At what point can you be called a good shooter?

[schadenfreude]

Nobody can reliably do that--ever. 9 ball is too unpredictable. Once--just once--there was a proposition prize at a pro tournament: run 11 straight (it was a race to 11) and win a million. Mind you, these were the greatest shooters in the world. Even so, the odds were so astronomical that the supporters put it out there. Strickland did it. Once.

Not to whiz on anyone's parade, but if anyone wants to bet me that they can break and run 10 straight, given one chance, I'll put up everything I have.

That is true. No one can do that every time. Screw Earl though, we're not even talking about a quality player there. The best in the world, be it Efren Reyes or Bustamante can't do 10 consistantly. I have seen several people break and run 10 racks including myself and I did it for the money. I have run 150 and out in straight pool and that is a benchmark. I guess it's a poor example when comparing it to shooting but I think it made my point in terms of a benchmark.

 

[Shmackey]

Screw Earl though, we're not even talking about a quality player there.

Come on now... Earl's a nasty SOB but he's got skills. Seriously--a nasty SOB.

100 in straight pool is a great benchmark because it's not about luck. There's no reason to think that anyone can break 10 times and have (1) a shot at the one ball, and (2) a runout table each time. I was probably too harsh, because I didn't point out that the issue was luck. Now, 100 in straight pool separates the men from the boys.

(This is on topic because we're talking about "shooting.")

 

[Ankeny]

Navy Joe:

Thanks for clearing that up. I see exactly where you are coming from. To me what a person can accomplish in practice isn't as important as what we do on par, on demand, cold, in a match. There is always a gap between what happens on a good day at the range and what happens on an average day in a match. Closing the gap is what is important. Your goal of shooting a 5.5 El Pres clean is a great benchmark. What I was saying is that a person who could shoot clean that fast on demand in a match is well beyond "good".

BTW, I think you will achieve your goal. We both know a 5.5 clean run is possible, but most USPSA shooters sacrifice a few points for the element of speed. It's just easier to shoot 90 per cent of the points in 5 seconds than it is to shoot all of the points in 5.5 so that's how we play the game.

 

[CZ52GUY]

I'll feel like I'm good...

...when I can shoot like Mr. Camp.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/

Geez this gentleman is impressive...but human (even he has a flyer every so often which makes me feel just a little better) ...MANY, MANY, MANY rounds of practice before I get there...

Best wishes,

CZ52'

 

[Navy joe]

...when I can shoot like Mr. Camp.

Pssht. I was shooting like him the other day. It was easy.



















Then the alarm clock went off.

 

[Ankeny]

It's all relative. Can Mr. Camp shoot 6 rounds into the A-zone of an IPSC target at 10 yards, drawing from surrender, in a total time of 1.55 seconds? I did just the other day. It was easy.

 

[CZ52GUY]

RE: Navy Joe - ...I get that same feeling after every string...then the target comes into clearer focus...

RE: Ankeny - I'd say it's objective...regardless of piece...whether from rest or freestyle, whether SA/DA slow-speed, semi-rapid, controlled pairs, double taps, regardless of distance...this man consistently posts good targets...and he appears to be an accomplished hunter as well.

I have great respect for practical pistol competition shooters, but I'd suggest there are other objective measures of proficiency should one not be inclined to participate in those events.

To reply to the original poster, the common theme is that you really have to set your own benchmark. If participating in organized competition, you can use their benchmarks. You get to decide how broad or narrow your benchmarks of proficiency are...and the other common theme, you probably will never be as good as you might think you are...there's always gonna' be somebody out there shooting faster and straiter...

Best wishes,

CZ52'

 

[Ankeny]

I agree completely...well said.

 

[rock jock]

For pure target shooting, I think a good shooter should be able to put ten rounds of .22 lr into a 6" circle offhand at 50 yards with a handgun using iron sights. A very good shooter should be able to do the same in a 4-5" circle, a great shooter in a 3" circle, a world-class shooter in a 2" circle. That is my own personal definition based on what I have seen in silhouette matches.

 

[Crazy]

Kinda' like this? From a recent match. 50 yards, 10 rounds one hand off hand.
Crazy

oops, must be attachment challenged....

 

[Crazy]

okay, maybe this time?

 

[rock jock]

That's pretty good shooting crazy.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Great target, Crazy.

BTW, how old are you?

 

[Crazy]

48, Started bullseye 4 years ago, took one off for school ( decided I wanted to take pre calc and calculus?! only got a b)
Crazy