Arc Of Movement (Bullseye Shooting)

I was having a conversation with a member in my gun club about starting up a couples bullseye match and I told him that I was practicing for a match this October in another club. I told hime I was practicing with my Stainless bull barrel Ruger MKII 5.5 and my Browning Buckmark Target 5.5 and I was consistently better with the Buckmark, I told him I thought this was so because of the lighter weight of the Buckmark. Then he goes on to say that the best of the Bullseye shooters use heavier target pistols because it decreases the arc of movement, I think his point is that heavier target pistols are better and that my reasoning about shooting better with the lighter Buckmark didn't pan out. Does anyone have any feelings or knowledge about using heavier .22 target pistols for lessoning the arc of movement?

I shoot better with my Model 25-2 than with my K-38 because additional weight tends to dampen whatever involuntary motion I have.

Hi Well, a lot depends on the individual shooter. If you are doing any weight training the difference of a few ounces won't make any difference anyway. I did regular weight training when I was active in competition and could shoot a 2700 and team match over a full weekend without getting very fatigued. Good physical condition is important to reducing your 'wobble area' or arc of movement no matter what weight of gun you are shooting. Ol Shy & Bashful > ...

#Does anyone have any feelings or knowledge # about using heavier .22 target pistols for # lessoning the arc of movement?

My experience has shown that a heavier pistol will dampen or slow the natural arc of movement more so then reduce it. With a slower moving arc, you can release the shot while the sights are closer to the center of the bullseye. Now this takes training and discipline so you don't try to 'snatch' the shot as it crosses the center. Snatching the shot will always throw it wide of the bullseye. The laws of averages are on your side when you learn to accept and live with your natural arc of movement. If you can hold the 8-ring, 70% of the time the bullet will strike in the ten ring or better because that's where the sights spend most of their time as they move across the target. Of course that's taking for granted that you press the trigger correctly, without disturbing the sight picture. Being able to consistently hold the 8-ring is good. So don't be discouraged if you can't do it right away. Training will get you there. Learning to accept the movement is one of the first steps. If you can shoot better scores with your Browning, then by all means use it. It's probably because out of the box, Brownings have a better trigger then the Rugers do. Get a trigger job done on the Ruger and you may be able to shoot it better.

Mike Corey NRA ~ USA Shooting Appointed Pistol Coach

# I did regular weight training when I was active in #competition and could shoot a 2700 and team match over a full weekend #without getting very fatigued. Good physical condition is important to #reducing your 'wobble area' or arc of movement no matter what weight #of gun you are shooting. #Ol Shy & Bashful

What you said. Though I would add that grip angle and shape of the grip have a lot to do with it too. Early on, I tried both Ruger and Hi-Standard Citation and could never get the sights to line up without 'cocking' my wrist. The day I picked up a 7-1/2' Mod.41 I felt like I'd come home. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret)

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