Keys to Good Shooting
Steve Light
Posted 01/15/2010
“Conditioning”
This
article was published in the March-April 1983 issue of The Skirmish Line. Minor
changes have been made to the article by the author in March 2004.
In
most sports, body conditioning is an absolute necessity. For example, the need
to condition the body to improve strength or speed is obvious for such sport
activities as football, track or swimming. However, the need to condition the
body to maximize shooting performance is not obvious and generally is not
practiced by skirmishers. Thus, this critical element of shooting does not
receive enough attention by the serious skirmisher. I contend that body
conditioning is very critical to good shooting.
A
shooting training program that is designed to improve your shooting skills is
essential to maximizing your shooting performance. A man would not enter a long
distance race without first spending many hours in conditioning his body for
the race. Why is shooting any different? In the January issue of The
Skirmish Line, I described the human side of the shooting equation as being
equal or perhaps more important than equipment in achieving maximum shooting
performance. Therefore, efforts to improve your shooting skills will result in
better shooting performance. This article will discuss the parts of the body
that need conditioning for improving your shooting skills and performance.
Conditioning
the body for improving performance must be directed toward the required skills
of the specific activity. Therefore, let’s describe the shooting scenario for
an understanding of what we expect of the body in shooting a musket. The body
must be able to hold a nine pound musket steady long enough
for the bullet to exit the muzzle while the sights are still on the bullseye. The brain, eyes, and muscles must be coordinated
to prevent any undesired body movement between the moment that the brain tells
the finger to release the trigger and the exact moment the bullet exits the
muzzle. The body conditioning requirements for the shooting activity just
described may seem small when compared to the same requirements to play
football. However, body conditioning for shooting is extremely difficult
because the major conditioning requirement involves the precise coordination of
the mental, muscle, eye, and nervous system functions. Also, during shooting,
it is extremely important to keep your body functions as calm as possible since
you want to keep your body from moving and wobbling. This is an extreme demand
on the body that is unique in the sport’s world.
Although
this article is primarily addressing training from the viewpoint of body
conditioning, your training program must also include practice either by dry
firing or actual range practice. It takes many hours of practice to tune the
body to function smoothly for shooting. There’s no short cut or any other way
to become proficient with a musket. As a beginner, you should practice about
eight hours a week of actual shooting. When you become proficient with a
musket, less time can be spent but weekly practice is still needed. Compete in
as many competitive individual and team matches as possible since they are the
best practice. Start your practice in early February and continue thru the shooting
season.
The
following paragraphs will describe the body functions that require conditioning
to achieve maximum shooting performance. A caution is in order for all
shooters! I do not recommend anyone starting a conditioning or exercise program
without getting a physical checkup and your doctor’s approval. The major body
functions that are important to shooting are:
A. Muscles
B. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
C. Nervous system/mental control/physiological
D.
Eyes
Thus,
your training and conditioning program should address improving all of the
above body functions as a total system and not just one of the functions. It
helps to lift weights to strengthen the arms but maximum shooting skills can be
obtained simply by systematically conditioning all of the body functions that
are critical to shooting. Mental control, muscles, nerves, cardiovascular and
respiratory systems are all so intertwined that a weakness of one will cause
poor shooting regardless of how well you condition another.
A.
Muscles
Upper
body strength is needed to hold the musket steady and a strong back, legs, and
knees are required to hold the body erect and motionless while shooting. A very
noticeable improvement in your shooting performance can be realized by
increasing your muscle strength and stamina by performing on a regular basis
various muscle strengthening exercises.
A
modest weight lifting program that is started in January and continued through
the shooting season is an excellent way to strengthen the muscles. Upper body
strength (arms, shoulders, and chest) can be strengthened by performing two or
three times a week such weight lifting exercises such as curls and presses.
There are many good books on weight lifting exercises and it is not necessary
to detail them in this article. You should start out with small weights and
gradually increase them as you progress from week to week. Use just enough
weight so you have to strain to complete a set of 10 curls or presses. The
objective of the weight training is not to become muscle bound but to tone up
the muscles to increase your strength and stamina. The added strength will
enable you to hold the musket and front sight on the target momentarily without
wobbling too much off target.
It is also important to include exercises in
your weight lifting program to strengthen the back, legs, knees since they are
the fulcrum and support for holding the body erect and steady while shooting in
a standing position. Presses, squats and sit-ups are good exercises to
strengthen these areas of the body. Also, jogging is good for the legs and
respiratory system. You must exercise on a regular basis to do you any good.
For example, a good schedule is to lift weights for about one hour each Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. Jog each weekday and practice your musket shooting on the
weekend.
Many
athletic training programs use what is called an overload technique. The
concept is to train using equipment that overloads the body more than is
actually required for the game. For example, the baseball player practices with
a heavier bat than the one used during the actual game to increase the speed of
the bat during the swing. This training overload technique can be applied to
musket practice. For example, practice dry firing with a weight tied to the end
of the musket. Use your ammo cartridge box with the strap looped over the
muzzle end of the barrel. Fill the box with one pound lead weights.
Progressively add more weights as you get used to the weight while dry firing.
Practice dry firing several times a week using the same sight picture and lock
action as you do in competitive matches.
B.
Cardiovascular/Respiratory Systems
The
body’s engine (heart) must be at a slow idle if you are to be able to remain
relaxed while shooting. A person whose cardiovascular and respiratory systems
are in good shape will be able to keep the engine’s speed slow under pressure
conditions. Shooting under pressure causes the heart to pump faster because of
the added tension placed on the body. If the pulse rate is above normal under nonpressure situations, then it is likely to accelerate
while shooting. As the heart rate increases, so does your breathing. The higher
heart and breathing rates are counter-productive to achieving maximum shooting
performance. Therefore, your body conditioning program for shooting must
include exercises to improve your cardiovascular and respiratory systems. You
can improve these systems by performing on a regular basis, various aerobic
exercises such as jogging and swimming. Also, avoid smoking to improve the
efficiency of your respiratory system.
C.
Nervous System
The
nervous system, which consists of the brain, autonomic nerves, spinal cord, and
network of nerves, control our entire body functions, e.g., muscles, breathing,
stomach/digestion, blood pressure/heart rate, etc. Thus, if the nervous system
is not functioning properly, then the parts of the body that
are required for shooting will not be able to perform to their maximum
potential. It’s a simple fact that you cannot shoot well if you are nervous. It
logically follows that the individual who is competitive and dedicated to good
shooting will attempt to identify what makes him/her nervous and take steps to
prevent nervousness during shooting.
An understanding of overcoming a case of bad
nerves for a healthy person is to realize that it is not the nervous system
that gets nervous during shooting. What causes nervousness is an outside force
that places tension or stress on the nervous system. Such tension upsets the
nervous system and causes various body functions to act abnormally. Examples
are tightness in the stomach, higher pulse rate, shaky knees/legs, and poor
muscle coordination that produce unwanted muscle reaction, e.g., a flinch.
The
following paragraphs will describe the major outside forces that create
tension. Also, some suggestions will be provided on how to minimize
nervousness. It is certainly beyond the scope of this article and the
qualifications of the author to solve chronic nervous disorders but most
healthy shooters can improve their nerves and learn to relax while shooting.
The
nervous system can be adversely impacted by three major areas of outside
influence:
1. Mental
2. Physical condition
3.
Physiological
1.
Mental
The
shooter’s mental attitude, if negative, can cause tension and anxiety that will
lead to nervousness while shooting. If an individual is fearful that he will
not shoot well in front of a crowd or in a must win situation for the team, the
likely results are stress on the nervous system. The more the shooter is
convinced that he will do poorly, the more likely he will. Also, avoid any
hang-ups or phobias that will cause bad shooting. For example, many shooters
will convince themselves that they cannot hit a particular target or that they
will shoot badly on a given range. A shooter must have a positive attitude
about his shooting ability. Any doubts about your ability, equipment or
hang-ups on a particular target, will cause stress to be placed on the nervous
system.
Your
conditioning program must also include mental control. A flinch is the body’s
reaction to the anticipated recoil of the gun. A flinch is most obvious when
the gun does not go off. The shooter does not tell the body to flinch but it
does so anyway, subconsciously, as a protective device. I flinch as I believe
most shooters do. The trick is to hold the musket long enough on the target for
the bullet to exit the muzzle after your brain has told you to release the
trigger. Only after the bullet has exit the barrel can you flinch. You must
constantly remind yourself to hold longer and follow thru. Keep exerting mental
control to preclude unwanted body reaction and movement. I have to constantly
remind myself not to move my left arm because I have a tendency to drop the arm
before the shot goes off which causes the shot to go low. Dry firing is an
excellent training method to practice mental control to prevent the flinch. An
even better way is to use a mixture of live and blank percussion caps in the
cap box while practicing actual firing. Try it sometime and notice the mental
thought that goes into keeping the flinch under control. If you have a bad
flinch, then a body conditioning program that reduces nervousness and
practicing dry firing are a must to improving shooting performance. Practice
until you have mental control over your muscle’s reaction to the recoil.
2.
Physical condition
An
individual that is in good condition (physically and mentally) can withstand
more stress of a competitive situation. Improving muscle tone, cardiovascular
and respiratory systems will help cope with a stressful situation. One of the
best ways to ease a nervous condition is to get yourself
in good physical shape. Relaxing on the firing line can be accomplished by
keeping the pulse rate at a moderate level and by proper breathing. Many
techniques that are used to control tension involve a combination of breathing
and meditation exercises. If you are nervous on the firing line, then inhale
and exhale deeply and slowly prior to starting to shoot. Your mind should be
free of any distractions or thoughts of how well you will or will not do.
During the shooting event, breathe normally and concentrate solely on your
shooting motions. With a little practice, this exercise and keeping in good
shape should help you to relax and free you of any tension while shooting.
3.
Physiological
Although
it is not my intent to outline a health course for skirmishers, it is a fact
that conditioning the body for any sport, including shooting, should include
proper nutrition and health habits. A healthy body will be in a better
condition to combat stressful situations such as competitive shooting. Also,
any physiological disorders such as an upset stomach or body fatigue will act
upon the nervous system to cause nervousness. Avoid foods or liquids that cause
digestive problems during a shooting match. Digestive problems will cause bad
nerves as the body reacts to combat the problem. Also, if you believe smoking
is hurting your shooting by degrading the respiratory system, then stop
smoking. If you believe eating certain foods or drinking certain liquids are
harmful by causing nervousness, then avoid these items. The point is that each
individual should map out his own health plan to suit specific deficiencies and
to improve the nervous system and body for improved shooting.
D.
Eyes
Although
the eyes are not too susceptible to conditioning, their importance to good
shooting demands proper care and action to correct poor eyesight. It should be
noted, however, some medical opinion holds that the eyes can be improved by
conditioning exercises. The book, Better Eyesight Without
Glasses, by W. H. Bates, M.D. outlines various meditation exercises that
are suppose to improve the eyesight.
The
eyes have the impossible task of trying to focus three items at the same time,
that is, target, front sight, and rear sight. Even with good eyes, some amount
of fuzziness occurs. The fuzziness of the sight picture gets worse as the
eyesight deteriorates with age. However, poor eyesight can be corrected to a
tolerable level for shooting with prescription glasses. For example, I am near
sighted and have difficulty seeing the target.
Therefore, I wear corrective lens to clarify the
target. However, the corrective lenses for distance viewing have a tendency to
blur objects that are close such as the rear sight. A few years ago, I ordered
a stronger pair of glasses but couldn’t use them for shooting because they
blurred the rear sight. Thus, I had to return to the older and weaker glasses
as a compromise. I opted to see the neither the target or
sights with 20/20 vision, but was willing to accept a slight blur on the target
and sights. You should keep this problem in mind when you are selecting
corrective lens.
