I went to my first Appleseed a bit over a month ago. I of course found out what I needed to learn. Before I went I switched from a scope to Tech Sights. I do remember I was muscling a bit while standing to get the sight on the target,
My eyes couldn't handle the 400 target with the Tech sights so I put a scope back on. While practicing at home I was having problems. I don't have an issue while prone or sitting. While practicing I did not have the scope zero'd and I wanted to do that before I spoke with you all.
I bore sighted the scope and went to the range today for final zero. I'm still having problems. With my support hand all the way to the magazine and my back foot ridiculously rearward I am still well under the target at NPOA exhale. The only way I can get NPOA on target is to do both the above listed as well as lower the stock 2-3 inches below my shoulder pocket. This of course throws off the scope alignment with my eye.
I'm quite perplexed as it's only standing and it happens with both irons and the scope.
Thanks for suggestions/fixes.
Try supporting the rifle on your fist, if you want to pull your arm back close to your body (this is how I shoot personally, but not what we teach at AS). A padded glove can help here.
If you're using a hasty sling, play with the tension and your hand position on the forestock; you may be able to slide it further out, especially if you're using a 22, and use the sling to hold your elevation.
CMDR of Flying Saucer X-2:
Since you mentioned this issue is in standing.....maybe this will help:
https://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=50068.0
Older post and my videos and pics have been removed. But....scroll all the way down to the last comment on the thread and watch the two AMU shooters shooting standing. They are like robots!
THAT is the goal.
R/
Chris
Since you mention tech sights, I am assuming you are shooting a .22 Rimfire. Is it a Ruger 10/22?
In my forum pic here, that is a Ruger 10/22 I am shooting (standing) during a Rimfire Sporter match.
Maxwell mentioned trying a different "hold" with your support hand.
With my 10/22, standing, the "hold" I use varies dependent on the conditions. But....there are really 4 different holds you can use, that I am aware of.
1. Stands with FIST: Make a fist and allow the magazine well to rest on your fist. Make a fist with your support hand, palm facing your body and see what that does. Typically that will give me elevation.
2. Stands with V: Open the hand with the palm facing the body, and rest the magazine well in the natural V between your thumb and index finger. You MAY have ejection issues with this hold, but....it is SLOW fire in standing, so easy enough to clear a stovepipe. Your fingers may hit the bolt release.
3. Stands with REVERSED V: Same as above, but rotate the hand so the back of the hand is facing the body. This will also alleviate any ejection issues as the fingers are now on the other side of the receiver.
4. One I do not use....BUT will be practicing with the 10/22. STANDS with 2 fingers! Basically, support the rifle with thumb near trigger guard and the index finger fwd of the magazine well. Many small bore shooters use this hold exclusively.
I mentioned the above "holds" because it is not always a "one size fits all, or all conditions". Some firing lines are uneven, sloping one way or the other. And that may dictate the use of a different hold. Experiment with all 4 of the above holds and maybe you will find the elevation you seek.
A glove can help provide some elevation as well.
A Ken Roxburg (ism) here: EXTENSION and Inversion of the support arm is important. I bend my elbow when building my position and bring it across my chest as close to my sternum as possible. Are you doing that?
Hope this was helpful, keep us posted. What would help me is a picture of you dry firing in standing, from behind the rifle, and one shot of the cheek weld and hold. If you can post those up, I may be able to narrow the advice some.
R/
Chris
Thank you Chris and Maxwell. I'll try those suggestions. Pics I'll be able to get in the future Chris. I don't have a real camera with a timer and tripod.
Can you get someone to take some pictures of you in position? This would go a long way into helping. It may be something with your support arm resting too low on your body (dropping your shoulder).
Without seeing the rifle, I think your problem is the scope is not mounted correctly, too high and/or too far back.
Having to lower the rifle a couple of inches makes me think the scope is too high.
To check the height, close your eyes and assume the position. Get a good cheek weld then open your eyes. If you are not looking thru the scope you must lower the scope or build up the stock.
Another suggestion is to use an extended magazine, and rest the magazine on your support hand instead of resting the stock on your support hand. I do this with my AR15, and it gives me the extra bit of elevation I need in the standing position.
You could also experiment with spacers between your support hand & the rifle stock. Wood or foam blocks trimmed to fit, layers of cloth padding, or a layer or two of pipe insulation might be worth trying.