"I'll get five or six in the black and them throw a couple out for no good reason I can see."
I can explain what is happening to you, 'cause it was explained to me after shooting a great target and finding one or two that did not score.
"You lost the front sight" I was told by a High Master this year.
You concentrated on the front sight and then failed to focus on it at some time.
You have to focus on the front sight, fail to do so and bad things happen.
I have found that pistol shooting is mental, pure and simple. Mental wins over anything you do.
I went to Phoenix this year, broke 5 existing records in Marksman, one of Keith's that has stood for some time. Several records I bested by 10 points. I want from Marksman to Expert and was just short of going to Master.
How, get the book, "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury" and read. Mike Luma's article in this month's NMLRA magazine is excellent.
There are no secrets to winning, but there is some insight I have learned from the High Masters. There are times to shoot and times when you sit.
LTF Flintlock, I have set two WNS records now, I love to shoot LTF Flintlock, I hate LTF Percussion.
Each string of 5 in LTF Flintlock is started with a "new" flint. Prior to starting the LFT, a shot is sent into the bank to ensure that the flint is working as needed. Shoot 5 and replace the flint and start repeat.
I did learn one thing this year. After finishing the LTF in percussion, the time keeper killed the clock with 45 seconds left. When I checked the target I had 9 holes in it, one short. Lost the front sight, duh.
Never let a person kill the clock until the fat lady is finished and holes are counted. The problem was resolved.
If you are staying within a few points of Keith you are doing well.
If you look at the High Master scores from Friendship or Phoenix, you will see a spread of 5 to 6 points between 1st and 2nd, not much room error. If you can shoot 95 and 85, you will be on the leader board.