TargetTalk

Hey guys I was just wondering how my offhand position should be constructed while using an Anshutz 9003 and a cheap little metal palm rest. Like should my left arm be tensed up or just resting on my hips? Any little pointers like that is appreciated

some pictures of your position would help, but for a very rough starting point, you can check out this link

https://www.schiesssport-buinger.de/dow ... Emmons.pdf

as far as tension in your arms go, in my personal experience, my arm became tensed when my hand was positioned to the right(assuming you are a right handed shooter) of my elbow contact position on my hip.

All depends what works best for you really.

I like to have the left arm be rigid but not tense. I don't use hand stops so I am split fingering the forearm. Using that split finger like a shooting stick. You don't want to use the left arm to push or pull the rifle onto the target. If your NPA is good you should be able to use subtle core muscles or simple breathing to move you on target.

That being said one of the better shooters I know holds every thing like a 12 gauge hard and tight, it works for him. I use the same light hold with my left hand whether I am shooting my 8002 or my 6.5x47L.

Bo

THANK YOU!! The pictures helped and I always use my left arm to move the rifle! So if I stop that itll be better? How are you able to move the rifle without moving your left arm or body? I know you said core musceles but how do you control those

Bbryer33 wrote:How are you able to move the rifle without moving your left arm or body?

In pistol shooting we'd just move our feet. Wouldn't that work for rifle?

David Levene wrote:

Bbryer33 wrote:How are you able to move the rifle without moving your left arm or body?

In pistol shooting we'd just move our feet. Wouldn't that work for rifle?

Correct!

Oh well I was taught to never move your position once you've gotten into your position and have your NPA. Im talking about once you raise the rifle up before you shoot and your left elbow is in your hip. Instead of moving my left hand to adjust what should I do? Because I don't want to move my feet once I have my NPA

If you have to move your arms do you then have a correct NPA, surely you would move your feet to avoid stuffing up your upper position?

Move your feet slightly (1/4" or less) to change NPA. Feet closer to each other to go lower, apart to go higher. Rear foot forward (toes straight ahead) to go left (R handed shooter), foot back to go right. Remember small movements. Sometimes as small as moving your foot inside your shoe.

This is important when changing NPA from one bull to another on multi-bull targets, and when adjusting NPA during a single bull, multi-shot series (where your position changes slightly as muscles loosen up while you shoot, then begin to tighten up late in the series.

Martin Catley wrote:If you have to move your arms do you then have a correct NPA, surely you would move your feet to avoid stuffing up your upper position?

As stated above, it sounds like you have not actually established NPA. There should NEVER be any tension in the arms, shoulders....etc used to steer the rifle.

Try this: Establish what you think is your NPA. Now, close your eyes, take a small breath, slowly let it out. When your position bottoms out with the breath, pause for a second for the hold to settle..... shoot. Now open your eyes. Where did the shot go? If not at least in the 7 ring, you did not have a correct NPA.

Try the same thing except just open your eyes and look through the sights. If you are not centered on the bull, adjust your feet (only your feet) until the sights are back on target. Repeat until when you open your eyes you are on target.

When you have your NPA properly established you should be able to shoot almost the same scores with your eyes closed as when open and aiming.

Thank you!! Ill have to search for my NPA first and then get ready. Any more helpful tips for smallbore offhand position