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How to hold rifle steady?

Good to see a new shooter starting out and more important reaching out. It’s tough to do without help or at least with someone to share time. A couple thoughts.

Post our location and the range you went to. You might get real lucky and find out someone trying to help here, goes to the same range.

It can be really expensive buying stuff to make it easier to shoot, even more so if you buy it 2-3-4 times until you get what you liked/need. The bipod is a good example already. Figure what you need to get started right.

Sounds like the biggest problem is that nothing fits, or is not adjusted properly. You said your were constantly moving around. You should be able to plunk your rifle down on whatever you have to rest it on, sit down, grab ahold of it and with your eyes closed, put your head on the stock, open your eyes and be looking down the sights or scope.

A high bipod means you either need to shoot uphill or raise the butt end. Then you need to raise your seat, or stretch out your turkey neck to see through the scope. If you can’t go to sleep looking through then scope, it ain’t right. Maybe the scope is mounted too high and the cheek riser might help, maybe it’s too low and it’s a ring change you need.

That’s something you can work out at home on the kitchen table and when you do, dry firing until the cross hairs stop moving when you pull the trigger will make a huge difference on the next range trip.

A field bipod on a concrete bench sucks, but it’s better than off hand. Something that helps is remembering to not have two hard points of contact. Bipod feet on the bench is hard contact to hard contact. A folded towel under the feet goes a long way to take out the bounce your likely getting.

There are so many things or ways to shoot, that without an ultimate goal of style or discipline it gets overwhelming. But if you get your shooting setup fitted to you, and basic form down, the bullets really have no choice but to go about where you look. That won’t get you on the trophy stand, but it ought to get you golf balls at 100 yards 75% of the time, with a decent rifle ammo combination.

You will take that basic form into any shooting discipline you try, it’s important to get it right.

Good luck and have fun.
 
First, welcome to the shooting world and the site. It can be frustrating but rewarding too. You are getting very good advice here and I would encourage you to keep asking your questions here. Everyone will be happy to try to help. I would agree that a .223 would have been a better starter rifle, but let's deal with what you have:

You might want to get a strap-on shoulder pad (straps or sticks to your shoulder) to prevent that sore shoulder. You will get used to the recoil, but in the mean time it can be inducing bad shooting techniques by anticipating the discomfort of each shot.

Don't 'chase' bullet holes by trying to adjust after each shot. Shoot a group (3-5 shots), concentrating on technique, and then adjust. Those groups will help show any inconsistencies you might have in your technique much better than individual bullet holes. Do not expect tiny groups at this stage of your shooting career. They will come with personal improvements and finding the right load for your rifle. Remember that each brand of ammo or bullet weight will impact at a different location, so keep it consistent.

Don't over-heat your barrel. 3-5 shots and then feel it. If it is too uncomfortable to touch, it's too hot to shoot.

Use sandbags (I use several shot-bags filled to various thicknesses with dustless kitty litter and stack them for adjustability) for better stability while learning. I like my top bag to be soft enough to lightly cradle the forearm. The rear bag should be filled enough for your comfort but loose enough so you can grasp it with your off hand to squeeze it in order to help you adjust elevation.

Use very good ear protection. Having about a 40% hearing loss in my left ear as a result of years of shooting when it was considered 'sissy' to wear ear protection, I recommend both ear plugs and ear muffs used together. They will help you through your own shooting as well as helping to avoid flinching from the sounds of others on the line.

Hard as it is to do this, when you feel yourself getting tired or losing concentration, quit for the day. Continuing under those conditions will only teach you bad habits that will need to be unlearned.

Finally, consider loading your own ammunition at some point. This will help you with consistent performance and a chance to find what your specific rifle likes while keeping costs down. I realize this is a bad time, what with shortages in bullets, brass, powder and primers but be thinking.

Above all, have fun! Don't let it become work. It should be enjoyable, not drudgery!
 
