Stance for larger calibers

[benny123]

I recognize that I may be yelled at, perhaps even run the risk of getting banned due to stupidity for even thinking of a question so obvious to many

...But I feel the need to raise this personal issue to get better: Do you think about your stance when shooting--whether it be target or hunting. I was shooting at an outdoor range, which I've been doin' for a few months now, and I noticed the guy next to me viewing my target through his binoculars. Not his target, my target. He came over stating he was surprised that I wasnt flinching under the recoil (500WE) but observed I occasionally shot high and to the right of the bullseye.

I smiled, acknowledging the fact that he was right. I told him I shoot well, sometimes. What he observed was that I occasionally rock back on my heels. He felt that my shooting off-center on follow-up shots was a subconscious way of me reacting to the recoil.

He then suggested offsetting my stance, instead of keeping my feet planted hips width apart, leading with my left foot with the right somewhat diagonal to it.

This had the effect of alleviating any rocking and the natural pull of the right arm, push of the left, helped stabilize the firearm.

Later that day when the wife was away, I directed our DirectTV away from the litany of smut reality TV programming to "Guns & Ammo TV. On this episode they compared an "isosceles" stance with a "weaver" This was exactly what the fellow shooter was getting at--the "weaver".

However, this episode clearly centered on personal protection as a reason for establishing your footing. So, it talked about the of angle of your body to an intruder, and one's ability to pull focus on another target quickly without repositioning. Nothing about combating recoil or weight of a revolver.

I shot today and though it took a while to regain the muscle memory, this stance made my groups more consistent.

Even with a strong charge of H110 I felt inspired to shoot more as a challenge to see how much I'd deviate. Yeah, I still feel the need to take a breath-full after five, but for the most part, feel this stance-redirect has significantly improved my shootin'.

Do you regard stance as a contributor to your accuracy?

[ohnomrbillk]

I thoroughly agree that stance can contribute. I was taught most pistol shooting from a range officer who was as old school as they came. He taught "weaver" stance and "cup and saucer" grip.

That muscle memory served me well for a lot of years of rimfire shooting. When I started shooting bigger chamberings, I noticed I don't recover very well for followup shots. Some critiquing of my friends changed my grip to a push pull that is much more common today. It helps.

I still shoot Weaver stance, and a well respected shooter and gunsmith told me to continue, but to change the rotation of my forearm so my elbow bend will allow the gun to recoil to the side of my head. He was concerned a Linebaugh chambering might smack me in the head. I still actively try to pronate my forearm for this cause...even with the smaller calibers.

When I visit my friend in the Air Force and shoot on their range, everyone but me shoots isosceles. They wear body armor that makes that stance a better option. I don't own body armor, so it is of little concern.

[whitworth]

I personally don't care for the weaver stance, I shoot with my left foot forward. I feel the flat stance of the Weaver, doesn't give me the control or stability I prefer, particularly with a heavily recoiling revolver. I think you can take the recoil better in this manner, and with my left elbow nearly tucked into my ribcage, it serves as somewhat of a rest. But, that's just me......

[AxeHandle]

500L, 500WE, 500JRH, 475L, 454, and even heavy 44 and 45 Colt I don't even think about it... Guess it has become "spinal" Sitting here going through the motions I'm thinking modified weaver. Don't lock up anything but the grip but but not a lot of bend either. One rule I do have is "No Evil Stuff of the bench" Get up where the thing can move! The harder you try to hold it down the more stress it will apply to your joints.

[taffin]

Dec 18, 2011 23:03:40 GMT -5 benny123 said:

I recognize that I may be yelled at, perhaps even run the risk of getting banned due to stupidity for even thinking of a question so obvious to many

...But I feel the need to raise this personal issue to get better: Do you think about your stance when shooting--whether it be target or hunting. I was shooting at an outdoor range, which I've been doin' for a few months now, and I noticed the guy next to me viewing my target through his binoculars. Not his target, my target. He came over stating he was surprised that I wasnt flinching under the recoil (500WE) but observed I occasionally shot high and to the right of the bullseye.

I smiled, acknowledging the fact that he was right. I told him I shoot well, sometimes. What he observed was that I occasionally rock back on my heels. He felt that my shooting off-center on follow-up shots was a subconscious way of me reacting to the recoil.

He then suggested offsetting my stance, instead of keeping my feet planted hips width apart, leading with my left foot with the right somewhat diagonal to it.

This had the effect of alleviating any rocking and the natural pull of the right arm, push of the left, helped stabilize the firearm.

