Criticize my fundamentals, or lack there of. Please!

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Most of the time, I go to the range alone. Yesterday, however, my wife wanted to tag along. So, I put her to work. I had her take a video of me while laying prone and firing a round. I am hoping some more experienced shooters than I will take a look and see if fundamentals are up to par. I feel like I am fairly straight behind the rifle, and I do load the bipod, but it seems after recoil, my reticle is off target and more often than not, I end up high and right of the target. Ideas?

Thanks.

Adam

 

[b6graham]

Video unavailable

 

[CrazyHorse_mk14]

Tried to put a gun vid on YouTube

 

[CrazyHorse_mk14]

Most often when the gun rises during recoil it’s because the butt is too low in shoulder .

Try raising bipod and getting more meat behind the buttplate

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I edited the video so that it is now public. Hopefully it is working now.

Thanks, CrazyHorse. I'll try that next time out.

 

[diverdon]

Are you putting the bipod over the edge of the concrete and against the slab so that the slab of concrete can absorb most of the recoil? If so you should be aware that your POI may change when no slab is available and your shoulder has to do the job.

I would say in general the technique is nearly perfect. As posted above it could be worth it to try extending the bipod. For me I think I would also try to bring the rifle in toward the center line of my body so that I did not have to bend my neck quite as much. If your neck becomes uncomfortable in that position you could consider that.

 

[CrazyHorse_mk14]

It’s taken me some practice to get directly behind the rifle. I blame most of it on my instructor. For years I practiced copying him to a tee, only to discover we don’t shoot rifles like that anymore..

If you see this guy watch out!

 

[...]

from what i can see it honestly doesnt look too bad.....

the position looks a little uncomfortable though.......essentially if you can lay there behind the rifle for 30 minutes at a time, you should be good.....

maybe try raising the bipod a touch.........i would also try shifting your hips a touch to the right........and also try tucking your right leg up towards your belly.....this will roll you over a touch and put more of your weight on your ribs.


that being said, if you are shooting well in that position....i really wouldnt be in a rush to change much.

 

[TheGerman]

Overall not bad, now what to work on:

- Lower body is canted due to you favoring your firing (right) shoulder.

This will reduce the amount of reward recoil you will absorb correctly; your upper body and lower should be straight like there is a stick down your shirt, through your belt and into your pants. Spread those legs out as well.

- Shoulders aren't square (perpendicular) to the rifle because of this and people tend to then further muscle the firing shoulder at some point due to this as well.

This will create an angle for recoil to expose and send your reticle off to the left/right instead of staying on target. People who do this and favor the rifle side, also tend to eventually push that shoulder forward to 'hold' the rifle as well, which only exponentially makes this problem worse.

Every shoulder angle difference will also make you have a different head position and cheek weld on the stock

- You're adjusting your body to the gun, when you should be adjusting your body plus the gun as a 3 segment part, onto the target.

- Can't really tell; are you loading the bipod with your dead weight forward or is it being held somehow with the edge of the concrete?

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

@diverdon, I have the legs of the bipod past the edge of the concrete, but when I load them, they push slightly forward of the slab as to not touch, it isn’t my intentions to use the bipod that way, and normally the bipod is on the slap, but it was easier to move the rifle than it was the shooting mat.

@mcameron the position is not comfortable at all and I feel like I have to push my head into the rifle to acquire a decent cheek weld. I’ll try adjusting the bipod legs and use a taller rear bag.

@TheGerman I am loading the bipod. When preparing to fire, I lay down straight behind the rifle in the “cobra” position and lift the butt stock off the ground. I then lower my body in conjunction with the rifle and as I do, my right shoulder pushes slightly on the buttstock, in turn loading the bipod.

I will try some dry firing tonight and see I feel I can overcome some of the weak points.


Thank you all for the info! It is very much appreciated!

 

[Supersubes]

It’s taken me some practice to get directly behind the rifle. I blame most of it on my instructor. For years I practiced copying him to a tee, only to discover we don’t shoot rifles like that anymore..

If you see this guy watch out!

View attachment 6892252

We still do shoot like this when there is no front support or if you’re shooting with a sling. Army man’s knees are backwards, but the principle still applies.

 

[aaronk]

Overall not bad, now what to work on:

- Lower body is canted due to you favoring your firing (right) shoulder.

- Shoulders aren't square (perpendicular) to the rifle because of this and people tend to then further muscle the firing shoulder at some point due to this as well.

This. Plus I would add, spread your legs out a bit to better stabilize yourself.