In this issue: Re: Correct iris position Re: torque / jackets / sight focus / training systems Re: Rifle torque settings / training systems Walther dealer as Crossman's in Toronto? SCATT prices Czech air rifle? Laser eye surgery Re: match nerves Sighting problems CMP grant to Wolf Creek? ******************************************************************** Dear Michael, I hope that 1999 will be full of joy, health and 10.9 for you and the last step for a new millenium and an Olympic Gold! In the UIT mailing list, a friend asks why the iris goes between the eye and the lens. To make things simpler first of all lets discuss why we are using an iris. the main reason for using an iris is to let less light to pass trough a smaller aperture than our eye's iris. Amateur photographers learn at their first steps that when using a smaller aperture (a larger number on the lens) they can net their picture in more planes of the subject they photograph. This is called depth of field. You can try it with an SLR camera and see it for yourself. Using an iris you replicate the lens on an camera. The smaller the aperture, the more the points you will see clearer.As the human eye can net on only one plane easily and assuming that you net your eye on the front sight by using an iris you can force your eye to see clearer more planes (the rear sight for example). As the iris must be near the iris of your eye for controling the light efficiently, the natural position for it is behind the lens. Please note that except from the depth of field iris, manufacturers sell an iris for adjusting your glasses frame to the exact center of the lens. This is not used as a depth of field iris and it is easily recognized by the length and the shape (conical) of the central piece of it. Check these sites for more info on depth of field: http://www.dof.pcraft.com/ and http://fox.nstn.ca/~hmmerk/HMbooks5.html Of course there are some more but minor reasons for using an iris, (mental barrier for concetrating your mind, exact spot of lens through all the shots taken etc) George PS. I will send you some pics from the Champion pamphlet as soon as I will manage to convince my scanner to work!!! ****************************************************************** Torque: My Model 54 Anschutz was modified to accept bedding bolts, from Neal Johnson as well as the torque wrench, and I found that both were adjusted to the same setting. I used a very heavy, portable vise like arrangement that a friend of mine had come up with, and tested ammo as well as bedding to see which worked best in my rifle. I usually check the bedding settings 3-5 times a year, depending on when I remember to do it, and especially if I have had a big climate change. From damp to dry and cool to hot, etc. Front sight: If Ross has success by not focusing on the front sight, that is great. But, the overwhelming majority of world class shooters focus on the front sight, and this is what all coaches should be working on with their shooters. If someone wants to change focus points later, that is up to them, in consultation with their coach and only!!! after extensive practice and training with the new focal point. Jackets: I, also, don't know where Joe finds good jackets for $100, unless they are used. I just ordered pants and jacket from Custom Leather Wear in Niagra Falls, in heavy canvas, and they will be custom built for a total cost of around $635, including shipping. I have a leather jacket from them that I bought several years ago, but I wanted to finally have a matching set. So, if he is going to Toronto, he might want to check with them on both sides of the Falls, since they have shops in both NY and Canada. Training Systems: I have been trying to access the Noptel web site for a few days. They supposedly have a new web address, as mentioned in the latest ISSF Journal, but I have not been able to get into it. Anyway, they have supposedly reduced the cost of their Model 2000? system and I wanted to check to see what the current price is. I would really like to get some kind of training system but I just can not afford the high cost of all that I have seen so far. I am working on modifying some inexpensive laser devices to use on my rifles, but have not done much as yet. Too busy with other things, but I hope to get them, at least one of them, set up soon. That's it Mike. Have a good year and keep up the good work. Don Williams, Oregon [Editor - I have added the link to the SAM training system on my page: http://www.knestel.de/english/homepage.htm ] ****************************************************************** On the topic of torque: In my experience with the various shooting camps and at the University, when we have finished our individual torque settings with the various rifles, for the most part, the settings ARE NOT always equal front to back and often not to Anshutz's recommended settings. For long term storage, and travel the university's rifles are loosened so as to not cause undo strain on the bedding screws or stocks. (Old habit I picked up when shooting for the military.) In the 30 or so years of shooting I've done, I've never had a rifle fall apart in a competition as described in this latest mailing list (vol.3 -12), but I am now alerted and will keep an eye out for this problem. Thank you for the warning. Also, I have word from Sweden, that Neal Johnson will have the new CURT system for sale again at the end of this month or sooner. The problem with previous units apparently, was that they had not been subjected to FCC testing of the electronics. The new units have met all the compliance