Later that day when the wife was away, I directed our DirectTV away from the litany of smut reality TV programming to "Guns & Ammo TV. On this episode they compared an "isosceles" stance with a "weaver" This was exactly what the fellow shooter was getting at--the "weaver".

However, this episode clearly centered on personal protection as a reason for establishing your footing. So, it talked about the of angle of your body to an intruder, and one's ability to pull focus on another target quickly without repositioning. Nothing about combating recoil or weight of a revolver.

I shot today and though it took a while to regain the muscle memory, this stance made my groups more consistent.

Even with a strong charge of H110 I felt inspired to shoot more as a challenge to see how much I'd deviate. Yeah, I still feel the need to take a breath-full after five, but for the most part, feel this stance-redirect has significantly improved my shootin'.

Do you regard stance as a contributor to your accuracy?

YOU WON'T GET YELLED AT FROM ME. THE RIGHT STANCE IS WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I USE THE SAME STANCE FOR EVERYTHING FROM .22s TO .500S. KEEPS THINGS SIMPLE.

[dale53]

I have noticed when shooting two handed (which is what I most do) that placement of the feet can have a positive effect on my shooting. I shoot modified Weaver (no doubt gained in my IPSC days).

You won't get yelled at from me - if we spent a little more time in discussing actual shooting instead of the color of our grips, I suspect we could all improve our shooting...

Just a thought...

Dale53

[mt]

I'm another who like's the modified weaver stance, don't lock out the knee's or elbows. This is pretty much the same as the FI (field interrogation) stance for law enforcemnt.

mt

[groo]

Groo here
Also the Chapman stance may be of use.
When you rocked back on your heels you most likely also were leaning back some..
Most do.. If you have a weight forward stance [AKA leaning into the gun some ] most ant stance or field
position will be better.

[Lil Dudey]

Dec 19, 2011 13:33:00 GMT -5 taffin said:

Dec 18, 2011 23:03:40 GMT -5 benny123 said:

I recognize that I may be yelled at, perhaps even run the risk of getting banned due to stupidity for even thinking of a question so obvious to many

...But I feel the need to raise this personal issue to get better: Do you think about your stance when shooting--whether it be target or hunting. I was shooting at an outdoor range, which I've been doin' for a few months now, and I noticed the guy next to me viewing my target through his binoculars. Not his target, my target. He came over stating he was surprised that I wasnt flinching under the recoil (500WE) but observed I occasionally shot high and to the right of the bullseye.

I smiled, acknowledging the fact that he was right. I told him I shoot well, sometimes. What he observed was that I occasionally rock back on my heels. He felt that my shooting off-center on follow-up shots was a subconscious way of me reacting to the recoil.

He then suggested offsetting my stance, instead of keeping my feet planted hips width apart, leading with my left foot with the right somewhat diagonal to it.

This had the effect of alleviating any rocking and the natural pull of the right arm, push of the left, helped stabilize the firearm.

Later that day when the wife was away, I directed our DirectTV away from the litany of smut reality TV programming to "Guns & Ammo TV. On this episode they compared an "isosceles" stance with a "weaver" This was exactly what the fellow shooter was getting at--the "weaver".

However, this episode clearly centered on personal protection as a reason for establishing your footing. So, it talked about the of angle of your body to an intruder, and one's ability to pull focus on another target quickly without repositioning. Nothing about combating recoil or weight of a revolver.

I shot today and though it took a while to regain the muscle memory, this stance made my groups more consistent.

Even with a strong charge of H110 I felt inspired to shoot more as a challenge to see how much I'd deviate. Yeah, I still feel the need to take a breath-full after five, but for the most part, feel this stance-redirect has significantly improved my shootin'.

Do you regard stance as a contributor to your accuracy?

YOU WON'T GET YELLED AT FROM ME. THE RIGHT STANCE IS WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I USE THE SAME STANCE FOR EVERYTHING FROM .22s TO .500S. KEEPS THINGS SIMPLE.

+1

[dmize]

I have shot pistols and rifles for a very long time, I shot archery for a very long time also,even to the point of being nationally ranked. ONE thing that all have in common is stance. Whether I'm drawing a handgun a levergun,longbow,recurve or even a compound is naturally feet shoulder width apart with left foot foreward.
I dont know if its body build or lack of intelligence but I CANNOT pull off an isocelese stance.
You need to use common sense BUT practice what comes naturally to you when shooting because if you are shooting for a world championship,the buck of a lifetime or for your life,the first thing you WILL NOT THINK OF is what you are going to do when the poo poo hits the fan.