Caffeine versus Accuracy?

[ntsqd]

The days that I'd had caffeine in a soda for lunch and then the boss wanted me to GTAW weld something.....
Yeah, that didn't work out so good.

Got diagnosed with an "Essential Tremor" a number of years later. Neurologist told me that one (1!) alcoholic drink will make it better, more will make it worse. Too bad I had to quit drinking almost 30 years ago. He also said caffeine in any quantity will make it worse.

 

[18whlsrolin]

Great thread! Caffeine can definitely affect your shooting but from what I've seen the people that have the most trouble (me included before I changed up what I consume) is people who have lots of sugar/processed carbs. I can't believe the difference in my steadiness throughout the day if I only eat meat and eggs or if I just don't eat at all until afterwards. The coffee can still give me the shakes but it only lasts like 30 minutes after downing my mug.
I can't tell that dipping bothers my heart rate at all. But I have a dip in at all times so I guess I wouldn't really know lol!

 

[Core781]

Sniper selection wants folks without dependence on caffeine because they spend long hours behind the glass and coffee is not something you can always get in the field. Most snipers probably use chew when they need a pickup. The hear rate is another thing but it's not a critical once you're trained as long as you are in good health. Most of the caffeine issues are neurological that leads to physiological issues. I can shoot well after several large cups of fresh ground whole bean black coffee: you probably can to unless your heart is having palpitations which might be a sign you need to address a health concern. Best.

 

[Beardeddeer91]

Hell if I don't have my cup of coffee in the morning and head to the range, people would be wondering why there is a guy hunched over his rifle snoring. Doesn't seem to affect my shooting just keep me "normal" if I ever was such a thing.

 

[Orange Dust]

I like to drink a few road beers on the way to the range to counter act the coffee affects! Nothing like some Coors light pumping thru your veins (only if the mountains are blue) to lay down some nasty little groups. It also helps u to tolerate all the ******* at the range!

Many years ago, I shot on a SB rifle team. Coach used to make us each drink 1 beer an hour before we started the match. Never was sure if it was really for him or us, but we did pretty well.

 

[OhYtD]

The OP should see a Doctor, i gulp coffee like red wine and no issue.

 

[John Klingenberg]

Cant function till I've had my 2 Yeti tumblers full of mud and a Copenhagen. I'm stupid fortunate to have land so my range is 10 steps from the load out room.

 

[DocB]

So I am a coffee snob and really like strong flavorful coffee BUT dang it! Shooting after a couple cups is like trying to hold crosshairs in 50mph crosswind! How does caffeine affect your ability to shoot ELR? I am now finding even caffeine in soft drinks are affecting me more now than ever the older I got.

There's your sign!

 

[Jammer65]

Strong coffee on an empty stomach frequently causes the shakes. I always make a point to have a good breakfast before going out to shoot for that reason and also that it is usually late in the afternoon before I finish so I dont get crazy hungry.

 

[LVJ76]

I started drinking coffee at an early age hunting with my dad and I like it strong, thick as mud. I get shaky without the coffee, i tried to shoot without it about 15 years ago, I shoot Silhouette and we shoot offhand so you feel everything, eapecially when shooting at the rams at 500m. I shook like crazy without it, it did not work out at all.

I also used to smoke a pack or more a day and if I didn't smoke before every 10 shot string, I sucked and bad. I quit smoking a few years ago and it took me a while to get back to normal without the nicotine and other thousand chemicals on those things.

Your body gets used to it and will feel the effects of not having it.

Now a beer or two, heck yeah, they settle me down good, it relaxes me, and yes, it most definitely helps dealing with idiots, eapecially the ones without range etiquette lol

 

[ENGUNEER]

I started drinking coffee at an early age hunting with my dad and I like it strong, thick as mud. I get shaky without the coffee, i tried to shoot without it about 15 years ago, I shoot Silhouette and we shoot offhand so you feel everything, eapecially when shooting at the rams at 500m. I shook like crazy without it, it did not work out at all.

I also used to smoke a pack or more a day and if I didn't smoke before every 10 shot string, I sucked and bad. I quit smoking a few years ago and it took me a while to get back to normal without the nicotine and other thousand chemicals on those things.

Your body gets used to it and will feel the effects of not having it.

Now a beer or two, heck yeah, they settle me down good, it relaxes me, and yes, it most definitely helps dealing with idiots, eapecially the ones without range etiquette lol

 

[Rick Richard]

Don't want to be a snob, but come on I don't think mixing alcohol and firearms should be advocated.

 

[LVJ76]

Don't want to be a snob, but come on I don't think mixing alcohol and firearms should be advocated.

Intoxicated hell no, but I've had a beer half hour before shooting and it works, now I've done this when practicing but not during a match, its not allowed during matches period, unless you want to get disqualified.

 

[Cold Trigger Finger]

No sir I am a skoal or grizzle LC straight guy!

I'm a Grizzly Snuff or Long Cut Creen guy.
And usually I've had too much good strong Columbian coffee.
Yup, I've watched my crosshairs jerking back and forth across the target and wondered if I should just pack up and go do something else. Save my ammo for another time when hopefully I will be relaxed enough to get accurate data and results.