Hand position while shooting

[Greywolf18]

I was just wondering where everyone puts their non-trigger hand while shooting. I am curious because I notice most long range people put it under the buttstock or on the rear sand bag. Whenever I try to do that, the barrel jumps a whole lot. I have been putting it in the front and pulling it into my shoulder for a nice tight fit...just not so tight that I am shaking. Just curious and looking for ways to shoot even better than what I do now. If you do put your hand in the back, how do you prevent muzzle jump?

[liltank]

I always put my hand to the rear of the rifle. Most times I just let the rifle jump where it needs to go. If you are on a bi-pod you can just push the feet into the table or ground. What I mean, is put forward pressure loading the feet. If you are shooting off of bags, use a tighter grip over the pistol grip locking your thumb to the stock as much as possible. Becareful not to torque the rifle to the left or right when firing or this will cause erratic grouping. Always pay attention to your position in your shoulder and repeat the position every time. I can tell when I do something different each shot depending on the recoil. It should recoil in the same direction all the time.

Example: I was on the range one day shooting my 300WSM. I was getting some really good groups. The recoil was mainly back and straight up. The last shot was a flier, but I noticed the rifle recoiled up and to the left. This tells me that I was not on the rifle the same way as the first 3 or 4 shots (I forget how many I shot for group that day). Hope this helps.

Tank

[Tikkatactical308]

From what I understand if you are in the correct position behind the rifle you should not see extensive muzzle jump. I also hold my back bag with my free hand on the bench as well as prone and if I'm directly behind my rifle 100% I will see minimal muzzle jump
Cheers

[kiwi3006]

I put my hand around the top of the bipod, by doing this I can spot my own shots, this is with an un-braked 10 lb 7mm mag.

Stu.

[winmagman]

I tuck mine under the buttstock as well. Most of my long range rifles are heavier, mid size caliber sticks so I don't get alot of jump. The only excetion is my Savage 300 WM even at 10 lbs it jumps a little...ok alot, I just let her go where she needs to, If I'm positioned properly I hit what I aim at......usually

Chris

[Greywolf18]

I was just curious because I tried doing it with my hand in the back a couple times and my groups grew dramatically. Thats why I always put in in the front and pull it back in. Just figured I was doing something wrong lol

[liltank]

Recently I tried something new and it seemed to reduce the amount of jump I was getting from the rifle. Take a blank and fold it a couple of times and place under your bi-pod. My really settled down.

Tank