# Drinking Alcohol To Improve Shooting Performance

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 21, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045 "2003-04-21T15:06:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045/21 "2003-04-22T01:45:23Z")

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Essential tremors usually don’t require any treatment. I’d only prescribe a beta blocker if they were very severe or there was co-existing tachycardia or high blood pressure. Though propranolol certainly works.

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045/22 "2003-04-22T02:03:37Z")

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Mine were interfering with my ability to do many things, including work. I ain’t givin’ up my Inderal.

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**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045/23 "2003-04-22T02:59:36Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \*  
> \*\*I don’t know what causes them, but try this experiment at home:
> 
> Make a fist. Make it as tight as possible. Eventually your hand will start to shake violently.\*\*

It’s not working!!!

Oh wait, I’m drunk. 😃

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**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045/24 "2003-04-22T07:18:03Z")

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Well, I figured that with the word (alcohol) and the word (gun) in the same thread that someone would jump up and down and scream.

It is totally obvious that no one was proposing that shooter in Competition should get drunk. ::: Sheesh ::::

::: Go to pool hall.  
:::::Pay for table and buy beer #1  
:::::drink beer #1 and start #2  
:::::: win pool game  
::::::::drink beer #3 and win pool game again  
::::::::::::buy beer #4 and invite some one to play against me.  
::::::::::::::lose pool game.

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**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-alcohol-to-improve-shooting-performance/170045/25 "2003-04-22T16:16:26Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by GusNSpot \*  
> **Well, I figured that with the word (alcohol) and the word (gun) in the same thrIt is totally obvious that no one was proposing that shooter in Competition should get drunk. ::: Sheesh ::::**

You are absolutely correct. However there is a fine line between just enough alcohol to measure the effect and too much to be handling a weapon. I’m not saying a tests couldn’t be controlled enough to be safe but I’m not volunteering to be range officer. We may have to settle for the anecdotal reports that a single drink will calm a shooter’s nerves.

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