Thread: Simple practice shooting question

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hey Moa - if you try and practise you can shoot even "snotty" rifles with a light hold, and guess what, they'll shoot better for it - the firm hold thing is a function of your sub conscious being uncontrolled.

25 years ago I got a flinch shooting a 7x57, and I fooled around a lot to alleviate it (things like light loads etc) but after a while I went after the problem from a psychological perspective and that both permanently cured the flinch and improved my shooting. Physiological things like top notch earmuffs, suppressors and muzzle brakes can help too.

As a range officer I see heaps of guys "clinging" to their rifle, I get them set up on the bench, explain natural point of aim, have them dry fire till they are doing it with a totally relaxed trigger hand and then enjoy it as their next group is half what they previously shot!

I see now I wasnt clear about my reasoning. Most centrefires are heavier than 22's and so need a firmer, stronger grip to shoot - well for me anyway. I have found that for offhand shooting even with a 22, a firm grip and hard pull to the shoulder is better for a quick accurate shot. So I wasnt thinking so much about recoil as a solid grip to counter the rifle weight