Please critique my prone position

[CharlieTN]

I realize the pics don't give tons of info but it was the best that I could get at the time. My wife went with me and took the pics.

1st pics is as I laid down behind the rifle to what felt comfortable to me. Of course looking at this after the fact I can see where my hips are canted off to the left. I've been getting a good bit of rifle shift to the left when I fire. Groups are running between .5 and .8 MOA consistently for 5 rounds strings at both 100 and 200 yards.

Next is after my wife coached me to line up my spine with the rifle.

Definitely better but I was still getting a bit of rifle shift to the left. Not nearly as much as before but still losing the target.

Here is a from the side shot, again I realize there is not much you can tell from this and I'll get some better ones soon.

Thanks for the critiques. You all have taught me so much.

Charlie

 

[SavageStag]

I struggled for quite a while with hop when I finally realized that my right shoulder was lower than my left. If you aren't already, make sure your shoulders are even in both the left/right, and up/down. Hope this helps!

ETA- I can see already that your right shoulder is much lower than the left.

 

[jordan0317]

When you go to get down start in the pushup position with the buttstock of your rifle lined up straight out in front of your firing shoulder, in your case just to the right of your face, then lower your body straight down onto the gun. As was stated shoulders should be flush and you should be in the lowest position possible(ie get a lower bipod so you are not raised up on your elbows makin the position less stable) then extend your arms out to the sides and bring them around onto the gun in a good even position.
Load the bipods and shoot away. Just make sure you are straight behind the rifle to maximize the recoil being absorbed straight back into your body and not at an angle. Might help you to spread your legs more and lay your heels flat but that is a lot of personal preference there, I keep my legs spread quite a bit

 

[CharlieTN]

I struggled for quite a while with hop when I finally realized that my left shoulder was lower than my right. If you aren't already, make sure your shoulders are even in both the left/right, and up/down. Hope this helps!

ETA- I can see already that your right shoulder is much lower than the left.

Thanks. Been working on getting my shoulders squared up to my spine (basically a "T") but hadn't thought bout the up and down positioning. I'll work on that.

 

[CharlieTN]

When you go to get down start in the pushup position with the buttstock of your rifle lined up straight out in front of your firing shoulder, in your case just to the right of your face, then lower your body straight down onto the gun. As was stated shoulders should be flush and you should be in the lowest position possible(ie get a lower bipod so you are not raised up on your elbows makin the position less stable) then extend your arms out to the sides and bring them around onto the gun in a good even position.
Load the bipods and shoot away. Just make sure you are straight behind the rifle to maximize the recoil being absorbed straight back into your body and not at an angle. Might help you to spread your legs more and lay your heels flat but that is a lot of personal preference there, I keep my legs spread quite a bit

The "pushup" sounds like a great way to line up behind the rifle. I'll try a lower bipod but so far when my chest and shoulders have been lower it really hurts my neck. Could be due to incorrect position overall before.

Thanks.

Charlie

 

[jordan0317]

If it feels like you are having to scrunch your head and neck back onto the rifle when in a lower position prolly need to increase your LOP so you aren't compressin yourself back to get proper eye relief, but it's normally a lil uncomfortable at first til you get used to it, at least it was for me

 

[Win_94]

To me it looks as if you are straining your neck to get the sight picture which is angling your head . Try with the stock a bit higher on the shoulder, then bring your head straight down. At the 5 minute mark, Sierra645 displays what I'm talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDmNjm9V--0

 

[McCrazy]

While sitting or standing with your firing hand wrapped around the grip as if you were going to fire, try to place the buttstock into the crease of your elbow. If it is snug, good. If there is space your length of pull is too short for you. If you can't get the buttstock into the crease then it is too long for you. I prefer a little long if anything.

Once you get that sorted out, get down in the prone with the rifle. Close your eyes, get comfortable, build your position, and put your head on the stock where it naturally wants to fall. Open your eyes and look through the scope. Do you have any shadow? Do you have to move your head up/down or forwards/back to get correct sight picture? If up/down is the problem adjust the comb height of the stock with a thicker or thinner cheekrest. More importantly if you have to force your head forwards or back then you need to adjust your scope forwards or back to where you can rest your head naturally and have proper sight picture.