Trigger control with pistol grip rifle

[Roach]

Not sure where to post this but I'm curios:

I have a Ruger RPR and it has a pistol grip. It seems like I shoot regular stock, like an HS Precision, better than a chassis rifle. I'm a right handed shooter and normally I shoot with my thumb wrapped around the grip on the left (from behind the rifle). I feel like I'm either gripping too tight or putting too much leverage (side to side) on the grip and I think that's showing up in a lot of horizontal dispersion.


The other day I shot 50 rounds with my thumb on the right and groups tightened up horizontally. It also seems a lot faster after manipulating the bolt and getting back on target. I played with rapid engagement from 333 to 555 from 4MOA to 1MOA targets and it seemed the rifle stayed on target a lot better. I might have been inavertantly twisting the grip.


What grip are you guys using?

 

[nicholst55]

You can have wooden pistol grips custom made to fit your hand. I'm at work and don't have the info on makers, but someone should be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[JaoeyP]

I prefer thumb on right side of the rifle (with right handed grip).

Not sure if it fits the RPR, but I replaced the AR style grupon my Howa chassis with an MPA EVG grip. Love it.

 

[mtnman31]

It sounds like a new rifle. Your groups are bound to change a bit. I'd say to do a bunch of dry firing. Some practice will build the muscle memory for the new rifle and you'll tighten it right up. It's not unusual to open up a bit when changing weapons. When I shoot my Garand and change to the AR (service rifle), there is a definite warm-up period. I wouldn't over think it, just need a bit more trigger time.

 

[Drop Port]

Not sure where to post this but I'm curios:

I have a Ruger RPR and it has a pistol grip. It seems like I shoot regular stock, like an HS Precision, better than a chassis rifle. I'm a right handed shooter and normally I shoot with my thumb wrapped around the grip on the left (from behind the rifle). I feel like I'm either gripping too tight or putting too much leverage (side to side) on the grip and I think that's showing up in a lot of horizontal dispersion.

The other day I shot 50 rounds with my thumb on the right and groups tightened up horizontally. It also seems a lot faster after manipulating the bolt and getting back on target. I played with rapid engagement from 333 to 555 from 4MOA to 1MOA targets and it seemed the rifle stayed on target a lot better. I might have been inavertantly twisting the grip.


What grip are you guys using?

I have a Mcmillan TPR stock with vertical grip, prior stocks were A-3's 5's etc. and i ran my right thumb up the right side of the grip.
With the TPR pistol grip it was awkward to run my thumb on the right side so I run it on the left side up and to the left like giving someone a tilting left thumbs up. This gives me zero torque on the grip and tiny groups.

 

[Roach]

Interesting to see others putting the thumb on the right as well. It felt weird at first but it gives me far less torque on the grip and makes follow up shots both easier, faster, and most importantly more accurate. I have dry fired a lot to get a good feel for it. I feel like it's easier to get my trigger finger at a 90 degree angle and farther away from the stock as well with the thumb on the right. I purchased an ergo grip when I got the rifle because they are wider (large hands) and fit me better. I have them on my ARs.

 

[2506]

One thing you might be doing with a full grip on the pistol grip is squeezing your whole hand on the grip instead of just the trigger with your trigger finger. This is a common problem that I run into teaching people how to shoot a pistol. I am a pistol instructor.

 

[MislMan]

I shoot a RPR also and I place my thumb on the right side as well. There is a small ledge/index point on that side and I use that to ground my hand position (lightly touching).