Using a Data Book in Highpower Rifle Competition

By Kunz - 15 June 04 -- From the “Alabama Service Rifle” web site

Some highpower rifle competitors keep a data book, but many do not. There are
significant advantages to using a data book as an aid to improving performance,
but like everything else, there is an optimum approach to utilizing the tool.
Many suppliers and competitors refer to the data book as a score book which
implies just a book for recording scores, but it really is much more and is more
correctly called a data book. One year I enrolled juniors in the Marine Corps
Highpower Rifle Clinic at the National Matches at Camp Perry. The clinic
consisted of classroom instruction as well as live fire instruction. It was
excellent training and one subject covered was the use of the data book. The
instructor, Sgt Roxsborough, stressed that it was a “data book”, not a score book.
I will describe the use of and the advantages of the data book as it applies to
highpower rifle competition. There are probably ways to adapt this information
to other shooting disciplines.

Be sure to record and plot every round fired and enter all the data indicated in
the data book; temperature, light conditions, light direction, wind direction, wind
speed, etc. If you record all the data, you will have the opportunity to analyze the
data after the match or practice firing and convert the data into useful
information. For example, does you data indicate a change in you elevation zero
for different light conditions or light direction? We have all heard “light up,
sights up: light down, sights down.” But, light does not affect all shooters the
same. Let the data provide the information as to how light changes affect you, if
at all. You can learn a lot by the analysis of your group size, location, shape,
outliers, etc. You can detect breathing errors, improper focus, poor trigger
control, sight misalignment, dragging wood, anticipating recoil and more. Even
if you are not experienced enough to analyze the data, if you record it, you can
get help from a coach or experienced shooter who can.  Record the information
from analysis of the data from the data book in the shooting diary. Then you can
plan a course of action to deal with any problems you detect. The data book and
the shooting diary work together. I have described the shooting diary and how to
use it in another write-up.  The data book and the shooting diary are companion
tools; they work together and support each other.

A significant benefit to keeping a data book is the establishment of no wind

zeros for each stage of fire. Having a good estimate of your no wind zero is
critical to keeping your groups centered on the target. Plotting your shots and
recording sight settings in the data book allows you to obtain an estimate of your
no wind zero.  The more data you have, the better that estimate will be.
Estimating your no wind zero is a three step process; first, record the zero you
will use to shoot your slow fire stage or rapid fire string, second, after you have
fired your stage or string, look at the actual location of the center of the group
and write down the sight setting that would have centered your group, and third,
subtract your estimate of the value of the wind while you were shooting from the
zero that would have centered your group. This gives you an estimate of your no
wind zero for that stage. Put these three zeroes in a specific location, each time,
on each page of your data book. This procedure will provide you with an
estimate of your no wind zero each time you shoot a slow fire stage or rapid fire
string. Then it is easy to look back and see what you have judged your no wind
zero for that stage to be for some historical period of time. Do not expect your
estimates of you no wind zero to be exactly the same each time, but you will be
developing historical data and will be able to average this data and after a few
data points, you will be very close.  This is a tremendous advantage, and in fact
is a must for matches that do not allow sighters. For matches without sighters
(i.e. leg matches) you must do two things right to get a well centered group;
have a good no wind zero, and accurately estimate the value of the wind.

Plotting your shots during slow fire will alert you if your shots are forming a
group that is not centered. This will allow you to recognize that your shots are
building up in an area that is not centered and will give you an opportunity to
make a sight correction during the stage and save points. Many shooters will not
take the time to plot their shots during slow fire; they think that if they use the
time to plot their shots, they will be rushed to fire all their record shots within
the allotted time. This will not be a concern if you learn to use the “shot behind”
method for plotting shots in your data book. The “shot behind” procedure is as
follows: when your target comes up with your shot value and location spotted,
do not enter it in your data book at that time. Put that shot value and location “in
your head”, and then shoot your next shot. While your target is in the pits, plot
the previous shot that is “in your head”. Also, enter any sigh changes you made
for the previous shot. Then get ready for your next shot. Look thru the scope,
check the wind for any changes and watch for your target to come up. When the
target comes up, put the new shot “in your head” replacing the previous one,
make any necessary sight changes, then proceed to shoot the next shot. This way
you are making entries in the data book while your target is in the pits and you
are prepared to shoot your next shot as soon as your target comes up. An aid to
putting the shot “in your head” is to actually “call out” the shot value and
location to yourself. This is one of those things that sound more difficult than it
is; try it a couple of times and you will be surprised at how easy it is to learn.

