I am getting frustrated...

[hildo]

Two ways to shoot

I'm still learning, but I think good shooting is a state of mind.
Not a good shot myself, but I can see a difference when:
#1. I take aim and fire
#2. I just stand there, look at the target. Focus. Try to be totally relaxed. Pick up the gun, breath in deep, take aim, breath out, hold breath... and jently pull the trigger (I try not to anticipate the gun firing). Don't aim too long or you will start moving and results will suffer. If you aim too long, put gun back on table and wait a moment for you try again. There is no hurry.
The shot itself, the smoke the fire and moving of the gun has not so much to do with shooting at all. It is the eye and the target.
Sort of joga in the brain, or maybe I'm getting weird.

When I use the #2 shooting method the results are not good either, but better.
Don't forget using #1. Definately is a lot of fun too! Even when groups are not as tight.

Hildo

 

[spottedpony]

This will work with either a revolver or semi auto, but takes some assistance from a helper.
Have someone random load one live round intermixed with rounds of empty brass. (one at a time)
then aim and shoot at a target properly

take your time and remember the basics,
Stance
Sight picture, (focus on front sight)
breath, release and hold,
SQUEEZE the trigger it should be a surprise to you every time the gun fires.

wear hearing protection and eye protection with everything, .22's included.

DRY FIRE, DRY FIRE, DRY FIRE, with any handgun. use snap caps or empty brass to absorb firing pin impact. apply the basics here also.

as said previously, shoot some groups off sandbags, that will tell alot more about how any given gun is grouping. even then concentrate on the applicable basics.

shoot as often as you can, 10 rounds fired every day, will do much more good than 50 rnds once a week.

 

[Imaginos]

Black Powder Articles

I have a collection of articles on black powder revolvers that I have picked up around the web. The info is reliable and safe, and I am willing to share them. Just send me an email. (I promise I won't put you on a spam list.)

 

[Afy]

I unfortunately can only shoot once a week, sometimes maybe twice. Plus never more than a couple of dozen shots...

But yes am working on the dry fire to get the squeeze right and stop the damn flinching....

 

[Imaginos]

No Dry Fire!!

Dry firing any percussion firearm can damage the nipples.
The impact of the hammer will peen the end of the nipple causing it to flatten and spread out. This can make it hard or impossible to seat caps properly.
Do not dry fire any percussion gun you care about. At the minimum you will have to replace the nipple(s).

I have never seen any ind of "snap cap" for percussion arms. I have heard of people removing the nipples, but this transfers the force of the hammer blow to the pistol frame or the lock plate in the case of a side hammer model.

I suppose you could glue a small piece of heavy leather to the hammer face with rubber cement so it will remove and clean up easy, but I have never tried this to see how well it works.

 

[mukluk]

Slip short pieces of vacuum hose over the nipples to keep them from being damaged while dry firing

 

[Bryan James]

Dry firing any percussion firearm can damage the nipples.

Just curious, what if you remove the nipples, can you dry fire then?

 

[Old Dragoon]

You can also stick a piece of leatherbetween the hammer and frame to stop the hammer from hitting the nipples. just make it long enough to be able to pull it out again or you'll have to go fishing for it.