Form/Gun Mechanics

[Boisblancboy]

Ok guys in my area the season of competition is coming to an end and this was my first season competing. Hope to get some input on my form, maybe some things I could do better that would help eliminate high or low 9’s? I’m sure the majority of left or right 9’s probably has to do more with my lack of ability to read wind and mirage.

So I’ve shot nothing but FTR 600 yard mid range. Using a .223/90vld combo, Phoenix bipod and protektor rear bag. I have a pretty low rear bag and like to a pretty heavy cheek weld. Should pressure is very light, just enough I can feel the stock touching my shoulder. Right hand with a light grip on the stock to pull my 6oz trigger. I like to line up perfectly straight behind the gun.

One thing I know I need to practice is staying on the gun between shots and reloading.

 

[HTSmith]

Tagging on to this because I have the same problem.

 

[Bc'z]

Personally I'd lose the light grip.
Should only need to contact rifle at triger guard with thumb.
If rules allow free recoil I'd remove shoulder contact also.

 

[T-shooter]

I have tried everything and seemed to do better with a very light touch to the shoulder and a very light cheek weld, just enough to know where I'm at. See if you can set up the rifle on target by itself and then get into your shooting position without the cross hairs moving. Any pressure with your cheek needs to be balanced with your shooting hand. For me, too much pressure on either will result in the rifle recoiling and going to the left or right, not still aimed at the target. For practice when you can't get to the range, try a snap cap and dry fire someplace where you can see a more distant target.

 

[paperpuncher]

Im tagging in too I was going to ask this very question.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I have tried everything and seemed to do better with a very light touch to the shoulder and a very light cheek weld, just enough to know where I'm at. See if you can set up the rifle on target by itself and then get into your shooting position without the cross hairs moving. Any pressure with your cheek needs to be balanced with your shooting hand. For me, too much pressure on either will result in the rifle recoiling and going to the left or right, not still aimed at the target. For practice when you can't get to the range, try a snap cap and dry fire someplace where you can see a more distant target.

Could you explain the cheek pressure balanced with the shooting hand, not following that.

 

[Boisblancboy]

Personally I'd lose the light grip.
Should only need to contact rifle at triger guard with thumb.
If rules allow free recoil I'd remove shoulder contact also.

I have tried free recoil and didn’t like “feel” of it per say.

 

[T-shooter]

Could you explain the cheek pressure balanced with the shooting hand, not following that.

If you hold your cheek against the stock firmly with no side pressure with your shooting hand, it will make the rifle jump sideways under recoil. With a firm grip (pulling the stock into your cheek) but not much pressure with do the opposite. I try to mount the rifle without forcing it to change positions through the scope. If you can set the rifle up on your rests dead on target without touching it, then get into a shooting position without changing where it points or forcing it back onto the target, it should do better. I used to have a lot of trouble with this. The rifle recoiled and I was pointing usually left by 3-4' at 100 yards. Hope this makes sense. Also lining up behind the rifle is good.

 

[Boisblancboy]

If you hold your cheek against the stock firmly with no side pressure with your shooting hand, it will make the rifle jump sideways under recoil. With a firm grip (pulling the stock into your cheek) but not much pressure with do the opposite. I try to mount the rifle without forcing it to change positions through the scope. If you can set the rifle up on your rests dead on target without touching it, then get into a shooting position without changing where it points or forcing it back onto the target, it should do better. I used to have a lot of trouble with this. The rifle recoiled and I was pointing usually left by 3-4' at 100 yards. Hope this makes sense. Also lining up behind the rifle is good.

Thanks with you saying that reminded me of something. Last year I shot one match, my very first one, and I did have a different hold/form. I barely touched the cheek piece but still would bring the butt plate back until it was a hair from my shoulder and my shooting hand was thumb forward along side the stock while pulling the trigger. A few of those shots I was able to watch the bullet trace in my scope along with after recoil I just needed to slide my gun forward a hair and I was back on target. But it didn’t do that every time.

Now I’m almost always to the left by at least a foot @ the 600 yard target. My rear bag isn’t moving but my bipod is.

 

[T-shooter]

Thanks with you saying that reminded me of something. Last year I shot one match, my very first one, and I did have a different hold/form. I barely touched the cheek piece but still would bring the butt plate back until it was a hair from my shoulder and my shooting hand was thumb forward along side the stock while pulling the trigger. A few of those shots I was able to watch the bullet trace in my scope along with after recoil I just needed to slide my gun forward a hair and I was back on target. But it didn’t do that every time.

Now I’m almost always to the left by at least a foot @ the 600 yard target. My rear bag isn’t moving but my bipod is.

I experienced the exact same thing. I found out that too much pressure with my cheek and the sights would recoil off to the left, especially when shooting from a bipod. I've always heard that muscling the gun onto the target is bad for accuracy. Something else to try is to dryfire and see if there is any movement through the scope. I also use a mounted level and check it before each shot. Concentrate on doing the exact same thing for each shot.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I experienced the exact same thing. I found out that too much pressure with my cheek and the sights would recoil off to the left, especially when shooting from a bipod. I've always heard that muscling the gun onto the target is bad for accuracy. Something else to try is to dryfire and see if there is any movement through the scope. I also use a mounted level and check it before each shot. Concentrate on doing the exact same thing for each shot.
View attachment 1128735

I will try the dry fire when I get out to the range for some distance to see how it reacts.

I do have a scope level and with my setup, rear bag and Phoenix bipod, has been really rock solid. Only time I’ve had my scope come off level is if my bipod mat has shifted.