Mediocre day at the range.

[AZ-Robert]

Spent the morning with the local ML group and joined in their shooting match. Took five shots offhand at each of two targets at a range of about 35 yards. Let's just say I'm glad these won't be counted for score in the East vs West Civil War match on the ML forum :shocking: I could blame it on the brisk wind that had my barrel wiggling all around, but I clearly need more practice with offhand shooting. Any pointers?

There were two guys, in particular, that fell into the "crack shot" category. Both using plains style percussion rifles. The wind didn't seem to bother them at all... five shots ended up looking like one big hole in the center of the target. One of them was the same fellow I saw ringing gongs offhand at 150 yards last week. Impressive.

Used the same flint I got 40 rounds out of last week, and it is still giving good service. Maybe no big deal to you guys, but this is good news in my book. Before this, I was getting a dozen shots at most from a flint. I could fool myself into thinking I've figured out the whole alignment bit, but I'll attribute this to a better piece of flint - a little darker gray and better shaped than the ones used so far. All came with the gun, so I can't say which ones are what kind.

But any day shooting is a good day! And, though you guys would probably spot me for the greenhorn I am, I think I may be at the point where the casual observer might be fooled into thinking I know what I'm doing out there.

 

[MikeChapin]

Know exactly what you mean. I went to a challenge match between three local clubs on Sunday. I shot my normal mediocre rounds but some guys were having a good day. The fellow I drove down with managed to come in third against some very heavy competition.

I was shooting my 25+ year old Mountain Rifle. It still shoots better than the operator. We all have good days and bad. I was just having a so-so day.

The Riverton club put on the shoot this year. The crowd was a great bunch of people with a lot of good natured harrasment. A few paper targets with the rest of the shooting at gongs. I always love these type of shoots even if I don't shoot as well as I used to.

 

[Falsears]

AZ-ROBERT

I to had a lot of trouble shooting off hand until I read an article in Muzzle Loader magazine, Sept/Oct 2003 I believe, by Mike Nesbit on off hand shooting. Basically it was as follows. First I do most of my shooting wearing Elk skin moccasins so where I stand is important to me. Then I draw a mental straight line from the target past me and put my toes on that line, my knees locked back, back straight, feet at least shoulder width apart. It is important to me to have my toes on that line as it brings the gun closer to my body without touching, and is for me more stable. My right hand, I am right handed, I start with my trigger finger and work back. I like just the tip touching the trigger, I then move my hand back on the wrist until my grip feels good. I keep my right elbow high, at least as high as my shoulder joint, sometimes higher. I then pull back with that arm and it takes weight off the front of the gun. My left arm is straight up and down under the front of the rifle, palm open. I never grip the front as any body movement is greatly transfered to the gun. When I bring my cheek down on the gun to sight I always look to see where my right thumb is, if it is not in the same place every time I am doing something wrong. I am 64 years old and my eye sight is not good, the front sight is always fuzzy, so it is important for me to have a solid stable foundation and have everything the same on every shot so I can consintrate on sighting. I hope this will be of some help to you in your shooting.

Falsears

 

[Bob J]

I could blame it on the brisk wind that had my barrel wiggling all around, but I clearly need more practice with offhand shooting. Any pointers?

Yes. Read "Stumpy's Offhand Seminar". Maybe someone here can link you to it or use the Search feature. I printed it out and filed it in my special "Muzzleloading" file for periodic review ( :hmm:now if I could just find time to shoot more :haha.

Falsears, thanks for posting those pointers from Mike Nesbitt :thumbsup:

 

[AZ-Robert]

Thanks for the tips, guys. Just did a search and found Stumpy's Offhand Seminar. I'll give it a careful read.
Glad it is still in the archives - great forum!

 

[mikee51848]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/ubbthr...=true#Post44906

That's the link if anyone else is looking for it. Good info!