relaxing behind your rifle

[Bill Clifton]

I can relate, after several spine fusions and nerve issues in my arms I can no longer shoot prone at all. Doctor doesn't want me to even try. I can only shoot upright as from a bench, etc.

I like the F class scoring system, wish some places had actual F class bench shooting.

 

[Rank Amateur]

I can relate, after several spine fusions and nerve issues in my arms I can no longer shoot prone at all. Doctor doesn't want me to even try. I can only shoot upright as from a bench, etc.

I like the F class scoring system, wish some places had actual F class bench shooting.

Many do. Although not officially recognized by sanctioning organizations, the ranges I shoot at in TX have created categories for shooters who can’t shoot prone, or don’t have equipment that meet the rules. We have folks regularly competing (with everyone else) who shoot off benches, use heavy PRS rifles, have suppressors, etc. I hope your experience will be the same, but reach out to match directors at your range(s), and have fun with it!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Get off the gun. It doesnt need your help.

 

[F Class John]

I will say that with the following clarification last year for the NRA F Class Rules, some competitors had to learn all over again and I know it wasn't easy for some. There's guys I shoot with (local not national competitors) who just couldn't get a handle on holding their rifle after never touching it for so long. I believe it's been stated above somewhere but dry fire, dry fire, dry fire as much as you can at home. Make it muscle memory at home and you'll never have to worry on the line.

"The rifle must be fired in the prone position from the shoulder of the competitor using rifle rests as defined in Rule 3.2. Free recoil is not permitted."

 

[K22]

I can relate, after several spine fusions and nerve issues in my arms I can no longer shoot prone at all. Doctor doesn't want me to even try. I can only shoot upright as from a bench, etc.

I like the F class scoring system, wish some places had actual F class bench shooting.

I used to hunt varmints off a bipod prone but due to spinal condition, I can't shoot in the prone anymore - actually for a long time.

About 25 years ago I switched to cross sticks in a sitting position off a small portable sportsmen's chair. This was actually a blessing in disguise since it offered a wider field of view which meant more shoot opportunities and significantly minimize the chance of getting ticks on me.

While this has nothing to do with competition, it does reflect that sometimes an obstacle can lead to better situation.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

In case theres a guy with a feeler gauge checking if you are touching the stock, put a light shoulder on it. But keep your head and hand off it.

 

[Jefferson]

watch tv while in your prone shooting position

I used it to strengthen muscles and it works

also a famous and nice guy LM used to do this I think

 

[Jeff Porter]

From a sling shooters perspective but still applies to F class ( and any shooting ). Bring the gun to your eye- do not move your eye to the gun.

I will set myself up behind a new rifle and adjust any adjustable parts so that the rifle comes to me. I put the optic ( or irons) in line with my eye position in the comfortable relaxed position by using rings of best height and adjusting fore / aft for optimal eye relief.

InF class , this will mean different rests / bipods fore and aft to get the gun set into your comfort zone.

Good luck! Some training a muscle memory will be required but you don’t shoot well when you are tense or in pain shooting.

 

[Tod Hendricks]

Many good suggestions above, I will add for me and my neck injury issues, I use a tall bag with spacers for added height, I’m basically supported by my elbows.

My process to get the best or most comfortable fit, get prone behind your rifle with your eyes closed, keeping your eyes closed get comfortable with height position etc. then open your eyes the scope should have a clear sight picture and eye relief, it’s a process that takes a while, the goal is to adjust your equipment to your most comfortable position.

Neck and back strengthening exercises help a lot, as previously mentioned watching tv prone is an easy one.

 

[Steve h]

I started having neck pain in the prone position. Doctors and radiologist told me it was arthritis and nothing could be done about it. I applied to NRA to allow me to shoot fclass off a portable bench. Finally got approval. Check it out. Getting older is no fun but shooting is.

 

[jeffp400]

I started having neck pain in the prone position. Doctors and radiologist told me it was arthritis and nothing could be done about it. I applied to NRA to allow me to shoot fclass off a portable bench. Finally got approval. Check it out. Getting older is no fun but shooting is.

