Pointing vs. Aiming

[Sprig58]

Way back when the school of thought with shooters as just to take the bead right off the barrel.  You should be focusing on the target,  not the front of the sight, when shooting a moving target.  If it's working then PLEASE PLEASE dont try changing it and quit thinking about it.  When you think too much you end up missing, then your head really starts messin with ya. 

[Mr56Jeep]

When you think too much you end up missing, then your head really starts messin with ya.

True That!!!   

[wadu1]

I would definately check out Sunnydell if you are interested in improving your shooting. Chuck passed away, but the last I heard Matt is still giving lessons (and his sister Ellen might be helping out for awhile).

Yes Matt is still teaching; shot Sunnydell last Saturday and Sunday and worth the time. Matt is also working with Jaiden Grinell one of our local Olympic hope-fulls for the US Women's Team.   

[Special T]

One thing that really helps pointing instead of aiming is proper fitmet of your gun... My father  is a tall guy with a long neck. In oder for his gun to naturally line up with his head he needed an adjustable recoil pad. It moved the gun up and out... He shoot much better with his old 870 tha his new over under because its customized.

[fisheral87]

He shoot much better with his old 870 tha his new over under because its customized.

I tried to go from an 870 to my buddy's benelli auto. Wasn't pretty.

Sounds like I won't be changing a thing.

[AWS]

Last season I decided to take one of the old girls out for a duck hunt(80+ year old hammer double).  After hiking out to the blind and pulling the gun out of the case the bead was missing.  Went home with a pair each of pintails and teal with five shots.  I quess I point not aim.

[h2ofowlr]

You aim a rifle / pistol and you point a shotgun.  That is why it is a good idea to find a shotgun that fits you and do lots of practice.  If the pattern is not hitting your point of aim, you can adjust the offset with shims.  Many new guns come with the shims so you can set your gun up to fit you instead of retraining yourself to shoot the gun.  The ticket is lots of practice and learning the sweat spot, where the gun likes to shoot and imprint that into your gun.  When you shoot a lot, the bead disappears and you focus on your target and the shots become instinctive.  Your kill ratio goes way up.  Visualize the birds hitting the dirt befor you pull the trigger.  I have put around 2,600 round through my gun since January of this year.  Practice, practice, practice.

[Mr56Jeep]

  I have put around 2,600 round through my gun since January of this year.  Practice, practice, practice.

+1   

I don't keep a good round count but I should.  I'm probably right in the neighborhood.  Maybe just north of 3k rounds?

[jackmaster]

i have always done the same, both eyes open and follow the bird or what ever your shootn at, the big thing is follow through alot of times when you know your lead is good but for some reason your behind it could be as simple as slowing down your swing before the shot, i aggree with others when you over think things thats when they get messed up, instinct, go from the gut, breath normal and follow through, when it comes to rifles though it becomes a differant set of rules, the absolute most important is trigger squezze and breathing right... good luck to ya sir..