For context
I have heard my fair share of tall tales of how someone went up for their military service and they got noticed as a good shooter and got sent or at least invited to join the marksman course.
My question
But what I would like to know is if someone, let’s say in their late twenties to mid thirties was to be forced by some event of their life to pick up shooting as a means of survival, like hunting, would it be possible for that person to become a better than average shooter, admiting they had the time and resources to practice.
I am aware some individuals may have knack for some activity or skill or something alike it but shooting, in my understanding, is more about early introduction and constant practice than just inate skill.
Removed by mod
The “average” where I live is minimal exposure to guns at all so a single afternoon with some coaching would put a person well above average.
Type of shooting will also make a difference. Hand gun for self-defense purposes, shooting at a target 15 feet away is different than shooting clay pigeons with a shotgun which is different than distance shots with a rifle which is different than biathlon which is different than hunting of any type. Hunting will require skills and knowledge above simply shooting well.
Is someone going to pick up shooting in their thirties and get onto an Olympic shooting team of any type? Highly unlikely but I wouldn’t be shocked over an outlier or two.
Those going into military service are going to be overwhelmingly 18-22 years old. Having an attention span longer than 7 seconds and some physical fitness puts a person over average.
Where do you think the people with current above average shooting skills started? You think they were just born that way? :D
Anyone can start from no experience.
However, there is a learning curve. You realy shouldn’t expect to become some crack shot virtuoso the first time.
Some people have a knack for it, some people don’t. There’s an entire universe in between. For example, I loooove a good rifle, but handguns can suck a fuck. It’s also a perishable skill. If you don’t practice, it’s hard to keep up.
Go rent a gun at a range and give it a try 3 or 4 times and see how you like it.
Shooting is like any sport, it takes lots and lots of practice. Similarly, early introduction helps too
Yeah people are capable of learning
I took a bunch of teenagers shooting last month, and most of them had never picked up a gun before. There were three boys that outshone the others as being much better shots straight away. And funny enough, they were not the boys I would have predicted. So, yes, people can have a knack for it.
That being said, better than average depends on what population of people you’re talking about. If you’re including all non-experienced shooters, then absolutely, with a little careful practice, most people can become decent shots in a pretty short amount of time.
The answer is an unequivocal yes. Idk what the logic is that would lead you to differentiate shooting a gun from any of the other millions of dexterity challenges, but some people are better at it without any previous exposure just instincts, it’s not chess. Bullets go straight.
I think it’s more of a bell curve. Your ability is somewhere on the up curve. If you practice, it will get higher. I practiced when I was younger. I am a poor shot. I tried later, I’m worse. I am neither eye dominant, so sometimes I hit, sometimes I don’t.
Try it. Maybe your good, maybe not. Practice can help you improve, but only if you change.
Dry fire with air soft weapons. That’ll probably do.
I do this to dial in my form for my .308 using my .25 cal air rifle. Helps you develop good habits/break and ones.