issues. The newest version of CURT software for demo purposes is on the web for free downloading. I am one of the beta testers for this device here in the US and might be able to answer questions regarding the use of it in the team training environment or as a coaching tool. I am a great believer in the use of these type of simulators as training aids and coaching tools. And would love to hear from anyone using them on a regular basis. Conversations with Scott Pilkington at Pilkington Competition Equipment have led me to believe that the new RIKA system would be here sometime this month as well. I'd appreciate anyone with experience or knowledge of the system dropping me a line at "dvlee@sfsu.edu" or responding in Michael's forum. ****************************************************************** Do you or anyone else on this newsletter know if a Walther dealer will be attending the Crossman's in Toronto? Thanks Dave Woolridge Memorial Sea~Hawks Rifle Team dwoolrid@gill.ifmt.nf.ca ****************************************************************** Thought some of the list members may be interested in the information about SCATT system cost. The prices are temporary and will last as long as stocks allow. Maybe you would like to pass the information along to the other list members...in the next UIT List transmission. The members may contract the provider (Philip Lee) at the address's listed....Thanks ----- If you need more detailed information on my prices, you can visit my pricelist at: http://home.ipoline.com/~precspt/$list.htm Yours Truly, Philip Lee Precision Sports ----- Chet Skinner ****************************************************************** I am looking for some information on a Czechslovakian made air rifle. The name stamped on it is Slavia and it is a single pump air rifle. Do you know anything about these weapons? When were they manufactured? etc? Darryl Lee Gerow CPT, AV ****************************************************************** I am thinking about having laser eye surgery to correct near sightedness. Does anyone on the list have experience or knowledge of the impact from a shooters perspective? ****************************************************************** Match nerves are a mental problem, and you will need to deal with it mentally. If there are no magic bullets or quick fixes to this problem, neither are there any real secrets. The classic advice is still the best: 1) Have a plan for shooting the match. Stick to it. 2) Focus on the positive. Determine what you will do, not what you must avoid. 3) Fire one-shot matches. Make each shot the best you can, then move on. Your score will take care of itself. It is often helpful to "desensitize" yourself by exposing yourself to match pressure more often. You can attend more matches if you have the opportunities and resources, or you can create competition situations with your own club members. (Two of the best shooters in my club used to compete for pennies! They were really shooting for bragging rights, and to avoid having to pay the other. They were also very good friends.) If you are already the best in your club, use a handicap system. It doesn't matter what you shoot for, as long as you very much want to win. Other techniques (mental imagery, visualization, affirmation) may or may not be helpful to you. I think these techniques are best used by fairly advanced shooters, and that you may want to get a handle on your nerves before you try them. Good luck to you. ****************************************************************** After many years layoff, I resumed shooting 3 position a couple of years ago. It has been almost exclusivly using a scope. Lately I have changed to iron sights and my old eyes are having problems. I wear variable focus lenses but look through the top or distance part of the lense. I have a Merit Master aperture on the rear sight. My problem is that if I set the rear disc small enough for the target to show sharp and black, I see an effect of a fuzzy area in the middle of the aperature. I have taken this Merit Aperture off and held it up to the light with a magnifying glass looking for lint. What I saw was the center 1/3 fuzzy and gray. If I open the aperture large enough for this gray area to disappere, then the target becomes gray and fuzzy. Also sometimes the front aperture appears oval and then the target is really fuzzy. Anyone know what this condition of the rear sight is? And any suggestion for a solution? I could buy regular shooting glasses and a rear aperture with lenses and filters, but how do I know that will help my problem? Any suggestions? I am half tempted to try shooting with the rear aperture small but look through the edge of the hole where it is clear. Rich ****************************************************************** I understand that the CMP recently granted over $1 millon to a marksmanship efforts of the international range at Wolf Creek, Georgia. If it is true, how can local junior clubs in my area (northern Virginia) participate on a fair share basis? Appreciate any light which you can shed on what must be a truely wonderful initiative. Its great that you are ploughing back the $ millions we provide for the common good of the shooting sports nation-wide. Thank you. Sincerely, Floyd Houston [Editor - I haven't seen any mention of this in the Wolf Creek newsletters I get or on their website. I'm sure Gary Anderson could answer your question. 404-629-4318.] ****************************************************************** End of UIT Mailing List #13 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm