After trying the 30 yd Challenge and realizing I can't actually see the target very well with my 3-9x40 scope I'd given up trying that challenge. But I knew I needed to keep at target shooting somehow so I wouldn't lose my edge come squirrel hunting season. So I looked for similar targets as the 30yd challenge and found one on MyTargets.com that was similar but way more visible for my 53yo eyes. After printing a few I went out after work this afternoon. First I spent some time refining my scope zero and then got down to it, despite the gusty conditions.
Holy cow! (imagine Phil Rizzuto's voice) I had a breakthrough! Suddenly I was shooting like I remember shooting as a kid! I was hitting the circle or close enough if it were a squirrel it would be dead. I even shot my best air rifle group ever!
So the target is 20 circles and I took one shot at each circle(like the 30yd Challenge) until done and then I went back and aimed at one circle for 4 more shots and got my first smaller than a dime group!
Probably not a big deal for lots of you but for me using a cheap hunting bipod and a garbage can as an elbow rest I'm pretty happy with it!
I recently made some changes to my set-up that I think helped. First I cleaned the barrel, second I moved my level from right to left so I could see it when I shoot(I shoot both eyes open), and third I just remembered to relax and not grip the rifle so hard.
What a relief! I was really struggling for a bit for various reasons, but this is a huge boost to my confidence.
Holy cow! (imagine Phil Rizzuto's voice) I had a breakthrough! Suddenly I was shooting like I remember shooting as a kid! I was hitting the circle or close enough if it were a squirrel it would be dead. I even shot my best air rifle group ever!
So the target is 20 circles and I took one shot at each circle(like the 30yd Challenge) until done and then I went back and aimed at one circle for 4 more shots and got my first smaller than a dime group!
Probably not a big deal for lots of you but for me using a cheap hunting bipod and a garbage can as an elbow rest I'm pretty happy with it!
I recently made some changes to my set-up that I think helped. First I cleaned the barrel, second I moved my level from right to left so I could see it when I shoot(I shoot both eyes open), and third I just remembered to relax and not grip the rifle so hard.
What a relief! I was really struggling for a bit for various reasons, but this is a huge boost to my confidence.