Shooting test assessment
- Thread starter martyn52
- Start date
Tamus
Well-Known Member
But, in fairness, I'd imagine the majority of DSC1 candidates will be using factory ammo.... and.... are not used to shooting in company (particularly in such competitive company). So, perhaps it's not so much a reflection on a lack of skill as a lack of fine tuning.
50mm should still be achievable on a VERY consistent basis with factory ammo/a rifle you are not used to/under pressure. Having said that, I would have dropped one on mine (out of 50mm) (on the sillouette) - lack of focus on the second sitting shot.
DSC1 is a basic course / qualification & the training centres on humane kills - This means heart / lung shots not on shooting "balls off a fly" style head shots.
A 100mm group is fine for the qualification and the test should stay as it is.
Of course with practice and a good ammunition / rifle combination, smaller groups are possible by most people, and everyone should strive to improve. - It's a bit like the driving test - you only really learn how to drive after passing your test!
Personally I'd prefer to see a pre-qualification shooting day as part of the training. It's a pain if the course test day has lots of candidates & half of them are totally inexperienced. Then time pressure is added to the already pressured atmosphere of the course / test environment.
Ian
A 100mm group is fine for the qualification and the test should stay as it is.
Of course with practice and a good ammunition / rifle combination, smaller groups are possible by most people, and everyone should strive to improve. - It's a bit like the driving test - you only really learn how to drive after passing your test!
Personally I'd prefer to see a pre-qualification shooting day as part of the training. It's a pain if the course test day has lots of candidates & half of them are totally inexperienced. Then time pressure is added to the already pressured atmosphere of the course / test environment.
Ian
timbrayford
Well-Known Member
Last edited:
Hyperion
Well-Known Member
I'm actually NOT looking forward to that bit of the DSC. Stage fright is a terrible thing! And you KNOW everyone will be watching and commenting on your skill or lack thereof
Depends on how good you assessor is! I found mine a doddle and was totally at ease despite being in quite a large group of people!
End of the day you have to remember they want you to pass and so does every one else there on the day!
DazT
Well-Known Member
"Aint that the truth!"Who needs 50mm? Get yourself a Blaser, 25mm will do!
Moray Outfitting
Well-Known Member
We find the shooting test element tends to cause the most stress & worry.
Human beings that we are ( mostly ) the level of pressure felt and how it affects the person is a very individual thing. As a mechanical test the 100mm zero target is not that difficult as a function of the rifle/scope/ammo. It is the human element that counts and that is the one that suffers!
As has been pointed out already, the DSC1 shooting test was developed to test stalking accuracy on a practical basis, not a benchrest competition. The person who can hit within 2 inches of their aiming point time after time - under field conditions will ultimately bring home more venison than the guy producing .075" groups from the bench with a crew served shooting machine. No criticism implied or intended in either direction - its about the ultimate purpose.
The stress element is greatly over-looked in many comments about the shooting test. Approaches amongst Assessors/ Trainer vary - but the best have this factor in mind always and do all that they practically can to mitigate it. The format is often dictated by the facilities, but some do it one on one, some in groups. If it's an issue for you, put it on your list of questions to ask when speaking with your test centre. Performing in a large group is not part of the assessment criteria!
Everyone who has been with us in the last few years will have heard my story ( a. its the truth and b. I really do have a very limited range of script material
) - we had a soon to retire police firearms officer. Not your common-or-garden variety, but one who had done SB Anti Terrorist work, Royal Protection etc. His last round successfully down range - and passing the test - he showed clear and I shook his hand. He actually turned grey and just managed to utter ' @uck me, those were the hardest 9 rounds of my entire life... and on the friendliest range!' Once squared away, he asked to be left alone for a bit and went to have a lie down in the heather for 20 minutes.
I have had countless people that I know can turn in sub inch groups, but on THE DAY struggled to keep them in that 4" ring. Some people thrive on the stress, most don't. It's life, not anything to over worry.
If any element of the DSC1 process is concerning you, don't ever hesitate to pick up the phone or e mail etc your training provider - you are not weird nor by a long, long way the only one.
Of course if you really want to pile on the stress you could try using a Blaser
Human beings that we are ( mostly ) the level of pressure felt and how it affects the person is a very individual thing. As a mechanical test the 100mm zero target is not that difficult as a function of the rifle/scope/ammo. It is the human element that counts and that is the one that suffers!
As has been pointed out already, the DSC1 shooting test was developed to test stalking accuracy on a practical basis, not a benchrest competition. The person who can hit within 2 inches of their aiming point time after time - under field conditions will ultimately bring home more venison than the guy producing .075" groups from the bench with a crew served shooting machine. No criticism implied or intended in either direction - its about the ultimate purpose.
The stress element is greatly over-looked in many comments about the shooting test. Approaches amongst Assessors/ Trainer vary - but the best have this factor in mind always and do all that they practically can to mitigate it. The format is often dictated by the facilities, but some do it one on one, some in groups. If it's an issue for you, put it on your list of questions to ask when speaking with your test centre. Performing in a large group is not part of the assessment criteria!
Everyone who has been with us in the last few years will have heard my story ( a. its the truth and b. I really do have a very limited range of script material
) - we had a soon to retire police firearms officer. Not your common-or-garden variety, but one who had done SB Anti Terrorist work, Royal Protection etc. His last round successfully down range - and passing the test - he showed clear and I shook his hand. He actually turned grey and just managed to utter ' @uck me, those were the hardest 9 rounds of my entire life... and on the friendliest range!' Once squared away, he asked to be left alone for a bit and went to have a lie down in the heather for 20 minutes.I have had countless people that I know can turn in sub inch groups, but on THE DAY struggled to keep them in that 4" ring. Some people thrive on the stress, most don't. It's life, not anything to over worry.
If any element of the DSC1 process is concerning you, don't ever hesitate to pick up the phone or e mail etc your training provider - you are not weird nor by a long, long way the only one.
Of course if you really want to pile on the stress you could try using a Blaser
snowy
Well-Known Member
Probably heard about you an was trying to help you out
.On a serious note did mine the other week with DF off the forum, I've constantly seen him cloverleaf shots at 100 yds with different calibres as well,but on the day we both managed only a decent grouping and a pass (pressure or nerves etc). My excuse was using his rifle etc
as mine in dock at the moment being threaded for a mod.
Tamus
Well-Known Member
Who needs 50mm? Get yourself a Blaser, 25mm will do!
+1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why Blaser?
I just did this with a Sako... and still fluffed two out of ten.
View attachment 16840
Moray Outfitting
Well-Known Member
Tamus
Those stray shots were ok - I saw your horse move just as you fired
Those stray shots were ok - I saw your horse move just as you fired
Tamus
Well-Known Member
Tamus
Those stray shots were ok - I saw your horse move just as you fired
I thought there must be a good explanation
Still, fluffed or not... they covered with a 10p bit.
View attachment 16842
Where's the Blaser groups then?
Incidentally, it's over a decade since I did my DSC1 and I had trouble with the shooting test too. So, I know it's not easy to relax. I did manage the required group, but not by all that much.
DazT
Well-Known Member
Do you really want to see a single .30 calibre hole???
Tamus
Well-Known Member
NO that just takes one shot
But 10 rounds inside an inch (and on the mark) at 100m, under stalking conditions, off a stick, standing... Go for it!
2130martin
Well-Known Member
Who needs 50mm? Get yourself a Blaser, 25mm will do!
7.62mm if your using a Sako in .308...............
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