SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) I'm having trouble keeping my rifle steady and I find I get alot of wobble when shooting. I know all about breathing techinques and stance ect, I just can't seem to steady the rifle, even in the prone postions. It's all over the shop! I'm a good marksman with a .22lr and my FAC, pcp guns. Any suggestions? Thanks Edited February 17, 2010 by SirFox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Could be a problem with the rifle, scope or pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) I can group reasonably well out to 10 yards, just not past that. I've found a good pellet and my scope is brill. I know it's not the gun or combination. It's my inability to be able hold the rifle steady. It's a heavy gun. Edited February 17, 2010 by SirFox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 springer or pcp? you need to find a way to stabilise yourself better - lean on something, but pad the rifle out with your hand if it's a springer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 springer or pcp? you need to find a way to stabilise yourself better - lean on something, but pad the rifle out with your hand if it's a springer It is a springer, yes. I know the correct technique for holding a springer and I know what works well for me. I just can't hold the cross hairs steady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 build up some more strength in your upper body and arms perhaps? this will certainly help. concentrate on slowing your heart beat and breathing with a hold of breath for taking the shot and follow through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 build up some more strength in your upper body and arms perhaps? this will certainly help.concentrate on slowing your heart beat and breathing with a hold of breath for taking the shot and follow through. Thanks Nick! Will building upper body strength help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottsy boy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Thanks Nick! Will building upper body strength help? can you get a bi pod and lay on your belly i know this isn't practical for wondering around after bunnies but if your target shooting may help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 can you get a bi pod and lay on your belly i know this isn't practical for wondering around after bunnies but if your target shooting may help... It's a springer mate, and I mainly hunt with my rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Keep still. That's my advice. Seriously though...I suffer a similar problem sometimes, I think we all do. If I notice a repeat pattern is happening ie I drift from left to right I ambush the target anticipating where my sight will be in the nano second it takes to squeeze the trigger. Really I have pulled the trigger to soon but by anticipating what is going to happen it works out. First, it is vital to learn to squeeze the trigger and not pull it. A good trigger helps immensly. What rifle are you using? The breathing thing is also vital-I hold my breath. Only the last 2-3 seconds else my heart starts interupting the process by beating! Try seated leaning on a couple or three bales of hay. Relax, slow everything down to a standstill, heart, lungs...gently bently rem there is no rush...then max concerntration on that trigger gently gently bang. Stay there, don't move, inspect the target through the scope. Quietly reload and repeat the process. Oh yeah, practice practice and more practice-for me, preferably alone. You will get there, simply accept we all move and yep it is a nuisance, but learn to interperate your style and adapt accordingly. Good luck-keep working on it. Atb Christy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Thanks Nick! Will building upper body strength help? fitness in general will help - ideally you don't want to be relying on muscle to hold the rifle steady, posture is more important, BUT good upper body strength will assist you. also by being fitter your pulse rate will be lower so less prone to jumpiness. saying that - i know very good shots who are overweight but they have superb posture when shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Just had another thought, what mag scope are you using??? I have a 1.5-5 x20 WTC on my Airwolf. If you were to try that on erm 2.5 mag bet you would be amazed how still it is!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 Keep still. That's my advice. Seriously though...I suffer a similar problem sometimes, I think we all do. If I notice a repeat pattern is happening ie I drift from left to right I ambush the target anticipating where my sight will be in the nano second it takes to squeeze the trigger. Really I have pulled the trigger to soon but by anticipating what is going to happen it works out. First, it is vital to learn to squeeze the trigger and not pull it. A good trigger helps immensly. What rifle are you using? The breathing thing is also vital-I hold my breath. Only the last 2-3 seconds else my heart starts interupting the process by beating! Try seated leaning on a couple or three bales of hay. Relax, slow everything down to a standstill, heart, lungs...gently bently rem there is no rush...then max concerntration on that trigger gently gently bang. Stay there, don't move, inspect the target through the scope. Quietly reload and repeat the process. Oh yeah, practice practice and more practice-for me, preferably alone. You will get there, simply accept we all move and yep