For the first time in a long time I went to the range to do a bit of shooting at targets. I have been feeling pretty good of late and been working to regain lost strength but I had no idea how out of practice I was.

We set out targets at 13 yards and began shooting. I tried the 22 rimfire first. A Ruger model 1 semiauto and shot a miserable group about the size of a tennis ball. This gun and I used to shoot dime size groups at 25 yards. I also noticed that I could not clearly see the target and my front sight at the same time and I had trouble keeping the front blade from resting against the right side of the rear sight. I worked a bit on it and then fired my 357 with some wadcutter loads. I had the same problem with both the sight and the target so I switched to a smaller bullseye. I went from the six inch bull to a two inch bull and the groups shrunk to about 1.25". OK, That is better but not real good yet - I still have a lot of work ahead of me but it shows some promise. Then I took out some +P 38 special loads and fired at another 2" bull with a tad better group size - I have to work on the sight picture to get it right. If not for the two rounds to the right of center I would have had a 1/2" left right spread in that group - as it was it was about 1.25".
Then I took out the "BIG GUN" - a Thomson Contender in 357MAXIMUM. It has a scope (2.5X) and it lets me see my target and where I am aiming - but I need to build up my shooting arm - A LOT! I was all over the bull - unable to hold it steady and still shot a group that was right at one inch. I have to admit that this gun is capable of shooting those groups at 50 yards and I used to be able to do it too.
All together it was a great day. I didn't injure my back while shooting and I can see progress from the last time I attempted to shoot. I am excited and off to start building my strengths and get my sight picture back. I also need to get some loads together for the long guns and start on them too.
Have a great day all!

PaulS, glad you were able to shake the cobwebs out and get some recoil therapy.

Well done Paul...as Slim said, good to shake the cobwebs out mate.

Your problem with seeing the sights and the target sounds horribly like the way my eyes went when I found I needed reading glasses. Put some thought into a Merit Adjustable Peep Sight that you attach to your glasses.

Peep Sighting Systems

Paul..... Good to hear you had a positive day at the range !!!

It still feels good today so I am going to have to get my garage and shop built so I can have a space to reload again.
I used to have a pair of sunglasses that I had blacked out the left side to reduce the strain of keeping one eye closed during long competitions. I bet I could make something that would work like that peep sight for your glasses for a lot less than 70 dollars. Thanks for the idea Vince!

Good job Paul. Welcome back!

I shopped around and got my Merrit device for 40$. It's handy for iron sights cuz I'm blind as a bat. Replaced the cardboard pinhole device I was using with paper-clips et al. There's lots of options for that. Some fixed one's too for gallery shooters. Check out Champion's shooter supply for some ideas.

PaulS wrote:

...Thanks for the idea Vince!

My pleasure entirely Paul. Just wish I had known about these when things went south with my eyes. Too late now I reckon.