To blink, or not to blink

[BoltBandit]

Gotta question for the hide, especially the high level PRS guys, though this may apply to multiple other disciplines.

Something I’ve been working on is calling my shots, and in that journey of research (including a new build I’m doing), it’s easy to play blame on the relatively (emphasis on relative here guys) heavier recoil of the 6.5CM, and began researching lighter recoiling rounds such as the 6 Dasher/GT, or maybe even the 25x47 Lapua.

I spent about 5 hours at the range yesterday, with a heavy focus on calling my shots. What I realized is that I blink. I blink every damn time.

For context, I see the reticle right before the report, or trigger pull. I’m not anticipating the shot. I even had a buddy through in a dummy round to confirm.

I’ve tried doubling up on ear pro to no avail. I even struggle with this on the spotting scope. Blinking is helped my running suppressed, but my fundamentals aren’t on point enough to control the recoil enough to spot my misses. The only thing I haven’t tried is wrap around glasses to see if air turbulence from the muzzle break is causing me to blink.

So question 1: Does it even matter if I blink upon hearing the rifle report?

Question 2: If it does, how do I fix it?

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Some call blinking flinching, and reacting to the shot is not ideal.

You get used to it through repetition and having someone watch you helping you work on technique.

Have someone load your rifle for you so you don't know if it is a live round or dry fire. It may not be a reaction to the noise, but knowing the trigger broke and anticipation of the shot.

 

[Ronin22]

To keep myself from doing this, I burn that center dot/crosshair in my focus and follow through to see the hit on target. I blink just after the shot. Not before or during. You might have to go with the surprise method of breaking the trigger.

 

[GeoDude]

What do your groups look like and are you hitting the target? Do you blink with double ear pro and suppressor?

 

[Snuby642]

If it's actually the recoil that triggers you to blink (using good glasses double ear pro etc.)

I just shot my 6mm arc for the first time and thought, what the hell was there powder in the round?

Shure enough a hole in the target.
The recoil impulse was long and slow, strait back. Since I had only an old school birdcage on it as thread protection, no concusive blast.

This was on my standard precision lower so no changes there.

I had been shooting a 20 inch 223 with an aggressive brake that has a lot of blast even though it is not directed back by design.

I will be testing this more.

Anyway the concusive blast could well be a problem, or the actual recoil. I'm old and avoid long range sessions with some calibers.

When I started shooting 38 special defense rounds in an air weight snubnose 1 7/8 barrel all other pistols seemed whimpy all of a sudden.

Go borrow a 50 cal or 7mm mag for a week and get back to us .

 

[Sheldon N]

Some very good shooters still blink, so it's not absolutely necessary to get rid of the blink.

However, the very best shooters tend not to blink and are completely non-reactive to the rifle and recoil. Obviously, not blinking helps you to see downrange sooner and more clearly. Even if you don't blink, I think there's a nuance of how quickly you can refocus your vision after concussion/recoil.

To evaluate yourself use your phone in slow-mo mode, filming a close up of your hand/trigger finger/face and watch to see how you're responding to the shot.

As far as how to fix it, try shooting a series of shots where the goal is simply to not blink... like mentally pinning your eyes wide open with 100% effort. Get comfortable doing that, then slowly work towards doing it in a relaxed state. I find that when I'm shooting my best in competition my mental energy and focus is so intently downrange that I don't really perceive the recoil or blast.

 

[Snuby642]

^^^^^^^^^^ What @Sheldon N
said.

As far as how to fix it, try shooting a series of shots where the goal is simply to not blink... like mentally pinning your eyes wide open with 100% effort. Get comfortable doing that, then slowly work towards doing it in a relaxed state. I find that when I'm shooting my best in competition my mental energy and focus is so intently downrange that I don't really perceive the recoil or blast.

When my state of mind condenses down to trigger and sight picture only, then I'm on my game.

Doesn't matter the discipline, firearm type or conditions.

Shotgun, pistol, rifle , hunting or targets doesn't matter. Muscle memory takes care of the rest.

I tell my family and friends that I go to range for peace and quiet, some folks get that and some don't.

I shoot some at an indoor rifle range for initial lader tests.
No environmental effects or excuses.

At times the place shakes from concussion of multiple rifles, hot brass flying in your face and down your neck.

You don't feel recoil or any of it after a while. You just have to forget the concussion and see the shot home.

 

[BoltBandit]

Some call blinking flinching, and reacting to the shot is not ideal.

You get used to it through repetition and having someone watch you helping you work on technique.

Have someone load your rifle for you so you don't know if it is a live round or dry fire. It may not be a reaction to the noise, but knowing the trigger broke and anticipation of the shot.

