Speed Metal - help me get faster!

[Matt in TN]

I shoot a FAL in Heavy Optics, and I've been working on my speed lately. Most "Heavy Metal" rules around here specify one hit ANYWHERE on target neutralizes the target, and I generally spend too much time refining my sight picture and shooting all Alphas. My goal today was to run the "V-Drill" faster and faster until I started to miss targets completely, and then try and learn to shoot comfortably at JUST BELOW that pace. For the record - the actual V-Drill uses 5 targets and you place two shots on each. I only have 3 target stands, and I wanted to drill the single shot per target idea so I modified it a bit.

Only problem was that I just couldn't shoot fast enough to miss. I did nine separate runs - slowest time was 2.18 seconds and fastest time was 1.88 seconds. The only time I missed any targets (missed two) it was 1.92 seconds. I did a 1.88 second run two different times, and on one of them not only did I hit all my targets, but I hit the "0-down" (alpha) portion of the target for all five shots.

That tells me I'm STILL not shooting fast enough. When I pull the trigger as fast as I can into the berm (no target), I average 0.20 second splits. So in theory I should be doing this drill in about 1 second if I can reach the limits of my trigger pulling speed. Any idea how to get there???

Or is this good enough for now and I should just practice loading my shotgun?

Here's one of the 1.88 second runs:

Edited July 5, 2015 by Matt in TN

[TonytheTiger]

If you can run that pace and get A's all day I'd say there's gotta be lower hanging fruit to work on. I might try doing that same drill but at 50yds, obviously it'll be slower but it will quickly expose any flaws with trigger control or recoil management, and make for a more well rounded shooter.

[BitchinCamaro]

Try with 2 more targets or spread the outer ones to where the outer vdrill targets would be. Maybe the small transitions aren't giving you enough of a mental obstacle to push your trigger finger.

[Matt in TN]

I might try doing that same drill but at 50yds, obviously it'll be slower but it will quickly expose any flaws with trigger control or recoil management, and make for a more well rounded shooter.

I have different drills for that! Maybe it's just my ego getting in the way, but it seems like I should be winning the close rifle stages since I only have to take one shot per target when everybody else is taking two - so I figured I'd try to practice that a little more.

Or is the .308/.223 difference enough that it doesn't matter?

[BitchinCamaro]

I don't shoot heavy but some of my buddies are really into the heavy limited divisions.

The consensus is that If heavy was easy or fast, everyone would be doing it. Don't even bring up "cheap"!

[LSnSC]

You're shooting a rifle that weighs twice as much, has twice the recoil, and holds half as much ammo. It will be tough to catch the AR 15 guys on a hoser stage even shooting one on paper.

[Matt in TN]

You're shooting a rifle that weighs twice as much, has twice the recoil, and holds half as much ammo. It will be tough to catch the AR 15 guys on a hoser stage even shooting one on paper.

:-)