. Having fully functional arms is definitely a huge plus!

 

[TMH]

2 things:

1) Finally figuring out the equipment I needed where I could actually get comfortable over the gun on the bench, and wouldn't end up with searing pain between my shoulder blades after an hour's worth of shooting;
2) Trigger time, regardless of what gun it was on. Like someone posted above, I couldn't shoot bullpups worth a darn as compared to traditional stocked rifles. Then all of a sudden I found that I could shoot bullpups and compact guns well, and it is all down to getting enough trigger time to be more comfortable (and more accurate) on any platform of gun.

If this stuff was easy, anyone could do it! Gotta put in the hours.