Please e-mail address changes, unsubscribe requests, or submissions to me. In this issue: Machine rests Followup to Effects of caffeine on vision? Re: training ideas / cant and sight height / Effects of caffeine on vision? Re: Results of canting experiment USWIRO Book Another training question Standard 2013 or metal stock (2313)? "Why not to cant" revisited ******************************************************************** I'd like to test our guns to see if we need to replace any barrels (I know they have some bore blemishes, but don't know if that affects them significantly at 50 feet) and to know the effects of cleaning. I was discussing this with a shooter who made his own nice machine rest, and he mentioned you need to allow the rifle to recoil back freely (eg, not just clamp the stock in a static bench vice like you can for air rifle). In essence, he clamped the stock onto a slide table. Seems pretty simple but beyond my capabilities to make since he welded and machined everything. He mentioned the "whipping" action of the barrel is why the rifle needs to recoil back along the rails. Does anyone know where I could just buy something like this? On a related note, if anyone is travelling to Ft. Benning for the fall selection match, I would really appreciate it if someone could take some detailed pictures of the rest they have on the indoor 50M range. I am most interested in the how they clamp the rifle in place and what type of recoil system they use. Thank you, Your Humble Editor ******************************************************************** In no way am I espousing the use of caffeine by a precision shooter. I'm asking as a caffeine addict, one with a medical background, who wants to understand the problem in detail. I'd really like to read opinions by shooters, coaches, medical articles, anything that anyone can turn up. Does anyone know of sports physiologists or physicians who might be willing to correspond? It's interesting that one of the amenities at The National Matches at Camp Perry every summer, is free ice water and free coffee. I suspect the good shooters view the coffee as a good golfer views a sand trap. "Let the others indulge." ******************************************************************** > On another point, I am a firm believer in stopping a practice > session if things are not going well and you can't seem to > correct them. You can get pretty good at being pretty bad if > you continue to practice bad technique. Sometimes poor shooting is not so much bad technique as the absence of good technique. You need to figure out and understand what you can change in this situation, in case the same thing happens in a match, continuing to the end of the planned practice session. On the other hand, if you are shooting exceptionally well it might be a good idea to extend the session a little to further impress the memory with what you are doing right. > As I argued myself a couple of issues ago, cant angle variations > cause a point of impact displacement following a circular pattern, > and the line of sight height does not influence this effect. This is because what DOES influence this effect, is the bullet's drop from true bore line to point of impact. This is always straight down regardless of the present cant angle. So the aim point, where the sight is aimed, must be downward below bore line to where the bullet hits. Without re-adjustment, if the rifle is rotated about the bore line, the point of impact will remain the same, but the aim point will rotate in a circle around the bore line. With the rifle upside-down, the aim point will be above the bore line and the aim error will be exactly twice the bullet drop. The calculation is made at the target, not at the firing line. Since the amount of bullet drop is not influenced by the height of the sights above the bore, this height cannot affect the error due to changing cant angle. Still nice that someone bothered to prove it by actual test. > I am interested in the effects of caffeine on a shooter's vision. I have been told that if you win an international competition and have to take a drug test, you will likely be disqualified if you drink a caffeinated soft drink between shooting and the test, that caffeine levels easily attainable from ordinary beverages are considered illegal in athletic competition and it doesn't matter which competition (shooting or track, etc.) they all use the same drug tests. I think considering ordinary foods to be illegal drugs is ridiculous but they didn't ask me. - Benjamin McLeod bennnancy@erols.com ******************************************************************** [Sandy Wilson] I looked at Jeroen's web site - most interesting & detailed. It occurs to me that it may be possible to show by simple logic that the height of the line of sight makes no difference. Consider a gun with two sets of sights attached at the same time, one higher than the other and both vertically above the bore in a zero cant situation. When both sets of sights are zeroed for a given cant & range, then at that range they will both always point at the same place irrespective of how the gun is canted, and will both have the same angle of cant. Deliberately put some positive cant on the gun, aim at the ten (bearing in mind both sights will aim there irrespective of which one you look through) and fire one shot. Now, before you look through your spotting scope, if you still think height of line of sight makes a difference explain to me how you think the same bullet is going to hit in two different