There
are several other considerations when ordering shooting glasses. Generally,
gray/brown sunglasses should be used on bright sunny days and yellow or clear
glasses when the lighting is poor. You can also order prescription lens that
change with the lighting conditions, e.g., the lens darken when the lighting is
bright and becomes clear when it is poor. The optical center of a prescription
lens is usually in the middle of the lens. Because shooters tilt their head
when sighting the target, they are not looking through the center of the lens.
For example, when I am sighting the target, I look through the top left corner
of the lens since I am a right handed shooter. Therefore, I had the optical
center moved to the left corner where I got the maximum benefit from the
prescription lens. You may want to have the optical center moved to the
location in the lens where you sight the target.
Some
shooters use an optical attachment on their glasses. The attachment consists of
an adjustable peephole that is attached to the lens by a rubber suction cup.
The peep hold can be ordered in a fixed size, or adjustable to any diameter
from .020 to .155 inch. You can order a Merit Iris Shutter Optical Attachment
from the Merit Gunsight Company,
Another
item relative to the eyes that is very controversial is whether to sight the
target with one or two eyes open. I frankly don’t think it makes much difference.
I shoot with one eye closed based on habit rather than any specific design for
better shooting. The proponents of keeping both eyes open argue that it helps
to reduce eye fatigue and aids in peripheral vision. Again, there is no
consensus on this issue and each shooter should try shooting both ways to
determine which is the most comfortable and effective.
An
interesting article is in the March 1980 issue of the American Rifleman. The
article, “Do the Eyes Have It?” by Frederick S. Daniels suggests that the
dominant eye is more important than the dominant hand in shooting. Most
shooters have a dominant eye and for right handed shooters, the dominant eye is
usually (the article states that this is the case for 85% of the population)
the right eye. This condition is called ipsilateral
hand-eye dominance. You can determine your dominant eye by focusing your finger
on an object. Close one eye. If the relative position of finger and object did
not change, then the open eye is the dominant eye. If you are right-handed and
your dominant eye is the left eye, then this condition is called contralateral dominance. The article suggests that ipsilateral people are better shooters than contralateral people. Further, the article suggests that
beginning shooters may improve their shooting by shooting with the same
hand as their dominant eye.
If you are a contralateral person, then the article
is suggested reading.
Another
controversial subject is whether to use an open or peep type of rear sight. I
prefer a peep sight because you eliminate a major task for the eyes of
maintaining the same alignment of the front sight with the rear sight. When
using an open sight, you must keep the front sight aligned in the “V” notch in
the same relative position. The shots will vary if the front sight position is
moving up and down in the “V” notch. On the other hand, when using a peep
sight, normally the eye will automatically center the front sight in the center
of the peep. When using a peep, you just have to concentrate on keeping the
front sight on the center of the target. However, with an open sight, you must
concentrate on the keeping the front sight on the center of the target and
aligning it with the “V” notch. Thus, the task for the eyes is easier using a
peep sight. However, a peep sight is not without some disadvantages. A peep
sight reduces your field of vision, takes longer to sight the target and it is
harder to see the target on a cloudy day. One caution in using a peep sight is
that the eye does not always align the front sight in the center of the peep
hole when the rear sight is too far from the eye. This is why modern peep
sights and the Model 1 Maynard offer an advantage by having the peep hole close
to the eye.
In
summary, the major point of this article is that conditioning the body to
improve the body functions required for shooting will result in better shooting
performance. I strongly recommend that the competitive shooter start (after the
Doctor’s OK) a dedicated training program that includes the elements that are
described by this article. You will see an improvement in your shooting and
besides, it’s good for your health, if you don’t over do it.
Keys to Good Shooting
“Consistency in Shooting”
Steve Light
This
article was published in the September-October 1983 issue of The Skirmish Line.
Minor changes have been made to the article by the author in July 2004.
This
is the third of a series of four articles that were published in The Skirmish
Line, on “Keys to Good Shooting.” The articles do not discuss improvements to
your shooting equipment (gun, powder, minie). The
articles assume that your shooting equipment is capable of consistently
shooting a tight group in the intended target. The theme of the articles is
that your shooting scores can be improved by maximizing your shooting habits
and skills. The first article, published in the January-February, 1983 issue,
stated that the shooter with a competitive attitude would maximize both
shooting skills and equipment to improve shooting performance. The second
article, which was published in the March-April, 1983 issue and re-published in
May-June 2004 issue of The Skirmish Line, described the need for physical and
mental conditioning to improve shooting scores. This
article will describe the need
to practice consistency in all aspects of shooting to improve shooting
performance.
Most
shooters have experienced the problem of their musket changing the point of
impact from one day to the next. For example, you may have fine-tuned your
musket so that it was shooting a very tight group in the black. You then leave
the practice field with the warm feeling that you have the world of musketry by
the tail and wonder why so many other shooters have problems. However, when
shooting the same musket on a different occasion, such as the following day or
week, your point of impact changes and the group is off target several inches.
Does this situation sound familiar? I believe all skirmishers have experienced
the frustration that goes with the point of impact changing for no apparent
reason. I have even seen shooters so angry that they curse their musket and
sling it to the ground in despair.
The
reason the point of impact is changing is simple but pinpointing the
attributing factor is not. For example, if the point of impact changes, then
some “condition” must have also changed to cause the musket to shoot
differently. Identifying the condition is the problem. Ideally, if all
conditions remain the same, then a musket will shoot in the same spot from shot
to shot or day to day. The main message of this article is that the degree of
variation in the point of impact from week to week can be minimized if the
shooter practices consistency in shooting. Therefore, this article will examine
the conditions that can cause the point of impact to change and outline what
you can do to shoot more consistently. It is important to note that to practice
consistency in shooting requires knowledge about shooting, time, practice and a
great deal of self discipline in maintaining consistent shooting habits. Also,
maintaining consistent shooting and loading habits will help you mentally on
the firing line. Your confidence will increase when you know that you have done
everything possible to eliminate variations that could cause a bad shot. It is difficult
to shoot good scores when you are worrying if the drop charger was accurate
every time or if the new batch of powder that you are using for the first time
will cause a change in your shot group.
