Others Changed scope to red dot for offhand shooting, a follow up to previous post

[ernroe]

On Oct 22nd I made a post how humbling Freehand shooting could be. I got a lot of very good advice from knowledgeable members of the 3 forums I visit regularly, and I have employed that advice. Thank you. This is a continuation of said post.

I have designated my HW30 as my Offhand gun because it is light weight, easy to cock, and very accurate out to 40 yards. Actually, I have been shooting at a 1-gallon milk jug at 50 yds and hitting it more than missing. Back to the title of the post. I was having trouble keeping the gun on target with the scope. I decided to change it to a Hawke Red Dot sight, and it is much better for me. As I have said on here before most of my firearm experience has been with shotguns, mainly skeet, trap, and bird hunting. All of which is offhand and requires you to move your gun low to high. So, with that in mind I aim at the bottom of the object and move the dot up to the spot I intend on shooting. The key is to stop the gun and break the shot immediately, if you hesitate you will probably miss. I am living proof of that. In the attached photo I used that method and was able to hit reflective target 6 out of 10 times at 30 yds. I know from experience if I keep practicing and using good fundamentals with this technique I will do better in the future. BTW my goal is not to shoot small groups but rather to hit different sized targets at different distances, this is a work in progress and will be ever evolving.

 

[kcender]

Sounds to me like you are doing what my friends and I call 'snap' shooting. An example would be a bird is flushed and a snap shot is taken in the sight plane. I have only shot trap and it's been awhile, but I find it very useful when swinging on moving ground squirrels; a technique I still use when I have to. Guess I am curious why you are doing this for stationary targets as I understand it. No judgement, just curious.

 

[ernroe]

Sounds to me like you are doing what my friends and I call 'snap' shooting. An example would be a bird is flushed and a snap shot is taken in the sight plane. I have only shot trap and it's been awhile, but I find it very useful when swinging on moving ground squirrels; a technique I still use when I have to. Guess I am curious why you are doing this for stationary targets as I understand it. No judgement, just curious.

I understand snap shooting; my bird hunting buddies called it instinctive shooting and some of them were really good. I don't swing the gun at all; I simply aim at the bottom of the target and move it vertically to the intended spot. There is no lateral swing at all as in trap or skeet. It is beginning to work for me.

 

[Moose]

I use a similar method. I do a pass thru technique on small close-range stationary beads with pellet pistols. I use this method for both off-hand and bag use with very good results. I have found that it is easier to keep a motion going on a consistent predictable path than to try and hold anything still due to pulse influence. After I saw my pulse effect on the target at 100 yards, I wouldn't waste my time and money on those shots.

 

[Moose]

On Oct 22nd I made a post how humbling Freehand shooting could be. I got a lot of very good advice from knowledgeable members of the 3 forums I visit regularly, and I have employed that advice. Thank you. This is a continuation of said post.

I have designated my HW30 as my Offhand gun because it is light weight, easy to cock, and very accurate out to 40 yards. Actually, I have been shooting at a 1-gallon milk jug at 50 yds and hitting it more than missing. Back to the title of the post. I was having trouble keeping the gun on target with the scope. I decided to change it to a Hawke Red Dot sight, and it is much better for me. As I have said on here before most of my firearm experience has been with shotguns, mainly skeet, trap, and bird hunting. All of which is offhand and requires you to move your gun low to high. So, with that in mind I aim at the bottom of the object and move the dot up to the spot I intend on shooting. The key is to stop the gun and break the shot immediately, if you hesitate you will probably miss. I am living proof of that. In the attached photo I used that method and was able to hit reflective target 6 out of 10 times at 30 yds. I know from experience if I keep practicing and using good fundamentals with this technique I will do better in the future. BTW my goal is not to shoot small groups but rather to hit different sized targets at different distances, this is a work in progress and will be ever evolving.

My free hand shooting was so poor, I quit using it. I had to prove to myself that the equipment is very accurate, and I can be very accurate by shooting from a highly stable position. By me proving to myself that my skills are capable of giving me the results I want, my confidence improved to the point that I could overcome any challenge of shooting style or equipment. I teach kids how to shoot accurately first and build their confidence before they start shooting off hand. Good thread.

 

[ernroe]

I use a similar method. I do a pass thru technique on small close-range stationary beads with pellet pistols. I use this method for both off-hand and bag use with very good results. I have found that it is easier to keep a motion going on a consistent predictable path than to try and hold anything still due to pulse influence. After I saw my pulse effect on the target at 100 yards, I wouldn't waste my time and money on those shots.

Thx, I am happy you mentioned pistol. I have a Beeman P 1 and I was and still so bad that it was depressing, and years ago I competed with handguns. It was so bad that I listed it on eBay but fortunately no one bought it. After reading your email I have decided to give it another go. I was shooting it freehand but I think I will start over using support. I will keep you posted.

 

[Jaabaa]

That's good, about what I started with. It is practice but I'm happy when I can get a dozen or so shots in a 3 inch circle.
While I loose the ability to shoot 40 yards accurately without a scope with the HW30
The 25 yards in with the Red Dot and Quick acquisition is really fun. I've switched back and forth. I think I'll leave the door for awhile. Maybe even look into a nice one.