Advanced Marksmanship Technique for rope/bungee/chain &spring supports

[Subwrx300]

Like title says, I'm looking for some other techniques you employ when shooting off swinging barricade supports (ropes, bungees, spring/chain/bar setups etc.)
To be clear, I'm not refering to the boat/platform style supports but a single rope, or bungee cord strung across uprights with PVC/metal pipe in the middle.

I recently shot a match with this style support (no tripods allowed) and I'm trying to find a better way to reduce wobble.

I shot 4/10 at 250-400yds with avg target of ~2-3MOA (this was above avg believe it or not; avg of 2 on that stage).

I tried using pint sized GC on bar to add weight and slow oscillation but it was a BITCH of a stage.

Any ideas? Forward pressure/neutral/rear pressure?

 

[MarinePMI]

Learn/train to deploy a tripod under the clock and use one of the legs as a rear support. Anther way is to use a pack and pump pillow to build a rear support.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Learn/train to deploy a tripod under the clock and use one of the legs as a rear support. Anther way is to use a pack and pump pillow to build a rear support.

The OP said tripods were not allowed on this stage.

I'm not too good with this type of position but how about these options:
* if there is something solid nearby, use your free arm to stabilize your body
* use an "ambush" method to fire the shot. ( when the crosshair swings through the target, press the trigger )

 

[Sheldon N]

Pack and pump pillow to build a rear support if it's low enough is probably the best option.

Gamer options include things like ultra long bipods, pinching the rope sideways against the post to stabilize, etc. A good RO/MD will likely prohibit this approach.

I like mass to damp motion, leave the bipod on, use the gamechanger draped over rope to add weight. Then you decide whether you want to go "full slack" where the weight of gun and your relaxed hands and arms lets the gun settle to where NPA is on target, then shoot free recoil. Other option is to create tension. Pull rifle into shoulder, pull rope slack toward you, lean away from prop into NPA and settle and break the shot. Or add pressure straight down, or push into it, anything to stop the sway.

Unfortunately none work all that great to really be stable.

 

[Subwrx300]

Learn/train to deploy a tripod under the clock and use one of the legs as a rear support. Anther way is to use a pack and pump pillow to build a rear support.

Yeah definitely would have used if allowed. Very basic stage with limits to two bags only. No other support allowed.

Pack and pump pillow to build a rear support if it's low enough is probably the best option.

Gamer options include things like ultra long bipods, pinching the rope sideways against the post to stabilize, etc. A good RO/MD will likely prohibit this approach.

I like mass to damp motion, leave the bipod on, use the gamechanger draped over rope to add weight. Then you decide whether you want to go "full slack" where the weight of gun and your relaxed hands and arms lets the gun settle to where NPA is on target, then shoot free recoil. Other option is to create tension. Pull rifle into shoulder, pull rope slack toward you, lean away from prop into NPA and settle and break the shot. Or add pressure straight down, or push into it, anything to stop the sway.

Unfortunately none work all that great to really be stable.

Definitely agree with the strategy. I used the heavier pressure with ambush strategy but was slightly late on trigger for a few shots and the pressure combined with recoil at close distance made spotting miss virtually impossible.

This was one of the most difficult stages I've encountered at a match. Two of the 5 targets we're about 1.5moa wide and 3 tall; stupid tough with any lateral movement.

Good posts so far. A tripod would have made this stage easy.

 

[Decoy]

Cut the end off a motorcycle tie down and feed it back into the ratchet backwards to leave the loop end free to hook around the un--used ends of the bi-pod or around the end of the hand guard.

Attach the hook to your belt and pull it until you have tension which will take some of the movement out of your gun. We use this the same way when using a tripod except it goes under the tripod. Switch the sling to right side and have it tight against your trigger arm. Works well with practice.

Here is a photo so you can get the idea

 

[Subwrx300]

Cut the end off a motorcycle tie down and feed it back into the ratchet backwards to leave the loop end free to hook around the un--used ends of the bi-pod or around the end of the hand guard.

Attach the hook to your belt and pull it until you have tension which will take some of the movement out of your gun. We use this the same way when using a tripod except it goes under the tripod. Switch the sling to right side and have it tight against your trigger arm. Works well with practice.

Here is a photo so you can get the idea

View attachment 7028620

Totally forgot about this technique. I think this would definitely have helped with removing vertical and sway. Would have been tricky at that match (had cold weather gear on with no place to buckle) but I'm going to experiment with rope cinched around waist this weekend. I think this might be the ticket for these types of stages. Good suggestion ?.

 

[Decoy]

Totally forgot about this technique. I think this would definitely have helped with removing vertical and sway. Would have been tricky at that match (had cold weather gear on with no place to buckle) but I'm going to experiment with rope cinched around waist this weekend. I think this might be the ticket for these types of stages. Good suggestion ?.

I wear a rigger belt which gives me a place to hook into the belt. Someone out there might want to make a setup to sell that incorporates a couple of heavy duty quick connects in the strap, one at both ends. It would be the bomb and make it so you wouldn't have to readjust it as much.

 

[Decoy]

I wear a rigger belt which gives me a place to hook into the belt. Someone out there might want to make a setup to sell that incorporates a couple of heavy duty quick connects in the strap, one at both ends. It would be the bomb and make it so you wouldn't have to readjust it as much.

you could even just sew a QD attachment into the end and connect directly to your gun.