There
are three basic categories of conditions that will cause the point of impact to
change from one shooting day to the next. They are: Individual, Equipment, and
Environment. These categories and a brief explanation (each category and
conditions are worthy of separate and lengthy articles) of the conditions that
can contribute to inconsistent shooting are summarized in the following
paragraphs.
1.
Individual
A.
STANCE: Choose the most comfortable shooting stance or position and then
maintain this stance (relative position of feet and body to target) on every
shooting occasion. Do not attempt to force your stance by placing your feet or
body in a position that is uncomfortable. If you take a natural and comfortable
stance, then you are likely to take the same stance on each different shooting
occasion. The position that I find comfortable for me is generally referred to
as the Army standing position. Your left side
is facing the target and
the feet are spread shoulder width apart so that your body weight is evenly
distributed on both legs and feet. The right foot is placed on a line parallel
to the target. At this point, I open my stance somewhat by placing my left foot
off a parallel line with the right foot. This stance turns my body or chest at
a 45 degree angle to the target.
B.
MUSKET HOLD AND GRIP: Always hold the musket at the same location and with the
same grip of the hands. Never cant the musket in the
hands. It is amazing to observe on the firing line how many shooters have their
muskets at an angle when shooting. I prefer to rest the stock in the palm of my
left hand and grip its side at the lower band with my thumb and all fingers to
maintain good contact area with the stock. However, I have seen excellent
shooters who use the NRA style grip with their thumb and first two fingers
forming a tripod to hold the musket. I don’t know how it works but it sure
looks pretty. Also, maintaining the same position of left and right elbows
relative to the body. This is extremely important. An analogous case is golf.
Golfers know that the slightest change in stance or position of arms relative
to body or change in grip will cause a change in the flight direction of the
ball. The same applies to shooting. For example, shoulder the musket and then
purposely raise or lower the right elbow from your normal position. Raising the
elbow tends to lower the front of the barrel which would cause you to shoot
lower. Again, I personally favor the Army over the NRA style of holding a
musket. My left arm is nearly underneath the gun away from the body to form
slightly less than a right angle to support the weight of the musket. The right
elbow is about parallel with the ground. The right hand grips the musket firmly
with my thumb and fingers completely around the nape of the stock. The trigger
finger moves independently from the right hand so any movement in the trigger
finger does not move the stock. I have seen many different and successful
styles of holding a musket. My point is not to recommend a specific holding
method but whatever you do, do it the same way every time if you want to shoot
consistently. It is extremely important to maintain the same grip and position
of the arms relative to the body to shoot consistently.
C.
CLOTHING: Variation in the thickness of the clothing could create a different
recoil condition or positioning of the stock thereby causing a change in the
point of impact. Personally, I believe this is not a major problem but shooting
in the same uniform or thickness of clothing will eliminate clothing as a
possible factor in causing the point of impact to change.
D.
BIOLOGICAL (Nerves): A remedy for nerves is difficult since biological traits
of individuals vary. For example, some skirmishers find that a good night’s
sleep produces good shooting the next day, while others don’t mind a hangover
since it deadens the nerves. The point is that the shooter must realize that a
case of good or bad nerves results in good or bad shooting. Also, the things
that cause bad nerves for a shooter should be avoided.
2.
EQUIPMENT
A. MINIE: The lead composition of the minie should be as pure as possible. Buy from a reliable
and consistent supplier of lead. Make sure the lead is absolutely pure if you
are using a thick skirted minie with low powder
charges such as the Hodgdon bullet. Do not trust
ingots from metal companies that melt down junk lead to make lead ingots.
Sometimes the lead is hard as the junkyards use all types of lead including
wheel weights to make the ingots. Size all bullets but be careful not to size
too much off on one side. Inspect all minies and discard
those with imperfections and the ones in which the groove rings are rounded or
not sharply defined. Cast at a constant temperature. Use the same lubricant
that has produced good results.
B.
POWDER: The chemical composition and quantity of the powder should always be
the same to produce consistent shooting. I weigh each charge to eliminate
variations. Buy powder in large lots such as a keg if permitted by Federal,
State or local laws. The Federal law permits fifty pounds but some states limit
purchase or possession to five or ten pounds of powder. Powder varies
significantly from one batch to another even when produced by the same
manufacturer. Check the granular size since it varies sometimes from what is
indicated on the bag or keg. My article entitled; “What Skirmishers Should Know
About Black Powder.” that was published in The
Skirmish Line describes the many reasons for powder to change from one lot to
the next. My experience is that no two kegs are exactly the same relative to
granular size of the powder. I shouldn’t have to say this, but keep your powder
dry. It doesn’t take much moisture for powder to cake in the tubes. Clean the
tubes after each shoot and make sure they are air tight at the bottom.
C.
MUSKETS: I always remove my barrel from the stock for cleaning but I am careful
to ensure that it fits back into the stock exactly as it was before it was
removed. Glass bedding will help ensure good and consistent barrel-to-stock
fits but it is not necessary as long as you have good contact at the breech end
of the barrel. Tightness of the bands is not particularly critical. My musket
is not glass bedded and the front end of the barrel is loose with about ¼” free
movement. Use constant torque on the tang screw. I mark a position of the screw
relative to the tang to ensure that constant torque is used each time the screw
is removed and replaced. Do not shoot the musket with the ramrod in the stock.
Most ramrods are out of round and could cause varying shifts in the barrel and
the point of impact.
D.
CAPS: Always use the same caps and keep the nipple in good condition. If the
hole in the nipple enlarges too much, discard and replace the nipple with a new
one.
3.
ENVIRONMENTAL
A.
LIGHTING CONDITIONS: More than any other factor, lighting conditions will cause
the point of impact to change. Also, more than any other factor, the affect of
lighting on the point of impact is the most controversial. The direction or
lack of sun can optically distort the position of the front sight and cause a
change in the point of impact. The lighting condition also distorts the image
of the target as seen by the shooter and can cause a change in your shot group.
Also, most shooters are aware how target shadows on pigeons can cause shooters
to shoot into the shadow rather than the pigeon. Sunlight
on the front sight will
cause, by most accounts, the shot group to move in the direction of the sun.
