Am I expecting too much out of my shooting ability?

[Higgins909]

I've only been to the range 2 times this year, so far. I think the first time I ever shot a gun was the best I ever did and it's been on the decline. Some of which might be caused by my vision. I have these 2" splatter stickers that I like to put on the targets. Usually shooting around them, at 7 yards. I used to be able to hold a 4" group at 14-15yrds. Now it's much more random with the grouping. 7yrds I was shooting left and a mix of low and high. Even though I was aiming at the same sticker and even at time trying to compensate for my left shooting.

I had to sight in my Ruger Mark IV as I put on a new front sight and it made it shoot way off. I got a rest to use and got it as close as I could. It kept on shooting left for some reason though even after adjustments. It was kinda random. I would adjust, see where I hit, adjust, still hitting the same area, try again and it's a little better. It was some repeat of that.

I usually bring at least 3 guns to the range. My ROF varies, double taps arn't that good. Right handed. I expect myself to be able to hold a 2" if not 1" group at 7 yards and fairly fast fire, maybe 2 shots a second. But it doesn't come close to happening. Is this a realistic assumption that many people can do this?

Thanks,
Higgins909

 

[Wildcat Diva]

Work on accuracy first, then worry about speed, is what I’ve been taught.

 

[candcallen]

Many people shoot good/better the first time. They then start developing bad habits.

Start with proper technique every round. Specifically go thru steps about hold stance sight alignment and TRIGGER PULL. The next round do it all over again, and again till you develop consistency and muscle memory. Then you can start speed drills but begin and end every session with slow deliberate steps. Ensuring you reinforce the proper technique and over ride any bad habit you picked up.

It's a perishable skill.

 

[jrbfishn]

Work on accuracy first, then worry about speed, is what I’ve been taught.

Diva is right.
Fast is fine, accuracy is final.

Concentrate on fundamentals and making each shot accurate as possible while maintaining fundamentals.
Grip, stance, sight, breathe and squeeze. Each right before the next. Any step that is not right causes everything after to be wrong.
Let speed develop on it's own. It does not matter how fast you shoot if you can't hit what you aim at.

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[Dawico]

You need more practice. Plain and simple.

It sounds to me like you forget to look at your front sight and frustration makes it worse.

Dry fire is your friend.

 

[Wildcat Diva]

Dry fire indeed helped me, loads. I have been at live fire practice or matches 2-3 times a month for a couple years now and I’ve not got speed down yet, though.

 

[Frank59]

I know what you mean in regards to vision. I was having the same problem with accuracy. My shooting instructor had me put on the glasses I use at work to read my computer and I did fine. I can pass the DPS drivers test without glasses. Kinda weird how that works.

 

[txinvestigator]

I am an instructor. The old saying that practice makes perfect isn't true. Practice makes habits. Perfect practice makes perfect.

I strongly suggest professional training. It is very difficult to diagnose errors without actually watching someone shoot, but it seems to me, at least from what you wrote, that you are slapping the trigger.

Slow way down and press the trigger smoothly and slowly.

 

[Byrd666]

Fundamentals first. Everything else will fall into place after that.

Trigger control, grip, site alignment, follow through, speed and tempo, they all have to be in concert. As well as the flinch aspect. And everybody is going to/will flinch when it goes bang. Controlling it and being prepared for it is what counts. So keep up with the dry fire and as was suggested, and add some professional training to point out some bad habits and critique the mechanics. Yes, it sucks to have somebody you don't really know tell you that you are doing something wrong, but, having done that myself, and being honest about it to myself, it really did help me out with the basics quite a bit.

 

[oldag]

The old saying that practice makes perfect isn't true. Practice makes habits. Perfect practice makes perfect.

Yep.

 

[easy rider]

Something like a MantisX trainer can help if you can't get to the range often. It will also tell you what you are doing wrong.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I've only been to the range 2 times this year, so far.

I expect myself to be able to hold a 2" if not 1" group at 7 yards and fairly fast fire, maybe 2 shots a second. But it doesn't come close to happening. Is this a realistic assumption that many people can do this?

Thanks,
Higgins909

While I know many people can rapid fire 2" groups at 2 shots a second from 7 yds, I suspect a vast majority haven't reached that skill level, myself included. You definitely need more range time, but dry fire, lots of it, will result in a huge improvement.

Dry fire with the Laserlyte training round is what gave me the largest improvement in a short time.. Spend a couple of weeks using it daily, and I can almost guarantee a dramatic improvement. I said almost

https://www.amazon.com/LaserLyte-tr...rlyte+trainer&qid=1557147428&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Yeah, it might seem expensive, but you will waste at least that much money in live ammo. And it is great for practice between range trips. You don't need any of those action targets that you can buy for it, just tack a target to the wall. It will show you if you are jerking or anticipating recoil.

 

[oldag]

Good practice is a major factor.

When I was able to shoot weekly, I was holding nice groups at 15 yards in rapid fire pairs. Now that I am doing good to get out once a month, those groups opened waaayyyy up.

 

[EZ-E]

I also might add that every trigger pull is different. I would suggest dry firing practice the most. I find it helps maintaining sight picture while squeezing the trigger is the biggest help.

When dry firing you can tell a lot easier when your trigger finger is shifting the weapon in your hand & pushing your sights off just ever so slightly.

 

[toddnjoyce]

Right handed. I expect myself to be able to hold a 2" if not 1" group at 7 yards and fairly fast fire, maybe 2 shots a second ...Is this a realistic assumption that many people can do this?

Single hand, 1” group, 2 shots, 1 second is unrealistic without a lot of training and practice. You need both accuracy and precision for that to occur. In my experience, that’s pro territory with a handgun.

Your quandary is accuracy and precision in a timed environment.

 

[baboon]

Your expectation may vary from others.

 

[TheMailMan]

https://www.texasguntalk.com/threads/federal-22lr-tons-of-near-squibs.91555/#post-1894648

This might have something to do with your problems. If your ammo is junk...you're not going to get good results.

Go to Academy and get some of this .22 LR ammo. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ag...rain-rimfire-ammunition#repChildCatid=1010042

That's been accurate in most of the firearms I've used it in.

 

[DoubleDuty]

I use Mantis X and iTarget Pro simultaneously they work great together.

 

[Poboy gunner]

Funny thing is, I am a trigger jerker. I pull the trigger when it is on target. Works for me. I guess it's just all the years of doing it that way, but, I don't pull the gun.

I think it's just the way you pull the trigger. I would think some snipers actually do the same, because, you need a split second shot, and the perp could move out of position while you "squeeze off a shot between breaths".

It all happens in microseconds, and if you don't jerk the gun sideways, the bullet should wind up exactly where you are aiming.

Works for me.

 

[jrbfishn]

It is a consistancy thing.
The easiest way to learn is to do it right.
Doing it wrong can still give you accuracy, IF you do it wrong EXACTLY the same each time. Eventually you just learn to compensate. You just have to be consistant.
It just generally takes longer and is harder for most people.
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