Unique Encounter at the Range

[Dgd6mm]

It's intimidating to use sticks at first, the intimidating again after you try to use then after not practicing.

I can only imagine. I had a thought a little while ago...and I laughed at myself. Tripod shooting is like cheating when a shooter is laying the smackdown using stick. My hats off to you and your ability.
All these items are perishables and the loss of that ability definitely will let you know you better get to practicing. But the bench is soooooo much easier. Time to step out of my comfort zone. I haven't done it in about 7 months.

 

[David Milisock]

I can only imagine. I had a thought a little while ago...and I laughed at myself. Tripod shooting is like cheating when a shooter is laying the smackdown using stick. My hats off to you and your ability.
All these items are perishables and the loss of that ability definitely will let you know you better get to practicing. But the bench is soooooo much easier. Time to step out of my comfort zone. I haven't done it in about 7 months.

In my opinion I wouldn't say that bench rest shooting is easier. Shooting from a bench is easier if your accuracy goals are not state of the art driven. I can shoot 1 1/16" groups at 300 yards from a bench. Even if I don't compete, if I want to be good for my own satisfaction I'd need to shrink the groups and that would entail, precision reloading, precision rifle building and practice, lots of practice. MONEY!

Very little of that would apply to field shooting, precision reloading doesn't produce precision results in field rifles, the laws of diminishing return start to apply. Bench rest or precision rifles don't necessarily perform in field environments.

In fact they can be detrimental, carrying an overly heavy rifle can make it difficult to get a proper rest for the rifle in the field. Also the fatigue on the shooter can make you blow a shot.

So no shooting discipline is easier it is just a matter of identifying what needs to be practiced and applying excessive energy in that direction. MONEY!

However skill and familiarity with your tools plays a roll that can lower the costs. Sticks can be as good in the right hands as a tripod but cost less. A precision or benchrest rifle produces better accuracy on a bench but the cost in weight and lost ergonomics reduces that accuracy in the field.

An 8 to 10 pound field rifle that shoots 1 1/16" at 300 yards can be supported on sticks or a shaky surface with strength. Where 18 to 25 pound rifle cannot and therefore may produce less accuracy.

Learning how to lean against a tree cost very little.

 

[ebb]

Monday was my first time back to the range in months. The house got a new roof, rotten wood to replace, kill mildew, pressure clean and lots of painting, the overhead with bad shoulders is the worst. I told myself no shooting till done, last Saturday was done the range on Monday. I may still be able to shoot off of a bench, we will see about the rest. I had no idea that kind of shooting was available in Palm Beach County, back then.

 

[JFrank]

At my age I prefer shooting off a bench while using a front rest . The thought of laying down on a mat just does not appeal to me at all.

 

[Chasin Beaver]

I am the only one who shoots from position at 200 yards at local public range. All the other shooters usually laugh at me and my huge “SR” target. Not sure how you can really compare shooting offhand to a bench, but I just smile.

 

[Bob3700]

I am the only one who shoots from position at 200 yards at local public range. All the other shooters usually laugh at me and my huge “SR” target. Not sure how you can really compare shooting offhand to a bench, but I just smile.

They may laugh at the size of the target but how many actually look at ur groups u shot holding the rifle with ur two hands. There is a different set of skills to build a solid position and turning the knobs on ur iron sights to compensate for the wind.

 

[K22]

I am the only one who shoots from position at 200 yards at local public range. All the other shooters usually laugh at me and my huge “SR” target. Not sure how you can really compare shooting offhand to a bench, but I just smile.

I know the experience - you should see the looks I get at the range shooting off my cross sticks - but they stop laughing when they see the target.

PS: Where I hunt varmints and predators, using cross sticks is the only viable option for a shooting aid due to terrain condition if you want to maximize shot opportunities.

 

[GotRDid]

Hoping to get back into Vintage Rifle Matches again, such as the John C. Garand Memorial shoots now that I’m retired. Really miss the JCG Matches at Ft. Knox.
Prone, and Offhand are still doable, but transitioning from standing to the Rapid Sitting stage takes a bit more time to accomplish now.

 

[Downhill]

Hoping to get back into Vintage Rifle Matches again, such as the John C. Garand Memorial shoots now that I’m retired. Really miss the JCG Matches at Ft. Knox.
Prone, and Offhand are still doable, but transitioning from standing to the Rapid Sitting stage takes a bit more time to accomplish now.

