shooting range grand opening

The Bitterroot’s premier indoor 10-meter international shooting range had its grand opening today.

That is to say that I finally figured out how to hang my spotting scope in the sally port.

I had previously conquered hanging the pellet trap and a cover for the window in the East Door.

I have yet to install an electric target light, but the plastic lets the afternoon sun in marvelously.

The spotting scope is just a lean back from my shooting position when I’m at the prescribed 10-meter distance from the target.

Thus I can take my shot, call my shot (where I think it went), then lean back and confirm my shot, before loading the next round.

That is one of the best ways to learn the most from each shot.

This is the first time I have shot 10-meter in at least 3 years.

I am hugely pleased with how well it went.

I also am excited that I will be able to practice pistol shooting through the winter. Sight picture, sight alignment, breath control, body control, trigger control … all the fundamentals are the same regardless of what you shoot. Air guns are dang fine ways to practice that stuff.

The most amazing part of this setup is my $175 Baikal IZH46M pistol. Costing about 5% of its competitors, it shots much better than darn near anyone who operates it.

There is nothing in this single-pump air gun that would keep a good shooter from winning state and regional matches.

That is to say that I and nearly any other shooter can learn a lot by shooting this gun on a regular basis.

The Russian factory sends it out with rather crude, slightly oversized wooden grips. Adjustments to turn them into customized, personally fitted, competition grips involve a Phillips screwdriver, files and sandpaper.

Heck, I even made some more sandpaper fine-tuning after today’s 20-round session showed me a couple more spots that needed refinement.

The first target I shot in 3 years is pictured to the right here.

I called my first shot in 3 years as soon as I shot it… Yuck! High Left… by a lot.

Calling your shots is an important training tool.

What is neat as you develop, the “by a lot” is an error you would have been happy with a year or two before. A 3 is missing by a lot in most books. But it isn’t a zero, eh?

Coach Ted to shooter Ted: What is your position like?

Oops. I forgot to set up my natural point of aim.

Close my eyes, bring the pistol up. Sure enough, I am naturally aiming far left.

Move the feet until I bring it up eyes closed and open my eyes to a proper pistol/target alignment.

Resume shooting… much better.

I did pull one in the middle of the string low right. I called it when I shot it. Just general sloppiness – getting cocky – not focusing on the fundamentals…

I finished my first 10 rounds, went up and scored my target.

Dang! 80 is really good for me. Shoot. With two fliers, 80 is great.

I probably ought to call it a good opening round and quit.

I almost did. I’m not in shape, my muscles, mind and attention span will probably deteriorate if I try another 10.

Ah, heck. I want some more shooting.

Just take your time and concentrate.

First shot was a flier – high. Dang it, Ted. Focus.

I called some left, some right, some high…

Woowie! That one felt good.

Ooh – oooh – ooooh. An X.

Another good one.

Oh yeah!

I’m going to enjoy this.