Grip and Shoulder pressure technique help for Long range precision off bench or prone

[mtenenhaus]

Hoping to gain some insight into how best to grip and shoulder the rifle for long range shooting from a bench or prone position.

I've seen examples advocating not wrapping the thumb around the handgrip but rather laying the thumb alongside

I've seen advocated either a firm inset of the stock to the infraclavicular / pectoral region.

And finally I've also seen advocated minimal inset of the recoil pad to the chest.

Wondering if there is a concensus with respect to precision type shooting. Granted more dynamic sports would necessitate a very secure bond to the rifle.

Thank you

[broadside]

what matters is managing the recoil in a consistent way every shot.

however you do that is up to you

[NorCalFocus]

[mtenenhaus]

NorCal thank you, i'm certain you're correct. i've already scheduled a class and in addition wish to learn as much as i can in the intervening time. I'll check out the podcast.

Broadside, no doubt you're correct. Just trying to learn from others, see what's worked for them or perhaps what did not work from them.

[DarkSoul]

I think the most important points are having a rifle that is setup correct to your body (length of pull, scope height / eye relief, etc), and creating a stable shooting platform, i.e. shooting bags and bipod/tripods for support, and what so many people don't do that I have seen is getting their spine aligned with the rifle, which ultimately is part of recoil management.

I shoot with both my thumb to the side and wrapped, it just depends on my shooting position, and how well supported the rifle is. if I have the rifle all bagged up, and can basically let go of it and not have it move, thumb to the side, but if I physically have to support the rifle more, then thumb wrapped.

[Switchbarrel]

what matters is managing the recoil in a consistent way every shot.

^^^This for sure but, there are other factors as well...such as rifle weight and caliber amongst others.

I shoot 600 yd & 1K benchrest. My <17lb light gun has barrels in 6mm Dasher, 6.5x.284 Shehane and .284 Shehane.

As a Dasher, my cheek touches the stock but, no real pressure. The buttstock rests against my shoulder softly (just so it doesn't recoil back and slap me).

As a .284, it gets cheek pressure and the stock gets pulled against my shoulder. It shoots better with a harder hold than the "almost" free recoil as a Dasher.


-Rick

[broadside]

There are "preferred" methods of recoil management but it is highly dependent on your body type and physical nature/stature.

Myself, I prefer to shoot my pistol gripped bolt gun with a loose grip, tucked in fairly tight but without pulling it in. I preload my bipod to make that happen. Otherwise I pull with the pistol grip but don't squeeze it tight.

[broadside]

^^^This for sure but, there are other factors as well...such as rifle weight and caliber amongst others.

I shoot 600 yd & 1K benchrest. My <17lb light gun has barrels in 6mm Dasher, 6.5x.284 Shehane and .284 Shehane.

As a Dasher, my cheek touches the stock but, no real pressure. The buttstock rests against my shoulder softly (just so it doesn't recoil back and slap me).

As a .284, it gets cheek pressure and the stock gets pulled against my shoulder. It shoots better with a harder hold than the "almost" free recoil as a Dasher.


-Rick

But are you not doing those different methods consistently for each? Obviously the methods can and do vary but as long as you do it the same every time you get the best results.

[Switchbarrel]

But are you not doing those different methods consistently for each? Obviously the methods can and do vary but as long as you do it the same every time you get the best results.

[broadside]

All good!

[Fjold]

Like Switchbarrel says, it depends on the recoil and what your gun likes.

I free recoil my 22.250 AI off the bench, I don't free recoil the 458 Win Mag.

[NorCalFocus]

^^^This for sure but, there are other factors as well...such as rifle weight and caliber amongst others.

I shoot 600 yd & 1K benchrest. My <17lb light gun has barrels in 6mm Dasher, 6.5x.284 Shehane and .284 Shehane.

As a Dasher, my cheek touches the stock but, no real pressure. The buttstock rests against my shoulder softly (just so it doesn't recoil back and slap me).

As a .284, it gets cheek pressure and the stock gets pulled against my shoulder. It shoots better with a harder hold than the "almost" free recoil as a Dasher.


-Rick

To add on to this a bit...IMHO, this is not understood by most new shooters and with the market trend towards 6mm and 6.5mm rounds, you have a lot of guys out there not learning proper recoil management.

Its very easy to shoot a 15# plus 6.5CM. But it on a bi-pod and bag and don't muscle it around, and you're going to shoot decent. But try that with a 10# 308, 30-06, 300WM hunting rifle, and you're going to think that the guns sucks.

[mtenenhaus]

I think those challenges you note are what i've been struggling with. There is an inconsistency in my results. Sometimes i obtain a .35 moa and then another day the same load will yield a .9 moa

I've still got a lot to learn.

[NorCalFocus]

I think those challenges you note are what i've been struggling with. There is an inconsistency in my results. Sometimes i obtain a .35 moa and then another day the same load will yield a .9 moa

I've still got a lot to learn.

How much dry fire practice do you do?

Do you have a mental checklist you go through when you place the rifle?

[5gnut]

Body alignment behind the rifle, think of a stick man, feet wide apart(prone) butt pad in pocket formed by collar bone and shoulder. rifle should be parallel with your spine
Check length of pull, breath. dont hold your breath, fire between breaths.

If your interested in a course of instruction check out
maxordinate.com