OK, I'm going to punch out the next person that tells me to lock my elbow against my hip bone. Even if I push up against a wall I can't get my elbow to touch my hip bone.

What's the right compromise? If I try to put my elbow where my hip bone probably is it doesn't touch my body at all. If I move the elbow more foreword, I can sort of get contact between the humerus and the ribcage, but this puts me in the position of facing more foreword than is usually recommended.

I've seen guys way fatter than me hold steady as a rock. What's the secret?

If you're looking down from above the shooter, and the rifle is pointed at 12 o'clock, are the feet at 11 and 5? Where is the left elbow? 12? 11?

You must have a body shaped like E.T. to be able to put your elbow on your hip and still see through the sight! You know... retractable neck! ;)

The first thing I do is use my left hand to find the balance point of the gun. (Assuming right-handed shooter.) I figure if I have to use too much energy balancing the gun that's less energy I can put into standing steady.

Then I put the stock against my shoulder and pull tight. Finally, if I have it all right, I can pull my left forearm/elbow tight to my ribcage. But my arm is not long enough to put my elbow to my hip. I'd have to hunch over.

Once I have my upper body positioned, I work on stance with my lower body. I use the old "close your eyes" trick...

Aim the gun at a target and close your eyes. Count to five. Open your eyes and see where the aim point has wandered.

Adjust your stance until you are still aiming at the target when your eyes open.

Move your back foot to the right if you found the gun wandering right or move left if you were aiming to the left.

Move your front foot forward or back if you found the gun drooping or rising.

Repeat the exercise until you find you are aiming (reasonably) at the target when your eyes open.

That's what I do anyhow...

[quote="carl425"]
I've seen guys way fatter than me hold steady as a rock. What's the secret?

They eat more dounuts than you do.

I'm no skinny guy either and i just hold they way it feels most comfortable and practice, practice, practice my stance and hold. I think you'd have to be like Dr. Reed from the Fantasic 4 (the guy who's like rubber) to be able to touch your elbow to your hip and still shoot effectively. If only I could stretch like that I'd never need to go out Saturday nights