Breathing Control

[K22]

I was watching the Rifleman's Journal on TV the other day and their accuracy tip was on breathing control. They advocated completely exhaling, holding then pulling the trigger rather than the conventional method of exhaling half lung capacity, holding then pulling the trigger. They claimed it produced more precise shooting and less vertical.

What are you thoughts / experiences?

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I fire duirng the natural pause in my breathing cycle. If I try to hold my breath, even for a couple of seconds, my heart rate increases and te deflection caused by the pulse wave increases as well.

I never intentionally stop my breathing during shooting. I time my sight alignment to be right on when the natural pause occurs and fire between pulse waves.

 

[civil82]

I would suspect that preference and results would vary. I personally align my natural point of aim for exhalation to the natural pause in breath (sling shooting slow-fire). I have no other experience in competitive shooting, nor do I have a reason for what I do. It's just what is comfortable for me.

My experience in holding breath is much like Busdriver's. I notice a much larger wobble area while holding breath.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I set my NPA for when I leet the air out, breathe three to four times, get the sights in the right place and hold it as I let the air out, when the air is out the sights settle on the bull and concentrate on the front iris and don't even think about the trigger, just keep that eye on the front sight and bang! It goes off into recoil!

 

[joecob]

Sounds to me like everyone is fundamentally in agreement, including
the guy on TV. There's a natural pause at the end of exhalation where
the sights settle. No need to hold one's breath. All part of the natural rythm
therefore no discomfort or negative autonomic response. I never could get
with that 'hold your breath halfway' routine, although it must work for some
folks.

 

[Eagle Six]

I hold my breath. However I don't get hung up on full lungs, half lungs, empty lungs, inhaling or exhaling. During most shooting events the time is afforded to work into the shot cycle whatever method works and the shooter prefers. There is some shooting, which I train for, and requires rather rapid release of the bullet. So I may be at the time inhaling and need to launch, so I hold my breath with what I have. Or I may be exhaling, again either full lung, partial lung or empty lung, I hold the breath and release the shot. It's very much automatic and to many who observe me indistinguishable. There may be a split second pause between the hold and the shot, or it may include a long 2-5 second hold. During subsequent shots under pressure, I'm on auto-pilot and would assume my body is reacting to my training.

Best Regards.......Eagle Six

 

[Leonardo63]

The breathing part doesn't cause me an issue, I don't hold my breath but....How do you deal with the heartbeat bouncing the crosshairs all over the place? I can't seem to find a way to deal with that other than trying to get in between heartbeats. I've got a new 32power scope and POA is swimming all over the place now....well, it always was but now it's really magnified.

 

[mattri]

Have you tried shooting free recoil? I may be way off but my understanding is that it means a lot less, if any contact with the rifle.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Mattri,

Free recoil is not allowed in highpower or in F-Class.

 

[necchi]

One of the points not being discussed is that breathing and heart beat issues are directly related to the general physical condition of the individual shooter.
If the TV show presumes everyone runs marathons as a second hobby, then maybe they can make a blanket statement about breathing and the shot,,
Sad thing is that's not the reality of it.
There's allot more going on with an individual than can be explained in a single post let alone a half-hour TV show that needs satisfied sponsors as well as viewers.

 

[mattri]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Greg110]

necci, well said!

 

[fm1947]

that is what I was taught in 1966 with a M14 guess it works

leonard63, try watching other guys shoot , you need to relax, if your heart is pounding that much that it is moving your scope all around then you need to calm down before you shoot, if a dead man could pull a trigger he would be a great shooter.