Shooting Stick Users - what do you do with your left hand?

C

CZ453

New member
..... if you shoot right handed. I have never used sticks but think I should be. What do the voices of experience say as regards to putting the left hand on top (around) of the barrel to reduce lift from the sticks, strap the barrel onto the sticks, steady the foot of the stick(s) with the left hand, steady the rifle in front of the trigger guard with the left hand, none of the above, or.....?? I'm using a 30/06 and not somehow helping to secure the rifle with the left hand strikes me as a good way to get a scope eyebrow and/or to much up-lift with the shot.
 
this is just what i like but i usually hold my shooting sticks at the X right where they cross. if its right or not im not sure but its what i like.
 
I loop my sling over one 'ear' of the sticks and tighten it with my left hand for stability...It's not perfect, but it helps..
 
OT, that's exactly what I do with mine also. It seems to help because that way I can "lean" into the sticks almost as well as with an attached bipod.
 
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I loop my sling over one 'ear' of the sticks and tighten it with my left hand for stability...It's not perfect, but it helps..

That method works best; grasp sling and sticks together, lean slightly into sticks and pull sticks toward you. This really steadies up the rifle.


Standing w/sticks, notice shooter leaning slightly into the sticks, making him the third leg of the "tripod".:
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I put my slings on the rifle backwards so that the double strap is through the front swivel, not the back. That way you can loop it over the sticks as shown below when sitting on a stand and your sticks cannot slip forward or back and dump your rifle when you turn it loose to work a hand call:

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I prefer a fairly low seat so as to be able to rest both elbows on legs when sitting w/sticks. Be careful elbows are not resting on kneecap; let left elbow extend beyond knee and rt. elbow rest mid thigh (bone to bone acts like ball bearing & makes for less stable position). In sitting, I pull rifle back into shoulder w/left hand on either the pistol grip (on top of rt. hand) or in front of magazine. This position is almost as steady as a sand bag rest off the bench.:
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Shooting a 30-06 from sticks in a low sitting position could get your eye pretty close to the scope, so I'd suggest grasping sling & sticks @ the x w/left hand and pull rifle/sticks back snugly into shoulder. Check and see that you have ample eye relief before shooting
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Regards,
hm
 
Old Turtle uses the same method that I use. If possible I try to find a back rest--bale of hay, fence post, or any thing that takes out the wobbles. Also grab the sling and pull it tight against the sticks, this gives a very solid rest. Never-never put your fingers over the barrel as you can change the point of impact on many rifles. Always check for level cross hairs as I think many long range miss are caused by this problem. Since many of my shots are at the 250-325 range all of these come into play and must be done right.
 
As has been stated, left hand at the x w/ the sling looped here also, L. hand gripping it all. I sit on the ground behind sticks and use standard sitting position techniques other than location of L. hand. I have a unique(?) set of sticks that have 2 x's, the second set allowing rifle to rest in front of trigger guard. Probably wouldn't be to handy w/ an AR type rifle but works great w/ bolt actions. Super steady. I'll get some pix of it this weekend.
Cheers
Ulvejaeger
 
Originally Posted By: Ulvejaegerleft hand at the x w/ the sling looped here also, L. hand gripping it all. Ulvejaeger

This is the method I use also. My Grandson dumped the rifle twice
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before I thought of running one of the sticks through the sling loop. That stopped the sticks from falling away from the rifle when he shifted the rifle or lifted up on it.
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Flyrodder
 
When I see something I put my hand on the sticks encase I have to move them, or raise or lower them for a better sight picture. It's easier to move the sticks than to move the body.
 
Something I just thought about that I do with my left hand is to hold the stix just below the joint with the palm on the one stick and the trigger finger of the left hand curled around the other stick. This leaves my other three fingers in the gap between the stix to spread them out (if they need lowered) or squeeze them if I need them higher. This is so automatic when spotting a coyote that the moving of the stix is smooth and quiet. Also remember to kick down the snow so that you can move the stix without having to pick them up very high. About had a darn heart attack trying to get the stix out of 10in of packed snow to move them about 180 degrees. He died first.
 
I lay my sling on top of the X then I grasp the left ear othe X along with sling. That way you can adjust every thing and still control barrel climb,I shoot a 300 Win Mag and never got hit by scope.
 
I expect to see all of you shooting stick experts at the annual Predator Masrers hunt/convention in Feb shooting in the Egg Shoot for a custom AR.

Seriously, we'll shoot off of shooting sticks at 150yds at eggs for a (1st) prize of a custom Specialized Dynamics (Scott Milk) AR15.

As the dare goes..you ain't got a hair...
 
I made and use these. They have practice arrow heads in the end of the aluminium tube legs and a swivelling rolick head. They work great. I just hold the rifle.

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I loop the sling over either side of the sticks, stock to my shoulder and use my right hand over the but stock, predator comes in I let the call fall and place my left hand over the X so that I can pick up the sticks and fore grip at the same time in case I need to shift.
 
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