Author Topic: I learned something about myself today.......  (Read 5130 times)

Offline DanoInTx

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I learned something about myself today.......
« on: February 05, 2009, 04:07:12 PM »
.....I am an absolutely pathetic shot even at 15 yards from the seated position.  Sub 2" groups on average from guns that will easily stack pellet on pellet at twice the distance......maybe tomorrow I can get 1 3/4" groups?  I think I am about twice as good at least standing offhand.  I think I need to do some more "sittin' shootin'", but I also think that I need to figure out how to set my gun up better, it felt really awkward and uncomfortable, and even when I got sorta comfortable it didn't last.....tips?
Dan

Current shooters: Beeman HW97K .177 with Hawke Eclipse 4x16x50SFAO and Steve C. stock, Beeman R9 .177 with Hawke Airmax 4-12x40AO and Gene\'s Midas touch, Air Arms S200 with Bushnell Banner 6x24x40AO Rowan brass bling and Steve C. custom stock, BAM B25, BAM B40 .177 with BSA 3x12x44AO, Benjamin Marauder .22, Benjamin 397 pumper.

\"repeat this mantra:
Air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzzz!!!  ...You will feel better\" T.E.C.2008

Offline MEHavey

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2009, 04:23:18 PM »
Sitting position should be *very* stable if the arms just above the elbows are are locked inside and outside the knee bends.  Flesh-to-flesh, not bone on bone.

See: http://www.odcmp.org/0307/default.asp?page=USAMU_CASITTING

You have to literally "relax" to where the cross-ankled leg springiness just sags down into lock -- can't move no mo'.  At that point it's almost as steady as a table/rest combination

Offline DanoInTx

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2009, 12:49:04 AM »
Just tried that sitting here in my livingroom a few times, I think the key I was missing here is trying to rest my left elbow on my knee instead of forward of my knee muscle to muscle.  Hopefully I'll get home from work today in time to enjoy 30-40 minutes of daylight in the backyard and pop off a few dozen shots.  Thanks for the advice, I really want to figure this out.  I only have 15 yards in my backyard to shoot, and PCP's at 15 yards from a bench is like using a hole punch, not very sporting, so I'm trying to learn a few more disciplines to liven things up:)
Dan

Current shooters: Beeman HW97K .177 with Hawke Eclipse 4x16x50SFAO and Steve C. stock, Beeman R9 .177 with Hawke Airmax 4-12x40AO and Gene\'s Midas touch, Air Arms S200 with Bushnell Banner 6x24x40AO Rowan brass bling and Steve C. custom stock, BAM B25, BAM B40 .177 with BSA 3x12x44AO, Benjamin Marauder .22, Benjamin 397 pumper.

\"repeat this mantra:
Air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzzz!!!  ...You will feel better\" T.E.C.2008

Offline kirby999

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2009, 01:55:01 AM »
AHHHH; the field target sitting position. I'll post a few pictures that show some of the guys at our club in action in their sitting position. the last one with the (Right Handed ) left arm folded over the left knee for a base to rest the rifle on was the one I finally used , but still found it necessary to wear a knee oad on my arm to try and raise the rifle to allow a more upright position . As you can see some folks body shape is an advanatage in getting into position . With my short legs and long torso , I finally gave up and bought a bipod and found a stool to sit on. kirby
\" Shooting PCP\'s; I sometimes miss that  unmistakable smell of a springer . \"

Offline kirby999

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2009, 02:03:31 AM »
Here's a picture of me in my hunter class sitting position, Soooo much more relaxed . lol kirby
\" Shooting PCP\'s; I sometimes miss that  unmistakable smell of a springer . \"

Offline DanoInTx

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2009, 03:53:21 AM »
That's just about exactly how I shoot in my yard, I have a camera tripod with a block of wood installed as a rest, then a small three legged folding camp chair to sit on....about the same size as yours.  Would probably be great if I had more room, but in the yard it's just plain boring, besides I would like to round myself out a bit(no fat jokes intended, I know I'm already fairly round).  Think I'm going to need a fore arm riser on my AA S400C before it's really comfortable, I suffer from long body short legs syndrome also:)  Might have to mill up some fore arm riser hardware here in the shop this afternoon if I can get away from the computer, or, uh, I mean work:)

Dan

Current shooters: Beeman HW97K .177 with Hawke Eclipse 4x16x50SFAO and Steve C. stock, Beeman R9 .177 with Hawke Airmax 4-12x40AO and Gene\'s Midas touch, Air Arms S200 with Bushnell Banner 6x24x40AO Rowan brass bling and Steve C. custom stock, BAM B25, BAM B40 .177 with BSA 3x12x44AO, Benjamin Marauder .22, Benjamin 397 pumper.

