relaxing behind your rifle

[greyspider56]

Hi all. I’m having a terrible time when shooting f class open. I can’t seem to get comfortable behind my rifle. I tried a few different height bags etc. I’ve tried just holding my head up, that only lasts for a few moments before my neck starts to strain. if I try a cheek weld, I can’t see out of the scope without difficulty. I’ve adjusted the check riser to various heights without any success. please offer any suggestions that may solve this. I’m very frustrated at this point.

thanks
Iike

 

[jghoghunter]

try benchrest

sorry i know not helpful but i bet all your problems go away

 

[greyspider56]

try benchrest

sorry i know not helpful but i bet all your problems go away

At this point I’m considering it

 

[K22]

This is a more common problem than you may think. Plus, it is good that you want to fix it because you cannot shoot your best when you are not comfortable. Holding you head up will produce poor shooting, you must have firm cheek weld.

The first issue is making sure the eye relief of the scope is set for the position you intend to shoot. When you hold the rifle, with eyes closed in your nature holding position, there should be no "shadows" in the scope or strain on your neck. (This assumes you have already adjusted the eye piece to give you a clear crisp view of the reticle)

Firm cheek weld is essential without neck strain. The comb height needs to be adjusted to match your body profile, so you have a solid cheek weld with your eye aligned with the center of the reticle. Sometimes this has to be worked into comb with the scope eye relief adjustment.

Experiment with different positions, eye reliefs, and comb heights until you find one that is comfortable with a complete and clear view of the scope. Here is where an experienced mentor can help. Have the mentor observe you and make adjustments while you are the position you intend to shoot.

Sometimes, the length of pull on the stock is either too long or short depending on your body profile. This may need adjustment.

For your best performance, this needs to be fixed so don't give up. Perhaps other members can offer additional help.

 

[K22]

A side note, comfortable is a more apt description of your need than "relaxing" which I am sure that's what you mean. I just felt compelled to mention this since someone else might get the incorrect impression.

Follow through is essential is top shooting performance. Therefore, a firm and comfortable hold must be maintained throughout the shot process for top performance. Relaxing the hold at any point throughout the shot process will cause a shot to go awry.

 

[Chaotik]

I don't know your age or if you have any physical limitations. About 10 years ago I was having similar problems and applied for an NRA waiver to let me use a cushion under my torso to help elevate my body. This provided enough relief that I was able to participate in several F class matches, but could no longer do the tournaments which I loved that lasted for several days (physical recovery from a match shooting 60+ rounds prone in a day took awhile) As the years progressed (I am in my 70's) I have shot more Benchrest, and actually have not shot F class in awhile. If I go back to shooting F class it will be from a bench and not prone. Many clubs will try to accommodate the shooter with physical limitations. Good luck.

 

[ChristianSilver]

I went through a similar problem, I added one and a half inches to my seb Bigfoot rear bag to get me more heigth. This allowed me to be in a more neutral position while prone. After doing this it feels good and not straining neck or lower back.
I’m light on my gun, minimal touch and no cheek welding.

 

[X Count]

Gun setup aside then it's practice. You end up getting "match fit" and it becomes natural.

You shouldn't need the cheek piece to support the weight of your head. That's asking for tracking issues.

 

[jelenko]

Gun setup aside then it's practice. You end up getting "match fit" and it becomes natural.

You shouldn't need the cheek piece to support the weight of your head. That's asking for tracking issues.

In F Class? I'm thinking in a prone position, it's going to be tough to hold your head so there's no cheek weld.

 

[ChristianSilver]

In F Class? I'm thinking in a prone position, it's going to be tough to hold your head so there's no cheek weld.

It’s not, I’m just very slightly touching my cheek.

 

[Rank Amateur]

Probably won’t work for everyone, but, I had neck pain when I started shooting F-class. I found that if I angled my body away from the axis of the rifle a bit more, I was able to shoot without the neck pain. I specifically keep my face off of the rifle when shooting. My original position had my body essentially aligned with the rifle axis. Shifting so that my body is something like 20 degrees angled did the trick. Something to try??

 

[ChristianSilver]

Probably won’t work for everyone, but, I had neck pain when I started shooting F-class. I found that if I angled my body away from the axis of the rifle a bit more, I was able to shoot without the neck pain. I specifically keep my face off of the rifle when shooting. My original position had my body essentially aligned with the rifle axis. Shifting so that my body is something like 20 degrees angled did the trick. Something to try??

