Why is the 5th shot so hard???
- Thread starter yenniedn
- Start date
When I evaluate I shoot ten + Over the years I have shot some three shot groups with firearms that were really small. But didnt tell the rest of the story.
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Just reread the entire thread above and added a bookmark so I can read it from time to time. I had forgotten that I previously read this before as it was dated. Enormous amount of good information from some highly regarded air gun shooters.
This appears to be one of those topics where there is no right or wrong approach. Not sure I can reach any definitive conclusion as to whether or not shooting 5-shot vs. 10-shot groups are more statistically accurate, as I also subscribe to having total shots of 50-60 indicate how the gun is performing. When testing for accuracy, I normally shoot 5-shot groups and zero at 25 and test at 35, 40 and 50 yards. Shoot a total of at least 50 shots and average the CTC.
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Statistically, the answer is “at least five”. That comes from an NRA Handbook that I referenced quite a while back. It was a study that compared 3 to 5 to 10 shot groups. 3 shot groups did not sufficiently show accuracy or precision. At least 5 were required... then more than 5 was the law of decreasing returns...
From the article summary:
So what’s a shooter to do? For one thing: ignore 3-shot groups. If you want to get a sense of a gun’s precision then shoot larger groups. I tend to shoot 10-round groups and use computerized target markers to precisely calculate my CEP. For the most accurate guns at closer distances that tend to create jagged holes I instead shoot several 5-round groups.
If you’re not going to bother calculating CEP and just want to stick with Extreme Spread because it’s so easy to measure at least move up to 5-round groups. They are statistically more efficient and less prone to abuse than 3-round groups. Use multiple groups, and don’t throw away the bad ones. For example, the American Rifleman’s protocol of taking the average extreme spread of five 5-round groups is only about a third less efficient than the most statistically efficient precision estimator.
For more on the theory and practice behind measuring shooting precision visit ballistipedia.com.
From the article summary:
So what’s a shooter to do? For one thing: ignore 3-shot groups. If you want to get a sense of a gun’s precision then shoot larger groups. I tend to shoot 10-round groups and use computerized target markers to precisely calculate my CEP. For the most accurate guns at closer distances that tend to create jagged holes I instead shoot several 5-round groups.
If you’re not going to bother calculating CEP and just want to stick with Extreme Spread because it’s so easy to measure at least move up to 5-round groups. They are statistically more efficient and less prone to abuse than 3-round groups. Use multiple groups, and don’t throw away the bad ones. For example, the American Rifleman’s protocol of taking the average extreme spread of five 5-round groups is only about a third less efficient than the most statistically efficient precision estimator.
For more on the theory and practice behind measuring shooting precision visit ballistipedia.com.
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It is not easy performing at the highest levels. I commend the following if you are committed to success https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Mind-3rd-Ed/dp/1934324264
Lanny Basham takes you through every step needed to be successful under pressure. His journey from silver medal to gold is a roadmap for mental preparation for performing under the highest stress, whether it is the dreaded 5th shoot on your target or the last two shoots for Olympic Gold. It is hard work.
Mike
Lanny Basham takes you through every step needed to be successful under pressure. His journey from silver medal to gold is a roadmap for mental preparation for performing under the highest stress, whether it is the dreaded 5th shoot on your target or the last two shoots for Olympic Gold. It is hard work.
Mike
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It is mental. 20 shot sessions will make the 5th shot ordinary, but the same problem will occur for the 20th shot. There is no easy answer. Lanny Basham got to the Gold medal round in the Olympics and fell apart because he was not prepared mentally to be on that stage. He spent the next 4 years visualizing being in the finals and winning the gold. And he he did.
Basham says 95% of all winning is done by only 5% of the participants. Winners are convinced and EXPECT TO WIN! Performance is 90% mental. That is really hard to do if you are not a full time shooter.
Good luck and good shooting.
Mike
Basham says 95% of all winning is done by only 5% of the participants. Winners are convinced and EXPECT TO WIN! Performance is 90% mental. That is really hard to do if you are not a full time shooter.
Good luck and good shooting.
Mike
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