Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

[macthknife]

I've notice over the last few years that My shooting has improved dramatically over the level I was at when I was in the service. While I'm still no master rifleman by a long shot, I would say I'm much better than I was 20 years ago.

Now, My eyesight isn't what it used to be, I have one lung missing, poor circulation, & a chronic cough, so there is only two reasons I can think of that I have improved. Discipline, & practice. I've been shooting for 30 years. I guess that's finally making a difference.

Anyone else seeing improvement with age?

 

[Krav69]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

Yep, I've noticed the same thing with me and my scores since being in the military as well. I'm old too, 37.

Heck, I think we're onto a good thing--something that we're gonna get better at when we're older!

 

[macthknife]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I figure by the time I'm completely blind, & just a head in a jar of water, I be one bad mo fo.

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I shoot less but connect more on coyotes and such. Therefore I must be better, well at least percentage wise.....or I am more carefull and pick the targets I think I have a better chance of connecting on?????

Maybe it is the 'shooting fish in a barrel' syndrome I have acquired.LOL

 

[X-fan]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

Ya, I don't know why or if its because you become more patient or finally realize how much you have to learn....
My shooting keeps getting better...Or at least more precise

 

[fadin'fast]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

At 67 I find that some days are good to very good, and some days I feel like I wasted ammo. Shot 3 times last week, and Mon. very good, Tues. slightly above average, Thurs. should have stayed home.
Eyes are the biggest complaint, and muscle memory. Some days I just can't get comfortable behind the rifle anymore. Guess I need to up the dosage of prune juice in the morning!
Really, I'm just fortunate to be able to get to the club and shoot. Lots of folks no longer have that chance, like a friend down the street who's eyes are so bad he quit shooting last year.
If you can get out, do it while you can!!

 

[macthknife]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I hear Ya. I'm at the point now, that optics compensate for the eyes pretty good. Getting comfortable behind the rifle is another thing. I guess I'm still doing pretty good with that.

Glad You're still hanging in there Friend.

 

[Kinsman]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

If the good Lord lets me live til the 27th, I will be seventy. I think my shooting peaked at about age 45. Diabetic neuropathy, worsening eyesight, and arthritis in both shoulders have taken their toll. Even shooting light loads in the 308 can be painful. Heavy loads in the 45-70 are murder...
I won't quit shooting, but I just don't hit what I aim at as much.

 

[macthknife]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

Kinsman. You should think about a .260 Remington. I have sure been thinking about it. The reduced recoil is said to be a very pleasant plus to the cartridge.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I'm 65, Post Lymphoma 2X and Post MI, CABGx4. There's significant congestive heart failure.

The only real issue is advancing arthritis and a left shoulder/upper arm injury that limits my range of motion so I can no longer get into the positons where sling shooting is done. My vision's rather well into farsightedness, but that's OK with glasses.

My club allows a bench relay, scored separately, in our FV200/FV250 comps and thats a boon, my boon, to be precise.

For me, the scope has changed from 1000yd to 200-250yd; mainly becuase our closest 1Ky venue is no longer available, and I'm just not going to leave my Wife alone for the amount of time it takes to reach the next nearest one.

Am I a better shooter with age? I was until the arthritis and arm issues set in. These days, I work for personal bests, I'm no longer competing one-for-one with the bulk of the pack. Is it still satisfying? Every bit as much as ever, if not a little more, even.

Greg

 

[macthknife]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

Damn glad Yer still havin fun at it Greg. I'm definitely enjoying it more also. It's a great therapy session when I'm at the range.

 

[Rookie]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

My long range shooting seems to be better than it used to be. I hope its because I've learned a thing or two over the years. My eyesight blows but the scope makes up for that.

Here is a huge secret for old eyes and pistol shooting. Went with mono vision contacts a few years ago to avoid reading glasses. That means that you see far with one eye and read with the other. I can now see the target clearly with my left eye, and clearly focus on the front sight with my shooting eye. It feels like cheating it works so well.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I can still do my long range shooting, I just need to do it with the 22 at the 200/250yd distance. Plenty real enough for my needs. Got me a nice little stable of 22's, and a passel of Grandkiddoes starting to take them on. Working up the 7.62x39 SKS/Savage Scout for real soon so they can do the C/F stuff this coming season.

Greg

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

You guys are making me feel like a kid. No CABG (yet), but CHF, CAD with six occlusions, gout, arthritis, diabetic neuropathy with attendant retinal issues, and a right wrist that's shy three bones that used to be there have all taken their toll. What I find is that I'm better at some things than I used to be, and not so good at others any more.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

Hang in, Veer. There's hope left yet for us cagey ole rascals.

The only thing more delightful than a guy with one gun who knows how to use it is an ole guy with a coupla dozen guns who knows how to use 'em.

Right on...

Greg

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Anyone elses shooting getting better with age?

I had an eye exam in November and while I found confirmation that my arms aren't too short (Presbyopia) my eyesight is still 20:20. I was very pleasantly surprised. So I keep reading glasses nearby for when I can't squint enough to compensate and safety glasses to save what the Lord has seen fit to provide me in spite of my own stupidity...I hadn't been to the eye doctor in over 25 years and only went because my youngest girl needed an appointment and she, her sister and my wife kind of shamed me into getting an exam.

All that said, work has been so busy that I haven't been getting to the range more than once a month on average so in fact my shooting is not getting better!