For rapid fire, write the sight setting down in the data book that you used for
both sighters before you shoot the string.  Many people do not shoot their
sighters in the same location as their rapid fire string, so recording the history of
the sight settings for your sighters will allow you to understand how to make
adjustments for rapid fire from your sighters. For many competitors, this means
using sighters for wind adjustment but not elevation. Again, as in slow fire, you
should record three zeros for each rapid fire string; the zero you actually shot the
string with, the zero that would have centered your group and your estimate of
your no wind zero based on that string. While firing the string, make a mental
note of any shots that are called outside of the group and immediately after firing
the string, plot these erratic calls while the targets are in the pits. When the target
comes up with scores and groups plotted, plot all visible hits and enter the score.
Analyze the results, considering any erratic calls, and make any necessary
changes for the second string.

Fill out the data book as much as possible before going to the range. Look over
the historical data and determine your best estimate of your no wind zero for
each stage of fire and write it on the page you will be using in the match. This
will allow you to determine the no wind sight setting you will use when you are
not rushed, and there are no distractions, rather than making a hasty decision at
the match. With this critical step accomplished ahead of time, the only decision
you have to make at the match, relative to your sight setting, is to decide what
the wind is worth. Then add your estimate of the value of the wind to the no
wind zero you have recorded in the book and put it on the gun. Also, enter any
other specific information you will want to refer to such as sling position, hand
position, the sight picture you plan to use, etc. Enter the date, location of match,
ammo, and any other information that you know prior to the match. Time is at a
premium during competition, so any thing you can do before you go to the range
will help with time management.  You will also be making critical decisions
when you are not rushed and distracted. Many people wait until their preparation
time and rush these critical decisions. Do all of this before the preparation time
begins so you can use the preparation time for getting your natural point of aim
and dry firing; proper use of the data book can help you make the best use of
your preparation time.
The data book does not have a lot of room for notes. That is ok since you do not
have a lot of time to write notes in the data book during the match, anyway. You
can, and should, write down a word or phrase that will remind you of something
you need to remember for future reference. This will help you expand and add
details and make an entry into your shooting diary when time permits.
Remember, the data book and shooting diary are companion tools that work
together.

The data book is a good place to keep your “gun log.”  A gun log is a record of
the number of rounds fired, maintenance records, configuration changes, etc.
Keep a separate data book with a gun log for each rifle you shoot in competition.
Start a new book each time you have a rifle re-barreled. This will let you keep up
with how many rounds you have fired thru the barrel and let you know when to
have a new barrel installed before your groups tell you. Your data book gun log
will allow you to keep up with how many rounds since you last cleaned you gas
system or disassembled and cleaned the gun. I keep this data on the inside of the
data book cover page. Some data books have pre-printed pages for the gun log.

The Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) training manual states that “instruction in
the use of the [data book] must be given prior to firing any rounds in zeroing,
practice or competition” and that “…the use of the [data book] is a vital part of
the training of the competitive shooter.” The manual further states, “The most
competent rifleman would not be able to consistently hit the center of the target
if he were unable to analyze his performance, or if he had no record of his
performance or of the conditions that affect his firing.” The AMU and the
Marine Rifle Team members are some of the most competent marksmen in the
world, so I think we can all appreciate their opinion that the proper use of the
data book is essential to achieving completive proficiency in highpower rifle
competition. A data book will help expedite the new shooter to move from the
marksman class to the sharpshooter class and on to the expert class. Many
master and high master class shooters do not use a data book, with their shooting
experience they think they have most of the data in their head, but I believe even
the higher class shooters would benefit from the discipline of using the data
book in conjunction with a shooting diary.
 The Shooting Dairy
(Kunz June 14, 2004)

Competitors participating in the competitive shooting sports are continually

trying to improve their performance in competition. For the most part, this
consists of practice sessions and participation in competition. Many competitors
supplement their live fire training with non-firing practice sessions, reading
articles, manuals and books on their shooting sport as well as discussing the
sport with other competitors. This can be a lifetime pursuit of continuous
improvement that results in periods of improvements but there are also plateaus
or regression in performance at other times. The shooting diary is a tool that will
enhance the periods of improvement as well as provide help in overcoming the
plateaus and minimizing regression. The shooting diary is an excellent tool that
will help the competitive shooter achieve continuous improvement and achieve
his shooting goals. Just as a scientist must keep written records of his laboratory
experiments, the completive shooter will benefit from keeping written records of
his efforts. I will provide some general description of the use of this tool that
anyone in the competitive shooting sports can utilize to improve performance.
The diary concept can also be adapted to other activities such as hunting,
fishing, golf, etc.

