Newbee question - shooting position 22 Rifle

[Travelor]

I have reached the end of my improvement in shooting little iron critters using my present method of supporting the forearm - with hand way out on stock.  I have been unable to get a steady rest by placing my hand under the triggerguard/magazine area and resting my arm on my chest.  The problems I am having are due to heart beat being transferred to the rifle.  I have tried changing angle of boy to target with my success.

Can you help with my "form" as I must be doing something wrong as other shooters are religiously using this form and using it VERY well.

Pointing me to an article or book is OK.

George

[maver]

George

You are already on the road to progressing with your shooting as you are willing to try new ideas and not continue using a method that does not seem to be working for you.

The hold that I use at present is to ensure good overall balance with the legs not to close and not to far apart with my stance.  I then tilt my upper body over my back leg a little 'by leaning back from the hip upwards' so that I get to tuck my left elbow 'as I am a right handed shooter' in on top of my left hip.  I do not tent to hold my left arm in right on top of my upper body as this does indeed get effected by pulse beat. This position may be uncomfortable at first but your body will adapt but to help it along ensure that you do a few hip rotations and stretches each day and prior to shooting.  Kepp in mind to relax your shoulders dont hold them up with muscle as fatigue can strike while shooting and its good night irene when that comes into play.  

Ensure to change only one thing at a time with your shooting be it stance trigger control position of butt on the shoulder etc..and log your findings in a journal never leave it up to memory, examine it after a couple of weeks of shooting to see if you found improvements or not.

There is a mind of information out here on the web get to it and be inspired.  

hope you find this helpful

regards

maver

[jneihouse]

George,

Noticed that you list your location as Central Arkansas.  I shoot out of the Old Fort Gun Club at Fort Smith, AR and there are several excellent silhouette shooters that shoot out of the Benton Gun Club  near Benton Arkansas, which of course is located in the central part of the state.  The guys down at Benton are some of the most knowledgeable and helpful that you will find anywhere and, while I can't speak for them, I'd be willing to bet that some of them would be willing to work with you on form.  If you are near enought to Fort Smith I would be more than happy to give you any help you might need.

As far a books go, one of the most helpful discussions about hold, natural point of aim, etc that I have read is in David Tubb's book High Power Rifle.   Hope this helps.  Feel free to PM me or email me at jneihouse@earthlink.net if I can be of any help
John Neihouse

[Travelor]

John, I am a member of the Benton Gun Club and used to be the Match Director for a RF Rifle Falling Plate match we shot at silhouette ranges, but with short time stages (i.e. 12 seconds for 6 plates at 40 meters; 14 seconds for 6 plates at 60 meters; etc.).  The plates are the same as we use for pistol matches - 7 inches in diameter.

The Club just added a 1/2 scale RF shilouette match (on the second Saturday of each month, but no more until after the first of the year) and that weekend day is open now for me to participate.  I shot it first this month with a 35 score.  But my standing form is limiting my progress I believe.  I want to take this time to make changes before the next match.

Thanks to all for the help and I will be getting the Tubbs book.  I shoot 1000 yard HP rifle also.

George Toney

[jneihouse]

George,

If you are looking for a few more matches this year Tulsa Red Castle Gun Club shoots this coming Saturday morning and the Old Fort Gun Club in Fort Smith shoots the second Saturcay in November and December,sight in at 9 match starts at 10.

John

[PJ Smyth]

What a great bunch of people are attracted to this discipline of shooting. I read the replys from people on this forum and the wealth of knowledge, and how everyone is out to help others get better and enjoy their shooting more. It is the same here in Australia. You are in the same detail as a world champ, shooting side by side,  and after the detail he says, I see you doing this or doing that and can I help you,  it might help you,  if you do this or try that and Bugger me it does help you shoot better. I have found in some types of shooting they don't wont you to get better  because you might beat them in silhouette the people seem to to love to see shooters get better and better.
WHAT WOULD BE GOOD TO DO IS HAVE A EXCHANGE PROGRAM YOU GUYS COME TO AUSTRALIA AND WE COME TO THE USA. WE HAVE A GREAT SHOOT IN JANUARY IN CANBERRA THE NATIONAL CAPITAL ON THE 21-22  ( HIGH SUMMER HERE )

[GeoNLR]

George...

Next time you are at a match, try shooting with one of our vests made by Chris. They deaden (sp???LOL) the heartbeat quite a bit and help out.

Another thing you could do would be to come shoot the 1/5 scale with us. Shooting the 1/5 scale will make the 1/2 scale look HUGE!!!! Then it would only be a matter of picking a spot and making 40 shots...


Chicken

(George Rhode from BGC)

[jneihouse]

George here is a link to an article that is a few years old.  I think the discussion by Lawton is particularly helpful when you are trying to "break-through" a plateau.  I didn't mention in my earlier posts, but we (OFGC) host a 1/2 scale "club" match along with the 1/5 scale match on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month (with the exception of Nov and Dec).  George is right, once track down the 1/5 scale varmits the 1/2 scale ones look like garbage can lids through your scope.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/aug96secrets.html