Prone Shooting Preference?

[BLT]

Do prone shooters, F Class as an example, prefer laying on concrete, gravel or grass with or without overhead cover/shelter from the sun? Thank in advance for the ideas/opinions.

 

[sfldiver]

I practice at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida - they have concrete floors with a well designed wooden beamed roof for their 100 yard range. I shoot F Class events at Port Malabar in Palm Bay, Florida - they have inclined flooring with artificial turf (feels much softer than plain concrete) under a long simple metal roof for their 600 yard range.

I prefer the softer flooring where possible. However, the leveler and flatter the surface, the better my bipod tracks and the more stable my rear bag sits. Roofing overhead to block the strong sun in Florida is nice too.

 

[Hengehold]

As a prone/sling shooter I prefer grass as it is softer on the elbows. Shooting several long strings over multiple days can cause some guys to experience elbow pain. For this type of shooting, a surface with some "give" or softness would be preferred.

I think shooting under a coverd firing point is also nice as it allows matches to be less impacted by bad weather. I.e. Have a match canceled after traveling a great distance to shoot. Additionally, Many competitive shooters are elderly and I have seen folks suffer from heat related injuries after being in the summer heat all day.

-T

 

[watercam]

As a prone/sling shooter I prefer grass as it is softer on the elbows. Shooting several long strings over multiple days can cause some guys to experience elbow pain. For this type of shooting, a surface with some "give" or softness would be preferred.

I think shooting under a coverd firing point is also nice as it allows matches to be less impacted by bad weather. I.e. Have a match canceled after traveling a great distance to shoot. Additionally, Many competitive shooters are elderly and I have seen folks suffer from heat related injuries after being in the summer heat all day.

-T

+1 on what Trevor said.

 

[Shynloco]

Sometimes comfort and preference of surface isn't an option left to the shooter. SO always be prepared for the uncomfortable by having a good padded surface material to plant your body on.

Alex

 

[Nowhere Man]

At Manatee Gun range we shoot on grass w/o a cover but, I too prefer Port Malabar's carpeted concrete and metal roof.

Dave

 

[T.Rhodes]

I'm a less experienced F class shooter... Less than 10 shoots. But I do have a preference....level whatever the surface make it level. One range I shoot at has gravel and it gets rounded over. That makes set up difficult. I'm accumulating various pads for leveling and stable set up, so all I want is something with a level base.

 

[Immike]

I'd have to say the grass under shade trees like at Marshall, Mo is pretty sweet!

 

[Medic505]

I'd have to say the grass under shade trees like at Marshall, Mo is pretty sweet!

If you're lucky enough to get in the shade! Otherwise you're baking in the sun. It does tend to get a little warm at Bucksnort in July!

 

[Immike]

If you're lucky enough to get in the shade! Otherwise you're baking in the sun. It does tend to get a little warm at Bucksnort in July!

Lol, I thought we were gonna die last year! I'm bringing some tree spikes for those little trees this year. I would have liked to shot there before that big one died just to see it!

 

[Keith Glasscock]

In the Pacific NW (Washington) we have mostly covered firing lines for a good reason. The surface is either asphalt or concrete. I prefer the concrete.

In the eastern end of the state, we have a desert range (Rattlesnake Mountain) totally uncovered, on sand and gravel. I've noticed differences in the rifles when shooting there - mostly due to the dirt that invades everything. It does tend to not rain there as much...

I just love shooting, so I'd take anything I could get that allows me to shoot 500+ yards.

 

[Rtheurer]

I think we need to get input from the FTR guys as it affects them the most with how the BiPod reacts to the surface for which it recoils and slides on. Just sayin.
The rest of us can work out what ever we need to do. F-O and Sling.

Russel

 

[Alexander-M]

Shade from the sun in very hot days helps a lot, such as the covered positions at StL BRRC; or canopies over the shooting line, as have been occasionally allowed at Atterbury; or as ImMike said (above), the shade trees in about half of Bucksnort,

Surfaces – from an F-T/R shooter perspective:
Cement surfaces are excellent. Ground/grass surfaces also are fine as long as they are flat enough to allow setup of the bipod pad without having to adjust it every few shots due to it sliding sideways or back & forth.

Alex

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I like a covered firing line in hot sun or rain. My elbows prefer grass, but got elbow pads now. My bipod prefers a level surface, which is rare on grass or gravel. The firing line at Talladega would be just about perfect if they put down artificial turf. I really like a big enough covering to keep both shooter and all the stuff dry and out of the sun.

While I am at it, I'll also put in a good word for clean, comfortable bathrooms close to the firing line.

Of course, at some matches, the organizers are so good, and everyone is so friendly, I can really enjoy myself without all the creature comforts or an ideal firing line for prone shooting.

 

[Immike]

Pea gravel is the worse due to the quick sand effect. You have to use phone books or a board under a mat to keep a bipod on top.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Whoever thought gravel would be a good idea?

Dave

 

[BillHocker]

I like a covered firing line in hot sun or rain. My elbows prefer grass, but got elbow pads now. My bipod prefers a level surface, which is rare on grass or gravel. The firing line at Talladega would be just about perfect if they put down artificial turf. I really like a big enough covering to keep both shooter and all the stuff dry and out of the sun.

While I am at it, I'll also put in a good word for clean, comfortable bathrooms close to the firing line.

Of course, at some matches, the organizers are so good, and everyone is so friendly, I can really enjoy myself without all the creature comforts or an ideal firing line for prone shooting.

Aren't you the one that complained about $50 entry fees? Who's going to pay for your creature comforts?

 

[BillHocker]

Aren't you the one that complained about $50 entry fees? Who's going to pay for your creature comforts?

 

[Alexander-M]

I like a covered firing line in hot sun or rain. My elbows prefer grass, but got elbow pads now. My bipod prefers a level surface, which is rare on grass or gravel. The firing line at Talladega would be just about perfect if they put down artificial turf. I really like a big enough covering to keep both shooter and all the stuff dry and out of the sun.

While I am at it, I'll also put in a good word for clean, comfortable bathrooms close to the firing line.

Of course, at some matches, the organizers are so good, and everyone is so friendly, I can really enjoy myself without all the creature comforts or an ideal firing line for prone shooting.

You really need to come and shoot with us at the St. Louis Bench Rest Rifle Club - it offers EVERYTHING you listed above, and more.
Alex

 

[Berger.Fan222]

You really need to come and shoot with us at the St. Louis Bench Rest Rifle Club - it offers EVERYTHING you listed above, and more.
Alex

Had my eye on that one for a while. A bit off my beaten path, but definitely on my to do list when I'm in the neighborhood.