Range Report: shooting at dusk

[Sir Henry]

After watching the Packer game I stepped out of the motor home and heard some shooting in the distance. Made me want to plink so I got out the Small Game Carbine and shot offhand at the 11” trap at 40 yards. For being low light and cataracts I did remarkably well. Thinking back to the range in Washington and 92 year old Bill I remembered his words “you don’t have to see the target you have to know where it is”. Sure enough I could hear the hits even though I couldn’t see the trap.

[BrokenolMarine]

I taught LE firearms for over a decade. We taught flashlight techniques and the officers had to qualify in low light during night quals. You might be surprised, but over half shot BETTER during night qualifications, because they had to focus on the sights, even though they were just silhouetted in the flashlight. When you focus on the sights, you hit the target, simple as that.

We reinforced if you can't SEE the target, you can't shoot it. Not because you can't hit it, but because you shouldn't shoot it.

Good shooting on YOUR range however.

[North Country Gal]

Even a short plinking session is good for the soul. Good for you.

[Sir Henry]

I taught LE firearms for over a decade. We taught flashlight techniques and the officers had to qualify in low light during night quals. You might be surprised, but over half shot BETTER during night qualifications, because they had to focus on the sights, even though they were just silhouetted in the flashlight. When you focus on the sights, you hit the target, simple as that.

We reinforced if you can't SEE the target, you can't shoot it. Not because you can't hit it, but because you shouldn't shoot it.

Good shooting on YOUR range however.

I think it depends on the situation. Certainly shooting at a deer in the brush isn’t a good idea. In my case there is nothing that could be hit that I don’t want hit.

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[BrokenolMarine]

As I said, It was good shooting for YOUR range. My caution was meant for general shooting my friend.
You are correct, it's a situational thing. If you were in an indoor range, with a controlled situation, you could get into your modified weaver, bring the gun up and get your sight picture... adjust your stance so your body position put the sights naturally on target and then lower the firearm and close your eyes and ... bring the gun up and fire with the eyes closed and bing, should hit the target.

[Sir Henry]

As I said, It was good shooting for YOUR range. My caution was meant for general shooting my friend.
You are correct, it's a situational thing. If you were in an indoor range, with a controlled situation, you could get into your modified weaver, bring the gun up and get your sight picture... adjust your stance so your body position put the sights naturally on target and then lower the firearm and close your eyes and ... bring the gun up and fire with the eyes closed and bing, should hit the target.

I’ve tried a similar exercise where I bring the firearm up with my eyes closed and then instead of firing I open my eyes.

[BrokenolMarine]

As I said, It was good shooting for YOUR range. My caution was meant for general shooting my friend.
You are correct, it's a situational thing. If you were in an indoor range, with a controlled situation, you could get into your modified weaver, bring the gun up and get your sight picture... adjust your stance so your body position put the sights naturally on target and then lower the firearm and close your eyes and ... bring the gun up and fire with the eyes closed and bing, should hit the target.

I’ve tried a similar exercise where I bring the firearm up with my eyes closed and then instead of firing I open my eyes.

Another excellent exercise

[Hatchdog]

Holy cow, your berm sure has become covered with plant life. I like the bullet trap in the plants and the whole arrangement gives you a bit of an increased difficulty factor.

[Sir Henry]

Holy cow, your berm sure has become covered with plant life. I like the bullet trap in the plants and the whole arrangement gives you a bit of an increased difficulty factor.

It’s a jungle out there.