Having studied what constitutes good prone technique, I have came to the conclusion it depends quite heavily on one's physical attributes. It seems the ideal physical attributes for perfect prone technique include (1) not being overweight (especially in the mid section) and (2) not having any injury that results in lack of flexibility (especially in the neck). In other words, unless one is in excellent shape and remains uncompromised by physical injury, attempting to execute textbook-perfect prone technique becomes an exercise in frustration.
As a 65 year old shooting enthusiast who is compromised in both of these areas, I have to make the best of "compromised prone" and leverage my shooting skills to overcome my physical shortcomings as much as possible. In my case, I can get lined up perfectly behind the rifle, load the bipod, get a proper grip and pull the rifle into my shoulder. I can control my breathing and make a clean break of the trigger.
Where I need to deviate from the textbook-perfect prone technique is supporting my upper body weight entirely on my elbows. Due to lack of flexibility in my neck from a whiplash injury decades ago, I need to get mighty high. Typically, I need about 10 inches of bipod height to get reasonably comfortable, which requires lifting my chest entirely off the ground and supporting it with my arms.
With all of this weight on my elbows, it's obviously not nearly as stable as proper prone technique would produce. But since I have no other choice, I've learned to make the best of it. This mostly involves letting my shoulder muscles completely relax and allowing my arms to carrying the weight of my upper body;
In the diagram above, my arms are the main towers (though they remained splayed outward and not vertical like the bridge towers), my elbows are the tower foundations (carrying all of the vertical load imposed by the weight of my upper body), and my relaxed should muscles are main cable. This is actually a good analogy of how I need to get my upper body high enough for a comfortable cheek weld and a full view through the scope.
Proper prone technique? Hell no, but based on my physical limitations, it's the best I can do. Using a bipod up front and a monopod in the rear, and getting as relaxed as possible behind the rifle has produced results like this (200 yard target);
What I find the biggest challenge is minimizing the effect of my pulse on the rifle: with every beat of the heart, I see slight lateral displacement. This is made worse by the high position needed. Additionally, I cannot hold position for long - I need to pull my head off the stock and allow my neck muscles to relax every few shots. The rifle is capable of the 3-shot bug hole in the middle, my challenge is to break the shot when the sight picture is absolutely stable and before my neck and eye muscles fatigue.
So to reiterate, I am NOT advocating my "suspension bridge" technique as good prone technique (in fact it sucks in many ways), but only offer it as an example of what is working for someone who cannot physically execute prone correctly.
I welcome any conversation on how others are overcoming physical limitations to get good results using a bipod prone.
As a 65 year old shooting enthusiast who is compromised in both of these areas, I have to make the best of "compromised prone" and leverage my shooting skills to overcome my physical shortcomings as much as possible. In my case, I can get lined up perfectly behind the rifle, load the bipod, get a proper grip and pull the rifle into my shoulder. I can control my breathing and make a clean break of the trigger.
Where I need to deviate from the textbook-perfect prone technique is supporting my upper body weight entirely on my elbows. Due to lack of flexibility in my neck from a whiplash injury decades ago, I need to get mighty high. Typically, I need about 10 inches of bipod height to get reasonably comfortable, which requires lifting my chest entirely off the ground and supporting it with my arms.
With all of this weight on my elbows, it's obviously not nearly as stable as proper prone technique would produce. But since I have no other choice, I've learned to make the best of it. This mostly involves letting my shoulder muscles completely relax and allowing my arms to carrying the weight of my upper body;
In the diagram above, my arms are the main towers (though they remained splayed outward and not vertical like the bridge towers), my elbows are the tower foundations (carrying all of the vertical load imposed by the weight of my upper body), and my relaxed should muscles are main cable. This is actually a good analogy of how I need to get my upper body high enough for a comfortable cheek weld and a full view through the scope.
Proper prone technique? Hell no, but based on my physical limitations, it's the best I can do. Using a bipod up front and a monopod in the rear, and getting as relaxed as possible behind the rifle has produced results like this (200 yard target);
What I find the biggest challenge is minimizing the effect of my pulse on the rifle: with every beat of the heart, I see slight lateral displacement. This is made worse by the high position needed. Additionally, I cannot hold position for long - I need to pull my head off the stock and allow my neck muscles to relax every few shots. The rifle is capable of the 3-shot bug hole in the middle, my challenge is to break the shot when the sight picture is absolutely stable and before my neck and eye muscles fatigue.
So to reiterate, I am NOT advocating my "suspension bridge" technique as good prone technique (in fact it sucks in many ways), but only offer it as an example of what is working for someone who cannot physically execute prone correctly.
I welcome any conversation on how others are overcoming physical limitations to get good results using a bipod prone.
