Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks?

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***
You are not logged in. [Login] Main Index · Search · Active Topics
New user · Who's Online · FAQ · Calendar

Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game
Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1
bigmaxx
.375 member


Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks?
      #110954 - 03/08/08 12:55 AM

Where do you put your rifle and hands when shooting from sticks? Craig Boddington explains his method in a couple of his DVDs. Some people claim your hand should grasp the rifle forearm and the back of the hand be laid in the sticks. I find this uncomfortable. I have seen some people rest the rifle with the hand in front, some behind, and like Craig with the hand partially grasping the sticks. I have seen rifles with the forward area of the forearm in the sticks, others back near the magazine. I know that it DOES change the point of impact and the way the rifle moves under recoil. Any feedback on whats correct? Thanks!!

--------------------
One day at a time...

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27783
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks? [Re: bigmaxx]
      #110958 - 03/08/08 02:24 AM

I hold (support) the sticks in my left hand and support the forestock on top of the closed fingers of that hand. I don't shoot a heavy recoiling rifle from sticks, so haven't worked on that aspect. I know you are talking about shooting from sticks in the African Veld. Sticks were invented by PH's who were distressed by the poor shooting of most of their clients. Seems many who can afford to go to Africa don't shoot as much as they should and therefore lack the requisite skill for making good offhand shots - hense sticks.
Shooting a muzzleloading rifle is very good practise for offhand shooting - it's what we do all the time - it develops good hand/eye co-ordination so one lets off the shot at the correct time. It is the very best 'practise' one can use. If you can shoot a 'real' muzzleloader accurately from the standing position, shooting a modern rifle from that postion is dirt simple.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
shakari
.400 member


Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 1107
Loc: South Africa
Re: What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks? [Re: DarylS]
      #110965 - 03/08/08 04:11 AM

Here's a short piece I've written as part of a new site we're building. Where it says 'I' replace with 'your PH'..... hope it helps!

Many hunters won’t have come across shooting sticks until they hunted Africa. When used correctly, they’re a great help. When used incorrectly, they’re a great hindrance. – So let’s look at the correct way to use them.

Shooting sticks usually come in two versions. Bipod and tripod, either way, the tracker will carry them and as we are getting close to our quarry, the hunter needs to be close to the tracker and sticks. As soon as the sticks get set up, you need to get your rifle on them. Try to place your left hand in the vee of the sticks and hold the stock where it feels comfortable As soon as the rifle is on the sticks, start looking for animal we’re going for. I’ll help you with this.

Shooting from sticks is in many ways the same as any other kind of accurate shooting. Get the geometry right and it’ll all fall into place. You need to form as many triangles with your body as you possibly can. (Assuming you're right handed) Stand with your left leg forward and your right leg to the rear and keep the knees straight. (That’s one triangle) Then make two other triangles with your arms and try to keep your elbows as high as possible. Hold the rifle reasonably firmly to strengthen those triangles and try to imagine you're almost trying to twist the stock in two opposite directions at the same time.

If you’re using a bipod, angle the top of the sticks towards you, and then lean into the sticks and the rifle, to form another triangle which will give additional stability. If you need to adjust the height on a set of bipod sticks, just move forward or back slightly as appropriate.

If you're using tripod sticks, lean into them but (IMO) it's a little harder to form such a strong triangle with them. If the tripod is too high or too low, the tracker will adjust them for you and if he can't get it right, just alter your posture slightly. I’ll be watching you on the sticks and if I think it necessary and if the occasion allows, I’ll lean into your shooting shoulder with my shoulder to give you even more stability.

Edited by shakari (03/08/08 04:13 AM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks? [Re: bigmaxx]
      #110973 - 03/08/08 05:21 AM

Max, I've emailed you a couple of photos that, hopefully, will help you out.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
bigmaxx
.375 member


Reged: 13/06/07
Posts: 660
Loc: Bowling Green KY U.S.A.
Re: What's your Technique for shooting from Sticks? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #110995 - 03/08/08 02:15 PM

I am going to the range tomorrow and put your suggestions into practce. Thank you very much!

--------------------
One day at a time...

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1


Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
0 registered and 76 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:   

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 1732

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved