Reader Question: Approaching the Target

Is a consistent approach important?

Question: I read your article on aggressive shooting and I found it very helpful, especially the part about target panic. I suffer from bad target panic. I’ve been working on my shot process and I’ve found that dropping in from the top of the target helps my target panic. Is it better to approach the target the same way every time? Is there a best way to approach the target?

Let’s start the answer to this question by defining the term “target panic.” Some shooters find that their hold deteriorates when they put the sight on the target. Using a scope, this can look like the reticle beginning to shake when it enters the target, or the reticle avoiding entering the target at all. It’s a common problem for many shooters. Also, the term “approach the target” here refers to the orientation of the reticle when it enters the target. (It may come into the target from the top, bottom, or either side.)

The simple answer to the question is no, I do not believe that there is a “best” way to approach the target. However, a particular approach to the target may be more comfortable for a particular shooter. The other question is whether it’s better to approach the target the same way every time. Again, I don’t believe every shooter needs to have a fixed method of approaching the target, but it can be beneficial to some shooters.

One clarification is important: I’m answering this question with scoped rifle silhouette in mind. For sight picture shooting, which is generally with iron sights in sports like 3-position smallbore, 10-meter air rifle, and lever action silhouette, I do believe that the shot routine should include approaching the target the same way every time. Sight picture shooting is a topic for a different article. Remember, I’m talking about scoped rifle silhouette here, which is all about aiming at a spot on the target.

Okay, so how do you know whether you are one of those shooters that will benefit from approaching the target the same way every time? Let’s first understand what a consistent approach to the target does for the shot (and possibly benefits the shot). A consistent approach is sometimes useful because it is a method of forced aggression to the shot approach. (The importance of aggressive shooting is discussed here.) By approaching the target the same way a every time, you are incorporating putting the reticle into the target as part of the shot process. It is very important to get the reticle to the aiming spot immediately. Entering the target the same way every time can help force the reticle into the target. Practicing it enough can help develop a habit of getting the reticle into the target quickly on every shot. If this is something you struggle with, or if you regularly experience “target panic” that makes it difficult to get the reticle quickly into the target, then a consistent approach to the target may be beneficial for you.

I personally do not approach the target consistently on every shot. I sometimes come down from the top if I find it helpful on a particular day or a particular target. I probably come into the target from the right side mostly just out of habit. My method is to shoot at a spot on the target and I’m only concerned about getting the reticle to that spot. I don’t care how it gets there.

If you struggle to stay aggressive in your approach to the target, try approaching the target the same way every time. This is the perfect time of the year to try something new. This might be just the thing to help you shoot more aggressively. Give it a few months of practice time and commit to it; then send me an email and let me know how it’s working for you. If you don’t think this is something you need, great! Forget all about it. It’s definitely not necessary for everyone.

The purpose of this newsletter is to help solve your shooting problems. Please email your questions to dustinflint@yahoo.com and I promise to (eventually) answer them. Until next time, keep shooting!

Dustin

SDG