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Posted: 12/13/2025 1:57:29 AM EDT
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Went shooting today. Mostly shot the 22 from standing. I noticed that if I have largish dot to shoot at that I can get a much, much better group than if I have a small dot to shoot at. It's almost counterintuitive, but I think I figured out what's happening. With the larger target I seem to have an easier time just letting the trigger break. With the smaller target I think I'm having a tendency to try to snatch the trigger, causing a lot of nasty wide shots. I started really focusing on consciously just allowing the trigger to break on those small targets rather than trying to make the trigger break.....riiiiiiiight...NOW!!! That seemed to help, but it was kinda strenuous in terms of mental focus. Couldn't do it long before I just lost focus. I'd be curious to hear any insight from others on this topic. Any drills that helped you overcome the same issue would be highly appreciated. (Not even sure if this is the best section for this topic. If a mod moves it, please just let me know where you move it to.) |
| When you say "dot," do you mean the size of your RDS reticle or the size of your actual target? Without knowing more and understanding more about your equipment setup and shooting range, it sounds to me like maybe you just need more time behind the trigger. Flinching tends to go away in time after you've fired enough rounds and gain confidence. |
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Originally Posted By radtrad: With the smaller target I think I'm having a tendency to try to snatch the trigger, causing a lot of nasty wide shots. I started really focusing on consciously just allowing the trigger to break on those small targets rather than trying to make the trigger break.....riiiiiiiight...NOW!!! That seemed to help, but it was kinda strenuous in terms of mental focus. Couldn't do it long before I just lost focus. I'd be curious to hear any insight from others on this topic. Any drills that helped you overcome the same issue would be highly appreciated. (Not even sure if this is the best section for this topic. If a mod moves it, please just let me know where you move it to.) That is what is referred to as "ambushing the target". IOW, waiting for the "specific moment" when the sight alignment is "perfect" and then hurriedly jerking the trigger before the "moment" is lost. Using a larger target, the relative movement is the same as when using a smaller target but with the larger target it is less noticeable. What you stumbled upon as a solution IS the solution. Just let it "happen" and understand that those "perfect moments" of sight alignment are fleeting because nobody can aim a weapon perfectly steady. There will always be slight sight alignment movement. Go with it. In Star Wars jargon, let the "force" flow through you and stop trying to make it happen.  Keep using the larger target until you break that habit. Over time gradually start using smaller targets. |
Best Regards,
TonyF
Training Forum Moderator
"No such thing as tough. There's trained and untrained. Which one are you?" (Denzel Washington -- Man on Fire)
TonyF
Training Forum Moderator
"No such thing as tough. There's trained and untrained. Which one are you?" (Denzel Washington -- Man on Fire)
Joined:
Aug 2022
Posts:
355
EE: 0% (0)
USA
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The method of pulling very gradually when the rifle is aligned with the target and holding your trigger finger still when the rifle is not aligned is one way to handle that. Take your time. Rifle will eventually fire with the proper alignment. Depending on the contrast of your rifle sights and the target, eye fatigue may be a thing. Black sights on a black target can be more fatiguing to your eyes. |
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