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Yeah after that first visit I definitely should have gone with the .223 version, only thing was the .308 was in stock for a good price to me (925, compared to where I see them listed on gunbroker and other sites for well over 1200) and the only one I found with a left handed configuration. I would have gotten an SPS but people said the stocks were not good at all and that it was worth getting the LTR with an H-S Precision stock. Even the guy there was surprised I was starting off on .308. I really wasn't expecting it to be as powerful as it was, there was another RSO there shooting a varmint type .223 that looked way easier to control and way less power coming back recoil wise. It was definitely a shock but most of the pain has subsided now, it now sort of feels like the soreness you get after lifting weights the day after. Is it normal for your shoulder to also become numb or is that a sign to stop shooting?
I'm not an authority on the shoulder numbness, so I can't help you there. I just know that for myself, shooting hard kicking mules be they rifle or shotgun, is not enjoyable. I don't need or shoot anything larger than a 25-06 and I use muzzle brakes on most of my rifles. The .308 is a great rifle and I fully understand your purchase. I just hope that you don't develop a flinch because of the recoil/shoulder discomfort. Glad to have you on the forum and not afraid to ask questions. There are some very helpful and knowledgeable forum members here. Enjoy the journey!
 
Lots of good advice - welcome to the forum and the world of shooting.

Couple of points I'd like to reinforce.

1. A 30 caliber rifle is a difficult way to start but not impossible. As soon as you can afford it, purchase either a 22 rimfire or 223 Rem. In the interim, there are factory reduced loads for the 308. I would use these until you perfect your technique or can acquire a lower recoil caliber.

2. You'll never learn to shoot using a lead sled so stay away from those type of artificial contraptions.

3. While I stop using a bipod many years ago, a lower one, being more stable, will help shooting off the bench. I'm no authority on bipod shooting off the bench but when I did use one I found that placing a piece of carpet on the bench and leaning into the rifle aided in reducing erratic shots due to a hard bench surface. A mentioned by others, a rear rest helps.

4. You may want to consider purchasing a shoulder harness recoil pad which slips over your shoulder. This will reduce the felt recoil on your shoulder and help prevent flinching. They are not expensive - most shooting supplies stores sell them. I would get the field version.

5. If possible, try to befriend an experienced shooter to mentor you. Many older guys enjoy mentoring young shoulders. I do. I trained doctors to shoot the M16 rifle and 1911 45 pistol that were being sent to Vietnam. Many never held a firearm before. It was a rewarding experience for me.

6. The Army Marksmanship Unit training manuals are the best I've ever seen. Not sure what's available these days but so a search. They use to be free.

7. The key to becoming a skilled marksman is learning the fundamentals, focusing on consistency in your technique, an practicing with purpose. Learn to call your shots and evaluate the shot as to why it when where it went on the target. Learn what a good and bad shot felt like. Take your time. When things start to go sideways - step away - re-review the fundamentals and resume.

Good luck and keep shooting - don't get discourage.
 
Thank you all very much for the advice! I live in Lubbock, TX and the range I had gone to was 41 Lead Farm. One thing I was noticing that goes along exactly with what a lot of you are saying is that the rifle was jumping and I had to keep moving it back into place in front of my line of sight to get back on target. I'm going to spend today and the rest of this week investing in dry firing practice as well as getting some different size bags made of different thickness to use for the next time I go out, along with one of those recoil pad harnesses to wear and see how much it helps the fatigue. The earplugs I was using are rated nr33 but it was still fairly loud so I am now also looking into earmuffs to use as an over method to see if it helps reduce the noise level any more. I love books, and when I am able to get some left over money together I will definitely purchase it, the first book I purchased a few weeks ago is by Ryan Cleckner that helped me learn most of the basics, but it was very different actually trying to apply most of the information in person, but the knowledge helped me very much for an overall idea. I definitely need to take the time since I'm still early into it to work on my breathing as well as making sure my setup is as comfortable and fit to my needs as it possibly can be, and I will come back to give an update as I make progress with it once I get everything settled in and figured out! Thanks again!
 
I learned to shoot with a .22, then progressed to a Muzzle loader, both a Plains Hawken and a KY Long Rifle. Then I went into the Army and never shot Standing unsupported again. We did shoot Standing supported from a Firing Position on Qualification Ranges, tactical shooting was always prone. You can use a Sling to loop around your Off Arm, adjust it tight enough to provide tension and stability.
 
Research some dry fire practice drills. I have a range behind the house with almost unlimited resources in that dept, yet rarely a day goes by I don't dry fire..... a LOT.

Find a metronome ap,or what I did was order a 1970'ish transistor radio style off evilbay. Try to learn rhythm in working your bolt. Slow and smooth,stay with the beep/beep/beep/beep. Over time,speed up.

At 18 years old? Borrow your Gdad's BP monitor. Go out and run around your house 5 times and do a before N after with the meter. Not for BP(blood pressure) but for your pulse rate. Watch what an elevated pulse does to your shooting. Once you understand how this mechanism works,research how to lower your pulse. Get in the best shape you can.