Therefore, you should not accept the various rules that are stated by
authoritative sources on how lighting conditions change the point of impact.
The problem is that the influence of various lighting conditions varies among
shooters because of the variables involving the shooter’s eyesight, rear and
front sights. The best thing to do is to take notes on your shooting experiences
to spot consistent patterns that may be caused by lighting conditions. For
example, if you note on several occasions that you are shooting right when the
sun is on your right, then you may suspect that it is caused by the glare on
the front sight. Keep notes on your shot groups under other lighting conditions
or different ranges until you can verify that a change in your point of impact
is due to the lighting condition. I cannot overemphasize lighting conditions as
a cause for the point of impact to change. The relatively crude musket sights
that preclude modern techniques (hooded sights, variable peeps, etc.) to
compensate for different lighting conditions will always casue
a problem in maintaining consistent shot groups. A blackened sight will
diminish the distortion of the sights caused by sun glare. Also, use a
relatively thin versus a thick front sight blade. Shape the blade into a
crescent shape with the perpendicular edge toward the shooter. The back edge
should be perfectly straight and sharply defined although some shooters
recommend an angle on the back of the vertical part of front sight to shadow
the sight. Be careful to avoid filling-up peep holes with sight black or
putting so much paint on the front sight that it changes the position of the sight.
B.
WIND: The wind direction will influence the bullet’s flight, but surprisingly
not too much at fifty yards, as long as the wind velocity is below 15 MPH. Wind
drift has a noticeable effect at 100 yards, especially when you use a
wad-cutter style bullet. For this reason, I use a regular minie
at 100 yards and the flat nose or wad-cutter at 50 yards. While lighting has
more influence on musket shooting than modern rifle shooting, the wind affect
is less because of the shorter distances used in musket shooting. However,
since we do our shooting in a standing position the wind will affect the musket
shooter’s ability to hold the gun on target.
C.
HUMIDITY: There are many myths that dampness or rainy weather will cause the
bullet to shoot low. I don’t believe this is true for the short distances that
we use in musket competition. However, dampness will cause the bullet to shoot
low if the powder becomes damp, due to the loss of discharge pressure.
D.
TEMPERATURE: Many skirmishers believe that the point of impact will change when
the air temperature varies. Again, there could be some change in the shot group
but I believe it is insignificant for black powder shooting at the short
distances that we use, for example, 50 and 100 yards. Barometric pressure can change
on the same range due to changes in temperature and moisture in the air but
again I believe it will not cause a significant change in the point of impact.
Again, the rule is to keep notes if your point of impact changes under varying
weather conditions. .
There
are many reasons why the point of impact will change on different shooting
occasions. I have examined some but certainly not all of the reasons why the
point of
impact can change. Some of the
conditions that cause a change in point of impact will be more relevant to a
specific shooter than another. Some factors, such as consistent lead and powder
compositions are very obvious, yet I have seen shooters come to competitive
matches using new caps, lead, or powder. The message of this article is to
repeat the same shooting habits and use the same equipment on each different
shooting occasion once you have sighted-in and are shooting well. If you have
to make an equipment change, then sight-in at the practice field and not during
a skirmish. In summary, to shoot consistently you must employ and practice
consistent habits in all aspects of shooting.
Keys to Good Shooting
Steve
Light
This
article was published in the January-February 1983 issue of The Skirmish Line.
Minor changes have been made to the article by the author in July 2004
Most
articles on shooting describe shooting equipment and methods for sighting-in,
glass bedding, smoothing the lock action, etc. However, very few articles are
written on what I consider to be the most important element of good shooting –
the shooter. Good shooting requires more than the right combination of
equipment, because more often than not, the missed shot can be blamed on the
shooter. Although most shooters don’t want to believe it, the gun will shoot
where you point it! Therefore, I plan to outline my philosophy of the key
factors that contribute to good shooting in a series of four articles in
subsequent issues of “The Skirmish Line”. These articles will address the
following subjects relating to the human side of the shooting equation:
Mental Attitude
Physical
Consistency
Moment of Truth
The
articles were previously published in the Potomac Region magazine “Along the
Potomac”.
I
emphasize “philosophy” because the articles will address my opinion based upon
my experience and what has worked well for me. It is important to realize that
what works well for one shooter will not necessarily work well for another.
Therefore, treat my advice on shooting as well as that of others as general
guidelines only. You must personally test and evaluate recommended shooting
methods from others to learn what is best for you. My best advice is not to
expect immediate successes but do expect a lot of hard work with intermittent
successes and failures. Don’t look for short cuts or the magic musket and
bullet. The perfect 10-X gun has not been invented. Shooting 10-X’s
is a combination of the gun and shooter and that combination will only be
consistently effective when preceded by a lot of hard work.
To avoid sounding pretentious, I would like to
add that I don’t always practice what I preach. It is extremely difficult to
consistently be able to spend the tremendous amount of time that is necessary
to maintain good shooting scores. Also, human frailties (loss of concentration,
nerviness, too much partying) will always cause a bad shooting day or a flyer
or two. Although I consider myself a competitive shooter, I try not to let my
desire to shoot well interfere with the comradery of
campfire fellowship. Nevertheless, I hope these articles will provide some new
insight on shooting and incentive for the skirmishers who desire to improve
their shooting.
“Mental
Attitude”
This
is the first of four part series on the keys to good shooting. The series of
articles discuss the human side of the shooting equation and they assume that
the shooter’s musket and equipment are zeroed-in for 10X shooting. This article
will discuss the most important element of good shooting: mental attitude.
This
article is entitled “mental attitude” because it is the individual’s mental
attitude that causes a shooter to perform well in competitive matches. I do not
know why some individuals have a competitive spirit and others do not. Also,
because of varying interests, an individual can be competitive in one endeavor
but not another. The reason that mental attitude is the most important element
of good shooting is because an individual who has the proper mental attitude,
that is, the desire and self-discipline to spend the necessary time in studying
and practicing the art of shooting, will be among the top competitive shooters.
