Need Help with Offhand Shooting Technique

[cschibi]

Thanks Bill,

I am trying to compete for the first time in the Indian Summer shoot for the Flint Lock Aggregate relay Fort Osage muzzloader's club in lone jack Missouri.

Appreciate all the help...there are a bunch of guys who know a lot more than me.

 

[Many Klatch]

One thing that will help is building up that odd set of muscles that you use to hold a firearm off hand. You need to build them up so you can hold the weapon easily. Get a 10 pound weight and practice holding it in your left hand (I assume you are right handed) just as if you were aiming. You need to be able to hold it for the count of 15 without wobbling. It will take a while before you get comfortable doing that.

The other option is to hold the gun and aim at a spot on the wall and count to 15. Put a wooden flint in the cock and practice dry firing. Some people tend to freak out when they see you aiming at something so the 10 pound weight might be a better choice for most occasions.

 

[cschibi]

Hey Bill and others who replied,

You're expertise and advise is much appreciated. I wish you were accompanying me as my mentor(s) for my first competition... but know you're spirit is with me as I compete with you're advise. I will try to make you proud brother(s).. :wink:

 

[Ken Cormier]

From your description it looks like you need to do 2 things.
1. Start concentrationing on the sights and forgetting the flash.what's down range.
2.STOP jerking the trigger. :2

 

[Silky921]

Those 2 pieces of advice sure helped me, along with a year of solid practice. Of course that followed 8 years of shooting twice a year. However, I won a gold in the woods walk last spring and wandering through camps with a gold medal made it all worth it.

 

[trent/OH]

Happy 1000th post Kenny!!! op: atriot: :applause:

 

[Dphar]

I finally figured out how to be somewhat consistent with my bench rest shooting for my Kentucky flintlock...(i.e.powder load, patch thickness, & ball size at (25, 50 & 75 yards). I am using .490 patched Round ball,.10 patch with 65grains of 2FG Swiss with a 4fg Goex primer.

Now the hard part... when I move to offhand shooting, my shooting consistency falls apart really quick. At 25 yards I am Okay, but anything beyond that gets really ugly... My Kentucky flintlock has a 35 inch barrel and I position my left arm at a 45 degree angle holding the stock ~ 7 inches from the trigger guard. (I am a right handed shooter being left eye dominate).

I tend to pull high to the right, so I am aiming slightly low to the left anticipating the flash from the primer with my trigger pull.

I still cannot get any predictable consistency even at 50 yards. (i.e. hitting within the 10 ring).

Any thoughts would be be appreciated.

Chris

Put a black spot about the size of a nickle or quarter on a piece of paper and tape it too the wall or bookcase whatever. 15-20 ft is enough range. Now start experimenting with holds and foot placement to find where its steadiest. Holding longer than about 10 seconds will increase the wobble for most people. You need to move the rear foot and adjust the hold until the rifle will hang at the level of the target. If the rules allow elbow on the chest will make this is easier.
If the rifle hangs low move the rear foot back may want the non-shooting shoulder almost pointing at the target or the left somewhat for a RH shooter. This can vary with the stock design. Then dry fire a lot with a wooden "flint" in the lock or with the cock in the at rest position if it has set triggers. Then you can try dry firing with a real flint and powder in the pan. Plug the vent with a toothpick.
Shooting 50 ft small bore (22) with a scope will help one determine how to place ones feet etc. Scope magnifies the wiggle and will allow finding where its reduced the most.

Dan

 

[bpd303]

I saw someone at the last muzzle shoot who had placed small pieces of carpet at his firing station so he could plant his feet the same way every time. Seems he was putting up some good scores.

 

[jrooks]

Hi Chris! I saw your post and I would like to help. I was in the Marine Corps for eight years, and while in the Corps I was also a range instructor for some time. First, how are your shot groups while sitting at the bench rest? Remember, you are shooting from rested position which is the easiest and you will definitely be more accurate. Keep firing from this position, work up a load that suits you as a shooter, practice practice practice until you develop the efficiency you are most happy with. Zeroing in your rifle at the range is the most important as it lets you know what you and your rifle are capable of together.

I thought I knew everything until I started shooting flintlocks. I have been shooting them for about a year (I now own a 54 caliber long rifle) and I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it without being supported at a rest. However, it does sound like you are anticipating the shot. After all, an explosion is occurring in front of your face. However, you made an exceptional statement in your post: At the offhand position, you were consistently shooting high and right. If this is the case, don't worry. Consistency means that you and your rifle are doing the same thing right every time. You don't have to nail the bullseye every time to denote accuracy. Consistent shot groups mean you are accurate!!!! Don't worry. Further, if you are right handed, pulling the trigger will cause your shot to fly right. Slow trigger pull is needed here. On the other hand, you are consistently shooting in the same place with regards to the target. This could actually mean that your trigger pull is correct!

You are right about aiming your rifle low and left. This should put you more along the bullseye. However, you might consider shooting 3fff powder? You were in the same boat I was and that slight time from when the pan ignites and then ignites the main load, can be tedious and throw you off your mark every time. 3f powder ignites much quicker than 2f, therefore greatly reducing ignition time along with 4f in the pan. This is what I had to do to gain my accuracy using the offhand position and I have become way more accurate just shooting 3f powder.

Just try the 3f powder at the range and the offhand position. Reducing the ignition time can make a world of difference is your accuracy.

 

[cschibi]

Wow, between the advise provided by Billnpatti, Dan Phariss and Longrifle 1780...and all others who offered advice... I have what I think was an improved effort based on this forums experiences and recommendations... that's the reason this community is very special to me. I did compete this weekend, (I don't believe my results would classify as competing) but I went out and executed against the advices provided here. I am sure this takes years of trials and experience... but wanted to thank everybody who has provided thoughtful responses. At some point I will be relevant in these competitions!