places. ******************************************************************** When I stoppped in at Camp Perry to do some shopping at Jack Foster's place, he had flyers out for a "new" book. I'll paraphase from the flyer, perhaps you can get this on your list. Unfortunately, I didn't realize until I got home & looked at it closely that there is no person's name in the address. The check is sent to just the "USWIRO". Maybe one of the veterans will recognize the address, or can add some more info. I don't normally like sending money without knowing who is receiving it! (but I do have a certain amount of trust in Jack Foster). I have a copy of "Dialogues I" and it still is fascinating. Referencing it again, I've rediscovered the source for much of my philosophy on rifle shooting & coaching. That booklet, Pullum & Hahn.'s 3P book, & the USAMU guides were my foundation in my "formative years". (Yes, I was a member of USWIRO. No, I never wore a bonnet!) Regards, Paula #################################################### Publication announced of "Schiessportschule Dialogues II". The United States Women's International Rifle Organization announces ... a soft cover book, written by US World & Olympic Intl Rifle Champions who dominated the shooting world for more than a decade. It is an outgrowth of an Olympic development shooting school, organized by USWIRO, for elite intl rifle competitors & their coaches immediately following the 1978 US Intl Shooting Champs ... at Pheonix Arizona. Dedicated to Dieter Anschutz, the book is a result of lectures that were taped, transcribed and edited by members of USWIRO. The organization disbanded in 1983, with all it's goals achieved. Publication of this book is a final project by former USWIRO officers. Olympic medalists Gary Anderson, Lanny Basham, Ed Etzel, & Margaret Murdoch share their vast knowledge. Other contributors include Bill Krilling & Bill Pullum, Lones Wigger, Jack Foster, Ray Carter, Karen Monez, et al. Original presentation of mental training course used by US Shooting Team and US Army Marksmanship Unit. "Schiessportschule Dialogues II" is an outstanding contribution to shooting literature because it is written by those who are most knowledgable - our World and Olympic rifle champions. Proceeds, after expenses, will be donated to the shooting sports. Send your name and complete postal mailing address with a check for US $ 30.00 to: US Women's Intl Rifle Organization PO Box 865 Mesa AZ 85201 ******************************************************************** Phillip Williams provided some good data on training frequency. Here is a question that I have regarding training just before a match. How do train in the few days just before a tournament?? This assumes that you have a good training plan in place and have been following it for some time before the competition. thanks, dms (aspiring pistol shooter) ****************************************************************** I've been shooting a 52D but have been borrowing equipment here and there in an attempt to find out what I really like and what works for me...before I plunk down a big hunk of $$$! Anyhow, I decided on the Anschutz 2000 series, and am on a list for the new 2313 with Champion Shooter's Supply and have had some conversation with Neal Johnson's. My Question/Dilemma: I really like the adjustability of the new metal stock, but like the weight of the walnut or laminate 2013's. I shoot mostly prone, and am interested in international shooting, but shoot NRA prone events locally, usually with an optical sight. What would you suggest are the major advantages or disadvantages with either? Would the additional weight be beneficial or inconsequential? I shoot an AR-15 in Highpower service rifle and it's about 16lbs, usually turning in high master/master scores, so I'm comfortable with the weight ~ but not really sure that it's essential. So...What do you think??! Anschutz lists an accessory weight which I perceive is similar to the arrangement that they use on the 2013's, though I'm not sure of the mounting arrangement. I figure that I can always make the 2313 heavier, but the 2013 is what it is...I can't make it lighter (not easily). I think I'll e-mail Anschutz and see what they say re: weight system. If you think the topic merits posting, feel free to edit and post it accordingly. If I get useful info out of the factory folks, I'll forward or post it. I'd appreciate your input. Warmest Regards, Steven Nytko ****************************************************************** Mike, This in part was communicate before but some of it was not included and you among others had heavy thoughts about the subject. It is a rough item to deal with as there is so little true information about the effects of Cant. The other members of the List were misdirected to the sight problem and the effects of sight raisers had on the POI but that was not the intended direction of thoughtful consideration required. Two goals was intended by the consideration of cant or no cant conditions. 1. The physical effects of the recoil energy transiting through two differing axis moments. 