We have all learned/heard (or will at your first Appleseed event):
"Turkey Neck/Cheek Weld"
"Firm Handshake Grip"
But, there is a LOT more to those 2 statements.
I had the opportunity to shoot 1000 yards a few months ago with a former USMC sniper at Quantico during a Vintage Sniper (spin off) match. He is also the coach for the USAR Rifle team and they do very well. He is a phenomenal wind caller! (The only reason I did so well)
We were shooting supported off sand bags, as that is allowed for these style matches.
The rifle was a USMC M40-A5, and it has an adjustable cheek riser.
I learned a LOT from my partner during this match. It was a very challenging course of fire (COF), since we were shooting a modern rifle, our COF was:
15 rounds each on the 200 yard target (SR) at 300 yards, with 10 second target exposures for each shot
15 rounds each on the 300 yard target at 600 yards with a 10 second target exposure.
20 rounds each on the 300 yard target at 600 yards slow fire (1 minute per shot allowed)
20 rounds each on the 600 yard target at 800 yards slow fire
20 rounds each on the 1000 yard target (LR) at 1000 yards slow fire.
I did very well, shot a High Master score at 800 and 1000.
But what I learned during the COF helped me immensely, and I thought I would pass that on to you all.
Turkey Neck/Cheek Weld.....what does that mean?
For me it means I extend my neck so my nose can (and does) touch the charging handle. It also means I make a cheek weld on the stock.
But.....how much pressure really makes a difference! Key to the cheek weld, is to make sure it is consistent pressure wise, the same exact amount of pressure for every single shot. Inconsistent cheek pressure between shots will cause vertical dispersion on the target.
Once you find the consistent cheek pressure.....now experiment. Try it with a little more.....did that tighten up your group?
By group, I mean at least a 10 shot group.
Lighten it up some, and shoot 10 more....better or worse?
*another plug for the 25M squares targets, they are awesome for testing this stuff*
There is no magical formula, and the grip tension plays in this a LOT as well.
Tighter grip, MAY call for lighter cheek pressure, or more....it all depends and you should test this.
I found, that on the level of EXTREME cheek pressure tightened up my groups significantly.
I had a firm (just a bit more than handshake strength) grip....and extreme cheek pressure.
My spotter did the same, and is why I experimented with it. It was so much, that after shot 15, the cheek riser started to move down, and we needed to tighten it up.
It simply worked! I shot a 197-10X at 800 and a 193-8X at 1000
On the grip....he taught me another gem.
Experiment with the grip tension, but also the grip itself.
I had ZERO pinkie and thumb pressure on the grip. When I had (and he also) pinkie pressure involved, the groups started to be inconsistent. When HE removed his pinky from the grip (slightly) it afforded him a more straight back trigger squeeze. He passed that info on to me when I was behind the rifle and it worked awesome for me as well.
In other words, the pinkie finger was disturbing sight alignment during the trigger squeeze.
Not all rifle grips are the same. This is where we APPLY THE RIFLEMANS DANCE and make changes that work. Do not stick with something that is not working.
Do not be afraid to make minor changes, but it is always best to see what these minor changes do on the target first.
On making minor changes.....I HIGHLY recommend only changing ONE thing at a time. Only ONE VARIABLE at a time...so that way you can see if it makes a difference good or bad.
Yes, the above was not with a sling, but the info applies for sling shooting as well. On my AR15, I experimented with in slow prone having my thumb on the right side of the rifle. This worked for me, although I was scoffed at by many for doing so. I have changed my grip since then and am not placing my thumb on the right side of the grip anymore. But....this weekend I watched a High Master shoot a 795 in an 800 point match, and he had his thumb on the right side of the grip! He experimented with it about the same time I did.
I have a SCATT electronic training system, and I intend to practice some with the thumb on the right and left side of the grip of my AR15 and see what that does for "my" groups. What works for one may not work for everyone. But, trying small changes in isolation (one thing at a time) can possibly result in an improvement. You'll never know if you do not try it.
Hope this helps! Give it a shot!
R/
Chris