MARKSMANSHIP BASICS - Sight Picture

[Ian M]

#1 What is the optimum number of seconds for your final focus prior to releasing the shot.

#2 Do you focus your crosshairs by releasing the lock ring on the eyepiece and turning the eyepiece as necessary? What is your actual procedure for doing this?

[ss7mm]

Man or man Ian, you're asking some things I don't normally think about. They just happen.

In reality, during the setup for the shot, I probably have the crosshairs as close as possible to the desired spot before actually focusing for the final break of the trigger. My eyes are very sensitive to bright light, wind etc. and I find it hard to focus on one spot for a loooong time, so I normally have the crosshairs as stated, view the overall animal and asses his body language, run a mental image of the conditions and the shot, then focus intently, make sure the crosshairs are where they should be and make the shot. Probably from the time I decide to do the precise focus to breaking the trigger is about 3-5 seconds if I've set up properly and the conditions allow.


I do focus my crosshairs as described. I've tried the looking at the blue sky thing, differenct backgrounds etc. and I usually us a light colored, non cluttered spot, like the sky in a direction away from the sun and get them as good as I can.

[royinidaho]

Ian, what are you addressing?

The bear on the sand bar or the piece of paper on the back stop?

[Buffalobob]

#1 What is the optimum number of seconds for your final focus prior to releasing the shot.

Depends on what kind of physical shape you are in. I would guess less than five seconds is normal. To me final focus is when the crosshairs are still on the target and the target is believed to be still and correctly positioned for the shot and every thing is ready.

#2 Do you focus your crosshairs by releasing the lock ring on the eyepiece and turning the eyepiece as necessary? What is your actual procedure for doing this?

I normally only do this when I get a scope but I am growing more concerned with it and seem to be adjusting a lot more than I used too. I fiddle with the parallax each time I change distance or if things don’t seem right.

[BountyHunter]

How long to hold.

Depends if from bench or less stable position. From the bench it should not matter greatly, but you can only focus for 3-5 seconds and your breathing must be controlled. full breath, half out, slow steady pull of the trigger.

Less stable, pretty much the same only you must remember, you will rarely be solid and unmoving in the middle of the target. You will normally have an arc of wobble and same breathing tech and slow pull of the trigger. All shooters have an arc of wobble, just smaller in the Olympic shooters.

BH

[Sludge]

Originally Posted by Ian M

#1 What is the optimum number of seconds for your final focus prior to releasing the shot.

That depends on whether I am on a stable or unstable rest. I just let the shot happen when its ready. I dont time it and each shot is a little different. On a decent rest, I would say it averages around the 3-5 second mark that others here have mentioned.

#2 Do you focus your crosshairs by releasing the lock ring on the eyepiece and turning the eyepiece as necessary? What is your actual procedure for doing this?

Well, I usually work on the eyepiece only when I first mount a scope. I take it out on a star lit night. I turn the side focus to infinity and then I open both eyes and look at a distant star. One eye through the scope. One eye not. Since the star will appear to be a single point of light to both eyes I focus the eye peice until I can see clearly with both eyes. Then I lock it down and I dont mess with it again. From there on I just use the side focus and my crosshairs are always in the same focal plane as what ever I adjust the side focus to. Now, I mess with the side focus every time I change distances, but not the eyepiece. Thats what works for me. My two cents, your mileage may vary...

[Ian M]

All of you fellows, sincere thanks. Appreciate your input, more info I have to work with the better.
ian