12-10-2011, 05:03 PM
JASmith Wrote:I wasn't sure which style of shooting we're discussing in this thread until now. So, as we shift to a new thread, another question:
How would the focus on trigger pull change if, for example, one is shooting at 1000 yards and using a highly tuned target trigger with 1.5 lb pull and almost no movement?
From the previous description, it seems that a simple extension of "pull when sight picture is right" might be OK.
There is a fairly significant body of literature that can be summed up as "pull the trigger slowly enough that the shot is a surprise." Does this philosophy become more prominent in your school of thought for long-range precision shooting? Alternatively, do things like mirage, wind conditions, timing for heart beat make the "pull when sight picture correct" as or even more important?
JAS:
The rifle, trigger, ammo, sights et. al do not know what distance even if you tell them so why would you think they need to be treated any differently because you are shooting at a longer range?
If anything guys who shoot at longer distances are faster simply because once they have made a decision in terms of wind, they know the wind won't stay in that condition for very long so once they have decided to shoot, it is very fast.
If someone tells you to 'pull the trigger slowly so it surprises you when it goes off', will you be able to do this without conscious thought? And, where will your attention be focused for your shot? So, if it is your trigger you want to work on, then it will be conscious because that is what you are demanding of yourself. Just accept that you may get a perfect trigger pull every time, but at the expense of what may be top end performance. The reason why guys may shift to conscious trigger pull is because their performance is so inconsistent that they would rather be consistent than perfect. Once they think they have their trigger problem worked out, it slips back into the realm of semi-conscious.
As for the human working on pictures, think about your firing a shot once in position. You see the sight picture and hold, then probably somewhat detach yourself from the situation, and the shot is fired. How fast? Most likely under 1/2 of a second once you settle. Remember, it takes time for the muscle to respond to a command.
And now I am getting into the cause of 'muscle memory' which is basically the result of synaptogenesis -- caused by repetition AND a proper focus of attention. Ever wonder why some folks can do hundreds of repetitions of something and show no improvement? It is because they aren't focused -- absorbed -- in what they are doing. There are two sides to the 'muscle memory' thing. Not only does someone have to perform the task, it has to be done with their attention directed towards performing the task. If they are not motivated to do the task, all the time spent in repetitive training is for nothing.
Another thing about strengthening those synaptic connections / cementing the skill into long term memory is to adapt the task to differing sets of conditions. Doing the same thing over and over again without stimulus is an immense waste of time and physical effort. The human brain is designed around adaptation so why not train that way?
So, there you go. A way of defining 'muscle memory' and a technique that will get more from the training than simple repetition. There is a reason why people say that excessive repetition of a simple act is 'mind-numbing'.
LR1955