Steadying a shot

yotebooter

New member
Howdy - Back and forth, around in circles, breathing in or out. I can't seem to fix a target without shooting sticks or a mount of some kind. Of course shooting at a target is easier, but when the heart starts pounding with a coyote in the scope it's like I'm in a boat or something. I almost have to anticipate and time my own swaying with the pull of the trigger. Does anyone know of any exercises that help in steadying your shot? Please share or at least tell me I'm not the only one.javascript:void(0)
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
There's no quick fix. Experience is the only answer. (not what you wanted to hear, huh?) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

It's just like anything else. You can practice it over and over gain, but when you actually get "in the game" things are different. Just be patient, don't think so much, and let your instincts take over. If you have spent enough time practicing on the range shooting offhand and just sitting on the ground, it'll all come together soon enough. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Shooting from a bench, IMO, is only for sighting in and for fun. Do your practice by shooting like you are going to be shooting in the field.
 
You are definately not the only one. I will run 30yds to a fence before I take an off hand shot. I only shoot off-hand if I absolutely have to.

No shame in it! Unless you are a prime athlete, or an accomplished sniper... it is very hard to run/walk a distance and THEN make a good off-hand shot.

I use my sticks on every single stand. If no brace is available, then I will use my knee while sitting down. Pretty solid that way. Since I built my shooting sticks, I'll never go without them.
 
You're right (not what I wanted to hear) But makes alot of sense. Thanks for the info and your service to our country. I am humbled and honored. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
You ain't the only one, friend. Combine the excitement of the hunt with general conditions, then add in the fact that the tree I'm in is swaying in the wind, sometimes I just have to pass on the long shots.
I ordered me one of these earlier today to use in my both my tripod and climbing stands for next year:http://www.levellok.com/monopod.html
 
I use a lot of the marksmanship principles I learned in the Marines.

Using bone support rather than muscle is a biggie. If you're sitting cross legged, put the back of your elbows in the pockets formed just inside the knees, keep your front forearm as vertical as you can. Also try using the sling to steady your shot, whether you're sitting, kneeling, or standing. It really helps keep the front end of the rifle steady.

Rather than using the palm of your hand to hold the forend, try using the "v-notch" formed between your thumb and index finger, with your palm facing back at your body. You'll notice that when your forearm is vertical, the notch is directly over the bone, so there is next to no muscle being used to steady the weapon.

Shooting at the bottom of the breathing cycle is another thing that helps (no air held in lungs, rather than holding your breath with full or 1/2). Once I have the crosshairs hovering over the target I wait until half of the last breath is out to start squeezing the trigger. At the very bottom of the cycle the trigger is about to break and the crosshairs are settling near the center of whatever I'm trying to hit.

There will always be some movement, but you can minimize it with practice. I love using a scoped .22 LR for practicing shooting techniques because you can take hundreds of shots for a few bucks, and it's easy to see results. I would start practicing with a 5" bullseye at 25 yards or so. Another option is to dry fire, or "snap-in" as we called it. I have used a magazine picture of a coyote placed across the room with the scope turned all the way down and just "shot" at it over and over. You'll start recognizing good shots and also where you're not perfect. This also helps to keep you from flinching when you are live firing.

Hope that's somewhat helpful.
 
Last edited:
Quote:
You're right (not what I wanted to hear) But makes alot of sense. Thanks for the info and your service to our country. I am humbled and honored. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif



Please don't be either humbled, nor honored. I deserve neither. My small donation to this country was very minor compared to the price that others have paid. There are many fine warriors, both past and present, that are much more deserving.

I assume that you are referring to my signature?....

It is out of respect for a Marine sniper whom I had the honor and pleasure of meeting. He was a courageous and fearless warrior, a champion marksman, and a very humble and sensitive individual. He didn't enjoy killing, but took his job seriously. His talents with a sniper rifle led to almost 300 Vietnamese kills. He is mainly responsible for the military sniper program that exists to this day.

If you are interested, you can read a very small portion of his story here:

http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/sniper%20pages/Carlos.html

And a book about his life story, and his service to our military can be found at most major book stores, as well as here:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780425103555&itm=1
 
I use a single stick with a fork at the top about 2? ft. long. Stick it in the ground in front of me and rest the rifle in the fork. I make it a little long and have it leaning back toward me a little. If i need elevation, I can lean a little forward and slide it down the front of the rifle if I am too high. I've used crossed sticks and they are a little more stable but not enough for me to justify the awkwardness of lifting them and moving one way or the other if I need to line up a shot. That is what helps me. Try different things and see what helps you.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top