Standing position, NPOA, group analysis?

[rap36case]

I've recently started practicing for expert badge with bolt action. The positions are with sling 1 1/4" standing, sitting, prone. I'm down to 1" groups with sitting open leg and an elbow on each knee and smaller groups in prone. My biggest problem is shooting with sling and standing position. I get tight vertical strings off center or 'U' shaped groups under the bull. I've tried shifing rear foot and adjusting support hand position on the forend.

Does anyone have a good source for group analysis and corrections for standing position?

 

[Fast14riot]

What's your rifle set up and caliber? Distance and target?

In service rifle, standing position doesn't use a sling, it must be attached to the rifle, but isn't used. Don't be afraid to add a little cant to your hold to get your head vertical. A good two stage trigger really helps in offhand.

Do you use a hardback coat? I use a Kurt Thune glove, fantastic glove, far better than the Creedmoor or Monard.

 

[akajun]

I've recently started practicing for expert badge with bolt action. The positions are with sling 1 1/4" standing, sitting, prone. I'm down to 1" groups with sitting open leg and an elbow on each knee and smaller groups in prone. My biggest problem is shooting with sling and standing position. I get tight vertical strings off center or 'U' shaped groups under the bull. I've tried shifing rear foot and adjusting support hand position on the forend.

Does anyone have a good source for group analysis and corrections for standing position?

Can't help you with a sling in offhand, I'm a service rifle shooter. But my offhand average went up when I finally learned to stop breaking the perfect shot and accept my wobble area and break clean shots.
Work on your NPA, each shot if you have too. Each time I bring the rifle up I check my npa and will put it back down and re adjust if necessary. As the shooting string goes on your muscles relax and ground compresses so it will change.
Brandon green has a short offhand tutorial on YouTube , watch it, he's the offhand man.

 

[JFM33]

When I shoot offhand I first line up NPA(natural point of aim).
This is a process : mount the gun,approach the aim point relax close my eyes open them back and see if the hold has faded right /left or dropped.
I will repeat this until I get it perfect in practice,It will get easer.
The left and right is cured by using one foot as a piviot point.The up and down is cured by hand placement or shifting your hips in a bone supported position.
I also adopted an approach,hold the ---- in the center of the target. Then for me I let my NPA drift from the right to the left to center up hold and break the shot .If your holding for more the 8 seconds,stop and repeat the process.If you are muscling you will see it not want to settle in.

Good luck, hope that helps
John

 

[rap36case]

Brandon green has a short offhand tutorial on YouTub

Thank you for the tips and youtube connection to Brandon Green's tutorials. Practice with the principles in mind seems to be the best way to improve, both dry fire and at the range. Not always obvious, the rifle should be a good weight, balanced and fit the shooter in Length of Pull and cheek rest. Trying to shoot a 15LB sniper rifle with bull barrel in the off hand position is a challenge. I limit my AQT to bolt action CZ452 22LR.
Shooting at 1100+ yard with a 6.5Creedmoor with McMillian A5 is a different style of shooting. The basic principles still apply, but the positions are different. I am interested in gunsmithing and design of rifles.
Thanks again for your input!