Shooting anxiety?
 

I had a question concerning shooting for me.
For the most part I've shot guns most of my life using mostly small caliber rifles and shotguns. Well I had gotten a .243 a few months ago and for the most part I've became fairly accurate with it. However in the last few days I've found my self trembling slightly right before I shoot. It's ONLY after I cock the hammer. If the hammer is still down I don't shake at all. I'm not for sure what causes this. It's not like flinching, but it's almost like buck fever to a very small degree. I was curious if any of you guys had experienced this and the best solution? I'm seeing about getting a steady gun rest which should help me stay on target.

It's pretty strange I've just noticed this in the past few days but it's practically destroyed any of my groups at 100 yards. Anyhow, if you guys know anything please post...

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

Practice makes perfect. :) I used to have the same problem when target shooting myself. Someone told me to take a deep breath and slowly exhale and pull the trigger while watching the bullet hit the target before pulling back from the scope. It takes practice, but you will find yourself hitting more accurate groups.

Hope this helps,
cahillnc

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

The secret for me is to focus on nothing but squeezing the trigger. I get on target then blank out everything but a slow steady squeeze on the trigger. One mechanical thing though, Its almost impossible to shoot your best with a bad trigger. Trigger creep or a rough pull will ruin the best of shots. I have to get the triggers working before anything else works.

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

I suppose that'll be my next project. I'm using an H&R ultra rifle...The pull has got to be in the range of 7 lbs or so. 'Course I've never had anything very nice for a trigger but I'm sure it does degrade from my accuracy. How much does it typically run to get a trigger job and get mine cleaned up, etc?

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

I think just about everyone goes thru that. Like said above, slow your breathing, I use the breath in let half out and hold it method. Concentrate on the trigger squeeze and the target. When I shoot my '06 I take the .22 with me and shoot a few rounds in each alternating. It helps me to keep from flinching/shaking with the '06.

Good luck

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

A trick I learned in the Marine Corps was not just to think about squeezing the trigger, but to actually wisper "squeeze" outloud as you squeeze the trigger. But draw it out over a longer time and focus on making your finger squeeze the trigger as slowly and steadily as you say the word. The result is usually that you are concentrating enough on squeezing that the shot surprizes you, which is your goal. It should go like this if you do it right "(inhale).....(exhale)....'squeeeeeeeeBOOM!'" If every shot surprises you then you won't have time to flinch or jerk the shot off target because you didn't anticipate the shot. After you do it a few dozen times it starts to become "muscle memory" to always squeeze that slowly and steadilty and you will find that you don't have to actually say it anymore.

I know it sounds silly, but it really worked for me. When I went to the rifle range (having shot all my life and developed a lot of bad habits, I might add), I had a real problem with rushing and jerking the trigger. I still use this technique when I shoot hard kicking guns to beat the flinchs. Another thing you can do is to take a deep cleansing breath before you look through your scope and remind yourself that the recoil won't hurt you. If you are calm and relaxed you'll shoot better, and the effects of recoil will be lessened.

Mike

RE: Shooting anxiety?
 

Thanks for the replies. I'm headin' out to shoot as I type this so I'm gonna be working on this. Thanks again