Unanticipated shooting problem: prone position

[Questor]

I got a 270 rifle and in practice I've been concentrating on the shots I'm most likely to get in the field. Things are going pretty well.  I thought I'd try shooting from a prone position just for completeness and I've got a problem.

The problem is that I'm too tight and shaky. I tried altering my position a number of times and I don't know what's wrong. Got any ideas?

[Double D]

Is you rifle pointing at a 45 degree angle to your body?

[Mikey]

Questor - that's a tough one, both in position and question.  I would have to stand behind you when you were shooting to see if, or what, you might be doing something wrong.  Double D asked if your rifle was at 45 degrees to your body?  I would ask if you were using your sling and how you used it, if you had something to pad your left elbow (assuming you are a right hand shooter), if you had a rest, if you had your right leg braced - toe into the ground, if you were anxious about your shot, and most prolly a whole buncha other questions.  

I like the prone position sometimes - it helps if the grass is cut or the snow isn't so deep so that I can see what I'm shooting at, if the bugs aren't flying about, and yada, yada, yada.  I have a funny story about that I might let out sometime.   Some fellas just aren't comfy with a heavy recoiling rifle and the prone position.  The 270 will snap on ya and may not be all that comfortable to shoot prone.  And, let's not forget that if you have been pounding yourself for a while with that 270 you might not be 'loose' enough to shoot well by the time you go prone.

It's sort of like starting off a range day with the easiest shooting rifle you have and gradually going uphill to the most difficult and hardest recoiling rifle you can shoot.  By the time you get there, if you are anything at all like I am, you are gonna be real nervous and jerky just bringing the rifle to bear, much less waiting for it to go off.   If I start the day with my 6.5 Swede, then go to an 8mm, then a plain stocked 06 and try to finish up with a short barrelled 444, I can guarantee ya that my scores with the 06 will be pretty bad and I don't even want to think about pulling the trigger on the 444.  If I reverse the process my scores are much better.

Also, you might be suffering shooter's fatigue and just might not be aware of it.  It might help to make certain your shooting matt/ground cover is comfortable and that your support arm and rifle are supported by a backpack - that helps steady you and the rifle and may help.  

You may recall from your service days that the foxholes you shot from were bermed sufficiently to enable you to rest the rifle, or yourself, for better accuracy - you need a similar setup for shooting prone, or at least I do.  You may also remember from any experiences you have had or from reading hunting articles that just about everyone I've read advocates any kind of a supportive rest when you are not shooting from the bench - same applies here.  Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[huntsman]

Questor,

Is there some particular reason you need to shoot prone? In 26 years of hunting I have never taken a prone shot at game, mostly because it is rather uncomfortable, somewhat unstable without a forward rest of some sort, and increases the odds of having a blocked sight path or hitting objects in the bullet flight path (grass, twigs, etc.). The prone position does not allow you to bring your back or stomach muscles to bear in holding your weapon, which reduces your degree of body control. All these add up for me to a "last resort" situation as far as actual hunting is concerned. I've never had to go that far down on the list.

I can understand your wanting to practice in every possible position, but unless you are hunting in mighty open country where your silhouette is a dead ringer, shooting prone is probably not going to be your best first choice for a steady, reliable body position. I wouldn't trouble myself with it unless you know for sure you will be using it in the field. Just MHO, but if it were me I would spend a lot more time with the squat, one knee, and standing positions; these are far and away more useful in most situations.

One more thing; shooting my 270 with 130 grain loads is not even close to a hamburger grind for me. Perhaps that aspect varies with load, rifle, and shooter characteristics. It may not be a factor, but only you will know for sure. Try this test: have a partner "load" your round individually for you every time at the range. Each time you fire, your partner will secretly load (or not load) a round into the chamber. When you fire, you will not know if it will be BOOM or click until after the shot. It can sure help you cure the "jitters and flinches" if you do it enough.

Good shooting and hunting with that 270!

[jhm]

Questor :  The prone position is by far the most uncomfortable shooting position for me personaly to get into, once I get there its the most accurate, but like huntsman said and I will concure I cant remember any game animal I got into that position to make a shot at, I just dont like trying to get into it, and that was when I was younger, today forget it, I will pass on the shot.    JIM

[SHW]

I am suprised at most people disliking/not using the prone position.   I have taken only one deer in the prone position, but I use it often target shooting.  I agree with the above comments about obstructions (grass& twigs).  The one time I took a deer in the prone position, I had to sneak down a ditch to close the distance.  I came out of the dich & had to low crawl a short distance b/c of obstruction in the path ot the bullet.  I usually use something besides my arm to support the front of the rifle.  So now that I have written all of this I guess I really use a modified prone pos.

[Questor]

Huntsman:

The only reason I wanted to shoot prone was to learn all of the formal positions. I don't see much use for it anywhere I hunt.  My concern is that since it's supposed to be so stable, I expected it to be easier to use. I think I just need to take the .22 out and work on it for a while until I'm comfortable with it. Either that, or just continue practicing the positions that are likely to do me some good.