Have they broke me?

[Michael Sproul]

*Not entirely serious so I've put it in 'ere!*

So, I think I've learned to shoot the wrong way round and I'm broken :lol:

The first rifle I shot and subsequently became comfortable with was an SA80. Now, it's obviously all about practice but I'm struggling to find a nice consistent hand (trigger hand) position on a standard rifle, there just seems to much scope for movement. Has anyone else had a similar problem after learning to shoot with a pistol grip? Also we had a little air rifle comp last night and I'm still struggling with the super light trigger pressure on this thing, I found I got the best results with just the very tip of my trigger finger on the trigger?? My sitting rested position sadly is only as good as my standing but I'll leave that for another day....

[DL.]

Try a thumbhole stock. They are very comfortable. :goodjob:

[Dougan]

Hi Michael,

This is a serious subject, and a good question - Grip and triggering is very important to accuracy with any gun...if the discepline allows it, then you can't beat a pistol grip/thumb hole stock

I've got various grips on my rifles, from pistol to straight, and various triggers from hair light, to crap...it can take a few sessions to switch to one rifle if I've been concentrating on another....

[Sandgroper]

*Not entirely serious so I've put it in 'ere!*

So, I think I've learned to shoot the wrong way round and I'm broken :lol:

The first rifle I shot and subsequently became comfortable with was an SA80. Now, it's obviously all about practice but I'm struggling to find a nice consistent hand (trigger hand) position on a standard rifle, there just seems to much scope for movement. Has anyone else had a similar problem after learning to shoot with a pistol grip? Also we had a little air rifle comp last night and I'm still struggling with the super light trigger pressure on this thing, I found I got the best results with just the very tip of my trigger finger on the trigger?? My sitting rested position sadly is only as good as my standing but I'll leave that for another day....

I was like (sometimes still am :G ) that as well. I just practiced and practiced until I got used to a standard sporter stock. Some of the stocks on my rifles I'm still not 100% happy with, but I'll deal with them in the future! But if I could have a pistol grip (or thumbhole) on all my rifles, I would. It's just what I am used to.

[Watcher]

I think sometimes its more to do with the body alignment. I shoot Enfields quite a lot and you do have to have quite a an angle between your body and the rifle to be able to grip the stock. If I compare this with my TR, which has a normal 'pistol grip' my body position is much more aligned to the rifle.

[dromia]

Moved to Shooting General Disucussion as the content is "serious".

[Rifleman798]

Hi Michael,

Practice Practice Practice. You won't be Tom Berrenger in a day. Practice dry firing at home and on the Range when YOUR detail is firing on the Line. Get some Snap caps. Find a position that works and improve on it and modify to what you feel comftable.The main thing is to Relax and do not put too much pressure on yourself. I too learnt to shoot with the SA80 first. Luckily I moved up in the world and was issued my l96, which gave me a good understanding of the Fundamentals of Marksmanship.

As for the Tip of the trigger finger that is the way I shoot and feel is the most effective and the way the shot should be fired. The tip of the finger houses the most sensitive nerve endings and that will ultimately give you the best Trigger control. Go abroad and do some Pistol shooting. That will seriously improve your Trigger control.

Where about’s are you located?

James

[Michael Sproul]

It's a strange feeling for sure, I think it's my wrist position more than anything that feels weird.

Watcher, I think you may be right about body position. My standing seems OK with these rifles but due to range regs I can't shoot prone so I've been doing most of my shooting sitting (on a seat) which is also strange for me! I still think it'd feel weird prone but perhaps I could compensate better?

What are people's thoughts on pistol Vs standard, I imagine for running about a pistol grip would be advantages but there's no real accuracy benefit one way or the other once accustomed for general shooting on the range?

Thanks for all the replies, didn't really think it would be a hot topic!

Based in Cumbria but don't have an FAC yet so still at the mercy of my air rifle and club guns.

[Michael Sproul]

Yeah once I discovered that with just the tip of my finger felt good on the trigger I stuck with it, used to have to wrap it around the trigger on my old gun at the knuckle bit to get a consistent pull....

[Watcher]

This is from Barlow's book on The Elements of Rifle Shooting (competitive shooting of the SMLE); its instructive to see the angle he suggests.