Preparing for Nationals (Atterbury)

First topic message reminder :

I've barely gotten my feet wet in this sport and it is sometimes terribly frustrating.  But, I really rather like it.

So I have set a goal for myself: To compete at the NRA Nationals at Camp Atterbury this summer.  Just having the courage to sign up and show up will be a major accomplishment.  That first shot from the line will be sweet regardless of if where it hits the target.

My intention is to shoot .22 only with iron sights, using a Mark IV Target pistol (which I hope will be delivered soooooon!).  I've competed in three outdoor 2700 matches and one indoor 1800 match, plus a virtual league.  There are some more indoor matches that I will catch this winter before the outdoor season starts.

The second goal I have is to achieve an aggregate of 2000 points or more.  The best I've done so far is a 1889-12X? (first time out) followed by a pair in the mid 1600s.  I'm not sure if it is realistic to raise my scores around 300 points but it is a nice round number.

So, how do I go about achieving this?  How should I practice?  What should I focus on first?  Am I foolish/arrogant to think I am capable of this?


(For those who might suggest Camp Perry Nationals, well, Atterbury is 47 minutes away and Perry five hours.)

SaraiEsq wrote:
Thanks!

Every time I read that workbook, three things happen.
1) My respect for Marines goes up a few notches.
2) I recognize the process is sound, and want to follow it.
3) I go to the range, try an exercise, and am so far from the baseline that I start laughing.  (Like, the goal is 10 shots in the 10-ring at 25 yards, and it takes me 20 shots to get 10 holes in the paper, never mind in the 10-ring.)

I think I am going to try the exercises at shorter distances this time around, like 10 yards, and see where that takes me.

You’re having some technique issues.  Watch this forum for an announcement for a “Bullseye Bootcamp”.  At one of those, you’ll be able to hone your technique under instruction. It really helps.

I see you’re going to try the exercises at 10 yards.  That’s a decent step.  One stage I WOULD add is to put up a target backwards to start.  If you’re shooting a dot, put a 12 inch “X” in the middle with a magic marker.  Only as wide as the felt tip itself.  You’ll see it, at least subliminally, and that will cause you to find the center of the sheet easier.  Then concentrate on decent releases.  Your graduation here is to keep the hits on paper with 14 out of 20 in a box defined by the “X”.   Then your next step is 20/20  in the box.  Then turn it over and start the book.

SaraiEsq wrote:Every time I read that workbook, three things happen.
1) My respect for Marines goes up a few notches.
2) I recognize the process is sound, and want to follow it.
3) I go to the range, try an exercise, and am so far from the baseline that I start laughing.  (Like, the goal is 10 shots in the 10-ring at 25 yards, and it takes me 20 shots to get 10 holes in the paper, never mind in the 10-ring.)

I think I am going to try the exercises at shorter distances this time around, like 10 yards, and see where that takes me.

Keep in mind the Marines shooting team pulls members from shooting competitions around the corps so they are starting with people who are already shooting sharpshooter / expert scores with a service pistol. If you are starting at a lower level, choose a larger scoring ring. The chosen ring should be about the size or just slightly smaller than the groups you would shoot with 10 very good shots.

The Marine workbook is a good set of drills, but IMO it doesn't help a shooter know how to shoot better. In isolation it is just repetition. It was created for an environment with a team where there is constant feedback and discussion between shooters, including some very very good shooters and the workbook was just the exercises to ingrain the skills and demonstrate to the shooter and team those skills. It should be used in conjunction with learning what you need to do to deliver good shots through coaching (if possible), reading, discussion, classes etc.

Thought about this thread while reading an article this morning.

Your first post question "What should I focus on first?"

sight alignment
sight picture
trigger control
breathing


 Master Sgt. Mike Hester, shooter and lead armorer for the All Guard teams, provided insight. 
“The equipment we use is really pretty standard stuff,” he said. 
“After having the luxury of experimenting and testing thousands of combinations of barrels, chambers, ammo, bullets, primers, rifle actions, triggers, etc., 

I’ve learned that one thing is true—it is all basically useless if you don’t understand the four fundamentals of marksmanship: sight alignment, sight picture, breathing and trigger control.”

Army 2022 National Matches Accomplishments: More Than A Title | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal (ssusa.org)

I don’t disagree with your list, however I might re order it putting trigger control first.  Kinda like this

Trigger Control
…
…
Sight alignment
Sight picture 
Foundation (stance, grip, breathing….)

Note that trigger control tops all…

chiz1180 wrote:I realize that distance is a factor but Camp Perry has the Small Arms Firing School which would give you a significant resource of an instructor.

Develop a shot process and work towards improving it. Don't worry about score, worry about safely having fun.

Thanks for posting this. Never knew and although Ohio is a haul instruction is always an inspiration for me.

Progress report!

1) Another good day at the range.  

(Okay, so any day at the range is a good day...)

Today's 1800 was one of the Indiana State Indoor Championship matches; the others are in a few weeks.  The day started with driving to the match through blinding snow, albeit short-lived, and ended with really good chili soup for lunch.  

• I had a 490-0X and 481-0X with an aggregate of 971-0X.  A new personal best.  
  
• I also had no mechanical issues with my pistol or ammunition.  Woohoo!
  
• I think I had 173/180 hits on the paper with 135/180 in the scoring rings.  Gotta work on that latter number a bit ... although I did have two strings where every shot got me points.  Hmmm...that's another positive metric to track...
  

Also got some more coaching tips about natural point of aim and the like.


2) USMC workbook

I've been playing with this and have found shooting the black training target is really very relaxing and beneficial.  I don't have to worry about a score, per se, since it is just in or out.  I can think about trigger control more.  And, I can use whatever distance I want and still get benefit.


3) And It's Official

I signed up for Nationals at Camp Atterbury.  It's official.  I can't back out now.

I also signed up to volunteer at Nationals.  I am not entirely sure how that will work while competing but, having heard that they were short-staffed in the past, I decided to at least try to be part of the solution.  (Nope, my middle name is not Pollyanna; why do you ask?   )