With such an attitude, the shooter will make every effort to maximize his
shooting performance within the limits of his own physical ability. I have
never seen a definition of the term, “competitive shooter” but for the purposes
of the article, a competitive shooter is defined as an individual who loves
competition and has the desire and discipline to always be striving to maximize
the performance of his/her shooting equipment and skills by extensive study and
practice of shooting.
Most
shooters today tend to maximize their shooting performance by improving their
equipment. They are always seeking a better gun or making constant changes to
the sight or bullet. Obviously, maximizing the performance of the equipment is
extremely important to good shooting, however you must
also maximize the individual shooting skills. The shooting equation is”
equipment (A) + shooter (B) = good shooting. Maximizing “A” is much easier than
“B”. It is also much easier to find fault with the musket than with yourself.
Thus, it is the “A” part of the equation that most shooters tackle when trying
to improve their shooting scores. If an individual is to maximize his shooting
performance, then he must have the self-determination and discipline to
maximize the “B” part of the equation.
Not
all shooters will be able to shoot in the nineties. There is a scoring level at
which a shooter will peak and no amount of additional practice will result in
further improvements. However, most shooters have not reached their fullest
potential and can improve their scores by tackling the human side of the
equation. A shooter who wants to
improve his shooting should set
specific goals. For example, if you are shooting in the mid-eighties in
competitive matches, then set a goal to push your scores to the high eighties
in one or two years. You will find that the improvement comes slowly as
illustrated by the following curve that is based on my own shooting experience.
5 10 15
Years
100
90
80
70
The
curve illustrates that you can improve your scores with little effort and time
at first but increasingly you must spend a tremendous amount of time in
practice and competition to push your scores higher. The amount of time it
takes to progress up the curve depends on many factors, but the most important
is the individual’s mental attitude or competitiveness. The more
self-determination for improvement the individual has the more he or she will
work to learn about shooting and the more time they will spend practicing. It
took me about five years to be able to shoot consistently in the high eighties.
Two or three years later, I could shoot in the low nineties more times than
not. Slowly, I could see my scores increase to the 93 and 94 range
after about ten years of shooting. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that
the curve works in the reverse. Because I was doing less shooting, my scores
dropped to the 88 and 89 range. I blamed my poor shooting on other things such
as age and failing eyesight but the truth was that I had failed to keep up with
what Mike Leahy calls “maintenance work.” My experience is that the fall down
the curve is more rapid and easier than the climb up, especially when you are
in the low nineties range of scores.
If
you are serious about improving your shooting, then plot your own curve,
establish realistic shooting goals and monitor your progress. Identify areas
where you feel improvements are needed. Initiate corrective action and
determine if such action results in higher scores. For example, if you feel
that you have trouble holding the gun steady, then take steps to strengthen
your leg, back, and arm muscles. Progressively identify and correct other areas
that would improve your shooting skills. If you keep trying to improve your
shooting skills, then I am confident that you will see an increase in your
scores. Genetic and physical characteristics will enable some people to shoot better than
others. However, every shooter
has room for improvement. For most shooters, the factors limiting them will be
related to the time and effort spent toward improvement.
Mental
attitude also involves shooter confidence while shooting. Each shooter should
be confident about his shooting before he enters the firing line. There must be
no doubts about yourself or the musket. Any doubts that the gun is not
sighted-in or whether you have properly cast or sized the bullets or measured
the powder will work against you and keep you from fully concentrating on your
shooting. You can actually talk yourself into a bad shot by worrying about the
gun or equipment. I cannot overemphasize confidence as a factor of good
shooting. Your mental attitude must be one of confidence that you can win. More
shooters could improve their scores if they would take a more positive attitude
to the firing line. However, you cannot have a positive attitude or
self-confidence by just wishing it so. You must have fully prepared yourself
and our equipment before stepping to the firing line. Such preparation must
include plenty of practice, employing consistency in shooting habits, and
physically and mentally conditioning yourself for
competitive shooting.
A word of caution about assuming a positive and winning
attitude toward your shooting. Don’t over do it! Trying too hard or raising
your expectations about winning will cause anxiety and nervousness. You must
avoid undue pressure that will lead to poor shooting. Individuals and teams
have often won a match on a day when they least expected to win. We all know
how much easier it is to shoot a ten in the sighter
than it is in the scoring bull. Under these situations, the shooter is relaxed
and thus able to use his shooting skills to their maximum potential. Therefore,
the competitive shooter must not only be confident but he must also be cool in
competitive situations to maximize performance. Admittedly, there is a fine
line between a winning attitude and coolness under pressure, but both are
essential to good shooting.
Although
I cannot identify the physiological make-up of a competitive shooter, I can
provide some recommended actions that should be taken to become more
competitive. Whether an individual can follow the
recommendations will depend on desire, self-determination and the amount of
time devoted to practice and self-improvement.
-You
must enjoy competitive shooting. If you find practicing a burden or feel ill at
ease during competition, then it is unlikely that you will have
the desire and discipline
to continue the hard work that will be required to be
competitive.
-
You must have a positive and winning attitude. Your shooting philosophy should
be
one of shooting to win. On the firing line you must be
confident, but cool and calm.
-Fully
concentrate on your shooting while on the firing line. Practice your sighting
and
trigger release methods until they are automatic and
your body reaction to the recoil is
controlled. The sighting and trigger release methods will
be discussed in a later article
entitled “Moment of Truth”.
-Increase your knowledge of shooting by reading
information on shooting, listening to other shooters and keeping a notebook on
your own shooting experiences.
-Condition
yourself for shooting (mentally and physically). An article on conditioning
will appear in the next issue.
-Practice,
practice, and PRACTICE!
We
probably have only seen the beginning of competitive shooting in the N-SSA. Our
present form of skirmishing started like many other competitive sports as a
simple game of fun and fellowship. As a sport catches on and
the desire to win increases, the participants strive to improve their skills,
equipment and performance. An example of how competition is increasing
in the N-SSA can be illustrated by examining the winning scores from the 6th Potomac Regional
skirmish, which was held at
25
yd Revolver 88-1X
50
yd Revolver 58
Revolver
Agg 146-1X
50
yd Carbine 83
50
yd Musket 89-2X
100
yd Musket 71
Musket
Agg 160-2X
Grand
Agg 389
These
winning scores don’t even come close to today’s top scores. Why are the scores
higher today? Are today’s shooters any better than they were in 1962?
