Advanced Marksmanship Body position and weight

[rickp]

I'm messing with my body position a little, as a result a question come up about a slight difference in body position when prone and I'd like to get your feedback on it.

Position #1: How many of you guys lay absolutely flat on the ground, as is your full body weight and let the rifle support the full weight of your head?

Position #2: How many slightly support your upper body weight with your elbows by slightly bringing them in closer to the body.

I found position #2 to be much more effective for me. It allows me get into NPA much more consistently and I'm not fighting the rifle . I also found that my hands aren't influencing the rifle's position, or inducing movement.
My result between the 2 positions is like night and day.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[MD2Colo]

Re: Body position and weight

I think I'm more of a #2 kinda guy. no joke intended, haha

I tried that shooting really low thing, it felt like I was craning my neck, looking through the tops of my eyes, not what I had been used to and it reflected downrange.

I do support the full weight of my head on the stock, though. I think you gotta prop yourself up a tiny bit with any gun when shooting prone supported. The butt needs to be seated in your pocket, can't do that unless you elevate a tiny bit.

pluggin my cool guy pic with your position #2.
I'm propped up, just enough, but staying as low as I can.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Body position and weight

I'm with the Cocked leg Crowd. Most of the weight is on the non-shooting side but balanced. (This takes the weight off your diaphram).

The head resting on the stock, straight, and with a good "chipmunk" roll to the cheak. The left or non shooting elbow is just a tad left of center. Elevation is gained by sliding the non shooting hand back and forth to get your NPI.

The rest on the left (non shooting) hand, but the hand dosn't grip the forarm. The right or shooting hand grips the pistol grip, a bit firm but not hard. A hard grip prevents you from squeezing the trigger without disturbing the NPI.

I know, I'm in the miniority here, but it works for me.

 

[aaronraby1]

Re: Body position and weight

im a number two kind of guy... haha.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Body position and weight

I lay full flat, feet spread a bit over shoulder width apart with heels flat. But... Sometimes the terrain requires me to take a cocked leg position. Situation dictates, but whenever possible I try to keep myself and the rifle as low as possible.

For general shooting I recommend the cocked leg position when shooters have a hard time breathing. The cocked leg relieves pressure on the diaphragm allowing easier breath. This is typically for female shooters with a larger chest or other shooters with a bit or more gut on them, but not always. Leg and hip problems also necessitate this position too.

Everyone's bodies are different, but there's always a way to get a good position when they work on it. As boring as it is, snapping in and dry fire is very beneficial to anyone working to perfect their positions.

 

[McCrazy]

Re: Body position and weight

I shoot slightly propped up as MD2 mentions.

Have shot before fully flat while imagining melting into the ground. Biggest problem I had with it was instead of the butt of the rifle being in my shoulder it was on my collarbone. In an extended shooting course I ended up not looking forward to shooting as I was bleeding from my collarbone and it hurt every time I pulled the trigger. Good way to develop a flinch.

 

[akmike]

Re: Body position and weight

I shoot from the position described as #2 also. I was wondering if you guys had any advice on relaxing the shoulders. I feel like when I'm propped slightly on my elbows there is some muscle tension and this is part of the reason I'm getting alot of bi-pod hopp. I'm trying to get the whole slab of meat behind the rifle I've heard described and wondering if that includes the shoulders. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Body position and weight

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was wondering if you guys had any advice on relaxing the shoulders. I feel like when I'm propped slightly on my elbows there is some muscle tension and this is part of the reason I'm getting alot of bi-pod hopp.</div></div>

Sounds like you are musling the gun instead of using bone support.

Try cocking your right (or shooting) leg up, rolling on your side slightly as in the pictures I posted above. It's a more relaxed position.

Relaxing is one of the fundamentals of marksmanship often neglected.

 

[akmike]

Re: Body position and weight

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kraigWY</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was wondering if you guys had any advice on relaxing the shoulders. I feel like when I'm propped slightly on my elbows there is some muscle tension and this is part of the reason I'm getting alot of bi-pod hopp.</div></div>

Sounds like you are musling the gun instead of using bone support.

Try cocking your right (or shooting) leg up, rolling on your side slightly as in the pictures I posted above. It's a more relaxed position.

Relaxing is one of the fundamentals of marksmanship often neglected



. </div></div>.



That's what it feels like to me Kraig. As a novice though I wonder how cocking the rh leg up some squares with what I've been trying to do with the straight behind the rifle concept I'm trying to learn for spotting my own shots?

On a completely differnt theme I believe I remember seeing your name around the o'le Anchorage Daily News a time or two growing up back in Anchorage. When did you leave AK? Grew up around someone you might have known, Bob Gray, who was with APD for a long time, he was a family friend

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Body position and weight

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When did you leave AK? Grew up around someone you might have known, Bob Gray, who was with APD for a long time, he was a family friend</div></div>

I went to Alaska in April 72, left in May 94. Mar 74-Mar 94. We had an older Bob Gray when I first hired on, He was a Det. if I remember right. Later we got a Mitch Gray, don't remember if they were related.

Better to see my know in the Newpaper then seeing it at the Post Office I guess.

 

[akmike]

Re: Body position and weight

Mitch is Bob's son, I think Mitch retired out and last I heard moved to TN.