FTR Technique Again

[rckendall]

A few weeks ago I asked for help with F Class shooting techniques and got some good help. Now I have my rifle and gear together and shot my first rounds with it a couple days ago. First of all, I was very happy that the rifle shot well enough with the questionable barrel, that I am looking forward to getting this rig tuned up. I need to work with loads, bipod attachment and location, trigger adjustment, and my technique in general.

I am set up for the rifle to have good free recoil, as I thought that was the goal everyone seeks. But, I read the rules again and it states that the rifle is to be shot from the shoulder. I've also read that the shirt must touch the rifle (buttstock?).

So, before I get too far down the wrong road, can someone explain how much shoulder needs to be used? I had it down so that the rifle moved without touching any part of my body, except the trigger finger and hand. When I did it wrong, the stock would hit my hand that was squeezing the bag, or the buttstock hit my shoulder.

Any help out there, please?

Thanks
Richard

 

[Jay Christopherson]

you won't get a definitive answer on this

 

[brshtr]

A few weeks ago I asked for help with F Class shooting techniques and got some good help. Now I have my rifle and gear together and shot my first rounds with it a couple days ago. First of all, I was very happy that the rifle shot well enough with the questionable barrel, that I am looking forward to getting this rig tuned up. I need to work with loads, bipod attachment and location, trigger adjustment, and my technique in general.

I am set up for the rifle to have good free recoil, as I thought that was the goal everyone seeks. But, I read the rules again and it states that the rifle is to be shot from the shoulder. I've also read that the shirt must touch the rifle (buttstock?).

So, before I get too far down the wrong road, can someone explain how much shoulder needs to be used? I had it down so that the rifle moved without touching any part of my body, except the trigger finger and hand. When I did it wrong, the stock would hit my hand that was squeezing the bag, or the buttstock hit my shoulder.

Any help out there, please?

Thanks
Richard

As Jay said, you won't get a definitive answer on this. As far as what the rules require -- I recall at least one long thread in these forums, and possibly more, about the meaning of the rule about "firing from the shoulder." It's a poorly-written rule and only the NRA can definitively say what it means. I'm not familiar with a rule requiring the shirt to touch the stock; is that in the NRA rulebook?

Rather than hijack the thread, let me address your question about technique. Different people will use different techniques and you'll have to experiment to find the one that works best for you. Don't worry about having to do it exactly the way someone else does.

The theory behind free recoil is to minimize the contact/pressure points against the rifle in order to eliminate variables that can cause the rifle to move differently from one shot to the next. As long as the rifle moves consistently and doesn't move way away from your original point of aim, you should be OK. So rather than try to achieve a certain technique, try different techniques until you can shoot consistently and the rifle doesn't end up pointing to the next county after it recoils.

If you want to shoot free recoil, I think the butt should hit your shoulder when it recoils. If it doesn't, you're either pretty far away from the rifle and/or there's too much friction between the rifle and whatever bag/bipod system you're using. The rifle hitting your hand is probably pretty unpleasant and I'd suggest working on your position to eliminate that.

Before you focus on free recoil/something else, find a position where your body has an angle to the rifle that's comfortable for you, is easily repeatable, and enables you to shoot consistently and re-aim quickly. Figure out where you want to put your support forearm. Support elbow way out or further in to your body? Body curving up or body flatter? Position is real important and requires some time and practice to perfect. One you've found the right position, then I'd suggest it's time to consider how much you want to hold on to the rifle. Good luck and have fun!

Dave Rabin

 

[rckendall]

Thanks Dave! I also shoot Highpower matches using a sling in prone position, but at 71 years young, I get tired pretty quickly. So I thought I would develop the low flat position versus one leg up which raises the chest off the ground. More relaxed?

I'll admit that there were times in my first outing that the rifle would be off on alignment after some shots. I then would use my support arm/hand to slide the bipod back into alignment.

I think that as long as the bullet has left the barrel before the shooter influences the recoil, it should be consistent. Yes? I guess that is what I am aiming towards. Plus leaving my support arm to adjust the bipod between shots. The whole process seemed to take more time than I imagined.

Thanks again,
Richard

 

[Mozella]

...... snip...........
So, before I get too far down the wrong road, can someone explain how much shoulder needs to be used? ....... snip........
Thanks
Richard

I think the answer is that the rifle must touch your shoulder just enough so that your fellow competitors don't complain. One more tip. Do like I do and don't ever talk about free recoil again. Since free recoil is against the F-class rules, talking about it is counter productive.

Said another way, I learned in the Navy that you should not ask a question if you think you might not like the answer. It works for me.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I think the answer is that the rifle must touch your shoulder just enough so that your fellow competitors don't complain. One more tip. Do like I do and don't ever talk about free recoil again. Since free recoil is against the F-class rules, talking about it is counter productive.

Said another way, I learned in the Navy that you should not ask a question if you think you might not like the answer. It works for me.

It's not against the rules - that's exactly the point. As the rule is written, "from the shoulder" could be interpreted any number of ways. Until someone is disqualified from a registered match for shooting "free recoil" (and good luck with that, get out your feeler gauges), the rule is exactly what it looks like: an ambiguous statement. What level of touching (or not touching) constitutes "free recoil" and "from the shoulder"? What if I have .010" of space between myself and the stock? What if my shirt is touching, but my shoulder is not? It's still "free recoiling" for the thickness of my shirt... how about a jacket in colder weather? It's "free recoiling" even further in that case. Like I said, get out the feeler gauges and be prepared to set a standard.

If you want to really get down to it, the fact that no one has ever been disqualified for shooting so-called "free recoil" (or even challenged, so far as I am aware) essentially is a referendum on the rule, in and of itself. In my opinion. Who's gonna be first to set that precedent on the winner of a national level match?

 

[Mozella]

It's not against the rules - that's exactly the point. As the rule is written, "from the shoulder" could be interpreted any number of ways. ........ snip...........

Bill Clinton, Is that you?

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Bill Clinton, Is that you?

nice.

 

[rckendall]

I was afraid that the question would be unanswerable. But, I seem to remember someone suggesting using a thick piece of soft foam under the shirt, and that seems like a good thing to me. I'll explore that and see where that leads me. I can sew in to a shooting vest that I have.

Thanks for the responses!

Richard

 

[JohnMill]

Oh you will get a definitive answer alright. Just shoot a match or two free recoil that oughta give you all the answer you need. I shot Hunter BR free recoil for 3 matches. I do not care if I ever win/hit anything. I will never shoot 308 free recoil again, ever. Not one shot!