I've got my Diana 75 again. I almost sold it but so glad I didn't. Anyway, since its triumphant return I've had to relearn the hold. Make adjustments again. During the interim I was shooting my HW55 which is an older version ten meter rifle. A break barrel with a locking cam. These are still wonderful rifles in their own rights and people who want to get the feel of ten meter shooting wouldn't go wrong with what's now considered a very high end sporter compared to the new stuff out there. Heck, even the Diana 75 is yesteryear's news. As great as they are time keeps moving forward.
Anyway, I think I've got things pretty well squared away and the hold I now use seems to be working. I'm not a great shot. Certainly not in the league of Curtis' girlfriend.
The NRA paper bull in a nine ring deal with a pin point to mark the ten. The black part of the ring begins at 4. One, two and three are delineated but not black. At an average of nine shots, I can break the six ring consistantly. I use this average because at nine shots I also get one shot that is outside the black. For me this is an improvement. One out of nine will fall outside the six ring. Almost always a 3 and usually breaking into the four ring.
I'm not wearing the requisite gear. I know I should al least put a white paper behind the front sight in order to block my left eye. But squinting is alright for now lol.
The advantage of shooting a dedicated ten meter rifle is that everything else you own becomes sincerely manageable. No matter the model or the extra weight of a scope and rings. The other, even more important reason I do this is to rehearse follow through. Since the Giss system 75 is such a smooth shooter compared to sporters it really lets you use those sights to call your shots afterwards. I'm getting back to that again too.
Like I said, I'm not a great shot. Its the process of shooting that keeps me in it. The ridges of the trigger blade. The slightest judder through the rifle and trigger as the sear breaks. The pop as the pellet leaves for its final destination... The second when it cuts the paper.
For as much use as I get out of the Diana 75, I'd have to say its the best value for the dollar airgun that I own. The more use you get out of a thing, the more worth it is to have it. The more justifiable the higher cost for better quality becomes.
Try wearing a back belt, like the ones at Home Depot. It will make the standing position easier on your lower back. Go to www.pilkingtons.com and look at some of the competition pictures for hints on the standing position.
Thanks! I buzzed around that site for a while yesterday and stopped dead on the page broken down into sections. You're right, that is a great and useful site.
On the back thing, its not been a problem for my back. I stand very straight and don't feel any strain even on the longer sessions. But I certainly notice it when I slouch even a little. My shots are better with straight posture.
I've talked to a few people over the years and they said you have to wear the full gear if you want to shoot ten m to your potential. While that may be true, I'm not interested in that kind of thing and I don't have the time for it. If I can keep things in the eights I'll be satisfied. And I feel like I'm actually getting there. Eventually lol.
- old ski glove, has the padding like a regulation shooting glove, don't bother with a leather work glove as it has no padding. The padding does 2 things; protect your knuckle from the weight of the rifle so it don't hurt, insulates the rifle from your blood pulsing.
- 2 layers of sweatshirt, pulled as tight as you can make it. Sometimes I wear a down vest inside a sweatshirt.
- back belt to stabilize the lower back
- high cut hiking/walking shoe, to stabilize the ankle
- - but you also want one with as FLAT a bottom as possible, so it and you won't rock