Question for those who shoot

It would seem logical that shooting at smaller targets would produce tighter groups as one is aiming at a smaller, more specific center. However, as a general rule, that has not been the norm for me. I tend to get noticeably smaller groups when shooting at larger targets. Any ideas as to why?

 

It seems to be across the board with pretty much anything I shoot pistol or rifle. I aim better shooting at a larger target.

 

I find that my accuracy is worse the higher the magnification of the scope. At 9 power I jump all over the place and at 3 power it seems like I am steadier and my shots are better.

KTK

 

I don't know, but I find my groups are best if there is a very precise aiming point. For example, a lot of targets are just black and white with concentric circles leading down to a vague X in the center of the smallest black circle. Stick a bright orange dot over that vague X and my groups narrow appreciably.

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Yes, and that's the logical position. I'm perplexed as to what causes this in me.

 

You might be, what's the word I'm looking for here, "psyched out" by a small target. Sometimes we think things that become self-fulfilling prophesies, such as, "Oh, this is such a small target, I just KNOW I'm going to blow this group!" Sometimes this thinking can be almost subconscious. In my experience shooting well is 40% technique and 60% mental.

The scope problem is easy! X magnification magnifies not only our target X times, but also our wiggle. I remember when my father and uncle moved from hunting with iron sights to scopes. They had a hard time adjusting (at first even FINDING the target) to their wiggle being magnified 4 times. My father adjusted, but my uncle went back to iron sights. Your wiggle is the same either at 3X or 9X but it just seems more at higher power. Again, you might be psyching yourself out again. Confidence is important.

 

I'm a simple country doctor. I could never afford the ammo. Sounds like fun, though.

 

You, Sir, is a fortunate man.

 

just curious...what type/power scope?

 

My preference is iron as well simply out of habit and despite fairly poor vision. I'm a little confused; do you have a Ma Deuce or a Barret?

 

In 1966 my family and I had a holiday in Lido di Jeselo, in Italy.

One evening we all went out to the local fairground and stopped at a shooting booth.

I soon spotted that the rifles being used were very similar to the old Lee Enfield pattern but obviously adapted to load .22 slugs and so when my teenage daughters started geeing me up to demonstrate what a good shot I was I took the bait.

Owen, a moderator on the ww2talk site and a member here, once accused me of never throwing anything away. In this case I have to give him right because the target was still pasted in my Holiday Album of that trip !

Given that the light was poor, given that the sights had probably been "doctored", given that I hadn't fired a rifle for at least twenty four years I don't think I did too badly, did I?

 

I taught the Missus to shoot; never taught her to load.