Tombstones

Guy B. Meredith · January 29, 2000, 12:27 PM

Posted this on another board, but seems they never get out to the range--just sit around looking at their guns and debating theories. Just kidding. Maybe I can find some sympathy/advice here...

"How can Bianchi Cup/NRA Action Pistol and ICORE/S&W International Revolver Championship matches be so difficult?" I sez to myself "They use these tombstone targets with an 8" (!) sweet spot, for crying out loud!" True, the 4" X-ring is actually the deciding count at these levels, but still...

Well I got a bunch of tombstone/NRA D-1/Bianchi targets to get accustomed to them and do the classification shooting in preparation for taking part in the S&W IRC in June. Can't see the d**ned scoring circles at 15 yds (not supposed to be able to) and end up with an 8" cluster at 9:00 at 25 yds., lapping over the X-ring and two other rings.

Grrrrr! I do much better than that on IPSC silhouettes, so what gives?

This is going to require (be a good excuse for) some serious range time and assistance from more experienced tombstone shooters. Got to make that entry fee worth while!

[This message has been edited by Guy B. Meredith (edited January 29, 2000).]

George Hill · January 31, 2000, 02:50 AM

I guess it's a mental problem -
Now - dont get bent outta shape, hear me:

You sound like a defensive shooter - your used to the idea of the human shadow shaped target... You got a mental sight picture on that. Your mind can hit it each time.
The Tombstone shaped targets... Well - your mind is thinking "They are already dead - whats the point?" - so that blows your mental sight picture.

How to overcome that?
Watch NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 times and then practice on the Tombstone shaped targets instead of the silhouettes.

If you cant watch the movie - no problem... but you do got to train your eyes on the new sight picture.

------------------
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud

Guy B. Meredith · January 31, 2000, 12:35 PM

Works for me!

BillOH · January 31, 2000, 08:41 PM

Guy, I had the same problem when I started shooting IDPA instead of IPSC. The 5-ring is an 8" circle instead of 6" by 11" of the IPSC target. Accuracy is more important in some shooting sports than others. I found that it came down to the basics, sight picture, trigger control. Of course you don't want to discount George's theory either. Maybe you could use ghosts for no-shoots or something. Boggles the mind doesn't it?

Bill

January 29, 2000, 12:27 PM	#1
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	Posted this on another board, but seems they never get out to the range--just sit around looking at their guns and debating theories. Just kidding. Maybe I can find some sympathy/advice here... "How can Bianchi Cup/NRA Action Pistol and ICORE/S&W International Revolver Championship matches be so difficult?" I sez to myself "They use these tombstone targets with an 8" (!) sweet spot, for crying out loud!" True, the 4" X-ring is actually the deciding count at these levels, but still... Well I got a bunch of tombstone/NRA D-1/Bianchi targets to get accustomed to them and do the classification shooting in preparation for taking part in the S&W IRC in June. Can't see the d**ned scoring circles at 15 yds (not supposed to be able to) and end up with an 8" cluster at 9:00 at 25 yds., lapping over the X-ring and two other rings. Grrrrr! I do much better than that on IPSC silhouettes, so what gives? This is going to require (be a good excuse for) some serious range time and assistance from more experienced tombstone shooters. Got to make that entry fee worth while! [This message has been edited by Guy B. Meredith (edited January 29, 2000).]

January 31, 2000, 02:50 AM	#2
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	I guess it's a mental problem - Now - dont get bent outta shape, hear me: You sound like a defensive shooter - your used to the idea of the human shadow shaped target... You got a mental sight picture on that. Your mind can hit it each time. The Tombstone shaped targets... Well - your mind is thinking "They are already dead - whats the point?" - so that blows your mental sight picture. How to overcome that? Watch NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 times and then practice on the Tombstone shaped targets instead of the silhouettes. If you cant watch the movie - no problem... but you do got to train your eyes on the new sight picture. ------------------ "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." - Sigmund Freud

January 31, 2000, 12:35 PM	#3
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	Works for me!

January 31, 2000, 08:41 PM	#4
BillOH Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: OHIO Posts: 77	Guy, I had the same problem when I started shooting IDPA instead of IPSC. The 5-ring is an 8" circle instead of 6" by 11" of the IPSC target. Accuracy is more important in some shooting sports than others. I found that it came down to the basics, sight picture, trigger control. Of course you don't want to discount George's theory either. Maybe you could use ghosts for no-shoots or something. Boggles the mind doesn't it? Bill