Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

I cannot get myself to squeeze the trigger instead of jerking at it. I rest the gun, take aim and as soon as I'm on the target I'm lunging for the trigger and I cannot keep myself from doing it. My shots are going nowhere near where I'm aiming and I'm closing my eyes when I pull the trigger.What is wrong with me? I'm not even steadyingon the target and I'm looking for the trigger, almost like the target is going to get up and run away and I have to hurry up and geta shot off. What is the best way to get myself to slow down? I'venever dealt with this before and I'm gettinga little upset. I'venever had this problem with the 223 I've shot in the past so I don't know how to fix it. Thanks for any help.

BTW, I love the gun.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

What load are you using? Maybe you are anticipating the recoil. Practice breathing control. Take aseveral deep breaths, let out half of the last one, hold itand just gradually squeeze the trigger.

Take a .22rifle to the range with you. After every couple of shots with the muzzleloader fire10-20 .22 rounds to steady things.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Make yourself slowly count to 10 before squeezing the trigger,then concentrate completely on two things - the bullseye and the squeeze. Put everything else out of your mind as much as possible.

What load are you shooting? Try some reduced loads if you are using a heavy charge now. Get used to everything aboutthe rifle before increasing charge again.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

My suggestion would be to shoot about 10 light loads of say 40-50 grains. I think then you'll realize that this thing doesn't stomp as bad as I thought... A friend of mine just got into hunting this year and I had to do that with him this summer. He settled down after that and started stacking them with a full load.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

I agree with the other guys. A light target load is the answer. Your goal should be to be able to describe EXACTLY where the sights were on the target when the gun went off - like your brain is taking a snapshot at that instant. Focus on accomplishing that and you will hardly notice the recoil. I assume you ARE wearing hearing protection.Try using both ear plugs and muffs at the same time.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

It sounds like a very bad case of anticipation. You're expecting a large recoil for some reason. The thing you have to do is convince your mind that pulling that trigger is no danger.

Just practice holding the rifle in the correct manner and getting behind it. Concentrate on your hold, and sight picture. And be sure to breath. Too many people get behind the rifle and take a deep breath, hold it, and then sit there. That never worked for me.

Then as you concentrate on the sight picture, pull the trigger back just to take the slack off it. When you get to that point, hold it there. Normally you will automatically fire it and it will be a total surprise. But if you have the right sight picture and the correct hold, you will hit where you were aiming.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Thanks for the tips so far. I'm shooting 90gr. BH209, Win 209 Primers, and 240gr Hornaday XTP. The recoil is not as bad as I thought it would be. I useda Remy 870 slug before this butI never spent time on the range with it. The only time I used it was on deer drives so I was usually shooting at something running. Thisthing of taking steady aim and squeezing the trigger is a different animal. Thanks again for the tips so far. Anyone else have any suggestions?

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Is there any way to adjust the slack in the Pro Hunter trigger without getting a $130 trigger job? My 870 hasa little bit of slack then it comes to a stop before firing which I really like. My pro hunter trigger, there is no slack,once you put pressure on the trigger it is firing.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Well that is good that there is no slack. Also your rifle might not like the 240 grain XTP's. It might be that simple. And when they start to spray, you blame yourself. Get some 250 grain Shockwaves, use the same charge, and do not swab between shots and see what happens...

Good luck and keep us posted.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Consider yourself blessed flybub. I sure wish I could get my Mustang trigger to that point. It has way too much take up. Your trigger is exactly what you want for accurate shooting.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Relax, concentrate and shoot. Think threw the target onto the backside. Focus on the target.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Thanks for the advise everyone. Once I start to group my shots better than what I am I will see what different bullet/sabot combos will do for me. As of right now, my shots are all over the place because my form is terrible :) I'll keep working at it and I'll keep everyone posted. I think next time out I'll put a few shots through at 50gr. of BH209and see what happens. I'm not crazy about the $35 price tag for the blackhorn but if I paid that much for the gun, I'll pay that much to put the best powder through it that'll give me a longer barrel life.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

A longer barrel life is not really a concern. I've got a 30+ year old Renegade Rifle that's had a couple thousand rounds through it, and it is still as accurate as the day I built it..

But that is a good powder. Remember, some rifle projectiles like a certain strength powder charge. With out that right charge they will shoot all over the place. But at least you're honest enough to admit that you feel your shooting skills are the problem and not the rifle or load. So you are really half way to solving the problem. You have already identified it... Good luck with your rifle. It is a great one.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

You need to work on your "follow through". Follow through is the most important aspect of shooting. Concentrate on holding the rifle on target-even after you pull the trigger. Follow through is the key to accurate shooting.

Also you did not mention what you are shooting form, or off of. Sand bags?? Tripod?? A rolled up shirt?? Work on your form. Dry fire the rifle and concentrate on keeping the crosshairs on the target after you pull the trigger. If you dry fire you should still be on the center of the target after you pull the trigger. Or should I say after you SQUEEZE the trigger. Tom.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

That 870 with the sluggs has caused the problem. I thought I would buy an 870 just for deer hunting in Lower Michigan. I shot my BIL's with the 3 inch slugs and told him he could keep it I'll stick with my 54 cal ML.
That870 is awful when it comes to recoil.

:)Al

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

I'd second on the slugs being your problem.

I used to shoot a 12 gauge pump with slugs and the recoil was terrible- enough to jar your fillings out. When I switched to an ML, the recoil was much less, but I still was flinching on the bench. The suggestions of target shooting with a lighter load for awhile and working on your form is a good one. It took me awhile to cure myself of "magnumitis" and even now I'm not 100% cured- once in awhile I still flinch.

RE: Finally, a chance to get my Pro Hunter to the range but...
 

Make sure you have the best possible ear protection. It doesn't happen when hunting but if I shoot one target without my muffs and plugs I will develope a flinch after the first shot with or without ear protection. Then I have to retrain myself.