"Bench manners"?
- Thread starter ShtrRdy
- Start date
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
In Group Shooting, quite a few shooters do not even bother with a HV 13.5 rifle. They simply shoot a 10.5 LV in all three bag gun classes. Some feel that shooting a HV can lead to poor bench manners.
The only reason I have a 13.5 pound HV is because I shoot more Score, and NBRSA VFS is fired with a legal 13.5 pound HV. The extra weight tames down the 30BR, which does have substantially more recoil than a typical 6PPC. I do shoot total free recoil. The only thing in contact with the rifle is the tip of my trigger finger.
I am not even looking through the scope when the round is let off. This requires total concentration to insure that you do the same thing, the same way, every time.
In Score Shooting, the trick is to keep that shot on the X, hence reading the flags is of paramount importance. Any slight change can drive the bullet off of the X, or even the 10 ring.
When I shoot Group, it is with a 10.5 pound LV.
The only reason I have a 13.5 pound HV is because I shoot more Score, and NBRSA VFS is fired with a legal 13.5 pound HV. The extra weight tames down the 30BR, which does have substantially more recoil than a typical 6PPC. I do shoot total free recoil. The only thing in contact with the rifle is the tip of my trigger finger.
I am not even looking through the scope when the round is let off. This requires total concentration to insure that you do the same thing, the same way, every time.
In Score Shooting, the trick is to keep that shot on the X, hence reading the flags is of paramount importance. Any slight change can drive the bullet off of the X, or even the 10 ring.
When I shoot Group, it is with a 10.5 pound LV.
When I was shooting a factory 40X (about fifty years ago), I found that it worked best if I shot with a consistent hold, against my shoulder. I think this may have been due to excessive drop at the toe of the stock. Later, when I had re-stocked that rifle, I could shoot it free and have it work well. Another rifle, again with just a little too much drop, was very sensitive to technique. I have one rifle which doesn't seem to care what I do, it just shoots. This is not always the case.
I once had a fellow ask me to try his rifle and rest, which he shot pretty well. Now, my equipment was state of the art, like, never. He had a real nice joystick equipped rest and a heavy Protektor rear bag. I couldn't shoot his rifle, on his rest, worth a damn! With me behind it, using all of his gear, he had a 3/8 moa rifle! I put it on my old floppy Wichita rest and bags; then I could shoot! I was truly surprised. I would have had to spend some time to get to use good equipment properly. I didn't think my technique would produce such ugly results. WH
I once had a fellow ask me to try his rifle and rest, which he shot pretty well. Now, my equipment was state of the art, like, never. He had a real nice joystick equipped rest and a heavy Protektor rear bag. I couldn't shoot his rifle, on his rest, worth a damn! With me behind it, using all of his gear, he had a 3/8 moa rifle! I put it on my old floppy Wichita rest and bags; then I could shoot! I was truly surprised. I would have had to spend some time to get to use good equipment properly. I didn't think my technique would produce such ugly results. WH
Shooter13
Gold $$ Contributor
Man I'm trying! This (to me) is one of the hardest things to do .................... but I'm working on it, I like the fact that I can see the flags when I pull the trigger.
Placing the flags as far to the left as possible (for a rt handed shooter) will help you keep your off eye open.
-AlD Coots
Silver $$ Contributor
Know exactly where the crosshair is when the trigger is pulled also.
And don't get so focused on the flag angle that you tune out the flag tails...especially if you're shooting the 'push'. Ask me how that lesson got reinforced at Webster City a couple weeks ago during the 100.
'Ya can't fix stupid, that a fact.Good thing we still had the 200 to shoot!
Good shootin'
-Al
Bill Norris
Back in the Day
John Myers gave some great insight to rifle hold tips on this video with Erik Cortina on this Believe the Target podcast. He was mostly discussing F-class prone but I'm sure some of what he said would apply to the bench as well.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
That is a great video by Bart……for Group Shooting.
Shooter13
Gold $$ Contributor
Thank you!Placing the flags as far to the left as possible (for a rt handed shooter) will help you keep your off eye open.
Jackie has touched on something here that's very important.
In Score shooting, you move the gun a lot. Because of this, you need to have a rest/bag/stock combination that's both forgiving as the angle changes and tracks well. That's not as easy as it sounds. At any time, you need to be able to drop down to the sighter...crossing over from left to right for three targets...hit the sighter and then go back to your record target with complete confidence that the POI won't change and that you can trust what you saw on the sighter.
Some stock styles just don't play well with this type of target. Ditto some bags. As always, it's the combination that matters.
This is a Score target of mine from a couple weeks ago at Webster City, Iowa. I did the cipherin' on the target spreads...will leave the final total to those interested.
Good shootin'
-Al
Those are there to illustrate how much you move between targets.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
My experience mirrors yours,
Each rifle seems unique to itself in how a person holds or doesn't hold it.
And you have to learn how to hold THAT particular rifle.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Joe, that is probably why I shoot that “Green” Rifle in every serious Score Match. It seems very forgiving in all aspects of moving the Rifle around the target.
When people talk about the accuracy requirements in Score, it is always brought up that in theory, it does not have to have the same level of precision as Group. That is true.
But it’s good to know that it will. This is my first target at the Gulf Coast Region last Sunday.
Lay those 30 caliber holes atop each other. Pretty good group.
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Yes sir just tested mine for the VA State match and it would be a good group if overlayed as well. Makes you feel good going into a match with a practice target like this.
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jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Owen, whose bullets are you shooting in your 30.
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