\"repeat this mantra:
Air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzzz!!!  ...You will feel better\" T.E.C.2008

Offline Mick

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2009, 10:00:59 AM »
David,

As you may recall from our discussion that day in Calhoun, my eldest son gave me a "thumbrest" shooting stick/monopod for Christmas 2007 ... but I never got around to using it for that purpose before I had my back surgery.   However I did find it came in useful - European hiking stick style - during my early convalescence.   Then after the spinal nerves deteriorated over this past  winter and I found myself walking less, I did give it several tries as a shooting stick while shooting from a chair, and also from a "standing" position - propped against the back deck rails for support.   I found that though I could maintain a tolerably good elevation mode, the lateral sway nearly drove me nuts - lol.

Over the last month or so - the weather being too cold, wet, windy and miserable to get out on to my outdoor ranges - I've again been experimenting with it in a modified sitting position from the low camp stool I built up a couple or so years ago for FT shooting.   I've found I get tolerably good results with the bottom of the stick angled backwards under the stool  and the shaft held against the left knee area by the forearm hand pressure.  My actual grasp of the forearm is virtually zilch ... merely light fingertip pressure with the main grasp being on the stick below the thumbrest.

This way much of the wavering disappears ... on the other hand I'm still not as steady as when just sitting on the stool with a regular hand hold, elbows resting lightly on the knees - lol !

Mick

Offline gamo2hammerli

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2009, 10:59:01 AM »
Never did any "sit shooting" like that.....it was a new experience.  The first few times I had to shuffle my butt and legs to get the gun in line with the target.  Once in line with the target and my elbows on my knees....it was very stable.  My body was bent forward and not in the most comfortable position....after awhile I was shaking abit and after shooting like that for 20 minutes....my shoulders felt tired.  I'm sure my positioning is not correct yet.
Gamo: Expotec .177 + Big Cat .177 + Viper .177 + Whisper .177, Hammerli Titan .177, Diana model 24 .177, RWS-Diana P5 Magnum pistol .177, Crosman: G1 Extreme .177 + Storm XT .177 + Sierra Pro .177 + 1377 pistol .177, Air Arms S410SL .22, BSA Scorpion T10 .22, FX Cyclone .177, Remington Air Master 77 .177 + BB\'s,

Offline tjk

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2009, 11:48:05 AM »
Hey Dano,...take heart, you're not the only one who has a hard time shooting from a seated position,...I flat out stink at it!!!! When I do,...it's at the end of a picnic table seat turned sideways. I have gotten better with practicing,...but I'd rather find a uni-pod and use that as a rest while standing!!!!!tjk
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Offline DanoInTx

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2009, 02:09:16 PM »
I honestly think I shoot better offhand leaning against a tree standing than I do sitting in the FT position.  I did pick up some good tips from the folks here, but I haven't been home enough for the last few weeks to give it much of a try....that needs to change!
Dan

Current shooters: Beeman HW97K .177 with Hawke Eclipse 4x16x50SFAO and Steve C. stock, Beeman R9 .177 with Hawke Airmax 4-12x40AO and Gene\'s Midas touch, Air Arms S200 with Bushnell Banner 6x24x40AO Rowan brass bling and Steve C. custom stock, BAM B25, BAM B40 .177 with BSA 3x12x44AO, Benjamin Marauder .22, Benjamin 397 pumper.

\"repeat this mantra:
Air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzz, air gunzzzzzzz!!!  ...You will feel better\" T.E.C.2008

Offline gamo2hammerli

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Re: I learned something about myself today.......
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2009, 05:53:31 PM »
For me....when I get into the sitting position and the elbows are resting on my knees.....I have a very stable platform to shoot off on.....BUT I can only sit like that for only a few seconds max.....maybe 10 seconds, then my crunched up body start to tremble because of it being under stress.....and I have to sit up.  I need to work on it.....
Gamo: Expotec .177 + Big Cat .177 + Viper .177 + Whisper .177, Hammerli Titan .177, Diana model 24 .177, RWS-Diana P5 Magnum pistol .177, Crosman: G1 Extreme .177 + Storm XT .177 + Sierra Pro .177 + 1377 pistol .177, Air Arms S410SL .22, BSA Scorpion T10 .22, FX Cyclone .177, Remington Air Master 77 .177 + BB\'s,