Correct breathing for target shooting

[Wannawas]

First of all, thanks much for your help with sight alignment. You guys rock!

Now I'd like to focus on breathing. My question is only about target shooting at paper or steel plates from a standing and immobile position with a handgun.

I've searched around for this subject on forums and youtube and find two main conflicting ideas.

- Some think you need to take the shot just after finishing your exhale. So after exhaling normally, you hold your breath for a couple of seconds to take your shot, and then inhale. The next time you take a shot is after finishing the next exhale.

- Some say that you need to hold your breath half-way through your exhale. So your lungs still have a good amount of air in them. You take your shot and then continue your exhale.

But when I watch videos by good shooters (for example Hickock45), it seems to me they don't really bother abiding by any guideline.

Since I'm still a beginner, I could develop a bad habit. Which is correct? What do you do?

[Laythor]

I think there are conflicting ideas since what works well for one might not work for another.

[jcaoloveshine]

What feels natural for you?

As far as breathing goes, I've never put much thought into it...as long as I'm not huffing and puffing and throwing my sight picture all over the place, I don't worry about forcing myself into a pattern.

[USM0083]

Whatever works for you, as long as you do it consistently and it doesn't effect your sight picture too much.

[003]

[canopis]

Bonus points for anyone under 50 that can tell me where Camp Mathews is and what institution currently sits on the old Camp Mathews site.

UCSD?

[211275]

In thru nose, out thru mouth, wax on....no wait, thats not right.

[003]

Yes UCSD - - Too easy. So how did you know?

[9mmepiphany]

While people do it differently, there really is an optimal technique when shooting one-handed bullseye style...it is the same as when shooting precision rifle.

It is the same technique described by 003 in post #5. You should press the trigger when you have released the tension of the inhaled breath while still retaining about 1/3 - 1/2 the amount of air. That way you aren't starving your body for air during the trigger press and you don't become anxious to make the shot before you run out of air.

The only time I use the technique when shooting a handgun two-handed is when checking the zero of a gun...when I want the shots to fall on top of each other. When shooting for quick accuracy, I pretty much ignore my breathing...you really don't have time for it when transitioning between steel plates

[Red Devil]

Pistol is different than Rifle.

For Pistol, use the "Baby-breathing" technique of breathing. This is commonly taught in Martial Arts courses like Kung Fu and Ju Jutsu.

When Baby-breathing, you expand your abdomen when you inhale, and contract it when you exhale like a balloon (Infants and small children breath this way normally).

This isolates the chest and upper body, so that it does not expand or heave during inhales/exhales. The upper body is relaxed and stable, as if you were holding your breath, so there is no need to. In through the nose - out through the mouth under pressure is also good technique.

A relaxed, stable platform is all that is required.


Shooting a Rifle from field positions, however, requires the "1-1/2 breaths" technique as your abdomen is not free to move in most positions.

[redcliff]

I breathe very slowly and softly out of my mouth while concentrating on front sight visual focus, sight alignment and trigger press if I'm shooting for maximum accuracy. It seems to help me focus my mental concentration and not jerk/flinch my shots.

[LBDamned]

it's ironic that this thread came up (I was just drafting similar)... sorry OP, not trying to thread jack...

additional question to "experts" - when presenting you pistol (from holster or cc), do you find yourself holding you breath?...

right or wrong, I instinctively hold my breath when presenting my pistol(s) - I'm not doing it purposefully - but I notice that it happens every time without thinking about it...

I'm not sure if it's subconsciously steadying my strong arm while acquiring target, to keep from wavering - but once first shot is fired I do consciously control my breathing during follow-up shots...

My question is... is this a bad habit that I should focus on breaking? I would literally have to concentrate not to hold my breath upon initially sight acquisition - as it always happens automatically... I haven't found it to be a hindrance, and it's definitely not in anticipation of recoil or anything like that...

if any experts want to chime in, I'd like to know your thoughts.

Again, sorry OP, I'm not trying to stomp on your thread - but instead of starting a new one, this might help your questions too (and others with similar technique)...

[LBDamned]

as others have stated, handgun and rifle breathing are totally different... with a rifle, for precision shooting, I always do the standard inhale, exhale, hold, squeeze... haven't been able to find the shot between heartbeats yet

But pistol, is way different (for me anyway)...

[Horton Fenty]

Rifle is the only thing I've ever put effort in to breathing technique. I fire at the end of breathing out. In that small window between breathing out and breathing in that you do naturally. I try never to hold my breath.

[LBDamned]

Rifle is the only thing I've ever put effort in to breathing technique. I fire at the end of breathing out. In that small window between breathing out and breathing in that you do naturally. I try never to hold my breath.

at the risk of continuing OT (since this is a handgun topic)...

Don't you find that you rush shots that way?... I've done similar - pattern breathing and squeeze on exhale... but without controlling the exhale and holding it a bit, I find that it's too rushed (if I'm going for precision)...

I'm by no means an expert - far from it... just wondering your thoughts based on my experiences...