good days/bad days

[Benjerman08]

Here's a subject I havn't seen on the forum yet. As we all know shooting is very much a mental game, especially benchrest/long range shooting. Does anyone have any answers/opinions on why sometimes I can shoot like a champion and other times it is as if I am wasting components by even trying? For example, two days ago I shot 2 groups of 5 at 600 and 800 yards. 8" and 12" groups respectively. Today under the very same conditions (maybe even a little worse) my same groups are 3" and 5". Big difference. Same gun, load, same crank on moa knobs etc. Is it physiology from one day to the next, caffeine/diet or just mental? I really scratch my head at this sometimes. I know the gun is capable of great shooting, but I am the inconsitent factor at times. Any fixes? Does it do any good to keep shooting on "off" days or is one better off to walk away? Thanks. TF

 

[Johnboy]

I am no pro by no means.but the pressure will kill a group.pressure can mess with the scale and round when fired.and trying to shoot or even reload your rounds the same as the day before is not possible.every day is a different day.and yea I agree with the mind part too.thats one of the biggest reasons I want shoot with someone I do not know.my mind likes to play with me.or the person likes to talk and I get flustered and pack up and leave.or even the wife will call and piss me off.but hey like I said I am not a pro or claim to be.these are things I think and know whas makes my groups open up.

 

[Bulseyetom]

Anybody who has never shot benchrest cannot begin to fathom the mental part of the game. This coming from a novice short range shooter who knows more than anybody else that total concentration is required for consistency. That is why I shoot a group in the 1's and aggs in the 3's!

 

[vonb]

What were the weather condition differences b/t the two shooting sessions? Maybe you weren't on a node on the "bad day"?

 

[Benjerman08]

Hunt,
Conditions were about the same. 0 degrees F., calm wind. Actually slightly more heat waves on bad day.

 

[audredger]

When I was shooting NRA & International pistol, mental attitude was everything! If you forgot something at home, ran into traffic, had a bad week at work or anything off... you just couldn't hit the broad side of the barn. Other times, you were in "the zone" and you shoot "way over your head". Olympic class shooters will tell you, I was fortunate enough to shoot with some of the Canadian Teams shooters, Shooting is 90% mental and only 10% physical . ps. I was way out of my league.

Positive attitude, relaxing, focus, self confidence and, even temperment ++++ are all necessary to be at the top of your game.

 

[Benjerman08]

Just wish I could be in the zone most of the time instead of half the time, heh-heh