While we are on the aperture sight discussion:

When shooting bullseyes, most tend to use as small a front sight aperture as they can and still see a ring of white around the bull. This is a serious mistake. It will work for a couple of shots, but almost immediately the eye will fatigue and then the ability to center the bull in the front sight goes away. The rule of thumb for front sight aperture size in relation to the bull requires you to use a front sight aperture that appears to be twice the size of the bull for most optical efficiency. You can easily determine this. On the bench, have the left side of the bull "touch" the left side of the aperture. Fire five shots using this "off centered" method. If the aperture is the correct size (twice the size of the bull) the shot group will be centered right on the right edge of the bull. Of course, when you are competing, you will aim normally with the bull centered in the front aperture.

Now, that is the plan for shooting off the bench or prone, kneeling or sitting  (for position shooting).

However, for offhand, as the Olympic Coach suggested and my experiments showed to be VERY useful, you use a front aperture that is big enough that "you can keep the bull or silhouette inside the front aperture most of the time". Let the readers understand that this will be a BIG aperture. It really does work and I recommend it to all. Even tho' it is VERY large, your eye will naturally center it. While it is not quite as accurate as the "twice the size" rule, your total offhand score WILL be higher with the LARGE aperture offhand. When shooting silhouettes, this large size will be better at ALL positions. What is does with silhouettes is that your eye will "ignore" the appendages (feet, legs, and head) and center the mass. This will present a far more reliable image for you to center.

"That's my story and I am sticking with it"!

Dale53

Dale & Joe,

  I guess I'm using a WAY to small apperture then. I use the same for offhand and bench and that size for me will give me a 23 if any side of the apperture is touching the bull. Will have to give this idea a try in a little while when I do some offhand with the air rifle.

PETE

Ok here are my two cents.  Im late getting in on this one.

I use a fine cross hair front.  Like in a scope.  It give me great reference vertically and I can use the vert  as a  refeerence for left and right aming points.  ie holding on a shoulder ect.  It really works for me.

Jon