In this issue: Want jacket info Lactic acid rebuttal Want source for medals Usefulness of barrel weights? Ammo recommendation Bore sighting Adjustable rear iris? Air rifle seals Korean pants FYI, we're up to 108 subscribers now. ******************************************************** Michael - I think that some of the shooters I coach would be interested in getting information on these (Korean) shooting coats, can you please pass along any information you have on how I can obtain them. Thanks. - Mark => mtaylor@dbintellect.com [Ed. note - I expect Mr. Baker, the distributor, will be at the fall selection match and I will ask him about them then and post the info he gives.] ********************************************************* As regards the buildup and degradation of performance by lactic acid : Lactic acid is an end product of anaerobic metabolism. Unless you are shooting biathelon it is not going to be a problem. I can assure you that holding ones breath for 15 seconds every 2 minutes is not going to shift you into the anaerobic pathway. The muscular exertion required to shoot a 40 or 60 shot match at current time limits just doesn't fall into the anaerobic arena. Both aerobic and anaeobic conditioning will add to the athletes fitness, reserve capacity and sense of well being, but the anaerobiasis is not sometime we need to worry about as shooters. Best regards, Phillip Williams, PhD ********************************************************** Does anyone have any sources for better quality medals for our competitions? Pot metal types are just not what we're looking for. Something along the line of the old NRA medallions or Blackington medals would be about right. Best regards, Phillip Williams [Ed. note - Jim Morrison just gives out one ounce silver "medals". They are really like coins, but cool (I just won one for the summer postal series). If you want something that has shooting on them, I'd contact the NRA and see what they sell.] ********************************************************** I would like to see a discussion of the use of barrel weights/counter weights, both concentric and rail-mounted. It is my observation that many shooters add weight to their rifles for the sole purpose of making them heavy. The theory seems to be that the added weight will either: A) slow the motion of the rifle, making the bull easier to hit on the fly. (This effect is thought to be greatest when the weight is placed as far forward as possible), or B) help to lock the position, make it more stable and give a smaller area of aim. (This effect is thought to be due to the weight pressing down upon the shooter and attenuating his body movements, pulse beat, etc.) Subscribers to either theory seem to feel that more weight is better, i.e., that one's rifle should be as heavy as manageable and legal. It seems to me that both the above theories are faulty, that the problems which are being addressed by adding weights are better addressed by working on the base position, and that the best use of barrel/counter weights is to fine tune the balance, holding and recoil characteristics of the weapon. That being said, I am now at the limits of my knowledge. I would like to know about the relative merits of concentric barrel weights and rail mounted weights, how much added weight is generally appropriate, where on the rifle the weight is placed, what considerations must be made for a shooter who cants the rifle, etc. Even more basic, when might a coach recommend that a shooter try using weights (i.e., what problem might a shooter describe that would amenable to barrel/counter weights?). In general, if you think some information is important, I would welcome hearing it. If these issues are addressed in print elsewhere, please give the source and I can get the information without wasting a lot of the group's time. Thanks for the help. Tom Neuser [Ed. note - I agree with you, Tom. I don't tell my shooters one way or the other though some complain about shooting air rifle because it is so light, thus harder to control. Currently my air rifle is maxed out though I'm going to lighten it up after the fall match and see how I like it that way. I don't like barrel heavy guns. One shooter to note: Petr Kurka has no weights on the end of his air rifle and has a terrible head position, yet is one of the best in the world.] *************************************************** Hi again, Big tip for the future, cause there may not be one in the UK. Look at Lapua ammo, seems to be going well, their Scoremax is going better in the wind (heavier bullet), and is grouping as well, if not better, than Tenex. -- Peter Sims (curlypig@celtic.co.uk). ******************************************************** One of the most important items of precompetition perparation is to bore sight your weapon and set the sights prior to traveling to competitions. This action saves many shooters because the shooter always starts with a known sight setting for the rifle at the proposed competition range distance. As each shooter should take not more than three sighters, small adjustment can be made within the three sighters fired prior to the first record shot of the competition. The competitive shooter should never leave home without it. Questions...? Good Shooting Chet Skinner, Coach ********************************************************* I'm thinking about upgrading to an adjustable rear sight as I find my 40 year old eyes don't hold as sharp a focus as my 18 year old eyes did. Are the color and polorized options helpful? I'm primarily concerned about Air Rifle (Anshutz 2002L). Any thoughts on Anschutz vs. Gehmann? [Ed. note - I see you're a southpaw also. Yes, adjustable irises are definately worth it. I also have a color filter on mine and love it (I use yellow), though I have found I don't have as much problem without it anymore. Polarization filters are of no value for air rifle as far as I'm concerned.] ********************************************************* Dear Mike The first symptom of [air rifle] seals [going bad] is groups gradually opening up. They have to be in bad shape before you see elevation changes. Yes you can dry fire your 2002 as long as you clean the barrel when you are done. Shoot some pellets or pull a couple of patches. I am sponsoring another coaches/shooters seminar with Lanny Bassham the weekend of Feb 15-17, 1997 I will have a mailing out soon. Good shooting, Neal ********************************************************* As for the pants, Custom Leather wear is the cheapest, and are comming along better than their past pants. I prefer Korean Shooting more than anything. For their price, they are the best. The NCAA national champion has them, and I have found them to be excellent in my personal use. I have had mine for 3 years now, and they still have great support. The only thing I wish that they did not do on their pants was to put zippers on the back of both legs instead of one only of one leg. As for the price of Korean Shooting, it was 275 for pants, but now I think its 325. ********************************************************* End of UIT Mailing List #11 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach The Olympic Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/