Off day question

[DAVID1989]

Searched for some threads on this and didn't find anything. So I'm wondering what you guys do when you're having an off day at the range. Do you pack it up and just leave to avoid bad habits or do you keep trying to improve it? I've always been the type that just packed it up and left to avoid getting frustrated. But I'm starting to rethink that. Reason being is I'm getting into the competition side of things and don't want to be screwed if I'm having an off day there. An example is on a good day I can shoot sub half moa groups but on an off day I struggle to keep it below moa. Any tips on diagnosing what you're doing wrong on those bad day?
​​​​​​Thanks in advance,
David

 

[Greg Langelius *]

There's always a reason why performance is 'Off"; and you are more likely to be able to work it out at the range, where you can identify a potential problem, invoke a potential fix, and put it directly to the test.

I always try to bring plenty of ammunition, so I can test out issues/resolutions. First of all, it's not a definite problem unless I can repeat the failure.

Shutting down at the outset of issues just postpones troubleshooting until the next session, essentially negating the first one.

Greg

 

[DAVID1989]

There's always a reason why performance is 'Off"; and you are more likely to be able to work it out at the range, where you can identify a potential problem, invoke a potential fix, and put it directly to the test.

I always try to bring plenty of ammunition, so I can test out issues/resolutions. First of all, it's not a definite problem unless I can repeat the failure.

Shutting down at the outset of issues just postpones troubleshooting until the next session, essentially negating the first one.

Greg

Yeah I think I'm going to start trying to figure it out. And I should have clarified in the first post that it's not so bad that it's embarrassing. Just kind of a perfectionist. I know I can shoot sub half moa so I want to do it every time. And I'm talking like 1 out of every 10 range trips. I've gotten to where I can call my bad shots 95% of the time. Be it poor follow through, didn't get a clean break, etc. Just those days that I can't shoot to my expectations that bugs the hell outta me.

 

[diverdon]

Always do something well to end the session. Never quit on a bad note or it starts a neurological cascade of bad habits. Even If you have to pull the mag and dryfire a perfect shot (really make it perfect) then pack it in with your best being the most recent thing implanted in your mind.

 

[DAVID1989]

Always do something well to end the session. Never quit on a bad note or it starts a neurological cascade of bad habits. Even If you have to pull the mag and dryfire a perfect shot (really make it perfect) then pack it in with your best being the most recent thing implanted in your mind.

For something so simple that sounds like I really good idea. I like that. Definitely going to add that to my list.

 

[Rerun7]

I transition to a different weapon for a few minutes just to clear my head (ie pistol, defensive rifle, etc). Then I come back and stop trying to overthink it and really focus on the basics (breathing, alignment, trigger squeeze, etc).

i don’t try to figure out why I’m having a bad day I just focus deeply into the simple fundamentals. That usually irons it out.

 

[Sheldon N]

Searched for some threads on this and didn't find anything. So I'm wondering what you guys do when you're having an off day at the range. Do you pack it up and just leave to avoid bad habits or do you keep trying to improve it? I've always been the type that just packed it up and left to avoid getting frustrated. But I'm starting to rethink that. Reason being is I'm getting into the competition side of things and don't want to be screwed if I'm having an off day there. An example is on a good day I can shoot sub half moa groups but on an off day I struggle to keep it below moa. Any tips on diagnosing what you're doing wrong on those bad day?
David

If you are getting into the competition side of things and you are practicing by shooting groups, you are practicing the wrong things (assuming you mean PRS style competition). You should put your time into positional barricade practice.

In regard to your question though, my approach lately has been to ignore downrange results and concentrate on execution of good technique. Good trigger pulls, calling the shot where it broke, follow through, recoil management, spot the impact downrange, smooth movement, ability to stabilize the reticle, efficiency in position transitions, etc. Downrange results will sort themselves out over time.

 

[DAVID1989]

If you are getting into the competition side of things and you are practicing by shooting groups, you are practicing the wrong things (assuming you mean PRS style competition). You should put your time into positional barricade practice.

In regard to your question though, my approach lately has been to ignore downrange results and concentrate on execution of good technique. Good trigger pulls, calling the shot where it broke, follow through, recoil management, spot the impact downrange, smooth movement, ability to stabilize the reticle, efficiency in position transitions, etc. Downrange results will sort themselves out over time.

I agree. 75% of my practice is positional. I have a barricade I built that I take to my range with me. But I still start each session by shooting paper at 100 to confirm zero and all that. But I will still shoot groups at steel when I'm working on prone. I've been trying to run dot drills off the barricade lately though to improve flow and speed. I like your suggestion too though on only being concerned with the fundamentals. I have a laminated card that I take with me to the range that I set by me with all my steps just to reinforce it all. There's been some good suggestions so far though.

 

[Gray Squirrel]

I agree with Rerun. I'll transition to another system for a few minutes or practice reloads or failure drills on pistol or carbine. If I'm sucking hardcore, I might stop doing live fire and practice other aspects such as positional shooting, moving quickly into position, ranging, dry-fire, etc.

It's also important to not let yourself get flustered when things don't go as expected. Its a mental discipline to keep the downward spiral from happening. Don't let one mistake fuel making all the mistakes. Try and 'hunt the good stuff' and realize that a grouping half an MOA larger than you normally shoot is still really good and as long as you are applying the fundamentals properly of shooting, isn't going to break the muscle memory bank (as long as its not becoming a common trend and is truly a once in awhile occurrence).

This is a mental game (more so than most of the other shooting disciplines), its important to exercise the mental discipline to grit through things and still perform at elevated levels. Shooting with a buddy helps too.

 

[DAVID1989]

I agree with Rerun. I'll transition to another system for a few minutes or practice reloads or failure drills on pistol or carbine. If I'm sucking hardcore, I might stop doing live fire and practice other aspects such as positional shooting, moving quickly into position, ranging, dry-fire, etc.

It's also important to not let yourself get flustered when things don't go as expected. Its a mental discipline to keep the downward spiral from happening. Don't let one mistake fuel making all the mistakes. Try and 'hunt the good stuff' and realize that a grouping half an MOA larger than you normally shoot is still really good and as long as you are applying the fundamentals properly of shooting, isn't going to break the muscle memory bank (as long as its not becoming a common trend and is truly a once in awhile occurrence).

This is a mental game (more so than most of the other shooting disciplines), its important to exercise the mental discipline to grit through things and still perform at elevated levels. Shooting with a buddy helps too.

That's one thing I need to work on. While I don't get mad and throw my stuff around, I definitely start to get flustered. That's when I feel like I make mistakes with the fundamentals. That's why I generally just stopped at that point to avoid starting bad habits. But I want to learn to work through it. I think changing it up for a little while could work. Usually take my pistol with me anyways. I'll try that on the next range trip.

 

[SND]

I’ll stop and think about what I’m doing v. what I should be doing. Normally, I just rushing or not practicing some aspect of marksmanship fundamentals.