X-Ring...................
Suggestions for getting ROCK STEADY on the sticks? Yeah I know, more practice.
Steady equals tighter groups, or at least better scores. Here's what I was doing AFTER my position was correct......... Breathing caused extreme movement. Inhaling caused the crosshairs to drop, exhale brought them back up. I'd inhale and start a slow exhale and when the crosshairs came up and were on target, I'd stop the exhale and break the trigger. I know of no other way, so I'm open for suggestions.
Well...........all I can tell you is what works for me. It is common for BPTR shooters to rest the barrel on the X-sticks. For me, there is about 6 inches of barrel in front of where it rests on the sticks............and yes, I know all about how you aren't supposed to do that because it totally screws up the barrel harmonics. If you have a thin, whippy barrel it is probably true, but our barrels are pretty fat. I can assure you that if had any effect on my rifles I would have stopped doing that years ago. Think of this though, if the barrel rests in the same place for each shot, won't the harmonics be the same or even dampened? I never lost any sleep over harmonics or lack thereof. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
The closer you have the X-sticks to you, the more wobbly you will be. You are probably resting the forearm on the sticks correct? Go in your back yard and try the way you have been doing it and then try putting the sticks about 6 inches from the muzzle. Only shooting will determine if it affects your accuracy with your rifle/load.
The higher you have the sticks, the higher you will be on your elbows. I learned a long time ago that for
me, the lower I got, the steadier I became. I shoot really low on the ground with the sticks to match. Not every body can get as low as me because of differing body types [bigger tummies]. If you are compressing your diaphram it will feel like you can't breathe. It boils down to how low you can get and still be comfortable.
When I am in position ready to shoot, I am really locked into the rifle. By that I mean the rifle is really snug against my shoulder and my cheek is really pressed into the comb exerting pressure on my hand supporting the rifle against my shoulder. At 200 and 300 yards, the comb is high enough to have firm cheek weld. At 600 yds I need to strap on a riser to get my cheek up high enough to still have a really solid cheek weld. When I am in position ready to fire, I can assure you I am
locked into the rifle.
Before I start my shooting sequence, I take 2 or 3 DEEP breaths, fully inhaling and fully exhaling. Take a deep breath,
breath control let half of it out and hold, get the
sight picture perfect and start the
trigger squeeze. If it takes longer than 5-8 seconds to break the shot while holding my breath, I stop looking through the sight and look away at something and I repeat my deep breathing cycle and start over. I use iron sights but the same held true when I used a scope. If it isn't perfect, start over! When your lung issue is resolved things will no doubt be easier for you.
Accept the fact that the crosshairs will move no matter how steady you get. It's just a fact. However, you can reduce the movement to a minimum if you try different things. What works for me may not work for you but some of the things may help a little. It is the cumulative effect of all the little things that will make your groups smaller. And don't forget, more practice. [Sorry, I just had to say it.] Hope this helps a little. X
