Long Range Shooting Positions

[fleener]

The one guy in my pictures is 83. Not sure that he was doing wrong, but he had a terrible black eye from shooting prone.

Looked like he went a round with Mike Tyson.

Fleener

 

[GREENSWLDE]

We had a gentleman in his 90s in our club that shot from the back position, while he could no longer shoot prone. The position was stable, comfortable and the recail was more manageable for him when shooting long range muzzle loading out to 1000 yards. Those I know who shoot from the back position say it is comfortable.

David

If you look on my web page on the back position where the illustration shared also appears you will find a description of who is in position. Also look at the two photos in my article - the top one is a late friend from my club who shot in the back position into his 90s. The shooting positions were those adopted in long range target shooting matches where no artificial support for the rifle was permitted. The arm passing behind the head enabled support of the head and the use of the tang mounted rear sight. Other variants came about and heel mounted sights were used.

David

I like, Robin , Colin P. David P and many other (even unmentiable shooter) find this a comfortable possition to shoot with high enevation rear sights and the heavy recoil is taken Up the spine Not down (Crushing the vertibry). The Victorians where no dummies. They showed us how to shoot at 1000 + yards. and well beyond.. Metford was experimenting with .500" rifle at 2000 yds. There may be still more than 2 of his Rifles in existance. One is in the Museam at Bisley. I prefured arm behind head with a Heal sight. OLD DOG..

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Well the guys in the illustrations aren't depicted as elder gentlemen, eh?

I think too that the one where the arm goes behind and supports the head is due to rules regarding positions and not on actual applications..., why not have a supporting cushion, or ..., perhaps this was a proposed long range shooting stance for soldiers and one cannot tote such a cushion around in combat, eh?

LD

As an aqlternative to the hand behind the head is to hold the sleeve of your coat in your teeth while supportng the stock wrist with the left hand. See 2 photo's from David. One of Robin on his 90th at 1200yds. O.D.

 

[Pukatea Bay Boy]

The top picture is from a few weeks ago at Oak RIdge.

The other one is of the guy from NZ and from one of the World matches. We shot together for that week. He shoots from the back position as the result of necessity. Bike accident if I remember correctly. View attachment 102709View attachment 102712

Fleener

 

[Pukatea Bay Boy]

Really liked hearing about this fella, its great that disability can be mastered.
Proud of my countryman doing very well at that shoot
Not sure but the rifle looks like a Tony Hawkins NZ made gun?
Not related to ( Hawkens) USA but a pretty good shooter . Tony new his stuff on making a accurate rifle .
Kind regards
Nga mihi
Chris

 

[Idaho Ron]

Thanks for the vid, Ron!

How long are they? 5'? Are they 1/2" oak rods?

I have 3 sets. The long ones are 48". I have a 36" set that is for sitting on the ground. I have 15" set that is for the bench. They are all 3/4" diameter.

 

[toot]

Hi TOOTS---Do you meed "George" Gabby Hyse?? Great caricture. Always fun.. I remember him well.. O.D.

why , yes I do!! so I see that there is at least one other old Timmer that watcher ROY ROGERS back in the 1950,s? YOUR DERN TOOTING! I wonder what happened to him after the series closed? toot.

 

[Ranch 13]

Chris told me about a week before the match he didn't think he could shoot prone unsupported so he was hustling around to put together a heel sight. From the pictures it looks like he may of got it set back a bit to far and the eyecup probably smacked him.