Target practice, need suggestions...

[Big Cholla]

That Blazer ammo is too hot of a load to learn to shoot a handgun with. Find some .38 special "mid-range" target loads and switch to them. Better yet, buy or rent a model 17 or 617 in .22 LR and do most of your training with that. When you have developed correct trigger management, grip, stance, sight alignment and follow through move up to more shooting with .38 special target and then back to the Blazer. At first limit your distances to 10 yards. As you get to be a better handgun shot, move back at 5 yard increments. Also speed up a little bit. IMHO, 25 yards is as far as you want to work with a handgun. Longer distances than that, bring a rifle. ...... Big Cholla

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I no longer focus on trying to shoot the smallest groups possible. I got into the action pistol games, USPSA, IDPA, and steel plates. All three stress moderate accuracy with speed. The speed is my biggest problem. Maybe one day I'll give bullseye shooting a try. But for now it's trying to be fast and accurate.

 

[vytoland]

if you are shooting for self defense practice, you are doing just fine. if your goal is all shots in the center ring, keep on practicing and you will improve.

 

[Phoenix357]

Got to say the advice has been 'immeasurable'. I modified my grip (I'm a righthanded shooter), on my left index finger just a bit and a simple adjustment on my trigger pull. Actually, I ignore the pull and concentrate on increasing trigger pressure... I don't pay attention to any movement of the trigger what-so-ever, just the ever so slight increasing of the pressure of my trigger finger and bang the revolver goes off by 'complete' surprise.

Applying this today with the techniques that I've received from everyone has greatly helped. And the encouragement that you've given me helped me a great deal 'cause I didn't go to the range thinking "I'm the worst shooter..."

Practice, practice...

 

[DanWales]

Shooting Accuracy

CruzerBill's reply is right on. It takes a LOT did I say a LOT of practice to shoot well.

30 years ago I had the fortune of shooting on a AF team with a true Dist Master. My jaw hit the ground when I saw how this man could shoot a 38 or 45 at 25 or 50 yards.

He admitted he was blessed with excellent vision.

He told me two things that really helped me.

1. Don't just settle for hitting the black. You want to be in the 10 and X. I had heard and read a lot about wobble and how to continuously squeeze the trigger trying to keep within the wobble until the round finally fired. I found myself losing concentration on the front site. Then trying to hold in the wobble too long and then pressing the shot. Then finally after what seemed like a million rounds the front site discipline came in one day and I jumped one class.

2. Not tightening the grip as I squeezed the trigger let the trigger finger do all the pulling. Took me another year and I jumped another class.

Those two things made the hugest difference for me.

Front site discipline is a must and good repetitive sight picture and the ability to acquire good site picture quickly will really improve your scores.

By the way consistent 4 inch group at 25 yards is pretty darn good.

Dan

 

[bountyhunter]

Another pearl of great wisdom:

force yourself to shoot at whatever distance is so far it makes you uncomfortable. If you are not able to shoot good groups at 25 yards, keep shooting at that range. Your groups will improve and your 15 yard groups will be much smaller. 15 yards will look like it's 15 feet away after shooting at 25 yards. 7 yards looks like you can almost reach out and adjust the target by hand... seriously.

 

[Cruizer Bill]

I shot this target in a 2700 Point Outdoor Bullseye Match at the Cascade Rifle and Pistol Club in Ravensdale. It was 60 degrees and rainy yesterday. I shoot this Model 625 in my bullseye matches all the time. This is a slow fire target shot one handed at 50 yards. It scores 97-2X and is one of the best I've done in a match. My load is 4.2 grains of 700-X powder, a H&G 200 grain cast bullet, Federal primers and R-P .45 AR Brass. The gun has a one inch Ultra Dot red dot scope on it, Hogue Monogrips and a trigger shoe.

 

[MajorD]

go to lighter loads- 158 lead round nose or 148 target wad cutter 38 special loads- for paper punching using the magnum loads that cost more and produce more recoil are not the best choice

 

[44wheelman]

At 40' (13yds) with a 6 1/2" bbl (shooting specials) I have shot a 1 1/2" group (oh, I was leaning up against a wall.)

At 25 yds & 4"bbl with mag loads...forget it. I can't see that far, the sight radius is too short for me to hold target well enough, and unless I load the ammo, I don't trust it.

Get rid of your flier, and that's just fine shooting.