Yes sir, agree with getting off center of rifle 100%

 

[X Count]

In F Class? I'm thinking in a prone position, it's going to be tough to hold your head so there's no cheek weld.

Yes absolutely in f class. I didn't touch the cheek piece at all, touch the butt plate very lightly mostly as a reference. Some people remove the cheek piece all together.

 

[FeMan]

As I hit my 60's, I started having some issues with neck stiffness and shoulder/back fatigue from shooting F-Class. I started exercising by doing planks. That has helped a lot. I also shoot with my body off of the rifle axis centerline a bit.

 

[Rank Amateur]

OP, one more suggestion that worked for me. Trying to hold your head higher by focusing on tensing back and neck muscles can lead to pain and rapid fatigue. Try, instead, focusing on pressing your hips and core (belly) down into the mat. You may find your position is more stable (anyway), but it will also lead to raising of your upper body and head in response. As always, hope this helps.

 

[greyspider56]

A side note, comfortable is a more apt description of your need than "relaxing" which I am sure that's what you mean. I just felt compelled to mention this since someone else might get the incorrect impression.

Follow through is essential is top shooting performance. Therefore, a firm and comfortable hold must be maintained throughout the shot process for top performance. Relaxing the hold at any point throughout the shot process will cause a shot to go awry.

You are correct, I meant comfortable

 

[nockhunter]

Try shortening the length of pull and/or moving your scope back a little. It worked for me, my scope was too far forward for prone shooting.

Mike

 

[DaWhit]

Scope tech from one company told me to set the gun and scope up while in the prone position if that is the primary position you will be firing from. Makes getting behind the scope easier for me.

 

[Fire Dog]

This is a more common problem than you may think. Plus, it is good that you want to fix it because you cannot shoot your best when you are not comfortable. Holding you head up will produce poor shooting, you must have firm cheek weld.

The first issue is making sure the eye relief of the scope is set for the position you intend to shoot. When you hold the rifle, with eyes closed in your nature holding position, there should be no "shadows" in the scope or strain on your neck. (This assumes you have already adjusted the eye piece to give you a clear crisp view of the reticle)

Firm cheek weld is essential without neck strain. The comb height needs to be adjusted to match your body profile, so you have a solid cheek weld with your eye aligned with the center of the reticle. Sometimes this has to be worked into comb with the scope eye relief adjustment.

Experiment with different positions, eye reliefs, and comb heights until you find one that is comfortable with a complete and clear view of the scope. Here is where an experienced mentor can help. Have the mentor observe you and make adjustments while you are the position you intend to shoot.

Sometimes, the length of pull on the stock is either too long or short depending on your body profile. This may need adjustment.

For your best performance, this needs to be fixed so don't give up. Perhaps other members can offer additional help.

For me, I definitely have found that I have to change the scope eye relief position on my F Open rifles as opposed to shooting off a bench, as well, the length of pull requirement will/usually also be different than off a bench, though not always, often.
I set up my front rest and rear bag at home lie down on my shooting mat and get in position to make a shot whenever I have changed scopes or started up a new rifle. That gives me a chance to see how the gun and I fit together and if it is not right, change things before going out to the range to compete.
Shotgun shooters have known for years that if you want to do well, the gun must fit YOU, and custom builders often have multi adjustable stocks so that they can modify it to fit you and build to that fit.
A bit like getting measured for a new suit. At least the expensive ones..

 

[K22]

For me, I definitely have found that I have to change the scope eye relief position on my F Open rifles as opposed to shooting off a bench, as well, the length of pull requirement will/usually also be different than off a bench, though not always, often.
I set up my front rest and rear bag at home lie down on my shooting mat and get in position to make a shot whenever I have changed scopes or started up a new rifle. That gives me a chance to see how the gun and I fit together and if it is not right, change things before going out to the range to compete.
Shotgun shooters have known for years that if you want to do well, the gun must fit YOU, and custom builders often have multi adjustable stocks so that they can modify it to fit you and build to that fit.
A bit like getting measured for a new suit. At least the expensive ones..

Since I primarily shoot off cross sticks, rarely off the bench, I too had to make adjustments accordingly to obtain the optimum head position to maximize my performance.

I often see shooters at the range with high magnification scopes mounted too high without adjustable stock combs resulting in them lifting their heads off the stock with no cheek weld and with the resultant expected poor shooting.