limited commitment.....

[OnaginOffagin]

I managed to reach AAA a few years ago, on my first run at this game, and now I'm back, but I'm not shooting in that class yet....although I nudged it a bit my during my last shoot. Hope to get there again. My problem all along is that I'm a poster child for ADHD, and shooting is my third or fourth passion. My wife and I are touring the world on a motorcycle, one bit at a time, camping all the way, and during the winter, I'm a slavishly addicted National Ski Patrolman. I don't know if I envy or pity those that have the moxee and means to devote every minute of their spare time to this game.... and even if I could do that I wonder if I would shoot much better. Seems to me that beyond a certain level, shooting is not a democratic skill: while practice and devotion and match exposure and wind reading skills and excellent equipment will boost up your scores significantly, all of that will only do so to a certain level. Some people are just better than others! One thing's for certain -- I don't have the discipline to find out!

But rifle silhouette has some saving grace for those of us with limited commitment.... most matches are shot in beautiful outdoor settings, most rifle competitors are friendly and happy people, and there is a great, inherent sense of satisfaction when the damn things tumble down off their rails! Beats paper punching all hollow! So I'll practice until I get bored, shoot matches when I can, and be happy when the "damn things tumble." That'll be enough.....

[speedyrob]

I'm kinda in the same boat. Just enjoy it for what you enjoy about it, not always about winning.

[Dee]

No reason you can't enjoy the game regardless of how you approach it from a seriousness standpoint. There are a lot of shooters that enjoy the shooting and BSing that going to a match provides even if they know they are not going to break 20 much less 30 or win for that matter.

One thing I have found personally is that once you reach a certain level of ability you have to devote the time to it to get the consistency and scores up and maintain them. In my own experience it seems I have gotten to the point where I can put up a 28-30 without ever shooting or practicing between matches. But to get those Master scores it takes time working between matches and then it must be maintained or I slip back to the 28-30 range.

I am going to start a more regimented practice schedule I was following last year to hone the skills again and get back on the plus side of 30 consistently. Most of us all find a mere 20-30 minutes a day or less is all that is needed to keep things sharp and work on any issues you might be having. I'll be the first to admit you have to devote yourself to making that happen but it isn't much time. IMO the key is to do it daily and no matter how much or little time you spend if you do it the right way with purpose even those little intervals will make you better.

That is the great thing about this game it pretty much offers up all levels of personal challenge for each individual to decide how much they want to work to get to the next level.

Dee

[OnaginOffagin]

Thanks, Dee..... I really don't have too much of an excuse, other than ADHD. I live 135 miles away from a silhouette range, but I have access to a good indoor 50' range, and I have a precision airgun, an RWS model 75, old but good, and 43' at home, and a good dri-firing setup...... What I can't practice, of course, is wind and changing light situations. But during the season, I can choose to shoot a match almost every weekend if I wish, but..... that somehow never happens....

[dustinflint]

a good dri-firing setup......

That's all you need.

Dustin