Beginner Starting Point

[Scubber]

Brand new guy here. I have been reading this forum and have a few questions. Please forgive me if they are repeats but I searched and could not find answers to these questions.

I am just learning to shoot. I have taken all the safety classes and shot several hundred rounds.

What standards are a good place to start before increasing speed, ie these are all slow fired, not timed, just learning not to blink, flinch, jerk etc. Learming to call the shot etc

At 7 yards I can put, 9 of 10 in a 3 inch target. Standing in an isoc stance, two handed. Is this OK?

How many should I be able to do at say 10 15 20 or 25 yards and in how big of a circle? At what ranges for various targets? What ranges should I practice at? & yards, 25 yards and 50? I get the impression that I should be able to hit 10 of 10 in an 8 inch group/target at 25 yards. Yes?

Where do you get the IPSC targets? None of the gun stores I have been to sell them.

Most ranges that I have called do not allow rapid fire. Where are you guys getting to practice rapid fire and drawing at?

Thank you

Scubber

[JD45]

First thing, stay here forever and keep reading. Go to "Tips for improvement" on this forum. Go to www.mattburkett.com and in the shooting tips section read it all but especially the "Timing Drills". Or, go to www.andersonshooting.com and Steve links you to everybody.

Please understand, if you don't already, that you will read tips and ideas from some of the best shooters in the world on this website. You can't go and buy the information that is discussed daily here. It will speed up your progress like nothing else!

I know that the endless old posts are time consuming to read, but try, because there are many important posts that you must see.

Oh, go ahead and start practicing reloads during dry-fire sessions. Practice reloads even when you don't feel like it. When you first see a Master do a good reload you will know why.

[3quartertime]

Save yourself countless time and order Matt B's DVD's...

The format is great and you will learn a tremendous amount from watching a really great teacher. His training DVD's show some of the best shooters in the game and are an inspiration to us all!!!

The initial cost will save you lots of dollars very quick...

[twix]

You are in the right place, "Skills". I'd recomend the "dot drill" for a start. It's here if you look for it. BE has recomended 15 yards as an optimal practice distance after you have become confident of your accuracy(sight picture, trigger break, follow through).

Draw that same 3" circle and put 5 shots in it at 5 yards. When you can do that back up a yard. When you can put all 5 shots in the circle at 6 yards, back up another yard. Repeat until you are confident of your accuracy at the farthest distances you are allowed to shoot at. This will show you acceptable sight pictures for differing distances. Speed will come as you master the sight pictures needed for accuracy at a given distance.

Have fun.

[RC1]

Scubber,

You might want to try going to. http://www.uspsa.com/. Here you can find a club near you, really good tips on how to get started in this sport and links to just about anything you need, (to get to the links use the additional content tab).

When you find a good club I am sure that you will find many people that will help you get started.

You have already started in as good of a place as there is, by coming to this forum.

Rick

[Loves2Shoot]

Where are you guys getting to practice rapid fire and drawing at?

I have thousands of acres of desert to practice in, so I can practice wherever I want. If you think of each shot as it's own instance in time you will not use the term "rapid fire" and your shooting wil become better faster naturally. Try to capure a snapshot (picture in your mind) of every shot you take. The rapid comes from being able to use less time to capture the information need to make each shot count. Those who try to go "fast" waste so much time and money it makes me sad If you can't "rapid fire" at your range focus on shooting groups at 15-25 yards, once you can shoot your splits in the .6-.8 range at distance your shooting will be great at the shorter distances and the times will be what they need to be, so don't get discouraged about not being able to "rapid fire" it isn't that important.

[Steve Moneypenny]

First, what are your goals, do you want to be an IPSC/USPSA GM? do you want to be a competitive shooter at all, or just confident with your carry gun?

your shooting groups is fine. best way to practice and get better is to learn the fundamentals (NRA basic pistol, etc) and practice them, have someone that knows what they are doing check you out from time to time.

in my opinion learn marksmanship fundamentals, repeat them thousands of times. then start worrying about going faster speed will come easier than accuracy.

[Nemo]

Scubber,

Where are you located? Maybe you're closer than you know to other members of this forum, who I'm certain would be more than willing to help you if you meet with them.

Welcome!