Dbl up on the hearing protection when live firing. Get a friend to watch you shoot,and/or film it with a phone. Good luck with your shooting.
 
I think I was pretty nervous, I had no idea how different shooting a rifle actually was from my imagination until I took that first shot. There was also a few other people shooting some sort of AK style rifle and another person with a Mosin Nagant or M1 Garand (can't remember what they had) that was very loud and would startle me sometimes after I was exhaling and holding my breath to get ready to fire. With my trigger squeeze I would only focus on the reticle and would gently squeeze until it breaks and continued to hold pressure until I finished the shot and got back on target. But I didn't feel like I was anticipating the recoil or the shot to come, I squeezed through until it actually startled me once the shot had happened. I went through all 20 rounds in the end and felt like I got a little more used to it after the 10th or 12th round. I would have probably went longer if my arm wasn't hurting so bad and there were less people. I also remembered about halfway through that barrels heat up and I was getting a little overexcited and shooting pretty fast without much of a break in between, so I started letting the barrel sit for 10-20 seconds before I would take another shot and took a little more time to try and focus the reticle but by then I was still all over the place and couldn't hold it still.
At the risk of asking the obvious, were you wearing hearing protection? The noise of a center fire firearm going off nearby will make anybody flinch if they're not using it.
 
Bench shooting is best done with a adjustable front rest and rear bag. Bi-pods are for hunting use- not for yielding the true accuracy of your rifle. Lead shot bags filled with sand will work in the short term- Brownells sells them- or you can improvise. Please don't even think of a lead sled or other such contraptions.
How many PRS shooter shoot accurately with Bipods.? I don't think this Gentleman is trying to shoot Benchrest groups yet. Bipods are OK to start out with!
 
Also use uncooked white Navy Beans in the socks. Fill about half of the foot with beans, give the sock a twist and fold it over itself. You can make any size rear bag by using different sized socks Kids, women and finally men's socks. the beans are not as heavy as sand.
 
Both Hornady and Remington make reduced recoil in 308. That would be a huge help. We had some pretty small statured girls shooting a 270 with reduced recoil ammo and doing well. However they also shot competitively in smallbore and air rifle. Personally a 22 rifle or an air rifle would be a good place to learn the basics without developing a flinch.
chip
 
How many PRS shooter shoot accurately with Bipods.? I don't think this Gentleman is trying to shoot Benchrest groups yet. Bipods are OK to start out with!
It is one extra variable to the accuracy equation that is unnecessary. Correct use of a bi-pod has a learning curve. The rifle is a bit illsuited recoilwise for a newby. You do not want them to become recoil shy and trying to learn the idiosynchrasies of the bipod along with the many other basics of good shooting form may prove too overwhelming.
 
, the first book I purchased a few weeks ago is by Ryan Cleckner that helped me learn most of the basics,
He's a very knowledgeable and sensible shooter with quite a resume of practical shooting, i.e. military sniper training.

As far as I know, he doesn't use a bipod. Watch some of his video's on YouTube.
 
This is a drill I used when first starting to shoot USPSA Open Class With a 38 Super louden boomer. Have someone with you at the range. You load the first round and proceed to fire. Every other subsequent round will be loaded by your buddy. The person can load an actual round or could be a snap cap, you will not know. Proceed to fire the next round while paying attention to hold, sight picture, and aim point. If the next round is the snap cap pay attention to why you flinched. Did you jerk the tigger, close your eyes, or did not follow through after the trigger was pulled. This helped me isolate the issues I was having. Your buddy will set the sequences of live verses snap cap rounds.

This is an excellent training tool for anyone that shoots.
 
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This is a drill I used when first starting to shoot USPSA Open Class With a 38 Super louden boomer. Have someone with you at the range. You load the first round and proceed to fire. Every other subsequent round will be loaded by your buddy. The person can load an actual round or could be a snap cap, you will not know. Proceed to fire the next round while paying attention to hold, sight picture, and aim point. If the next round is the snap cap pay attention to why you flinched. Did you jerk the tigger, close your eyes, or did not follow through after the trigger was pulled. This helped me isolate the issues I was having. Your buddy will set the sequences of live verses snap cap rounds.

This is an excellent trading tool for anyone that shoots.
Tony did that same test at Precision rifle 2 class at Strategic Edge
 
Investing in a Limb Saver recoil pad will be money well spent as it will reduce felt recoil by a bunch making the 308 much more pleasant to shoot. Strongly recommend this item.
 

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