MARKSMANSHIP BASICS - How hard do you hold

[Ian M]

Interested to hear opinions on how "tight" to hold the rifle during the bench and also field firing procedure.

#1 Do you control the rifle with both left and right hands?

#2 Do you vary the hold according to the caliber and weight of the rifle?

#3 Do you vary the hold depending on the field shooting position?

#4 Do you prefer vertical pistol grips vs curved grip design?

[ss7mm]

1: I do control the rifle with both hands although the extent of each is different. Typically my right hand is very passive and I try to have as little tension in it as possible. I do however, have a couple of guns that tend to shoot better with more rearward pressure so it varies from gun to gun. I rarely touch the forend with my left hand. It's usually curled around under the buttstock and possibly used in conjunction with a bean bag.

2: I do vary the hold according to caliber and weight. A light weight big boomer like a 375 on up would probably be the time when I'd have my left hand on the forearm and the gun would be held tighter into my shoulder. I'm not partial to getting slapped around too much.

3: I try to not vary the hold if possible during varying field conditions but sometimes you just have to make the best of a bad situation. If I vary it I try to maintain as much control as normal and try to keep everything the same as much as possible, no matter how much I have to vary my position.

4: I do prefer vertical grips as I feel that it induces less tension in my right hand. It's just a more normal position for me.

[Buffalobob]

#1 Do you control the rifle with both left and right hands?

Depends on the level of recoil. If I can use only one hand I will.

#2 Do you vary the hold according to the caliber and weight of the rifle?

I vary it by whether the gun returns to target on its own or needs a left hand to get it back down.

#3 Do you vary the hold depending on the field shooting position?

For kneeling, sitting and standing positions I will vary technique as needed.

#4 Do you prefer vertical pistol grips vs curved grip design?

For prone I like a vertical grip but for other positions I am more comfortable and more used to the curved grip.

[royinidaho]

Answers are for bench and prone and for three rifles 222 REM, 270AM-braked 338 RUM-braked

#1 Do you control the rifle with both left and right hands?
Only one hand with the trigger finger touches the rifle. Other hand is on the beanie bag.

#2 Do you vary the hold according to the caliber and weight of the rifle?

No. A slight/delicate straight pull back with the trigger hand.

#3 Do you vary the hold depending on the field shooting position?

For long range hunting the position is always prone unless something miserable happens.

#4 Do you prefer vertical pistol grips vs curved grip design?
Vertical pistol grip much much more preferred!!!

[41mag]

#1 Do you control the rifle with both left and right hands?
I prefer to only use my right hand to hold the grip.

#2 Do you vary the hold according to the caliber and weight of the rifle?
Yes depending on the recoil, I might rest my left hand on the top of the scope to prevent the rifle from jumping the bag.

#3 Do you vary the hold depending on the field shooting position?
Depends on the situation, if I am able to shoot prone, I would rather only hold the rifle with my right hand and use the left to support the rear bag or rest. If using sticks or other similar type rest the left hand is generally supporting the forend of the rifle stock and the rest.

#4 Do you prefer vertical pistol grips vs curved grip design?
All the sticos I have use the curved grip so I guess I prefer it at this time.

[grit]

1. I find some rifles / positions need the left hand on the forearm to spot hits. I will hold on then, if left hand is not needed on rear rest.

2. Yes. I pull heavier recoiling rifles into my shoulder harder. However, only tension changes, not hand position.

3. Yes. Same reasons as #1. If bipod is on uneven suface I will hold onto forend to help spot hits. I will sacrifice the spot if left hand is needed on rear rest, or to maintain stability.

4. I prefer a vertical grip. I also like a near vertical tear drop. Seems to feal more solid.

[HeskethPritchard]

+1 on all the above. See also Shawn Carlock's Dad and the way he is holding it in the article reading the wind.