Note this in a new chapter of your diary. During
this exercise feel the trigger, the stages and tension. Does it need
altered? It may help to have an experienced person check this with you.
Check the hand grip and how your hand rests. Are there pressure points
or occlusions that would benefit from adjusting or trimming down? So
now you have confidence on how well your rifle performs. To maintain
its performance level your rifle barrel will need to be cleaned
regularly.
Next stage is getting sized up for it. This can be done on your own but
it may take a season and your level of scores will dip and dive as you
continuously tweak to find the perfect measurements. So much time can
be saved having someone to help you. Set aside at least a couple of
hours, no range necessary, breaking for the occasional drink to prevent
fatigue and tension. Get your coach to help, it can be a long and
difficult job.
Your position will have changed so check the sights and correct
its position. Take photographs and note down all measurements.
Its all going to feel different once in standing. It is different! You
will be conscious of the 'new' trigger, the hold and recoil, the inner
position, the weight and balance of the rifle will make a big
different and need your attention. You may have
new sights and your eye will see a new picture. It helps to write your
observations down, noting the differences and what is right, what can
be improved etc. N.B. Once set , remember the old rule, only make one
change at a time! It's like going back to the beginning again but this
time round you have the knowledge of what to look for and adapt
quickly. It will take you back to your first days when you had no
concept of what to expect and therefore freeing your mind from old
goalposts. Where before, relaxed in your comfort zone, your own set
boundaries are re-opened to become more experimental in a quest to
perfect the sight picture, sling or hook etc. Being unfamiliar with a
new rifle halos your concentration and awareness, thus catapulting an
increase on your score levels. Log the scores, its encouraging to see
the improvement. With skills and abilities resurfaced , your mind is
confident and positive. You now have a better rifle and you have become
a better shooter because of it.
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