Getting a case of the Yips

[Rob404]

Or pre recoil Flinch if you prefer,,,It doesn,t affect me when I shoot heavy Pistol Calibers,,,,and I,m not shooting anything Heavier than 7MM Rem Mag,,, I,m trying to Zero in at 200yds and my Flinch is stopping me from putting together a consistant Group,,so I,m constantly adjusting and sending another one down range which after a time starts to really effect my shoulder,,,,I noticed all my pistols have a light trigger pull,, my Triggers on my Long Guns are set at Factory 3#,,,would a lighter pull help or is my problem some where else perhaps something Mental,,what do you Guys and Gals think

 

[postoak]

Mental. Three pounds is a pretty light trigger for a rifle. Maybe you should buy a lead-sled and use it until the flinch goes away.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Or pre recoil Flinch if you prefer,,,It doesn,t affect me when I shoot heavy Pistol Calibers,,,,and I,m not shooting anything Heavier than 7MM Rem Mag,,, I,m trying to Zero in at 200yds and my Flinch is stopping me from putting together a consistant Group,,so I,m constantly adjusting and sending another one down range which after a time starts to really effect my shoulder,,,,I noticed all my pistols have a light trigger pull,, my Triggers on my Long Guns are set at Factory 3#,,,would a lighter pull help or is my problem some where else perhaps something Mental,,what do you Guys and Gals think

I don't think the lighter trigger will help. My guess is your mind is already gearing up for the bang before your finger even contacts the trigger. I would buy one of the versions of the PAST pad for bench work. Go to the bench with a light recoiling rifle that doesn't bother you. As you prepare to shoot clear your mind of everything you can by virtue of putting as much of your mind on keeping the crosshairs on the bullseye. Trigger pull should almost be a surprise. After a few shots of this and hopefully a good group, move back up to the larger caliber.

At least this is what I do. Every so often while shooting on the bench, I find myself anticipating the recoil and typically I can call the shot as being off before I see the result. This is when I bear down on keeping myself on target and getting the best group I can. By doing this, I think I'm filling my mind with what I'm trying to accomplish and keeping out thoughts of what my shoulder is about to endure.

 

[Code4]

You probably need to re-learn to shoot. Plenty of opinions on the web. Start with a light recoiling .22lr and get your routine down pat.

 

[Ignobilis]

Generally when this happens to me I'll pick up the 22LR & shoot it for a while. Sometimes the first few shots with the 22LR make you realize just how much you're flinching. But it soon settles down & you can start shooting the heavier calibres again.

 

[Rob404]

Mental. Three pounds is a pretty light trigger for a rifle. Maybe you should buy a lead-sled and use it until the flinch goes away.

I actually own a Sled,,I should have dragged it out to the range right from the start,,at least to get my rifles sighted in

 

[Diamondhitch]

Best cure there is. You need to relearn that shooting a rifle doesn't hurt you.

Get a buddy to take your gun away far enough that you cannot hear what he is doing. He will either load it or simply cock it with an empty chamber. You will not know when there is a bullet and when there is no bullet but need to aim and squeeze each shot off as if there is. You will find that things improve quickly.

Your buddy must wait until you have squeezed off a few clean shots on an empty chamber before sneaking a live one in there for this to work and at first the chamber must be empty far more than it is loaded.

Good luck

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Best cure there is. You need to relearn that shooting a rifle doesn't hurt you.

Get a buddy to take your gun away far enough that you cannot hear what he is doing. He will either load it or simply cock it with an empty chamber. You will not know when there is a bullet and when there is no bullet but need to aim and squeeze each shot off as if there is. You will find that things improve quickly.

Your buddy must wait until you have squeezed off a few clean shots on an empty chamber before sneaking a live one in there for this to work and at first the chamber must be empty far more than it is loaded.

Good luck

I'd have to agree with that. Some years ago a friend was telling me about a friend he was shooting with. My buddy suspected his friend was flinching. He pulled the empty chamber trick on him and sure enough he was pulling away from the rifle just before it went click.

 

[DOC-404]

All excellent advice above, Rob. I don't know if you live in one of the 22 states where it's legal, but having a good suppressor fitted also makes a hell of a difference, to sound and recoil, which are both highly conducive to flinching. We often hunt with them on here in Namibia. If you can, get one, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Nyati]

A PAST pad may help. I use one when shooting from the bench.

And double ear protection, plugs and muffs.

 

[Rob404]

All great suggestions Guys,,I,ll go back to Square one,,,I have a 13# 223 Rem varmiter,,,the recoil on that couldn,t break and egg,,,hopefully that will help break my habit

 

[enysse]

Don't laugh, but shoot a 300 Win Mag or higher. Then shoot the 7mm, it will seem like a kitten compared to the big boys. Shooting heavy calibers cured me of the flinches. You learn to hold the rifle, put the scope on th spot and don't try to hold it there....when the sights are perfect pull the trigger...don't think to much about it.

 

[Rob404]

I also think I did to much to soon ,,I dragged out everything I worked on this Winter,,thats 4 Rifles,,,and regardless of Calibers 100 Rounds down range on my First day out probablly wasn,t that smart

 

[Buff-Buster]

Best cure there is. You need to relearn that shooting a rifle doesn't hurt you.

Get a buddy to take your gun away far enough that you cannot hear what he is doing. He will either load it or simply cock it with an empty chamber. You will not know when there is a bullet and when there is no bullet but need to aim and squeeze each shot off as if there is. You will find that things improve quickly.

Your buddy must wait until you have squeezed off a few clean shots on an empty chamber before sneaking a live one in there for this to work and at first the chamber must be empty far more than it is loaded.

Good luck

Perfect advise. I was about to reply with the same until I saw Diamondhitch beat me to the punch! I use this method alot and it always works with everyone. As had been suggested, double up on hearing protection, use a lead sled or a Past recoil pad and go back to the basics. Accurate shooting is 90% mental and 10% mechanics. Train yourself on proper breathing, trigger control, keeping your cheek on the stock after the shot and putting the crosshairs/sights, immediately back on your target. Once your handling the recoil and shooting consistent groups, get off the bench and practice from real hunting positions. Good luck and don't overdo your range time!

 

[Rob404]

Thanks Guys I took the advice offered and Went to the range on Sunday,,I only took my 223 Heavy barrel and just worked on good technique,Hopefully after a few more trips to the range I,ll get some Confidence back and Move back up to the heavier calibers