LSR advice

[LSR200]

Hi - Any LSR (Light Sporting Rifle, standing at 20 yards other LSR distances are available) about? I have been shooting competitions for 2 seasons and I have really improved, however I have reached a plateau, I think itÂ’s because I have become anxious/nervous in hold. Any advice?

[rapidboy1]

What rifle / scope are you using and what is your average ?

I haven't shot LSR for a couple of years, last season i shot was summer 2023, i was averaging 97/100

My rig is an old Sako finnfire range (mk1), Weaver T36, SK Standard.
I can shoot better with my air rifle, (better trigger), i use my old FT rifle, AA Pro Target, but it doesn't make the 4.5kg weight limit.

I would say most LSR shooters would benefit from slowing down.
A lot of people seem to think that they need to get the shots away as quickly as they can.
I mostly shoot pistol now but i still shoot along with the LSR guys in my clubs and i see them shooting sometimes three or four competition rounds in one session, in the same time i would only have set up and warmed up ready to shoot a single round.

Spend time on set up - NPA (natural point of aim) - dry fire etc. before you even take a shot.
Next warm up with some live shots and only shoot a comp card when you have settled and are ready.
Take it one shot at a time and come down between shots to rest and reset.
If you lift the gun and it feels wrong just come down, rest and reset, don't rush or feel pressure to take the shot, only take it when it feels good.
It's not a race.

I set the rifle down between shots, i load one round into my mag at a time just to force myself to slow down and i spot with a spotting scope between shots, again just to slow myself down and relax between shots.

When i plateau in any discipline i go back to the start, break it down and work through every part methodically.
I try to concentrate on one thing at a time, one session it will be all about position / natural point of aim, next time breathing, next time trigger pull / follow through etc etc
In practice sessions, the group size is most important, scores are just a distraction.
"Read your cards" and understand whats happening before moving on.
Work each part until your happy and then make notes.
I keep my shooting notes on my phone, i read through before i start a session and if i change anything i update the note for next time.
You end up with a list of all the important things you need to remember before you start a session, it just helps get you get into gear and focus.

I use the Targetscan app on my ipad to keep a record of both practice sessions and competitions, it's good for keeping track of everything and taking notes.
You just photograph your shot card and it creates a record of the card and generates data, you can add notes as well to help build a picture of whats going on.
It gives your score, group size and position and also a "potential score" which is what you would have scored if your group was centred.
I use it for various disciplines and find it very useful.

CNTSA 10 shots per round



My club is 4 x 5 shots per round, the app creates a target with data for the 20 shot round as well as the individual 5 shot cards.














You can create a folder for a particular league or practice sessions to see your league performance or identify areas you need to work on.
This was the last league i shot, CNTSA Summer 2023
By comparing rounds you get a better picture of what is going on.



I had a separate folder for my practice sessions.



It's a useful way to document your progress and hopefully identify areas that you need to work on.

[LSR200]

Thank you so much for the information. it's all excellent advice. The target scan app looks very interesting I will give it a try.

I use my AA HFT500 with a Leupold VXII 4-12 x 40 scope which sits me just under the 4.5KG including a simple palm rest. Orginally, I thought I needed to get a magazine rifle (I was looking at S510) but as you say single loading slows me down in a positive way.

Just finishing my second session and my average is up to around 189/190 (for the 4 card of 5 shots).

What magnification do you shoot at? I am at x12 at the moment and that seems to be about correct.

Thanks again

Peter

[rapidboy1]

My Weaver T36 is fixed 36 magnification, the 40mm objective with a 1" tube means its quite a dark scope, it's really a benchrest scope but it works ok.
Before that I used to use an old boosted Leupold FT scope on 50 mag, it's a nice scope, the higher mag was great but the reticle was a bit "busy" and it was heavier.
The lowest magnification i would use is 20, i have a Leupold 6.5-20 EFR on my old ProTarget, its nice but higher mag would be better.
Rather than closing my non dominant eye i use a blinder, i find i relax more shooting with both eyes open and it seems to help stability.
Higher magnification and standing shots can be difficult to begin with but it really forces you to work on your breathing and your stability.
If you can get comfortable with it you are shooting from a more stable platform but it's something to try between leagues.