The great hesitation!When I first started shooting, I thought the harder I try and the more I concentrated I could will the bullet to go where I wanted it to go. The concept of "ready, aim and fire" plays this out in words in our head every time. To new shooters and to more experienced shooters alike, this is a problem. The concept, although there, is misguided, misunderstood, misused and misapplied. To start with, this is stuck in peoples head so well that they play it out each and every time they shoot, I think whether they mean to or not. The bigger problem is that for accurate shooting, the concept is all wrong. Talking to one's self (hopefully not out loud) it may sound something like this... Ready - "ok I am on the rifle" Aim - "come on you idiot hold still" Aim - "Come on try harder" Aim - "What the ****" Aim - "Hold still damn it" Aim - "almost there" "On it - Fire, fire , fire, quick pull the trigger" Bang! If you chase your aim point and a panic yank of the trigger, your groups will never look like this. To do the above, we have to change your mind, your concept and your approach to precision shooting. W.T.F. It is not what you think it stands for. It stands for Weather, Trajectory (DOPE and Weather) and Fundamentals. The fundamentals part is the key. Once you are settled in on your rifle, (with everything set up correctly like your bi-pod and rear bag), you will get on target with your reticle looking for a natural point of aim. This means the crosshairs are floating on the center or close to center of the target without pushing or pulling the rifle to get there. This is aiming at its finest. Now, it's going through a mental checklist to make sure you are not putting pressure or more pressure than needed in any area of the rifle while the firing process gets closer. Think firm handshake grip, loading the bipod, cheek weld, cheek pressure. Still looking good - this is ready. Now, a natural respiratory pause, you fire by a straight clean pull of the trigger, pulling the trigger in a straight line with the barrel to the shoulder, without any side torque or jerky quick movements. A smooth and clean break of the trigger should be the most anti-climatic thing you ever see. It's not supposed to be dramatic. Just remember to hold the trigger to the rear/back wall through the shot or until the bullet hits the target. This is fire. Although we strive for perfection, we are human and have to be happy every time we get a little closer. Some parting thoughts. Keep in mind that we are human. If the only time you are happy is when you are perfect, you will spend a lifetime in misery. Be happy with improvements and identifying your flaws should always bring a smile knowing this is the path to improvement. And, in the end that is all we can strive for.
If you are one of those that will never be happy until perfection is achieved, then ready, aim and fire will probably be the last words you hear as your own ego becomes the commander of your firing squad. So leave "ready, aim, fire" for those that wish to die on that hill and think "aim, ready and fire" to reach the enlightenment of a happy and growing shooter.
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When it's a labor of love, passion and commitment, anything is possible! |
Jamie DodsonPresident of Wolf Precision and inventor of the ACE. Archives
December 2024
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