TargetTalk

After reading parts of the book air rifle shooting I see they mentioned that your weight distribution should be equally distributed between your toes and heel of your feet. If i try to shoot like this I have to use my left quadricept muscle (tense it) to keep the position in place. A natural position where I don't have to tense my muscles near as much is when 90% of the weight is on the tips of the feet (the toes). Any suggestions? Do any of you have similar problems?

Thanks!
Jordan

jordan,
here's your benchmark: hang a plumb from the barrel and get into position with the rifle. the plumb should hang just out of reach of the floor and will show the rifle's center of gravity. it will be in-line with some point along the side of your foot. that point is where your weight should be centrally distributed.

ideally, it should be at or just behind the ball of your foot. if your ideal position is for the weight to be near the toes, then your rifle is probably in-line with the toes. to change you want to shift your entire body and rifle to move it forward or back.

I would recommend a set of rocker boards [I ft long,4x4 rounded from end to end] I think I remember seeing an example in Way of The Rifle. Mount the rifle in firing position while standing on the rockers, You will be able to tell very quickly where the most relaxed position is located and there are other benifits as well. You may be able to identify a need to change the location of weights on the rifle to achieve a stiller hold. Feet may need to be spread more or the reverse. Try it , you may find that you like it. Good Shooting Bill Horton

2650 Plus wrote:I would recommend a set of rocker boards [I ft long,4x4 rounded from end to end] I think I remember seeing an example in Way of The Rifle. Mount the rifle in firing position while standing on the rockers, You will be able to tell very quickly where the most relaxed position is located and there are other benifits as well. You may be able to identify a need to change the location of weights on the rifle to achieve a stiller hold. Feet may need to be spread more or the reverse. Try it , you may find that you like it. Good Shooting Bill Horton

Coach Cherry introduced me to these boards at Ohio State, and they were the single best training tool (short of the SCATT) that I ever used. Not only do they help in the ability to find center of balance, but also in strengthening the stabilizing muscles of the leg.

I began shooting practice matches on the blocks. After a few weeks, my scores were equivalent to when I was shooting on flat ground. When going back to shooting normally, it felt like my feet were literally cemented to the ground. I began using them to "practice" my balance before matches as well, and they were absolutely invaluable.

Thanks for the replies!

Regarding the rocker blocks - that sounds like something I could make preatty easily with a belt sander. Do I leave 1 end flat (for standing on) and round the sides/bottom.

Thanks!
Jordan

Jordan F. wrote:Thanks for the replies!

Regarding the rocker blocks - that sounds like something I could make preatty easily with a belt sander. Do I leave 1 end flat (for standing on) and round the sides/bottom.

Thanks!
Jordan

I think mine are made from a 2x6. The top and sides are left normal, but the bottom is given the half moon shape.