2. The effects of cognitive and physical reactions to the shooting athlete through incorrectly sized rifle stocks. RECOIL RESPONSE 1. The line of action of the recoil is along the barrel and receiver center line. 2. Practically all the remaining rifle mass is below the barrel and receiver group center line. 3. Therefore the recoil must rotate the muzzle end of the rifle upwards during the life of recoil function. (That is, the recoil energy mass rotates about the center of gravity until impacting one or two axis that will changing its direction and reactive energy levels.) CANT OR NOT TO CANT...? Not all rifle stocks are made alike. This is the problem. We as beginning rifle shooters had to use a loaner rifle or one of the clubs rifles to learn on during our beginning days of shooting. In the military service we again must use a rifle that is intended for the average shooter but again no one has ever found such a person the size that the government says is the average shooter. One common aspect of all of this is do not cut the rifle stock to fit their physical build. Someone else will want to use the rifle and may not fit the your out cuttings of the rifle stock. So here you are, a bad situation involving all shooters and restricting all shooting athletes to use incorrect fitting rifle stocks for competition shooting. The shooter responds to an incorrectly sized rifle stock by to canting the rifle or the head allowing them to fit the position and placing the physical eye into a position that looks through the rear sight. A multitude of incorrect actions occurs because of this typical action by the shooter. Head and torso unit becomes unbalanced and the position in response also becomes unbalanced. The physical eye no longer functions correctly because of misalignment of the eye lens with the sensors in the back of the physical eye. An unbalanced head will cause position movement and in fact start a movement oscillation that will grow larger with time. The eye problem of misalignment will give bad feedback data to the cognitive entity causing confusion as to the exact position of the bull down range and for the purpose of precision shooting, the alignment of the front and rear sights. How do we correct this problem...? We as precision shooting athletes set the position correctly to fire the perfect bull-eye. To do this we close all adjustments in the stock and start building the stock to mold the face/head/shoulder of the shooter. Now, in the standing position take the rifle as if to fire the rifle. Include the sighting procedure. Look and feel the feedback of the position and the location of the rifle. The head is to be held straight up and down without allowing any tilt or cant to the head in position. The rifle will then be brought to the head and placed with the rifle cheek piece placement just under the cheek bone. The stock cheek piece will fit under the cheek bone snugly but without over pressure that will move the head or rifle. Nor is the head to place any pressure upon the rifle or the rifle to place any pressure upon the head in any manner what ever. This will move the rifle and sight to the left or right so a Cant of the rifle is not necessary or required during the shooting process. Normally the shooting athlete will find the physical eye now centered in the rear sight without misalignment of the line of sight through the eye to the front sight or a canting of the rifle during position construction. In cases where the shooting athlete determines that alignment is still impossible then a good gunsmith must be consulted about removing offending wood from the stock when the shooting athlete owns the rifle. Because such wood removal effects all positions great care must be exercised during stock reshaping and adjustments. As for other shooting athletes...? The other shooting athletes Cant their rifle and this is good because it allows them to freely participate in match pressure and we will benefit from their errors. Remember this simple fact. You as competitive shooting athlete have only one competitor and that is you. You are your own competitor. No one else on a firing line is your competitor. If you loose the competition it is you that caused the loss. If you win it is you that won the competition. None of the athletes on the firing line allowed you to win just as they are powerless to defeat you. Any shooting athlete you see on the firing line with a rifle Canted is announcing that they are careless athletes and have not taken the time to correctly adjust the rifle stock while constructing a precision shooting position during their training and competitions. Do not Cant the rifle or the head in precision shooting training and competitions. Do not take or follow any incorrect technical procedure or action that will increase your work by causing the necessary counter action for counteracting or influencing the incorrect procedure or technique so as to eliminated its error or incorrect effect upon the shooting position and the shooting athlete. If the shooting athlete has to deal with errors and incorrect procedures then the shooting athlete does not have a remaining or reserve energy and ability to fire the One-shot-match resulting in a Perfect-bull's-eye. All of the shooting athlete energy was depleted by maintaining incorrect position or shooting efforts. Was asked why the Cant is prohibited. The rifle recoils upon the centerline through the barrel and rifle bolt to the rear and rotates upward over the shoulder during recoil. A Cant of the rifle will cause an incorrect and off center recoil therefore pulling or pushing the strike of the bullet off the perfect bull eye. During recoil the front sight will be noted to move straight up and down to a reset upon the perfect bull-eye when the rifle is not Canted. When the rifle is Canted the recoil never occurs up and down any longer which changes the point of impact on each shot fired. Under Cant conditions the recoil is variable because of the