I'm not a very good shooter but I was just beginning to be able to call my shots while shooting Bullseye. I haven't been able to duplicate that ability while shooting benchrest. Is this applicable to air rifle benchrest?
Calling Shots?
- Thread starter beeser
- Start date
If your benchrest set-up is good, then the shot should break where the crosshairs are lined up each and every time. Calling shots is not applicable then. If for some reason the rifle moves when the shot breaks, then you should see it and call it. But, that is indicative of poor benchrest form.
Being able to call shots while shooting from various positions (especially standing off hand), allows you to avoid chasing zeros when there is really no change needed.
Now, regarding benchrest, if you mean that you read a wind change just as the shot breaks, and mentally note that the shot will land off mark and by about how much, then you are on your way to good wind reading skills. Now you just need to learn to predict those changes and not break the shot off at those times.
Being able to call shots while shooting from various positions (especially standing off hand), allows you to avoid chasing zeros when there is really no change needed.
Now, regarding benchrest, if you mean that you read a wind change just as the shot breaks, and mentally note that the shot will land off mark and by about how much, then you are on your way to good wind reading skills. Now you just need to learn to predict those changes and not break the shot off at those times.
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My understanding of calling shots would not involve wind or POI. It's knowing where the gun is pointed at the instant the trigger breaks. It took a lot of practice and concentration for me to do that shooting pistols offhand. I realize a lot of those elements are lessened while shooting a rifle on a bench rest but trigger control, proper breathing techniques, etc. are still important and affect shot performance. It would seem that if you don't have the ability to call shots then you don't know if the shot was set up correctly. It's hard to explain but the response of a PCP viewed from a scope is different than viewing iron sights on a powder burning pistol. The PCP movement seems mushier and slower in motion compared to a more crisp and violent movement of a pistol. You would think calling a shot would be easier with a PCP but I haven't discovered how to do it yet or even if it's necessary. While watching the Phoenix Airgun Club shoot a couple of weeks ago in their 25 meter and 100 yard events I noticed many of the shooters flinch when pulling the trigger. I do know that it's impossible to call a shot if you flinch so maybe that answers my question.
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With a decent rest your POA is not moving at all when you break the trigger and your recoil should move back straight so that your POA doesn't change.
Flinching you say, I hadn't noticed it, but more times than not I'm shooting myself. Definitely shouldn't be flinching, it doesn't even make sense does it, its not like you are going to get a whooping like you are shooting a 10GA, lol. I have noticed a lot of people jerking the trigger instead of moving through the break cleanly.
I internally call my shots when I'm shooting smallbore silhouette and check my call against my spotters mark. But have not found a situation in BR where it would be applicable.
Flinching you say, I hadn't noticed it, but more times than not I'm shooting myself. Definitely shouldn't be flinching, it doesn't even make sense does it, its not like you are going to get a whooping like you are shooting a 10GA, lol. I have noticed a lot of people jerking the trigger instead of moving through the break cleanly.
I internally call my shots when I'm shooting smallbore silhouette and check my call against my spotters mark. But have not found a situation in BR where it would be applicable.
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