FREE RECOIL OR WHAT?

[jonbearman]

My question is: does everyone in competition use the free recoil method or do some still hold the gun?

 

[Hombre0321]

What discipline of Competition?
RS

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I shoot short range benchrest, and I always shoot free recoil. I feel that if I can eliminate any movement, it has to be better. I even try to make sure I am not leaning my fat belly next to the bench. Even concrete benches on slppy legs can move several moa if leaned on heavy.

 

[Frankr]

I have better resualts holding the gun, even though there are day i just dont shoot well.
I have been updateing my equipment different bags and stuff like that trying to find a setup that i can shoot consistantly free recoil..but i need a new front rest, I just shoot off a hart with a BR top with no windage adjustment. some days if i get a good set up and i'm comfortable at the bench i can shoot free but most of the time i shoot better groups holding the gun. hard hold.

This is with a 10.5lb short range BR rifle.

 

[articmp]

Went to my first 1000 yard match Saturday (White Horse Range, Peeltree,WV). All the heavy gun guys were shooting free recoil and doing a decent job of it. Light rifle seemed to be a mix of holds. I shot a practice with a borrowed heavy gun and shot free recoil. Needless to say, I've been bit by the bug!

 

[jonbearman]

I meant short range benchrest.

 

[BoydAllen]

There are successful shooters that hold their rifles, and those that don't, as well as varying degrees of hold. I suggest that you experiment and find out what works best for you. IMO shooting free is a lot more equipment critical, and I have seen some excellent shooting done holding.

 

[nonliberal]

^^+1
I have one particular rifle that will shoot well with free recoil if everything is set up just perfect between front rest, rear bag, forend stop, and scope placement on the rail, but if any of those things are off just a little I will get 1-2 bullet holes worth of vertical. When that happens I can.normally just give the rifle a slight pin against the forend stop and vertical goes away.

 

[bugman]

IMO, the design of the stock often points you in the direction.....for example, a Larson-style versus a MBR-style, but in the end, you just have to let the rifle tell you what it wants.

Jack

 

[FergusBailey]

Jon

Talking specifically about short range BR, there are some good shooters that hold the gun in some way. Tony Boyer and all those he has helped in the sport tend to be strong advocates for free recoil, and because of their success that does get a lot of airplay in the sport. But there are others like Mike Ratigan that will hold the gun - see mike's book for a description of his technique for "pinning" the rifle. Mike does note that it takes a lot of practice to get the hold consistent, but frankly thats true of any bench technique for shooting a 10.5 pound rifle at a competitive level.

Personally, I hold the rifle near the near the tang. I shoot Scoville / Scarborough stocks, and they do not have a pistol grip or anything for the fingers to rest on, so its not like the whole hand is wrapped around the rifle. I have tried free recoil, but cant get the gap consistent so the rifle only moves a short distance before I stop it, and I cant shoot fast enough that way.

As with anything, you need to experiment to find what works for you. I would definitely take a good look at free recoil if you are just starting out. But if that doesn’t seem to be working for you, dont discount some contact with the gun.

 

[jonbearman]

Thanks to all who responded.