variable butt hook or plate positioning upon the shoulder at each shot caused during recoil. Because of this variable positioning of recoil impact on the shoulder is never the same and therefore the point of impact is never the same at each shot fired. The cause of recoil/Cant variance is the rifle stock and butt plat or hook assembly. Above you were informed that recoil occurs on a center line through the barrel and receiver group. This indicates the recoil energy mass will occur at the top of the rifle stock. As the shooting athlete adjust the rifle stock up or down or in the case of adjustable free rifle stocks butt plates and hooks, such movement will change the rifle stock recoil energy mass point of impact upon the shoulder. It is this movement of the point of impact from the stock that causes the change in the point of impact of the bullet down range. Cant of the rifle has the same effect upon the recoil energy mass point of impact upon the shoulder that the movement of the rifle stock in the position. The shoulder acts as a receptor of the recoil energy mass and thereby becomes a fulcrum for which the rifle butt plate or hook rotates around during recoil. Upon the relocation of the moment or point of contact or angle between the rifle butt plate or hook causes differing responses with concurrent changes in the point of bullet impact upon the target by the rifle at recoil time. This is caused by the adjustable butt plate and the hook. The butt plate or hook is adjusted downward and the hook is adjusted in about 1000 differing locations. Each adjustment changes the moment of energy impact upon the shoulder. To test this close up all adjustments of the butt plate and hook. Then place a dot on the top of the butt plate an this then becomes your center or moment of recoil impact for the rifle under test. The maximum amount of recoil energy will be found at this point and when you move it downward the amount of pressure at the shoulder will increase while the resistance to rifle movement decreases allowing the upward movement of the rifle. If we now change the butt plate to a cant condition then the recoil moment of pressure will change by now having to transit two axes before passing recoil moment of pressure onto the shoulder. The first axis is the vertical axis of the butt plate mounting piece and then transiting the butt plate canted plate of the adjustable butt plate axis. This means the first axis will change the direction of energy force little in that the distance from the center line of the barrel/receiver group and the top of the butt plate (Dot) is all that is involved in the recoil. This recoil energy force will cause the rifle to move in the direction of least resistance which is upward. Upon adding the cant factor into the recoil energy moment, we find that the first reaction to recoil is upward and the second response is to redirect the upward recoil energy mass toward another direction that will by being forced to change direction of energy movement by a decrease of the energy mass influence upward. So with cant we now find the upward movement is diminished and the energy mass moment is now turned by the second axis toward another direction. The second axis being a cant of say 20 degrees will change the energy mass path from a true vertical axis to a path of true vertical plus 20 degrees from the original recoil energy path. The resultant change of direction for the recoil energy mass moment is a reduced upward movement and increase cant movement of 20 Degrees. The basic effect of this has been found to be the amount of pressure in foot pounds (or ounces, as you wish) upon the shoulder by the rifle at position development time and its precise location on the shoulder or upper arm will effect a cant shooting procedure by changing the Point of Aim and Point of bullet impact on each shot fired by the shooting athlete. The shooting athlete using the precise straight up and down rifle orientation will increase the probability of hitting the PBE on every one shot match...While the same shooting athlete using the cant will raise their probability of incurring an error or missed shot for every one shot fired. Psychologically, Cant causes increased analysis and developing preventative actions for the correction of any position and firing technique. The more time the cognitive entity has to waste on analysis and redirection to correct for incorrect cant detracts from the precision shooting technique required by the neuromuscular system. Believe me when I say that the cognitive entity knows when you are performing incorrectly because it must correct any errors in technique or position. This causes stress and distress on the part of the cognitive entity and therefore the shooting athlete. In a relaxed condition the cognitive entity can better sight the rifle and fire the perfect bull eye. Physically, the cant changes or destroys the act of recoil and prevents the rifle from responding to the physical aspects of recoil and movement toward the least amount of pressure or resistance. Therefore, the rifle will miss the point of impact sighted through the sight set mounted upon the rifle. Chet Skinner, Coach cskinner@dol.net http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/dome/4512/index.html ****************************************************************** End of UIT Mailing List #1 Michael Ray - Systems Engineer Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. Rifle Coach UIT Shooting Page - http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1190/index.htm