 

[Subwrx300]

you could even just sew a QD attachment into the end and connect directly to your gun.

Yeah, I've got a sling with QD and a few spares, the issue is trying to keep it centered on rifle without torquing to one side or the other (I run an arca rail so bottom QD is not an option). I created a small loop of paracord that has a modified Tautline Hitch. I have a loop on one end to run over the bipod legs and the other loop around my waist. Seemed to work great.

Totally agree that there has to be a better way to attach to rifle for simplicity and fast adjustment. The TAB Gear Pinnacle Rifle sling seems close, but I am thinking even simpler than that: rope with loop on end (for bipod) and a Ropeman 1 Ascender (clips to belt/harness and allows one hand cinch/relax). Speed is key and this would allow it to be deployed without creating torque from off center QD (like left or right side.)

 

[hlee]

I lean in and generally get pretty good hits. Others go free recoil. Lots of ways to skin the cat.

Another gamer option is to use a bag to build up a support under the chain/rope if you can. Were there limits on bag size?

PUMP PILLOW

[email protected]

wiebad.mybigcommerce.com

Cuddle Bag | Cole-TAC Outdoor Gear

Buy Cuddle Bag from Cole-TAC | This lightweight support bag makes it easy & comfortable to carry to the range or match | Rifle Support Bag | Rifle Shooting Rest

www.cole-tac.com

 

[Subwrx300]

I lean in and generally get pretty good hits. Others go free recoil. Lots of ways to skin the cat.

Another gamer option is to use a bag to build up a support under the chain/rope if you can. Were there limits on bag size?

PUMP PILLOW

[email protected]

wiebad.mybigcommerce.com

Cuddle Bag | Cole-TAC Outdoor Gear

Buy Cuddle Bag from Cole-TAC | This lightweight support bag makes it easy & comfortable to carry to the range or match | Rifle Support Bag | Rifle Shooting Rest

www.cole-tac.com

not really; but the intent was to limit contact to bag/rifle on bar and body on ground. I used a pint sized GC on rifle/bar for weight and TacPad under arm against knee/body. I will grab photos or better yet a video of the barricade my next trip there. Its a serious bitch of an obstacle.

For comparison, the average number of hits was 3.2 out of 10 shots and best of the group shot 9... the next highest was 6. It was a stupidly difficult stage. Need to figure out how Joe got 9 hits!

 

[Srikaleak]

I would have thought leaning into the rope/chain and putting it under tension would give you a pretty stable platform. Just hook the rope with you bipod, push forward to get rid of the slack and put pressure into your shoulder and bam!

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I would have thought leaning into the rope/chain and putting it under tension would give you a pretty stable platform. Just hook the rope with you bipod, push forward to get rid of the slack and put pressure into your shoulder and bam!

I found that this usually works. I shot a stage last summer that was a cattle gate hung by bungee cords. Take two shots from each rung on the gate.

That stage was designed to kill a man.

 

[Subwrx300]

Yeah at the last match (Sunday) the MD put a stage together which included 10 wobbly barricade positions, 1 shot each at 650-750yds 1.5-2moa targets....120 seconds.

Keith Baker (13th overall last season) managed to get 6 hits. Avg for field was 1.7 hits. It was designed to be a reality check: sometimes it's better to make fewer better shots than rush all shots.

It become known as "The Humbler". ?

 

[hlee]

I'll take the ropes and chains over the swinging platform every day...

 

[Subwrx300]

I'll take the ropes and chains over the swinging platform every day...

I still hate chains... And bungees...and anything that moves under it's own volition.

 

[jetracer013]

The chain is most unstable in the middle. If you can get close to where it is connected to the upright, and use your support hand to grip the chain and pull down slightly,this takes a lot of the ,motion out of it. Once I’m gripping the chain, I lay the rifle on top of the chain and use my support hand to stop it from sliding lower.

 

[Nik H]

Like title says, I'm looking for some other techniques you employ when shooting off swinging barricade supports (ropes, bungees, spring/chain/bar setups etc.)
To be clear, I'm not refering to the boat/platform style supports but a single rope, or bungee cord strung across uprights with PVC/metal pipe in the middle.

I recently shot a match with this style support (no tripods allowed) and I'm trying to find a better way to reduce wobble.

I shot 4/10 at 250-400yds with avg target of ~2-3MOA (this was above avg believe it or not; avg of 2 on that stage).

I tried using pint sized GC on bar to add weight and slow oscillation but it was a BITCH of a stage.

Any ideas? Forward pressure/neutral/rear pressure?

If you own a tripod, you can make this contraption to practice and get your technique dialed in

Barricade practice device

It helped me a lot

 

[Subwrx300]

If you own a tripod, you can make this contraption to practice and get your technique dialed in

Barricade practice device

It helped me a lot

I saw that one when you posted it! Very cool idea. A lot more portable than a full barricade for sure! And the added wobble makes it more challenging than a typical barricade.

 

[Nik H]

I saw that one when you posted it! Very cool idea. A lot more portable than a full barricade for sure! And the added wobble makes it more challenging than a typical barricade.

@Diver160651 is a genius

 

[Subwrx300]

@Diver160651 is a genius

Apologies, I meant when "he" posted (@Diver160651 ). Thanks for catching!