how can i prevent myself from jerking the trigger when im shotting my 30-30?

Question

im going on the youth hunt (it is my 2nd year hunting) and im using a 30-30, so how can i prevent myself from jerking the trigger when i shoot?

Answer 1

Practice. There is no substitute for it! Good bits of advice so far.

I have found that I am most relaxed with my breathing when I stop about halfway through the exhale. This allows me to stop breathing (and moving my chest) for the time it takes to finalize the shot and squeeze the trigger slowly. Don't take in a deep breath and hold it like you are swimming underwater.

Also, get a little device called a "snap cap" which is a dummy cartridge that you can dry fire your hammer on without damaging the firearm. With the snap cap, you can practice at home.

It's important that you use your arm muscles and hold the gun in firing position for a while, this conditions the muscles and makes your firing stance become very familiar to your muscles and body, so when you are in the field, you don't even think about it.

Dry firing is no substitute for range practice, but it will give you a very good feel for the trigger. Concentrate on your finger pull and do this over and over.

Answer 2

Jerking The Trigger

Answer 3

This is a pretty common problem with of my students as well. First off don't let it stress you out. Most everyone starts out shooting a hunting rifle has this problem. There are 2 main reasons. #1 You are "anticipating" the recoil when the gun is fired, and everyone has a tendency to, for lack of a better term "scrunch up" by tensing all their muscles tightly, and not pulling the trigger naturally or smoothly because of this. The second reason is related but another issue..The noise of the explosion as the rifle fires. Most learning to shoot have good quality hearing protection when they shoot. Others have ear protection that might not shut out the high decibel noise levels that occur when a gun is fired. Because of this once again "anticipation" of the shot becomes a factor
You can of course get used to both of these issues by practicing more often before your hunt. The easiest and quickest solution I have used is buying a set of Range Muffs in place of ear plugs. You need a pair with the built in ability to adjust to cut out increased decibel levels of noise, but will also let you speak and hear people talking to you. These have worked 100% of the time in my last 15 years teaching youth groups and individuals shooting skills on the range and in the field.You might discuss this with you folks and see if they agree. (These Muffs can be worn while hunting too!)
Either way you will eventually get used to the noise and recoil and later on and won't anticipate the shot anymore with experience, and then you won't fall victim to "trigger jerk" any more. Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Answer 4

These are the basic things you need to remember when shooting* #1 Breathe, #2 Relax, #3 Aim, #4 Squeeze, #5 Fire*.Pretend you are squeezing and orange*.. Apply steady even pressure against the trigger until it goes bang*. You also can practice your trigger squeeze by putting an empty cartridge in your chamber and squeeze the trigger*. Its called dry firing*. Another example is pretend you our squeezing a tomato with just enough pressure so as not to break through its skin*.Just remember SQUEEZE the trigger, do not pull the trigger*. Focus on the Five*(5*) Steps mentioned above and you will be an Expert Marksman*.

Answer 5

If you've developed a flinch, it's time to go back to plinking with the 22. Shoot enough to get a good trigger pull back into "muscle memory" before you go back to the 30-30, spend some time on the range with good hearing protection an a recoil pad, concentrating on a good trigger pull more than on the target, and you'll be back to proper shooting before the youth hunt.

Answer 6

Assuming that you take the time to slow your breath, and possibly even hold it when you pull the trigger, you need to ease the pressure on the trigger.

Every trigger has a different pull feel, some shoot when you just brush against the trigger, others take a ridiculous amount of pull. First You need to know where in the pull the gun shoots. Go to a range and practice this on a 50 yard range. When you are comfortable with the trigger, just practice easing the pressure to where you know the gun will shoot.

Answer 7

Hi I am in a very similar situation and you have all my empathy on this one. I am also young, 21 in fact, in full time education on a course which I will finish in July. My baby is due in early October. I have little money, too and I am waiting to see what help I can receive in the mean time. I am going to be treated as a single parent because my boyfriend who is 18 has another year of his course left to finish and is a residential student. He has no time to work at the moment. The hours at college are long and he needs time to rest and be with his family. He get's so tired. He also does an overnight camping and walking course which wears him out over the weekend. When he leaves he wants to work with disabled children. I am thinking of working when my child starts school but not before then unless I truly have to. I only want what is best for my family because I love them so much. You should get the grants soon. If you don't you will have to ring up soon and pester them. It's often like that when claiming benefits. We are lucky to live in a country that looks after people and gives them a kick-start.

Answer 8

Your reacting to whats going to happen befor it even happens.
The key to good shooting all dropes down to a few basic principles
1.The position and hold must be firm enough to support the the weapon
2. The weapon must point naturaly at the target without any undue physical effort.
3.Sight alignment and sight picture must be correct.
4.The shot must be released and followed through without undue disterbance to the position.

As you can appriciate every country/hunter teachers different way.
I was always torght to stroke the triger, starting from the top then as you slowley move down you apply gradual presure.
Ounce your at the bottom the gun shoud have fired, do not release for at least a second, it is important to remain in the same position that you were in befor you even made the shot.

Answer 9

Dry fire practice is the only solution.

If you or your Dad reload, get him to make you a dummy cartridge and put a piece of rubber or silicon in the primer pocket. (paint the bullet and cartridge head a loud garish color so it won't be mistaken for a live cartridge.) Then practice your breath and trigger control while holding your sights on a target.

Be very careful not to have any live ammo near at hand, and don't handle a loaded gun for a few hours after a dry-fire session. It might sound silly, but it is the best way to avoid a negligent discharge.

Good Hunting!

Doc

Answer 10

A lot of range time, what you plan to use (150gr SP for example) is what you should use to punch holes through your paper targets. Load only one round at a time (no extras in the magazine-tube), sit at the bench and just concentrate on were you place your finger on the trigger..be consistent, and very slowly, very slow squeeze the trigger. If you have a spotting scope use it and after 3 rounds check your target, use can use a piece masking tape to cover the holes and back to the bench. You may spend the better part of a day at the Gun Range but it is well worth it, you may even find yourself going back over and over, it's the only way to improve your trigger finger technique. Just pay attention to what you are doing, take your time and focus on what your doing, think of nothing else, clear your mind.