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

Both Steve’s and Jeff’s are spot on with their suggestion. I’m a knuckle dragging sling shooter 2 But the process will be the same. I wanted to add a couple more. In Ohio right now isn’t the best time for shootin, but it is for working on the problems you are having. Myself I will not go to the range without getting on the floor inside the house first and start tuning with something to aim at on a wall near level as far away as possible. Step 1 rifle height. To low poor sight picture, to high neck strain. Step 2 sight height, I prefer as low of sight or scope to c/l of bore as possible. Once I’m here I like to compare this to a known setup. (my primary Small-bore rifle that I’ve fired over 50k rounds with.) 3 now let’s work on length of pull, this can vary due loading port to trigger distance, I start with my known Smallbore set up and go from there. step 4 mount the rings or front sight now dry fire from your shooting position at a spot on the wall that’s level. Note, I haven’t mentioned anything about a scope yet! Are you comfortable? I suggest getting in out of position several times and dry firing. get Into position with your eyes closed and checking to see how and where’s that spot on the wall at? Once this is comfortable then introduce the scope or rear sight. That’s step 5. Bring the scope or rear sight to YOU! Your goal should be to have a relatively comfortable position as possible with good cheek weld as close to the c/l of the rifles bore as possible. if you’re struggling I suggest putting your equipment away and setting it up several times until you get that comfortable muscle memory.
i hope this helps, Jeff

 

[troupe]

I am no long range shooter with any expertise to add, but the biggest thing I noticed was when I got behind my McMillan adjustable stocks was when I moved my cheek rest to the right, off center of the bore line. My stocks allowed this adjustment and it made a huge difference looking through my scope. It was a very nice improvement for me. Like I said, I am not in anyway a expert and would never claim to be, just a old Hillbilly that can hit a target down range sometimes.

 

[demarpaint]

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

I found by accident, that helped me a lot.

 

[coldboreshot]

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

Many good suggestions above, I will add for me and my neck injury issues, I use a tall bag with spacers for added height, I’m basically supported by my elbows.

My process to get the best or most comfortable fit, get prone behind your rifle with your eyes closed, keeping your eyes closed get comfortable with height position etc. then open your eyes the scope should have a clear sight picture and eye relief, it’s a process that takes a while, the goal is to adjust your equipment to your most comfortable position.

Neck and back strengthening exercises help a lot, as previously mentioned watching tv prone is an easy one.

Tod beat me to it but this would have been my response as well. I badically do the same. I notice on firing lines that people get way too low in their prone positions ,causing them to strain so much to crank their heads up.
OP, I'm not sure how high you went when trying different rear bag heights but many years ago I discovered a high placement put my head in the proper angle, in line with the eye box, to relieve my neck strain. Follow Tod's suggestion.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I find prone horribly uncomfortable. The stuff in this video helped me and also doing drills. Get in position, fire 1 shot, stand up with the rifle. Build the position again, fire 1 shot , stand up, repeat.

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[D-4297]

Resolving this same issue with my shooting partner . He is slightly heavy , and after making several "adjustments" to his rifle , LOP , Bag height , Bi-pod mounting heights , scope moved closer . The one thing not considered was his Scope height . He had a "High" set of Rings on the scope , and it had his scope 2 1/4" above bore . He has been shooting decent scores first relay , and second relay a bit lower , with third relay going to Hell in a hand-cart . And he was always rubbing his neck , complaining about pain when he finished the third relay .
Pretty sure that lowering his scope will make a lot of the problems go away . He has ordered a new set of lower Rings , and I'll let everyone know what we learn .

 

[FNSafari]

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

Well I can only give you this advice based on my one experience with a full-fledged .22 RF prone match. As was mentioned to you above, try benchrest.

Prone 22 RF is 4 targets...one at 50 yds, one at 50 metres, one at 100 yds and one at 100 metres. Each target has four record bulls and each bull is fired on 5 times. So, that's a total of 20 shots per target for record plus sighters and a total of 80 record shots, all while lying on your belly, no rests and single loading the rifle. By the time I was done on a hot August day, I had my fill of prone

If you ever wondered where the label 40X that Remington named their flagship target rifle, each phase 50yd/50m and 100yd/100M is 40 shots with a possible X count of 40. It's a tough position for older folks not accustomed to it and even for older lads that have shot it for years. Know your limitations and search out a style that you can do. Benchrest is extremely competitive and very difficult to do consistently well. Give it a try sometime. That would be IBS/NBRSA score or group.