How to hold a hunter rifle

[Turkey'swhyidrink]

Just curious if there is a predominant way to hold a hunter rifle. I am trying to use one gun for both but with the heavier trigger of a hunter gun I can feel myself pulling off target?

[ShootingStar]

TWID
The hold of the rifle is one of the most personal aspects of this sport! Body shape, size arm length all come in to play as well as how high/low the targets are placed relative to the line of site.

Many of the popular holds (check them out yourself at the next match you attend) are finger tips under the stock; split fingers - ie stock between the first two fingers; flat in the palm with fingers gripping the bolt knob or not; there are many styles seen.

Don't really know how to guide you. Just go to several different matches look around and give the different styles a try. Stick with it for a while to see if it gets more comfortable or stable.

Good luck,
Greg

[Jerry G]

Don't wrap your thumb around the pistol grip. Put your thumb up behind the end of the bolt to avoid twisting the rifle while you squeez the trigger. When you pull on the trigger, your thumb tends to move also. With it behind the bolt, it will not twist the rifle.

[OldRanger]

Don't wrap your thumb around the pistol grip. Put your thumb up behind the end of the bolt to avoid twisting the rifle while you squeez the trigger. When you pull on the trigger, your thumb tends to move also. With it behind the bolt, it will not twist the rifle.

Oh sure, tell HIM this little gem. Where was all this sage advice when you were spotting for me at Raton?!?! ;)

btw, thanks again for spotting for me.

[dustinflint]

Just curious if there is a predominant way to hold a hunter rifle. I am trying to use one gun for both but with the heavier trigger of a hunter gun I can feel myself pulling off target?

Your hold wont correct this. This is a trigger control issue. Hold the rifle however you are most comfortable. To correct snatching the trigger you have to practice pulling the trigger straight back and controlling it so that it does not move the rifle.

Dustin

[Turkey'swhyidrink]

Thank you for all the tips

[dustinflint]

Don't wrap your thumb around the pistol grip. Put your thumb up behind the end of the bolt to avoid twisting the rifle while you squeez the trigger. When you pull on the trigger, your thumb tends to move also. With it behind the bolt, it will not twist the rifle.

Actually, now that I read Jerry's suggestion, that is certainly worth a try. Makes sense that less contact with trigger hand/stock could help keep you from yanking the trigger.

Still, it's a trigger control issue that practice should correct.

Dustin

[DavidABQ]

This would have been a great question at the shooter's clinic held the day following this year's smallbore silhouette nationals.

[Jerry G]

You are right Dustin, it is a trigger control issue and pulling your trigger finger straight back to your thumb takes some movement out of that.

[Varn]

I only wish that Heavybarrel would have asked this question so I could answer "I'd try holding it with both hands!" Now seriously don't be afraid to try the Jerry Tureau High Power hold of grabbing it and pulling it tight to the shoulder. That may work for you

[boats]

Your position is built from a lot of things. Point of contact that most resist twisting is your cheek. My hunter rifle I have to let the buttplate ride very high to get good cheek position. Giving up some of the buttplate contact in my shoulder in favor of comb contact.

Another way to put it, Left and right is foot positon, up and down is your forward hand hold, bone on bone hip rest. Cheek on the comb is keeping the gun from Twisting. Trigger hand I like light with minimum disturbance. Thumb alongside the grip. Butt position should be steady and consistent but does not drive the gun like the rest of the contact points.

Given the stock rules with a Hunter gun good offhand position is a compromise, however I think Cheek pressure is key. That's me somebody else may see it another way.

Boats

[Turkey'swhyidrink]

I see the majority of the shooters wearing a vest does this help or is it decorative?

[DavidABQ]

I like having extra pockets to hold things and I get that with a vest.

[Innocent]

Turkey#$%...the vests not only carry stuff (spare ammo, pens, screwdrivers, spare OBI's or ECI's as they are now called) but the do dampen the amount of movement you see thru the scope when shooting. Most sillywet shooters are more than willing to let you try their vest along with their rifle. Take advantage of that. There are different style vests and they do have different purposes as far what a shooter gains from the use of one.
As for hold, balance is key, does the rifle fit so that it balances in position without gripping it anywhere. Jerry's comment about thumb behind the trigger is an old well known trick in the prone/3P game. Solid advice. I have shot the same rifle for hunter and standard for over 18 years now, no issues, the rifle fits me and it is a stock remake of Winchester 52, only modification is Karl Kenyon trigger (in which I had to really push Karl to build to two plus pounds) and removal of sling swivel hardware for weight purposes.

Mary

[DavidABQ]

Mary, when you shoot as crappy as I DO then pockets become the most used feature of a shooting vest. Well, that and it gives you someplace to put your nametag!