Who I am
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 9:46 pm
I am of an age when I have to look back to see my success with full-bore. My greatest joy was to engage all kinds of active and reactive targets with my compensated match 1911 .45 caliber Colt pistol. My introduction to shooting at a very early age was with a Lee Enfield No 4. Prone, and wearing shorts and possibly only just heavier than the rifle. I managed to give myself a wedgy. My pistol days being over as the subsequent loss was due to new and retrospective legislation, it proved to curb my international competitive nature. But I haven't come to this forum to bang on about all that.
Anyway, that was when I was a young man, quick, accurate and serious. I am now in my sixties, slow, getting there and always with a smile. I wear a badge on my shooting jacket 'A Bad Day's Shooting is Beats A Great Day Working.' If I score a 95 regularly, I am happy. If I get a 92 now and then...I'm still happy. I shoot .22Cal prone at 25Yds, 50M and 100M. I am transferring some of the skills I learned with .22 pistol that took me all the way to the British Pistol Club, along with my mantra....'cool calm deliberation helps to make a better shot.'
I recently discovered that my youngest brother who now lives in New Zealand is shooting full-bore events there. This is particularly great news as we can discuss the merits of certain loads and powders and brings out the shooting geek in me. Shooting success it seems, is in the blood as he has won 300, 500 and 600yds in an event that has been running since 1958. Good on yer mate.
Finally, I never give advice unless it is asked for. Most shooters I have met know everything anyway despite not putting it into practice. Go figure? Still, I carry on smiling. Oh incidentally, I am also a psychologist and yes that will include sports psychology. Which means I listen and allow the person to find solutions to their shooting problems. Horses and water...etc. Yes, success is mostly in the mind.
Anyway, that was when I was a young man, quick, accurate and serious. I am now in my sixties, slow, getting there and always with a smile. I wear a badge on my shooting jacket 'A Bad Day's Shooting is Beats A Great Day Working.' If I score a 95 regularly, I am happy. If I get a 92 now and then...I'm still happy. I shoot .22Cal prone at 25Yds, 50M and 100M. I am transferring some of the skills I learned with .22 pistol that took me all the way to the British Pistol Club, along with my mantra....'cool calm deliberation helps to make a better shot.'
I recently discovered that my youngest brother who now lives in New Zealand is shooting full-bore events there. This is particularly great news as we can discuss the merits of certain loads and powders and brings out the shooting geek in me. Shooting success it seems, is in the blood as he has won 300, 500 and 600yds in an event that has been running since 1958. Good on yer mate.
Finally, I never give advice unless it is asked for. Most shooters I have met know everything anyway despite not putting it into practice. Go figure? Still, I carry on smiling. Oh incidentally, I am also a psychologist and yes that will include sports psychology. Which means I listen and allow the person to find solutions to their shooting problems. Horses and water...etc. Yes, success is mostly in the mind.
