F TR strains

[rmist]

I recently received my F TR 223 rifle and have been shooting off a bench to work up a load. That's all good except the scope issue I have. Anyway....yesterday shoot from the prone with a rear bag and a Duplin bi pod...I only took 35 rounds with me to shoot some sighters and put 20 on a target to practice from the ground. About half way thru I could already feel my lower neck start to strain, then my back !! From the bench my groups are averaging less than .4" at 200 yds. While shooting in the prone...well... they opened up to about an inch or so !! I also wasn't holding off at all aimed all at center bull to see what would happen and try to get a good position. I've read Nancy Tompkins book and some others about position. I don't think I have it yet !! This was the first time trying a F TR set up on a mat. I also don't have a proper F TR stock but rather a factory stock with a high comb varmint stock. I want to shoot the 3x600 at New Holland, PA. in 2 weeks !! This week I'm going to dry fire some on the floor at the house to see if it gets any better...LOL

Any advice for a super noob to the game ??


Thanks again
Rmist

 

[jrm850]

It's not very popular on the line, but I find that a modified military position (15 degrees?) feels much more natural and sustainable.

 

[280man]

You might try moving your scope forward. Other thing to try is different height rear bags.

 

[mac86951]

Agreed with both above, I'm one that needs the mod military 15 degree. Take your time setting up your rifle, it rarely is the same setup as on the bench, a modified cheek rest and/ or different length of pull might be needed too. Now that you have an accurate bench load, time to practice off the matt.

-Mac

 

[Jay Christopherson]

It's not very popular on the line, but I find that a modified military position (15 degrees?) feels much more natural and sustainable.

+1 here. Also to the comment about playing with your scope position on the rifle and rear bag height. It took me a while to find a position and setup that would be comfortable (i.e., without strain) through an entire string, no matter how long it took to run.

 

[Scott Harris]

You might try moving your scope forward. Other thing to try is different height rear bags.

+1. You'll need a higher position to relieve neck strain. The rear bag height should be raised until you are comfortable.

 

[mao0720]

When shooting from a bench, your torso neck and head are much more vertical, so the scope needs to be further back for proper eye relief, when shooting prone your head naturally lays much further forward on the stock so you will have to have your scope further forward. I see this all the time with guys who sight in on the bench and then try to shoot prone. They have to scrunch up their neck to get their eye far enough back to see through the scope. Move your scope forward on the rail/ in the rings and a lot will be relieved nearly instantly.

 

[XTR]

When shooting from a bench, your torso neck and head are much more vertical, so the scope needs to be further back for proper eye relief, when shooting prone your head naturally lays much further forward on the stock so you will have to have your scope further forward. I see this all the time with guys who sight in on the bench and then try to shoot prone. They have to scrunch up their neck to get their eye far enough back to see through the scope. Move your scope forward on the rail/ in the rings and a lot will be relieved nearly instantly.

This is why I almost never shoot on a bench any more. I do all of my load work on the mat, my F-TR rifles are set up for prone shooting, so that's how I shoot them.

 

[rmist]

Thank you for the info about the scope and bag set up. I'll work that this week. Hopefully it will be a good day next time on the range !!

 

[willbas]

I put 3/4 in board under my rear bag

 

[jsthntn247]

I put 3/4 in board under my rear bag

Might want to check the rules on that. I special ordered a 5" tall bag so I didn't have to use the board like yours.

 

[mao0720]

A board is fine under the rear bag, nothing in the rules says contrary.

 

[crowsnest2002]

I like to stay as low to the ground as possible for shooting, I'm new at ftr but need as much stability as possible. An adjustable buttplate could help your rifle fit better as well. I think just finding what fits you best and making it feel like a glove will make you feel much more confident and will help.

 

[coldboreshot]

F Class rules for TR, Any number or types of objects may be placed beneath the bipod or REAR SUPPORT, to compensate for variations in HEIGHT or slope of the firing point. The objects cannot exceed more than 2" of overall dimentions of such support, ie... rear bag.

 

[Travelor]

"You'll need a higher position to relieve neck strain. The rear bag height should be raised until you are comfortable."

Totally agree with this!!!

 

[rmist]

This weekend I moved the scope as far forward as possible and raised the rear bag 3/4" and it seems much better. I have a question about position...but another thread...
Thanks again