A shooting diary does not have to be anything fancy. Any small note book that
can be kept handy that is quick and easy to use will work fine. I use a surveys
field manual. It is rugged, compact and does not take up a lot of room with my
shooting gear.

Competitive shooters learn every time they go to the range. The challenge is to
take advantage of what is learned and any new ideas for improvement from each
shooting experience and include them in future shooting activities. The most
effective method is to write things down so that they can be referred to and acted
on later.  If experience and ideas are not written down, many times they are
forgotten or lost from our memory. This may result in our repeating the same
mistakes in the future or a lost opportunity to improve. As with many things in
life, if it is not documented, it did not happen.

In most competitive shooting events, management of time and concentration on

performance does not leave a lot of time to write down experience and thoughts,
but this is when our experience and ideas are fresh and sharp in out mind. As
soon as possible, after the shooting experience, write down things that went well
and also those things that did not go well. Try to understand both, where
performance is improving as well as where it is not improving, and why. Write
down what things you should do and what you should do different the next time
you practice or compete. Document the position, technique or equipment
changes that need to be made for the next shooting event while it is fresh on
your mind. Be complete and specific. The sooner you do this after the shooting
event the better. Any time you think of something you want to remember and act
on, you should write it down and the sooner the better.

Many competitors keep what is referred to as a “score book” or “data book”

where they record scores, plot shots or groups and enter other important data
(sight settings, ammo or reload, weather conditions, etc.).The data book too is a
very beneficial aid to improving performance. The data book and the shooting
diary work together. The data book and the shooting diary are companion tools;
they work together and support each other. I have described the use of the data
book in another write up. The data book has limited space for notes and
information. If you use a data book, enter as much data as you have time and
space for. Just a key word or phrase is sometimes enough to serve as a reminder
that can be expanded into a more complete record in the diary as soon as time
will permit.

The act of writing in the diary, similar to discussions with others, increases the
shooters awareness and concentration on performance and recording it makes it
permanent for future reference. Be sure to include the date and other pertinent
information. Notes taken on the range during the match may be brief by
necessity, but can be expanded on later. But, do it as soon as possible to avoid
forgetting the important details. The shooting diary is also a convenient place to
write down other information you would like to save (names of new competitors
you meet, directions to the range, special range features that influence
conditions, motels, restaurants, etc.).

The shooting diary should establish a baseline with detailed descriptions of

positions, equipment and techniques from which controlled experiments can be
conducted; a change is tried and compared against the baseline and evaluated. If
the change is judged to be an improvement in performance, it is adopted into the
baseline (that is, the baseline is revised to include the change) and a new
baseline with improved performance results. If the change is judged not to
improve performance, it is discarded and the baseline is not changed. Just as
important, the change is documented as having been tried and rejected and time
is not wasted trying the same thing in the future (because we may forget that we
have already tried it). Make and evaluate one change at a time, this is a key
element of the proven procedure of scientific investigation call the scientific
method.

Occasionally, review the information you have recorded in the diary over a
period of time to see if there are any repeats or patterns (lessons learned) that
you can take advantage of. One year at Camp Perry it seemed like my groups
were low compared to my historical zeros. I entered this observation in my diary
and the next year I was able to compensate based on this information and it
helped me pick up a few points that otherwise I would have lost.

So, if you are not using a shooting diary to help with your continuous
improvement in your shooting discipline, start today. Both new shooters as well
as experienced competitors will benefit from keeping a shooting diary. If you are
not a competitive shooter, but enjoy one of the many other shooting activities;
consider adapting and tailoring the shooting diary concept to your activity to
improve performance. If you always do what you have always done, you will
always get what you always got.