Reader Question: What Is a Perfect Shot?

Several times throughout the championship match preparation series I just finished, I mentioned firing a “perfect shot.” That led to the following question by a reader:

So what is your definition of a "perfect shot?” For me, it's having the bullet impact exactly where I intended after executing a proper shot process.

I think that is a reasonable definition of a perfect shot; and I believe that we will all feel a bit differently about what we each consider to be a “perfect shot.”

My definition is different. To me, a perfect shot is one wherein I identified the aiming spot on the target, properly executed my shot process, and broke the shot on that spot with no discernible movement to the rifle as I pulled the trigger. In my opinion, the most important part is breaking the shot without moving the rifle. On that note, I discuss developing the habit of a perfect trigger pull here.

I disagree with the reader’s definition of a perfect shot a little because I don’t believe that definition should include anything about the bullet’s point of impact. Where the bullet ends up really doesn’t affect whether the shot was perfect; although whether the shot was perfect will definitely affect where the bullet ends up.

Consider this: let’s say we are shooting at rams, and there is wind pushing from the rump side towards the head. The spotter correctly tells the shooter to aim for the center of the rump. The shooter breaks the shot perfectly in the center of the rump and the wind pushes the bullet across the target and hits it in the shoulder. The bullet did not impact on the spot that the shot was broken, but the shot was great and the result was a hit.

We should judge our shots based upon how well we carry out that shot, not on the result down range. The point of impact can be affected by many things that have nothing to do with the shooter, wind and sight settings being main contributors.

One additional note that is important when talking about “perfect shots” is that perfect shots are not necessary to shoot great, or even perfect, silhouette scores. When you hear or read me talking about a “perfect shot,” understand that I don’t demand perfect shots, but I demand that I try to shoot a perfect shot. The important part is the effort. If we are disciplined in our shot process and striving to perfectly execute our shots, we are going to make really good shots that are good enough to knock steel targets off the rail. That’s the name of the game!

On those occasions when you do break a perfect shot, congratulate yourself and tell yourself what a great shot it was — then move on to the next target and do it again!

I appreciate this question and any questions that you send me. Please keep them coming so I’ll know what you want to read about. My email address is dustinflint@yahoo.com.

Until next time, keep working on executing those perfect shots!

Dustin

SDG