Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I was taught to shoot with my strong side leg drawn up, and my weak side leg at about 30*.

Recently I've been rethinking this policy.

What is your preferred leg position when prone?

Thanks,

Josh

 

[Josh Smith]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

Thanks folks.

The thing that does have me rethinking this is a damaged back. The two legs straight is actually what physical therapy wants me to do every day, and I figure, why not make it fun and apply a gun to it?

It also seems more stable.

Before, I used a leg over leg position, then Appleseed came and insisted on the cocked leg.

I was doing a pistol ammunition test yesterday, but it looks like it's stopped raining and I should be able to hit out to 100 yards today, so I'll play with positions.

Thank you very much,

Josh

 

[Graham]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

Strong side leg-up works for NRA hi-power prone, when using a sling, shooting jacket, and irons.

I have also seen it used to good effect by people with a large midsection who cannot get flat behind the rifle any other way, and by shooters unable to straighten their knees or otherwise rotate their feet to place the ankles on the ground.

Otherwise, when behind a bi-pod, especially when shooting rapid-fire strings, recoil is best managed with the strong side shoulder, thigh, and calf in line with the bore. Useful variations include splaying the legs wide but keeping the torso centered behind the butt of the rifle.

Consistency of position, and loading the bi-pod, is achieved by correct hip position and by indexing at the waist, not by muscling the rifle with the shoulder and/or arms to torque it into position on target.

To find your correct prone NPA, move your hips and not your shoulders.

 

[tdow]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

The following applies to prone with sling:

I learned to shoot cocked leg in Appleseed too. I decided to test military prone vs olympic style prone and found that I was much more comfortable and relaxed with my legs straight.

I think the main factor is- Do you have a belly?

Cocking the leg is supposed to get your weight of the "diaphram" (I think they mean belly). It also helps the support elbow get under the rifle if you're not flexible enough to get it there using flexibility.

My problem with cocking the leg is that I have flexibility but no belly. Pulling my leg up doesn't rotate me off of my stomach, so I have to use muscles to induce the rotation to get into the "approved" position. Holding my neck at a cocked angle is uncomfortable, and my elbow ends up so far under the rifle that it is counterproductive.

When I tried the straight leg I felt so much more relaxed and found the "pulse" argument to be highly overrated.

I think it's important to trust what you test and use what puts the bullets on the target.

 

[Andrew Blubaugh]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

We index and trade with being comfortable, effective, efficient and tactical. In my opinion comfort should be considered last. Often times the comfort level will increase with exposure to that which is considered uncomfortable.

As for prone, if I am not concerned with cover or concealment I will be directly behind the gun both legs flat and spread out behind me. By doing so the recoil will travel straight back and down my body and out my feet. This allows for the sights to return back to the natural point of aim which should be on the desired point of impact. Any attempt to muscle your platform/position/weapon will result in the weapon recoiling and falling someplace other than the desired point of impact.

I agree that injuries, body types, environment and equipment can make this process difficult but defaulting to an "easier" or "comfortable" position should not be the answer.

 

[Sterling Shooter]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cowboy_bravo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We index and trade with being comfortable, effective, efficient and tactical. In my opinion comfort should be considered last. Often times the comfort level will increase with exposure to that which is considered uncomfortable.

As for prone, if I am not concerned with cover or concealment I will be directly behind the gun both legs flat and spread out behind me. By doing so the recoil will travel straight back and down my body and out my feet. This allows for the sights to return back to the natural point of aim which should be on the desired point of impact. Any attempt to muscle your platform/position/weapon will result in the weapon recoiling and falling someplace other than the desired point of impact.

I agree that injuries, body types, environment and equipment can make this process difficult but defaulting to an "easier" or "comfortable" position should not be the answer. </div></div>

Comfort means muscularly relaxed-one of three elements to a steady position. Eliminating muscular tension is important because muscular tension disturbs aim.

Regarding what the position looks like is about technique. Any technique that supports comfort is good-no matter what it may look like.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Rethinking Leg Position When Prone

What John and Sterling said...
I've tried a few different prone positions but in Highpower as well as small bore this works for me, but I shoot more with a sling than I do with a bipod...

Fundamentals first, if it becomes "tactical" I can modify it then