A bit of a rant (shooting)
Our local range has a high power 200 yard match about once a month. Turnout varies from 10 to 25 guys. Most bring ARs, a few bring M1 and M1A rifles; and usually one or two bring a military bolt action of some sort (including me- I like the challenge). 45 rounds with sighters. Course of fire is 5 sighter shots, 10 slow prone, 10 rapid prone, 10 rapid seated, and 10 slow offhand.
This time out I took my No4Mk1 Enfield. I got 91 prone- not bad for a battle rifle with so-so sights and surplus ammo, and I would have gotten better- everything was low, in the 9 ring. I got 74 rapid prone- ok, nothing great. I got 82 offhand.
Now the rant. I got 41 in seated rapid fire. I ALWAYS do bad in seated rapid. I can shoot any bolt action, my M1, or a borrowed AR and rarely break 60. I know part of my problem is my stance; I have short legs and a long torso, so the traditional crossed legs stance doesn't work; I can't put both elbows on my knees and bend over far enough to look down the rifle's sights. Ditto on the crossed ankle position. Open stance works well enough but my arm slips down my leg.
Ergo I have adopted a modified position with crossed legs and my left arm on my left leg, but my right arm in the air. I just can't do otherwise; and it isn't very stable so I do poorly.
It's my problem. If you care to suggest a solution, go ahead, but I just felt like ranting on a monday morning.
This time out I took my No4Mk1 Enfield. I got 91 prone- not bad for a battle rifle with so-so sights and surplus ammo, and I would have gotten better- everything was low, in the 9 ring. I got 74 rapid prone- ok, nothing great. I got 82 offhand.
Now the rant. I got 41 in seated rapid fire. I ALWAYS do bad in seated rapid. I can shoot any bolt action, my M1, or a borrowed AR and rarely break 60. I know part of my problem is my stance; I have short legs and a long torso, so the traditional crossed legs stance doesn't work; I can't put both elbows on my knees and bend over far enough to look down the rifle's sights. Ditto on the crossed ankle position. Open stance works well enough but my arm slips down my leg.
Ergo I have adopted a modified position with crossed legs and my left arm on my left leg, but my right arm in the air. I just can't do otherwise; and it isn't very stable so I do poorly.
It's my problem. If you care to suggest a solution, go ahead, but I just felt like ranting on a monday morning.
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Short of radical surgery, no solutions- sorry. In my case, age + wear & tear has limited flexibility of body. Have been coaching my granddaughter this summer (age 11) and really envy flex of a youngster. Of course, she DOES need a booster seat for benchrest- but is small enough she can shoot sitting ON the benchrest! For an elbow in the air, does use of a sling help any? BTW, where are your matches? My lady is from the border of Devon and Cornwall- years ago, she used to go shooting out on the moors w/ her Dad. Rook rifle. 0 -
You might want to consider a solution I've had to adopt as a rural mail carrier, driving from the right (wrong) side of the car.
A kid asked me the other day, "How can you reach the pedals over there, from over here?" To which I replied, "I had to have surgery, and get my left arm and leg stretched two inches. So it works just fine".
As I drove off, I saw a slightly unbelieving look flutter across the kid's face. Wonder why?
Sahagan0 -
The matches are in Sandusky, Ohio. 0 -
The best thing for you to do is to tighten your sling up, when I say tight I mean TIGHT, as in finger turning blue tightness, that way you will limit the amout of movement from the rifle and it will keep you mostly stedy. Other than that, practice, practice, practice, remember practice makes better, even dry firing in your livingroom for a hour a day will drastically improve you scores. 0
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