Well I joined the small bore shoot for the metal targets a few weeks ago and my lack of shooting over the last eight years has been a hurdle but I keep improving. I am consistantly the top shooter but I have been disappointed in my shooting until today. I only knocked over 28 out of the forty targets but I managed to get 5 for 5 chickens, 5 for 5 pigs, and 5 for 5 turkeys in a row - I dropped the first ram and thought I was going to get a perfect 20 for 20 second round - and I missed the next 4. Still 16 out of the 20 in one round is an improvement for me. It felt good to be "in the groove for those 16 shots and that, inspite of my back hurting, was good for my confidence.
I don't really compete against the other shooters - they are great folks and under different conditions they might be in the lead. I just want to get back to where I used to be.

For those of you not familiar with the sport it is off hand shooting with the chickens at 20 yards, the pigs at 40 yards, the turkeys are at 60 yards and the rams are at 80 yards. The chickens are about the size of a 2" circle with the top half cut off. The pigs are 2" high by 4" long, the turkeys are the size of a blackbird - about 6" high and 3" wide, and the rams are just 3" high and 8" from nose to rump.

You are shooting a 22 RF at a 3" bullseye trying to knock that metal target off the rail. It is good practice for me and I am enjoying the improvement I see. I can't call it recoil therapy - no recoil - but it is great to be able to shoot even if it does tire my back out.

Way to go Paulie!! That really sounds like some fun shooting. Is it timed? or do you take your time at it? What's your weapon for all this? I know I'd have to have a scope for the longer ranges. I took my .32 single six out last weekend, it has a halo sight mounted to it and it was so nice to point and shoot a pistol and actually see what I was doing. I love that thang. Put the dot on the target and pow-ya-got-it. Almost like cheating (ok it is cheating but it works).

good on you Paul, sounds like you are doing great. that ram target roughly equate to a rabbit and offhand at 80yards is a long shot,now sitting or lying no trouble but standing is a whole different ball game. 1 out of 5 is still good going in my book.

Suzanne wrote:

What's your weapon for all this?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know, Paul! I just may have to follow your lead. I have two potential candiates to do this with. A Ruger 10/22 with a target barrel and a 1945 Remington Target Rifle with a 28" barrel. It doesn't have the rear peep sight which is a major chunk of change.

Suz, yes but it might as well not be - the rules allow for 2 1/2 minutes for five targets. LOTS of time!
I am using my Remington 581 bolt action with a scope (cause I can't see nuttin' without it.

Most of the guys are using 10-22 Rugers with target barrels and after-market triggers but some are using other semi's or the one old guy with a 1940s Savage bolt action.

The 581 was made in two versions - the one I have and one with a target barrel and special stock. The triggers are the same.

Elvis, the first round I knocked down all the rams and chickens but only one pig and one turkey. That round was 12/20 and the second round was 16/20.

I just get to hurtin' by the end of the second round - but I am getting better!

Thanks for the encouragement folks! You are the best.

Great stuff Paul. And don't kid yourself mate...it is still recoil therapy, even if ya can't feel the recoil.

I used to shoot IHMSA with a 30.30 Win TC Contender with a 10 inch barrel years ago...I loved that match. Shooting the rams at 200 yds with open sights was a hoot. My personal best was a 38/40 with two misses on those damn turkeys. I even had my 15 yr old daughter shooting the match as well.

I tried .22 Rimfire Rifle Silhouette...really liked it, but if memory serves me correctly it was only open sights back then...no scopes. Like you, I can't shoot without a scope these days.

Keep at it mate...most of the pain will be muscles that haven't been used properly for a long time which causes fatigue and consequential back pain. Been there, done that. The more you use those muscles, the better they will get, and hopefully the pain will ease significantly mate.

If everything turns to "cack" big time, you can still shoot from a mobility chair...the electric "go-carts" the old folks use to get around. We have a guy at our Clays Club who has Asbestosis and he can't stand or walk for very long, especially carrying a shotgun, so I suggested he use one...can't keep him off the range now. He got one with a swivel chair to make life easier. Works a treat.

Never give up mate. Remember...we don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.

Vince wrote:

Remember...we don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.

Got to remember this one!

Vince wrote:
Remember...we don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.

Totally agree Vince,if you don't use it ,you loose it.

Anyone want to join me for a wood splitting party? I use the "old fashion" method. Axe, sledge and wedge. The wood is oak, walnut and hickory.

Sure, Bushy! Do you have everything covered ... or do I need to brind some suppliers ... like 8-track tapes, boot polish, etc?

I would love to Bushy, just a wee tad too far to pop around for the day.

See what happens when you mention a little work...

Sure slimjim, but bring your own 8 track player 'cause I don't have one.

But Elvis...It's just a little hop, skip and a jump over the pond...

Bushmaster wrote:

Sure slimjim, but bring your own 8 track player 'cause I don't have one.

Ok then, I'll just knock the dust of my grandfathers reel-to-reels. Oh, I'll need GPS Lat/Long coordinates, too.

Bushy...nothing would make me happier than to wander up your driveway, axe over my shoulder and split a heap of wood mate...followed by a wee dram or two of course.

I love splitting wood...it's almost as therapeutic as reloading.

The last time I tried splitting wood my wife told my daughter, son and brother and I got one piece split before they were all over me. I keep telling her that I need to do things to get my strength back - she is beginning to understand since she sees that it takes less and less time for me to recover from (over) doing things.

I honestly feel better than I have in eight years.
As for the shooting - yep! I am going to keep it up until I am back with full power loads in my 358Winney shooting 0.5 MOA groups at 100 yards.