When I first started shooting Service Rifle, I could put my elbows on the ground with ease while in the sitting position. Now it's a struggle to get my elbows to make contact with my knees. And transitioning from standing to sitting is not as graceful as it used to be. Then getting back up... well it's borderline hard labor now.

 

[David Milisock]

When I first started shooting Service Rifle, I could put my elbows on the ground with ease while in the sitting position. Now it's a struggle to get my elbows to make contact with my knees. And transitioning from standing to sitting is not as graceful as it used to be. Then getting back up... well it's borderline hard labor now.

Getting down happens easily if not gracefully, getting back up can be time consuming!!

 

[Bob3700]

Getting down happens easily if not gracefully, getting back up can be time consuming!!

Dave,
u are correct, gravity make the getting down part easier but not graceful. Standing back up is more of a Herculean effort. Past a certain age u should be allowed an amanuensis, a man Friday, to assist in transporting ur gear. Bearing ur rifle and setting up equipment Would be included.

 

[K22]

Getting down happens easily if not gracefully, getting back up can be time consuming!!

If I got into the prone or sitting position, I would need a crane to pick me up and I only weight 167 lbs.

 

[Jon Leary]

Highpower rules allow old timers to stay down when the
ro states: shooters rise

 

[Jeff Porter]

NRA and CMP Cup XTC do not have the stand prior to rapids. Only CMP games and EIC Service rifle.

I used think you needed to stand and build the position as part of the course of fire. As I get older, David Tubb had it right. Safety hazard for us old fellers. lol. That said, I still shoot sling and even Iron sights for Fullbore and Palma. As long as I can, I will.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Turning 64 next month. I practice prone,bipod shooting. It's my preferred shooting position when hunting. It is getting tougher going prone with snowshoes, started taking them off just before getting to shooting position. Wife says yoga would help. Sitting using a tripod/ballhead is almost as accurate.

 

[jpjulian]

NRA and CMP Cup XTC do not have the stand prior to rapids. Only CMP games and EIC Service rifle.

I used think you needed to stand and build the position as part of the course of fire. As I get older, David Tubb had it right. Safety hazard for us old fellers. lol. That said, I still shoot sling and even Iron sights for Fullbore and Palma. As long as I can, I will.

It will catch up to you some day, Jeff. Ask me how I know......

 

[hoz53]

I was at the rifle range today working out my Browning A Bolt, 223 Rem Varmint Stalker getting ready for the soybean patches and the hog boys. Of course, I was practicing off my cross sticks.

A guy was there with a shooting mat, and 308 shooting 3 position center fire at 200 yards. I think him and me are the only ones at the club of over 2,000 members that don't shoot off a bench. It reminded me of my days of shooting 3 position small bore rifle many, many years ago.

PS: He was shooting darn good!

i usually shoot my 6br off the bench and bring the 10/22s for some offhand at 25 and 50. a guy joined me there today. im 68

 

[K22]

i usually shoot my 6br off the bench and bring the 10/22s for some offhand at 25 and 50. a guy joined me there today. im 68View attachment 1553938

Yikes!

 

[danny]

I was at the rifle range today working out my Browning A Bolt, 223 Rem Varmint Stalker getting ready for the soybean patches and the hog boys. Of course, I was practicing off my cross sticks.

A guy was there with a shooting mat, and 308 shooting 3 position center fire at 200 yards. I think him and me are the only ones at the club of over 2,000 members that don't shoot off a bench. It reminded me of my days of shooting 3 position small bore rifle many, many years ago.

PS: He was shooting darn good!

So, you are saying that he was actually shooting? Very unusual. Most people are always "the perpetual load tester", never straying from a shooting bench and rest to actually shoot their rifle.

Danny

 

[butchlambert]

Yes, I shot with 2 different teams. First was out of the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Chief Horn put it together. I was in 4th grade then. 2nd was with the father of a girl. Him and his wife took care of everything. I went to Wynnebrook Elementary school with in the 5th grade. She shot also. This was all NRA sanctioned Every match and practice was held at Everglades Rifle and Pistol Club. The simpler time in life, and we didn't even know it. The body is starting to get old. Cindy just told me this morning when I was complaining about the pinched nerve in my lower back. I said I'm getting old, she said no you're not, your just getting older.
65 this year. Hopefully a good 10-15 left in me.

You're just a kid!