JKSNIPER Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Today had some short time free. Loaded up the gear into the truck and off to the range for a practice session. Its been a REALLY long time since I've shot last and I was definitely feeling the "itch" to get out there and shoot. I was shooting the steel plate rack drawing and firing from the "surrender position" with my CED timer on my belt and noticed I was stuck at what (if I was in good shooting shape) I would consider slow. I posted a 5.21 and thought "Ok...not my best but you've been away for a while so give it a few more." Next thing I know I'm missing shots and taking longer. "WTF?" So I bear down and then things really got interesting. Some real crappy times started coming out. Then I relaxed and got another 5.21. Decided to call it a day...but still couldn't put my finger on what I was doing wrong. It wasn't until later on when I got home I realized that when I wanted to get better times while shooting I started to watch the plate I had already fired on while trying to acquire the next plate to shoot. Not a good idea. It was funny that I couldn't think of what I had done wrong until I was home in the A.C. starting to relax from the session....then it just came to me like someone threw it on a flash card right in front of me. I resolved to practice more dry firing as well as range sessions and do it in a more relaxed state not being so concerned with improvement right now! JK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I started to watch the plate I already fired on while trying to acquire the next plate to shoot. It's normal reaction - want to see if you hit the plate. Like in golf - lifting your head to see where the ball goes. Have to really concentrate to just shoot the plates instead of watching them - I've had the same problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Part of the problem is that it's instinctive to look at something that moves. Whether you're predator or prey, it's important to know what that movement was. Shooting plates, you know what it was, so learn to ignore it and move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWHlctx Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I started to watch the plate I already fired on while trying to acquire the next plate to shoot. It's normal reaction - want to see if you hit the plate. Like in golf - lifting your head to see where the ball goes. Have to really concentrate to just shoot the plates instead of watching them - I've had the same problem. I've played a lot of golf and you're right....... the old saying golf is "if you look up to watch your shot, what you're going to see is a bad shot!" Find that to be true in shooting sports as well. I've been working on "calling the shot" a bunch. What I have been doing (incorrectly) is looking for sight varification AFTER the shot which was pointed out me is not callinig the shot. Even though I was getting good his on the target, I'm wasting a lot of time admiring my good shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKSNIPER Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 The interesting part (for me anyway) was that for some weird reason I didn't pick up on what I was doing until AFTER I had left the range and come back home. Usually I have no problem picking up on what I'm doing wrong but for some reason this session I had a kind of mental block and couldn't figure out what I was messing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastluck13 Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 I shoot a weekly steel match and see people not used to shooting plates racks watch them fall. Just as often, they prairie dog and pop their head up while pulling the trigger and they hit low below the plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitvpr Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 I shoot a weekly steel match and see people not used to shooting plates racks watch them fall. Just as often, they prairie dog and pop their head up while pulling the trigger and they hit low below the plate. I do this, too... Especially when Im trying to finish off a good run damit! Did this yesterday and tanked the stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davsco Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 advice given to me was go to next plate and finish the rack (let's say left to right) and then go back R-L if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I agree, finish and come back if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeyers78 Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 great advise. Wish I read this forum before I shot my first steel pro/am match. sure to do better after reading this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzShooter Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Shoot one plate and forget about it. Move on to the center of the next plate and on and on. Go for the center and don't rush the shot. Figure you are hitting where you want. Take your time in the beginning and your speed will come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyback Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 "Take your time in the beginning, and the speed will come." That advice is obviously key, but hard to do. I'm gonna tack it up on the wall... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yibomb Posted January 28, 2016 Share Posted January 28, 2016 I was blessed to be at a private range with my friend and his godfather for my first time shooting. Only us three at the whole range, normal outdoors range had a skeet area,long range rifle area,and a pistol area. it was over 10 years ago but all i remember was shooting a thick steel cylinder on a swing. Now I am a welder and everytime I see something cool that I could make like a dueling tree, I search pictures and make my own blueprints. I just need to move somewhere with enough land near by to make my own range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 This is good advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now