Shooting form tips for a newbie

[huntingnt]

Are there any tips from the more experienced shooters that have made big improvements in your form and scores?
I am recovering from knee surgery and am starting to get my weight distribution right without discomfort. Should your weight be even across the base of your feet or towards the balls of your feet?
What are the pros and cons to different hand positions? I have noticed that most of the guys shooting for a while seem to use the split finger or fingers and thumb split.
If my elevation is off of my natural point of aim, is it better to move the butt of the stock or hold more or less breath to compensate?
Thoughts on shooting with both eyes open vs. closing the non dominant one?
I'm shooting a 452 Lux which doesn't really allow a good cheek weld, is it OK to put a piece of tape on the stock for a reference point?
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

[richard]

There is no magic. Shoot as much as you can. Go to as many matches as you can. Watch what the really good shooters do and how they handle themselves, especially on an off day. Try different things for yourself and try to figure out what works best for you. Above all else, enjoy shooting. It's one of the most fun things I have ever done.

[Pete A.]

From a 4 year shooter who shoots like a newbie the best tips I've gotten are seldom about equipment. But about form. These are tips I've gleaned from some AAA & Masters shooters in my area.

1. Loosen up your grip. Especially around the pistol grip. No white knuckle grip required. I have to think about this as I often return to holding too tight and pushing my shots off.

2. Put your thumb along side not around the pistol grip. This really goes back to above. Loosen up and caress not grasp.

3. It is OK to NOT shoot once you have mounted the gun. I am so guilty of shooting when I should just stop, bring the gun down and start over. Really it's probably better to run out of time and loose a target than to rush through & mis a bunch (I'm an so guilty of this).

4. Only change one thing at a time. This is way easy to say but hard to do.

Hope this helps from a struggling shooter.

Pete A.

[Innocent]

If my elevation is off of my natural point of aim, is it better to move the butt of the stock or hold more or less breath to compensate?

Adjust the stock in your shoulder, much easier to come to the same spot every time than determining which is the same amount of air in the lungs.

. It is OK to NOT shoot once you have mounted the gun. I am so guilty of shooting when I should just stop, bring the gun down and start over. Really it's probably better to run out of time and loose a target than to rush through & mis a bunch (I'm an so guilty of this).

Remember 4 "quality" well placed shots per bank is a 32. Much like IPSC go for accuracy, your time will improve with practice.

Should your weight be even across the base of your feet or towards the balls of your feet?
What are the pros and cons to different hand positions? I have noticed that most of the guys shooting for a while seem to use the split finger or fingers and thumb split.

Different hand positions can also elevate/lower the barrel for NPA, shoot what is comfortable for you. Try to develop a position with your rifle such that you can form the postition and set the rifle in it with out any muscles holding it.
Balance on the base of your feet, shoulder width apart, and remember to relax the stomach muscles.

is it OK to put a piece of tape on the stock for a reference point?

Try putting a peice of felt or soft cloth there, it will work out better.

I shoot both eyes open, but again this is a personal thing, as my eyes work totally independently of each other. Some people can not mentally block one eye out and require some form of a blinder or closing the eye. Personal opinion on closing the eye is that it is one more thing to have to think about, use a blinder or peice of tape on the glasses so that not using the weaker eye becomes an unconsious action.
Hope this helps some...get out and shoot, watch everyone, each persons habits can be a help even if it is just observing a way to help them improve.
Mary

[Tlee]

If you've not read it already (the link is under Techniques on the SteelChickens.com homepage), the following link on "Construction of the Standing or Off-hand shooting position" is very helpful;

http://www.smallbore.us/readarticle.php?article_id=6

my .02,

-Tim