Field Target Shooting Positions

[sjs]

I find field target fascinating but only from afar as there are no events held anywhere near me. So, I play at doing a little of it in my backyard, and by that I mean I try to shoot at reactive metal targets using a shooting stick. But it does not seem as accurate for me as just shooting from a traditional unsupported sitting position so I think I have to be doing something wrong with the stick.

It is not actually a shooting stick, just a walking stick with a fork at the top so maybe part of the problem is it is a mono, not a bidpod. But I have some specific questions. Do you use pressure when on a stick? Pressure on the stick itself with the rifle, hard hold of the stick with the hand, pressure with the butt against your shoulder? Or, do you let it all rest lightly? Or some combination? I look at pictures online and see all kinds of different positions using a stick but I am only asking about the hold, and how hard or soft it is, and at what points.

BTW, I am using a C02 rifle so there is no recoil involved.

 

[CurtisNelson]

I just let the rifle rest on the sticks with gravity. My non trigger hand is on the stock butt anchoring it to my shoulder so it doesn't move around.
This gives ME a steadier hold. Elbow to thigh contact is very important too.

 

[dgeesaman]

I just let the rifle rest on the sticks with gravity. My non trigger hand is on the stock butt anchoring it to my shoulder so it doesn't move around.
This gives ME a steadier hold. Elbow to thigh contact is very important too.

Yeah pretty much what I do, hunker down, take my best aim, and shift around to build the sturdiest possible support for the rifles position that I can. When I get it right (standing excluded) things are nice and stable. Crossed arms are good, elbows on knees are good.

My shooting sticks / bipod are against the front on my hamster block and tilted back toward me a bit at the top so there’s no chance of the sticks slipping.

 

[boresnake]

When using a bipod and sitting on a stool/bucket. can you rest your elbow on your knee? Your hand holding the bipod like a brace?

 

[Motorhead]

Seat, sticks, shot on shoulder ... Hunter class
Seat, sticks, shot off knee ... Hunter class
Pad , No sticks w/ hamster rest.... AKA the Deadman position in OPEN class
Bumm bag, no sticks ... dead man ... Hunter class

Threw the years shot all classes and tried most positions.
** Make note ... in every picture the trigger finger is OUTSIDE the guard, only bringing finger onto trigger before committing to the shot. SAFETY FIRST !!

 

[boresnake]

Seat, sticks, shot on shoulder ... Hunter class
Seat, sticks, shot off knee ... Hunter class
Pad , No sticks w/ hamster rest.... AKA the Deadman position in OPEN class
Bumm bag, no sticks ... dead man ... Hunter class

Threw the years shot all classes and tried most positions.

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Two of us are coming from Reno for your first match in March. Both new to competitive airguns . Would like to try hunter class FT. ?

 

[Motorhead]

Two of us are coming from Reno for your first match in March. Both new to competitive airguns . Would like to try hunter class FT. ?

We look forward to seeing you.

 

[rhbrink]

Has anyone on this side of the pond tried the stand-up shooting with a tripod like what the English are doing? Gary Chillingworth and some of his buddies are calling this "stick" shooting. I would be happy to try this at a Field Target match even if my scores didn't count for anything. Hint; too old, bad knees and hips, and back, even setting on one of those low stools using a bi-pod would be difficult for me.

 

[Motorhead]

Has anyone on this side of the pond tried the stand-up shooting with a tripod like what the English are doing? Gary Chillingworth and some of his buddies are calling this "stick" shooting. I would be happy to try this at a Field Target match even if my scores didn't count for anything. Hint; too old, bad knees and hips, and back, even setting on one of those low stools using a bi-pod would be difficult for me.

At our "CLUB" fun shoots, have been asked a few times by a couple older gents to do just that ... No issue at a club event

 

[CurtisNelson]

Has anyone on this side of the pond tried the stand-up shooting with a tripod like what the English are doing? Gary Chillingworth and some of his buddies are calling this "stick" shooting. I would be happy to try this at a Field Target match even if my scores didn't count for anything. Hint; too old, bad knees and hips, and back, even setting on one of those low stools using a bi-pod would be difficult for me.

You are more than welcome to come to Tulsa and shoot at our FT matches on the 2nd Saturdays from Mar-Nov (weather permitting)
We have a free match this Saturday. Sight in range opens at 9am, match time 10:30. Search Google maps for "Tulsa Gun Club Eagle ops rally point"
for an exact location.

Curtis Nelson
918-691-5872

 

[rhbrink]

You are more than welcome to come to Tulsa and shoot at our FT matches on the 2nd Saturdays from Mar-Nov (weather permitting)
We have a free match this Saturday. Sight in range opens at 9am, match time 10:30. Search Google maps for "Tulsa Gun Club Eagle ops rally point"
for an exact location.

Curtis Nelson
918-691-5872

I appreciate the offer! The 2nd Saturday is difficult for me as I am the president of a local muzzleloader club and the second Sunday is match day for that club. But maybe someday the calendar days will work out and or maybe I could talk somebody to go along with me and that would help out a bunch. I'm probably 4- or 5-hours Northeast of you in the South Kansas City area. Just curious, how long does it take to shoot the match?

 

[boresnake]

We look forward to seeing you.

Hi Scott. Mickey here.(boresnake)....What do we need too know about moving our guns from lanes? Do they need to be in hard cases? We don't have range carts. Trying to get the flow of things. thanks

 

[CurtisNelson]

I appreciate the offer! The 2nd Saturday is difficult for me as I am the president of a local muzzleloader club and the second Sunday is match day for that club. But maybe someday the calendar days will work out and or maybe I could talk somebody to go along with me and that would help out a bunch. I'm probably 4- or 5-hours Northeast of you in the South Kansas City area. Just curious, how long does it take to shoot the match?

A actual match takes around 3 hours +/-. But there is time for checking your Zero before the match, and the safety meeting 15 min before the match starts.
And then there is the excuse exchange after the match, which varies in duration. ( I would have done MUCH better if not for ----insert excuse---)

 

[CurtisNelson]

Hi Scott. Mickey here.(boresnake)....What do we need too know about moving our guns from lanes? Do they need to be in hard cases? We don't have range carts. Trying to get the flow of things. thanks

Mickey, shooters can use a hard case, a soft case, a custom gun carrier, or a baby stroller with rifle mounts (can be problematic to balance well)

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Scott. Mickey here.(boresnake)....What do we need too know about moving our guns from lanes? Do they need to be in hard cases? We don't have range carts. Trying to get the flow of things. thanks

We Ask/Require as you move lane to lane, muzzles stay pointed down range, If a Mag fed PCP the mag gets removed and no loaded guns moving about.
What you use to carry rifle is wide open & being we shoot off a concrete slab soft cases are the most popular.
All the other stuff we cover during the shooters meetings and some basic stuff before we allow practice session.

No need to fret .. it is a casual fun time with a lot of great folks !!! We got ya

 

[beerthief]

I find field target fascinating but only from afar as there are no events held anywhere near me. So, I play at doing a little of it in my backyard, and by that I mean I try to shoot at reactive metal targets using a shooting stick. But it does not seem as accurate for me as just shooting from a traditional unsupported sitting position so I think I have to be doing something wrong with the stick.

It is not actually a shooting stick, just a walking stick with a fork at the top so maybe part of the problem is it is a mono, not a bidpod. But I have some specific questions. Do you use pressure when on a stick? Pressure on the stick itself with the rifle, hard hold of the stick with the hand, pressure with the butt against your shoulder? Or, do you let it all rest lightly? Or some combination? I look at pictures online and see all kinds of different positions using a stick but I am only asking about the hold, and how hard or soft it is, and at what points.

BTW, I am using a C02 rifle so there is no recoil involved.

I am fairly certain FT is around in SC , maybe a 2 hour drive ? Look up clubs in SC
?

 

[sjs]

I will, thanks.

 

[elh0102]

When using a bipod and sitting on a stool/bucket. can you rest your elbow on your knee? Your hand holding the bipod like a brace?

I'm not a formal FT shooter, but I think the answer is yes. I do a lot of backyard shooting, sometimes using a bucket and sometimes seated on my bottom deck step, kind of the same thing. Depending on the rifle, the V of the bipod is supporting the rifle either at the front of the forend, or on the air cylinder/bottle. It's not attached to the rifle, so I think it would be legal. And yes, my forward hand is at the juncture of rifle and bipod as you describe. I have found that the key to a good hold (similar to service rifle) is to form solid triangular support from the big bones. If you try to do it all with muscles it won't work.
Since mine are all backyard matches, all my scores are perfect, and no one ever protests!

 

[MilDot]

Alternative method for shooting with a monopod. From Tom Gaylord, Pyramid Air, January 2015. Rest the tip of the monopod under one foot and the shaft on your opposite thigh. Press forward and down on the yoke with the stock fore end to create stability. Try it, it works quite well.

 

[sjs]

Wonderful idea!