Obviously, the increase in scores is partly due to shooters using better
equipment. Most muskets used by competitive shooters today will and should
group in the ten ring when correctly shot off a bench.
However, we are approaching the limits of the musket’s mechanical and ballistic
performance using the present skirmish rules regarding muskets and equipment.
The main reason for the higher scores today is related to an increase in
competitive shooters. Also, I am convinced that future increases in shooting
scores will come from the human side of the shooting equation as competitive
shooters strive to reduce all human error.
I
have purposely set very high standards for a competitive shooter. It should be
noted that only a small percentage of the skirmishers want to be involved in
competitive shooting. Although I consider myself a competitive shooter, I have
in recent years fallen short of the discipline required for top notch
competitive shooting. However, I deeply believe in the principles espoused in
this series of articles. Your present shooting performance is mostly related to
the time and effort that you have given to it. The major point of this article
is that if you want to improve your shooting, then it
is mostly a matter of doing more to improve your skills. Also, you can improve
your shooting if you have the proper mental attitude and self-determination to
work at maximizing your total shooting ability. I predict more skirmishers will
exert the hard work to maximize their
skills and as a result we will
continue to see a corresponding increase in individual match scores and lower
team times. Are you ready to join them?
Keys to Good Shooting
“Moment of Truth”
Steve Light
This
article was published in the November-December 1983 issue of The Skirmish Line.
Minor changes have been made to the article by the author in July 2004.
This
is the fourth and last of a series of articles on the keys to good shooting.
Three previous articles, which were published in The Skirmish Line have discussed the importance of the human element
to good shooting. The theme of these articles is that to maximize shooting
performance, the skirmisher must improve his or her shooting skills. Also, the improvement
of the shooting skills and performance requires a tremendous amount of time in
preparation, training and practicing.
This
article is entitled, “Moment of Truth”, because no matter how well you have
prepared for good shooting, you will shoot low scores if you use a poor
sighting and trigger release method. The moment of truth occurs when the bullet
exits the muzzle. If the bullet’s path is not true at that moment, then the
results will be a missed shot and a lot of wasted lead and time in preparation
and training.
What
is meant by “sighting and trigger release method”? For the purpose of this
article, it is defined as the process used by the shooter to produce a coordinated
action between sighting (aligning the musket’s front and rear sights with
the target) and releasing the trigger. The word ”coordinated”
is emphasized because there must be precise coordination among the eye, brain,
and muscle functions to produce good results. The type of sights (peep versus
open) or holds (center versus six o’clock) will not be discussed since they
were described briefly in previous articles. The main discussion of this
article involves what happens between the moment the target is sighted and the
moment the bullet exits the muzzle.
This
article will discuss two general methods of sighting the target and releasing
the trigger. The two methods differ in the timing and manner in which the
trigger is released. It is believed that most shooters will fall into one or
between the two general methods to be described.
The
first method of sighting and releasing the trigger is to employ a slow squeeze
on the trigger while sighting the target. The shooter is not supposed to know
when the trigger will release. He maintains an easy and steady squeeze on the
trigger while the front sight is on target until the trigger is released. If
the front sight drifts off the target, then the shooter should stop the squeeze
and only start again when the sight is back on target. Although I have
oversimplified the description of this method, it is one that is
recommended by many shooting
authorities. For this reason, I am not spending much time on this method since
information on this technique is available from many shooting books.
The
second general sighting and trigger release method is to instantaneously
release the trigger when the sight picture is true. For the purpose of this
article, I am calling this method “controlled snap shooting” even though snap
shooting is perceived by many shooters as a method not to be used for good shooting.
I have never seen a definition of snap shooting or any information on the
technique of snap shooting. My own definition of snap shooting is that the
shooter releases the trigger with a quick pull or snap of the trigger at the
exact moment he recognizes the sight picture to be true. The controlled snap
shooting method, which will be described in subsequent paragraphs, differs from
pure snap shooting only in one area, that is, the trigger is not released at
the exact moment that the sight picture is true but only when the front sight
has momentarily settled on the target. Thus, the snap of the trigger finger is
controlled until the front sight has stopped for a second or less on the
target. Some shooters will want to stop the front sight on the target longer
than others, but best results for me occur when I practice keeping the time
interval very small between the time the front sight settles on the target and
the moment the brain tells you to pull or snap the trigger finger.
Before
proceeding with a description of the controlled snap shooting method, a few
words of caution are needed. The controlled snap shooting method is based on my
own shooting method and experience. Also, I am biased toward this method over
the method of slowly squeezing the trigger since I use it for both individual
and team shooting although I hold on target a little longer for individual
match shooting. Knowledgeable shooters state that the controlled snap shooting
method requires too much timing and coordination to be used successfully by
most shooters. I am not recommending the controlled snap shooting method over
any other method over any other. However, I personally believe that the method
of instantaneously releasing the trigger will produce the best results for many
skirmishers. My recommendations, as is the case with any
other shooting advice, is to try various methods to determine which
method produces the best results. More importantly, each shooter should
understand the basic steps involved in sighting the target and releasing the
trigger so he or she can identify and analyze areas requiring improvement.
Therefore, the major objective of this article is not to advocate the
controlled snap shooting method but to describe the steps involved in sighting
the target and releasing the trigger so the reader can relate each step to his
own method and experience.
The
following paragraphs will describe each step involved in the controlled snap
shooting method and highlight the essential elements that must be mastered. If
the essential points are mastered, then an improved shooting performance will
result regardless of the method used since many of the points to be discussed
are applicable to all methods.
