Some things I learned from you guys My groups have tightened up significantly since my last check in. I've applied a lot of advice I recieved here, which I'll list below.
First, on the subject of selecting pellets, I learned its easier said than done if you are shooting badly. It's just hard to assess pellets when you are gripping, ungripping, twisting and flexing every time a flyer shakes your confidence. I learned it was necessary to settle on a shooting style and quit questioning the scope -- then stick with it long enough to get at least consistent (bad) results. Then you may start picking pellets based on your bad group sizes with the faith they will improve. My choices in this excersize turned out to be JSB Exact Heavy 10.3 and H/N Field Target 8.4.
Now on to how a consistent style developed in my case:
- First, I chose to bench shoot off a bag with a completely relaxed left hand supporting the balance point of the rifle, rather than the rifle directly on the bag. This seemed to be more consistent that shooting directly from the bag, which mystifies me, but so-be-it.
- Next, I took some advice here and simply brought the gun to bear in the general direction of the target with a relaxed natural position over and over again. No shots fired. Just up to the bag -- and cheek to the weld -- repeatedly AND WITHOUT TENSION. I note how the gun rests on the bag, on the shoulder, and in the hands each time. I do it until its the same every time. This became the base of everything to come.
- Now that I'm ready to shoot, it's time to make the first move. With my torso aligned so the gun is generally on target, I address the rifle by bringing my shoulder into it.
- Next, close eyes and relax, relax relax. Sink into the bench and become concious of your breathing like a Zen master. As you breathe, you'll realize you may have subtle tension in that supporting hand under the forestock, or in the shoulder connected to it. Breathe again and lose all that tension. If you peek, you'll see the point of aim move when you relax that last unconcious tension away -- and you'll realize how the slightest pressure has an effect. Ah Ha! OK keep it relaxed right there.
- Now, open both eyes and adjust any verticle misalignment of your scope picture by using the most subtle of moves on the cheek weld or shoulder to get your cross hair 90 degrees vertical. DON'T TENSE THAT HAND UNDER THE FORESTOCK to do this and DO NOT YET ADDRESS THE TRIGGER OR GRIP. Keep that trigger hand free from the gun here if possible.
- Next, (and I found this to be the most important) Using breathing and the muscles in your core -- adjust to the target by moving your body -- NOT YOUR ARMS OR HANDS. Use just enough pressure in the shoulder's contact with the butt and your cheek weld, and no more, to make the subtle moves directed by your torso.
- At this point, I am mostly aligned and ready to address the trigger without harshly gripping the gun. I take up the first stage with the front pad of the finger and LIGHTLY seek an imaginary feeling of the gun's rear weight being supported by that light tension on the trigger finger (it is not in reality, it's merely a "feeling"). The thumb is restsing vertically above, not wrapped around the grip.
- Now, I'm ready to to make the final few mm's of adjustments to the POI. With a last breath I make a final mental check --- forestock hand completely relaxed, grip hand in light contact with the grip but not applying ANY directiontional force, shoulder contact and cheek weld barely firm enough to support the gun, trigger first stage at light tension. I come to the POI and don't hesitate now!
- Finally! Squeeze and let 'er go.
- Follow through, meaning, hold the trigger in fired position and keep your head on the target for the milliseconds it takes for the pellet to hit. Release breath and think about what just happened.
- Make mental notes. For instance, on follow through did the muzzle end up a little, left, right, high or low? (It shouldn't have been and its a good bet your pellet is on that side of the target too).
- Ask yourself, how did that happen? You'll find the answer is likely that you applied almost imperceptable extra grip, or trigger pressure and the final moment, pulling you a few millimeters off. Try not to do it next time. Its hard.
- REPEAT WHATEVER PROCEEDURE YOU ADOPT EXACTLY. That means the position of your elbows on the table, your lean into the table, the pressure on the cheek weld, shoulder, trigger and grip, etc.
For me, this has played out a bit like finding the right golf swing. When it's right, you'll feel a sweet trigger release and find that the muzzle by some magic ends up right about on the bull at follow through. Just like a golf swing, that sweet spot can be elusive. And, just like golf, if you start overthinking it, or making adjustments that are too deliberate, forceful or impatient, you'll be in the rough more often than not.
In my case with the HW97K and JSBs I have had moments of brilliance with a 1/4" 5-shot group at 25y -- and near one-holers at 15y. However, that's the exception, not the rule. 3/4" or worse at 25y is more frequent.
I have adopted the "guide with your torso" rule for standing and sitting positions as well. I try to keep my arms and hands out of it, except to merely support the gun aiming where my body and breathing puts the crosshairs while staying steady on the trigger.
Now, after all this, it may come to pass that many of you will find that I'm full of sh*t and headed for a sad reckoning with my poor self-taught technique. That's why I'm laying this out there. I have no coach, and no nearby club to learn from. So correct and comment as you see fit. It's not personal, and I figure I'll learn something if you make a post. I appreciate the comments and advice that have gotten me this far.