it is a nuisance, but learn to interperate your style and adapt accordingly. Good luck-keep working on it. Atb Christy... I use a HW95 mate. Good trigger on it. I just need to adjust it more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 I to have a HW95 with V-Mach internals. Very accurate thing and yep great trigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 worth having a read through this... http://www.wikihow.com/Snipe-or-Be-a-Marksman-With-a-Rifle actually quite a good article even for air rifles (though it's aimed at full bore) as the principles are the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 worth having a read through this...http://www.wikihow.com/Snipe-or-Be-a-Marksman-With-a-Rifle actually quite a good article even for air rifles (though it's aimed at full bore) as the principles are the same Thanks Nick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 worth having a read through this...http://www.wikihow.com/Snipe-or-Be-a-Marksman-With-a-Rifle actually quite a good article even for air rifles (though it's aimed at full bore) as the principles are the same How important is upper body stregth to gaining a steady hold? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottsy boy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 It's a springer mate, and I mainly hunt with my rifle. i had no end of probs with my bsa lightning, i had a go on my mates aas400 and bingo took the middle out of the target at 35 yards i found the trigger more gental and the weight of the gun just felt nicer, maybe just suited me better but at twice the price and a bottle was out of my leage at the time.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 it depends on how heavy the gun feels for you - Weirauchs tend to be heavy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christy Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 95 is often slated for being to light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirFox Posted February 7, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 95 is often slated for being to light. It's farily light. Once you get a decent scope and one peice mount on it's fairly heavy. The BSA XL is light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 I got rid of my 95 cos i couldnt hit a cows rrrrrs with it-never had a problem with any other gun b4-i tried everything but even though my mates had no problem i just couldnt get it right.Could be that the dynamics of the gun just doesnt suit some folk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcontroller Posted February 7, 2010 Report Share Posted February 7, 2010 fitness in general will help - ideally you don't want to be relying on muscle to hold the rifle steady, posture is more important, BUT good upper body strength will assist you.also by being fitter your pulse rate will be lower so less prone to jumpiness. saying that - i know very good shots who are overweight but they have superb posture when shooting. I agree the lower your pulse rate and breathing are the better. I use to shoot practical and combat pistol. One of the disciplines was to run 50 meters draw the gun and engage the target. It was like writing your name in the sky, dam gun would not stay still. FC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 In my mind it's a mixture of a few things which will make you shoot well. Firstly, are you a stress head or a relaxed kind of bloke? If you shoot a bad group and it annoys you then your breathing and pulse rate will increase and it will be harder to shoot well. The more annoyed you get the worse it will be. So first off don't stress about it, just chill out and get on with the job! Second, you'll never hold a gun still! I spent years trying when I was a lad until one day I bumped into a chap who told me to "shoot it as the cross passes over it". Once you get the hang of this it can work well. I know a guy who when off hand shooting sweeps his rifle up from below the target and as he passes the mark lets the shot go (a bit like you would with a shotgun but pull as you pass not after). He doesn't miss much! I have a strong but slow pulse and when shooting my centrefires at long range off of a bipod I have to fire between heart beats. As I watch the target it will jump, briefly sit still then jump again! So just after the jump I fire, it works for me. The longer you try to hold steady the worse you will be. Third, your gun isn't the easiest to shoot. Being a light springer hold is very important. You say you have a good idea how to do it and you may well do. It just may be that you've not shot it enough yet to be consistent. Just shoot more and keep trying! Fourth, squeeze the trigger not pull it. If you're rushing to get a shot off at the right moment you may snatch it. If possible get someone to watch you shoot as you may not even realise you're doing it! I hope you get it sorted. The '95 isn't a bad rifle if you know how to use it. I can't really shout because I mainly shoot bigger guns these days and my technique with light springers is awful, but it's a case of "don't do as I do, do as I say"! I used to be good with my Supersport so I know where I go wrong, I just can't put the time in to fix it so I use a heavier rifle these days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 i too have a slow but very strong pulse - i have to time my shots between beats as the crosshair jumps a fair bit with each pulse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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