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5th Round Flyer Phenomenon

Gargoyle

Finder Outer
We have all been there many, many times. 4 rounds go into the same hole and then that last one just screws the group. I am of the thinking this is a psychological issue, rather than a load harmonics issue. I now compile my group analysis over multiple groups and discount those flyers. Superimpose 3-4 different days of the same load. Thoughts?
 
I agree with you.
My nemesis is usually the third round.
I have found myself loosing focus for a moment.
When I keep my "head in the game", my results are much more consistent.
 
We have all been there many, many times. 4 rounds go into the same hole and then that last one just screws the group. I am of the thinking this is a psychological issue, rather than a load harmonics issue. I now compile my group analysis over multiple groups and discount those flyers. Superimpose 3-4 different days of the same load. Thoughts?
When our daughter was shooting small bore I witnessed more than a few last shot flyers from her and her team mates. Their coach would tell them that they couldn't stand prosperity and that the 4 X's were so easy that they lost concentration and focus on the 5th shot and put it in the 9, or lower, ring.
 
Heck, several years back, I composed a poem about this very phenomena.
It’s Titled……”Bozo at the Bench”. (With apologies to “Casey at the Bat”.)
Enjoy.


The shooters plight, can be so heavy to bear,
as we strive for perfection as bullets fly through the air.
For that most aggravating occurrence is, without a doubt,
when four shots go in, and one shot goes out.

Now my rifle was clean, my load just right.
In goes the bolt, the first bullet takes flight.
There’s one, there’s two, there’s three, then four.
My god, that hole is no bigger than it was before

The clock is ticking, but there is plenty of time,
One more shot, and this match will be mine.
One more round, and all of these guys will see,
I‘ll be sitting in first, where I know I should be.

But what was that, in the corner of my eye?
Did those flags suddenly switch as my last shot went by?
I’ll look down range, I know I will be fine,
Because I know I let it go in just the nick of time.

But our best laid plans, can take such wayward turns,
As the primer is struck, and the powder Burns,
For there it is, such a big eye sore.
My itty bitty ”one” is now a GREAT BIG “FOUR”.
 
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Yea, I heard it termed, "the monkey is on my back" when I was shooting slow fire in competitive pistol.

It went something like this, first shot, "10", second shot "10", third shot "X", at this point the pressure is building but it's still under control, fourth shot, "10", now the pressure is really starting to build.

Fifth shot "9", pressure eases a bit, sixth shot, a "10". Pressure resumes big time. Seventh shot, "5"! Ok monkey is off - I got the bad shot out of the way now I can focus just finishing the string and concentrating on fundamentals, eighth shot a "10", ninth shot an "X", tenth shot a "10".

It's the fear of failing to achieve perfection when you know the equipment is capable and it all depends on your mental toughness. Great shooters have it - most of don't - we lose focus on the fundamentals and bad thoughts start to creep into our psyche.

The way I partially cured it was not looking in the spotting scope after the first two shots if they were a 10 or better so I had no idea where subsequent shots hit. I did know that if I followed the fundamentals that the subsequent shots would be good barring a severe cross wind. I only did this in match competition. For practice, I called ever shot which required looking in the spotting scope after each shot because that's the only way you can learn to correct mistakes.

The problem with employing this for rifle shooting is obvious, the rifle scope usually shows the shot. If it doesn't, say for a long range shot then maybe try this technique in a match. Otherwise, the fix is developing a mental toughness. You might say to yourself, hell, it's just a hobby - I'll still get dinner if I make a bad shot. :)
 
Heck, several years back, I composed a poem about this very phenomena.
It’s Titled……”Bozo at the Bench”. (With apologies to “Casey at the Bat”.)
Enjoy.


The shooters plight, can be so heavy to bear,
as we strive for perfection as bullets fly through the air.
For that most aggravating occurrence is, without a doubt,
when four shots go in, and one shot goes out.

Now my rifle was clean, my load just right.
In goes the bolt, the first bullet takes flight.
There’s one, there’s two, there’s three, then four.
My god, that hole is no bigger than it was before

The clock is ticking, but there is plenty of time,
One more shot, and this match will be mine.
One more round, and all of these guys will see,
I‘ll be sitting in first, where I know I should be.

But what was that, in the corner of my eye?
Did those flags suddenly switch as my last shot went by?
I’ll look down range, I know I will be fine,
Because I know I let it go in just the nick of time.

But our best laid plans, can take such wayward turns,
As the primer is struck, and the powder Burns,
For there it is, such a big eye sore.
My itty bitty ”one” is now a GREAT BIG “FOUR”.
Dude. THAT WAS PHENOMENAL!
 
Every time I think my flyer is psychological it turns out I’m just out of tune.
Yea, Mr, Neary stated in the article published in this months PR magazine that with his PPC and N-133 if the shot goes out the bottom, his load is a bit spicy. I think he also stated it ( the cranky 5th shot) could go into the wind.
CW
 
If you'll allow me, a little psychology lesson from golf seems appropriate.
Our reptilian brain, which dominates motor control, is not sophisticated enough to understand statements containing negatives as instructions. So when you say to yourself, "Don't pull the shot." All the reptilian brain heard is, "PULL THE SHOT."
Therefore, the only acceptable thought is, "Perfect shot in the X." The same principal applies to free throws in basketball, etc. Focus on the positive execution, not the negative outcome.
 
If you'll allow me, a little psychology lesson from golf seems appropriate.
Our reptilian brain, which dominates motor control, is not sophisticated enough to understand statements containing negatives as instructions. So when you say to yourself, "Don't pull the shot." All the reptilian brain heard is, "PULL THE SHOT."
Therefore, the only acceptable thought is, "Perfect shot in the X." The same principal applies to free throws in basketball, etc. Focus on the positive execution, not the negative outcome.
Explain the Marine Corps to me then, please. :) :):);)
 
Not my quote but I don't remember who's it is, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. And I'm sure this slice of chocolate cake won't kill me." That's as close to understanding a Marine as I can get. I was in the Air Force.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's some funny stuff, brother!
 

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