Definitely not flinching. I did the random dummy round trick to make that determination, and practice dry firing to consciously keep my eyes open through the shot. Short of duck taping my eyes open, I've been largely unsuccessful, lol

What do your groups look like and are you hitting the target? Do you blink with double ear pro and suppressor?

If I'm benched, 1/2" to 3/4" all day.
.

 

[BoltBandit]

If it's actually the recoil that triggers you to blink (using good glasses double ear pro etc.)

I just shot my 6mm arc for the first time and thought, what the hell was there powder in the round?

Shure enough a hole in the target.
The recoil impulse was long and slow, strait back. Since I had only an old school birdcage on it as thread protection, no concusive blast.

This was on my standard precision lower so no changes there.

I had been shooting a 20 inch 223 with an aggressive brake that has a lot of blast even though it is not directed back by design.

I will be testing this more.

Anyway the concusive blast could well be a problem, or the actual recoil. I'm old and avoid long range sessions with some calibers.

When I started shooting 38 special defense rounds in an air weight snubnose 1 7/8 barrel all other pistols seemed whimpy all of a sudden.

Go borrow a 50 cal or 7mm mag for a week and get back to us .

That's kind of what I'm thinking.... maybe i'm just jumpy, lol. I might need to bring out the 7mm Mag to see if I can dead'n my reaction a bit. Not a bad idea. I good buddy of mine suggested more time on my 22. Master that and then work my way up. Both worth giving a shot.

 

[BoltBandit]

If it's actually the recoil that triggers you to blink (using good glasses double ear pro etc.)

I just shot my 6mm arc for the first time and thought, what the hell was there powder in the round?

Shure enough a hole in the target.
The recoil impulse was long and slow, strait back. Since I had only an old school birdcage on it as thread protection, no concusive blast.

This was on my standard precision lower so no changes there.

I had been shooting a 20 inch 223 with an aggressive brake that has a lot of blast even though it is not directed back by design.

I will be testing this more.

Anyway the concusive blast could well be a problem, or the actual recoil. I'm old and avoid long range sessions with some calibers.

When I started shooting 38 special defense rounds in an air weight snubnose 1 7/8 barrel all other pistols seemed whimpy all of a sudden.

Go borrow a 50 cal or 7mm mag for a week and get back to us .

That's kind of what I'm thinking.... maybe i'm just jumpy, lol. I might need to bring out the 7mm Mag to see if I can dead'n my reaction a bit. Not a bad idea. I good buddy of mine suggested more time on my 22. Master that and then work my way up. Both worth giving a shot.

Some very good shooters still blink, so it's not absolutely necessary to get rid of the blink.

However, the very best shooters tend not to blink and are completely non-reactive to the rifle and recoil. Obviously, not blinking helps you to see downrange sooner and more clearly. Even if you don't blink, I think there's a nuance of how quickly you can refocus your vision after concussion/recoil.

To evaluate yourself use your phone in slow-mo mode, filming a close up of your hand/trigger finger/face and watch to see how you're responding to the shot.

As far as how to fix it, try shooting a series of shots where the goal is simply to not blink... like mentally pinning your eyes wide open with 100% effort. Get comfortable doing that, then slowly work towards doing it in a relaxed state. I find that when I'm shooting my best in competition my mental energy and focus is so intently downrange that I don't really perceive the recoil or blast.

I'll give that a go as well, holding my eyes wide open. Maybe do that while doubling up on ear pro, plus glasses. I'll do a slow-mo shot as well the next time I'm at the range, get an absolutely clear picture of what's going on. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Snuby642]

You were not using double ear pro?

I use hi quality custom "poured" internal for a single shot hunting or with a shotgun hunting and light loads. Everything else that's not suppressed subs gets the internal and electronic muffs turned up to hear range commands etc.

I thought that was a well recognized standard these days.

I warn anyone not doubling up that tinnitus is relentless, 24 / 7 / 365 deffining day and night. A quick way to scare new shooters is not double bagging.

I have had hearing loss since the 1970's, military aircraft / shooting.
The little foamies were substandard.

It wears on you all your life.

 

[Dot3]

When your mental energy is dedicated to watching the impact, as opposed to being focused on “not blinking,” you’ll probably notice improvement. For instance, when I’m on glass at a match, the first few rounds down range I have a little flinch when the shooting starts. But I pretty quickly get desensitized to it and am focusing on seeing trace the whole way and I no longer flinch or blink. I can’t really say whether I blink when I’m actually shooting other than I very rarely miss seeing the results downrange. My point was where you aim your focus and becoming desensitized to the blast.