The
shooter goes through the following mental and physical actions when sighting the
target and releasing the trigger:
- shooter sights target
- eye reads sight
picture
- brain tells shooter
picture is correct
- brain relays message
to finger
- finger pulls trigger
- hammer is released
- percussion cap
detonates
- powder charge
explodes
- expanding gasses
expel bullet
-
bullet exits muzzle
The
point to be illustrated by breaking down the above actions is that there is a
time interval involved between the time you sight the target and the moment the
bullet exits the muzzle. The time interval is very small, only a second or
less. Nevertheless, there is a time lapse during which something could go
wrong. The shooter should understand this and concentrate on practicing a
sighting and trigger release method that minimizes the error that can occur
during the very small time interval. Also, the shooter’s equipment must be
designed or selected to minimize the interval by using a well tuned lock and
good powder and caps. For example, the time interval can be reduced when you
use smaller powder granules. There is a noticeable difference in the burn rate
and ignition time of black powder between FFF and FF powder. FF powder burns at
a slower rate which increases the time interval previously discussed.
When
sighting the target, the eye and brain should only concentrate on holding the
front sight on target (applies to a peep sight). Do not concentrate on the
target but keep your concentration on the front sight in the black. Don’t be
too concerned about holding exactly on center. Other than the varying sizes of
skirmish targets, one of the reasons that I like a center hold is that my true
sight picture occurs when the front sight is approximately within the middle of
the black or target boundary. I do not attempt to hold the exact center since
no person can hold a musket exactly center. Also, the relatively crude sights
on muskets make it very difficult to tell when you are exactly on center. I
like a black sight on a black target since I prefer to let the front sight melt
or blend into the target rather than attempting to hold a contrasting point
into a specific location on the target. Therefore, when the front sight has
momentarily settled into the black or confines of the target boundary, I snap
the trigger.
It
is important to sight (the eye and brain presents the picture of the front
sight on target) as fast as possible. Many shooters start their sighting by
moving the musket and front sight from left to right or up and down and then at
the very moment the front sight crosses the target, they release the trigger. I
do not recommend this method, which I call the drift method, because the slow
and
varying reaction time of
muskets preclude the precise timing needed to match the exit of the bullet with
the exact moment that the front sight crosses the target.
The
next step is a difficult one and can only be perfected through practice and
proper body conditioning. Practice is required to perfect the timing and
coordination that are needed among the eye, mental and muscle functions that
are involved in sighting the target and releasing the trigger. Body
conditioning is required to reduce nervousness and increase muscle strength to
enable a steadier and longer hold of the front sight on the target. The front
sight must be held on the target for an instant of time. How long you hold on
target is a judgment call and the area where many
mistakes are made. You must be satisfied that the front sight is on target long
enough so that the front sight will still be on target when the bullet leaves
the muzzle. However, you should not hold the musket on the target too long or
you will start to wobble. The longer you attempt to hold on target, the shakier
you will become. You must learn to bring the sight on the target as fast as
possible. Usually, the better aim will occur immediately after you raise the
musket and bring the front sight on target. If you start to wobble, then lower
the musket to the waist and wait a few seconds before attempting to re-sight
the musket on target.
When
the brain tells you that the sight picture is correct and the hold is steady,
then it is time to make the decision to pull the trigger. If you make the wrong
decision, then you should be able to call the location of your missed shot. The
sight picture must not be disturbed by the act of using the trigger finger.
Movement of the trigger (index) finger must be independent from the hand, arm,
or body. Hold the musket somewhat loosely with the left hand and just snug to
the shoulder with the right hand. The left arm should be relaxed and provide
only a balancing support for the musket with slight pressure to keep it snug to
the shoulder. I do hold the Maynard Carbine with more pressure by pulling the
carbine barrel with my left arm into the shoulder. The right thumb and three
fingers should grasp the wrist of the stock tightly with the trigger finger
being able to act independently. Pull or snap the trigger with a quick and
crisp action without moving any other part of the hand, arms or other part of
the body. Never jerk the hand or arm. The only portion of the trigger finger
that should move is from the middle joint to the tip.
A
FOLLOW THROUGH IS VERY CRITICAL TO GOOD SHOOTING. This means that no body
movement should occur between the moment that you
recognize the sight picture as true and the moment the bullet exits the muzzle.
This time interval is probably less than a second. Therefore, it would seem a
simple task to follow through, that is keep the body
still for one second. However, the task is difficult because the body
anticipates the recoil at the same time that the brain sends the message to
pull the trigger. The body reacts to this message by a tightening or jerking of
the muscles that causes the body to move and disturb the hold. An advantage of
the steady squeeze method of trigger pull is
that you never know when the
trigger is going to release, therefore, the body does not get the message to
prepare for the recoil.
However,
even with the controlled snap shooting method, you can learn to follow through
and control the unwanted flinch or movement of the body before the bullet exits
the muzzle. You must constantly remind your-self to keep all body parts from
moving, especially either the arm or hand that are being used to hold the
musket or pull the trigger. Lack of follow through is a major factor in a bad
shot. I often observe the musket being fired without it properly being held to
the shoulder in time for the bullet to exit the muzzle. I am also guilty and
must continually remind myself to follow through until the bullet exits the
muzzle. The need to follow through is common to many sports, e.g. batting a
baseball, basketball, golf, tennis, etc. You can practice this by sighting and
dry firing at home. Sight a spot on the wall with the musket and then release the
trigger when you are satisfied you are on target. When the hammer has struck
the nipple, recheck your sight picture. If the front sight is still on the
target, then you will have held long enough and properly followed through.
It has been difficult to describe a shooting process that mostly involves mental and physical timing and coordination. However, I hope this article and the others have provided some useful hints and an incentive to motivate a few skirmishers to improve their shooting. These articles will not by themselves make you a better shot. The concepts and ideas must be reinforced through a lot of hard work. A good sighting and trigger release method comes only through a lot of practice to perfect the timing and coordination. Practice until you can call each shot. If you can call your shot, then this means that you have mental picture of where your front sight was when the bullet left the barrel. Then when you can call your shots, practice some more until the missed shots are the exception rather than the rule. When you can do this, then you not only have a mental picture of your front sight on the target but you have physical control to keep the front sight on the target until the bullet exits the muzzle.