Pratice/technique

[TTT]

How do you practice shooting in standing position with a tripod for support? I realized recently that this is very hard for me.

My usual hunting shot is supine, or occasionally, sitting position with a pack or short tripod for the rest, off-hand supporting my stock, out of a 9-11 lb gun. I’m comfortable out to 650-725 yd on larger cervids.

 

[Megalodon]

I clip my rifle into the tripod at standing height, then try to shoot targets at the range.

 

[HandgunHTR]

How do you practice shooting in standing position with a tripod for support? I realized recently that this is very hard for me.

My usual hunting shot is supine, or occasionally, sitting position with a pack or short tripod for the rest, off-hand supporting my stock, out of a 9-11 lb gun. I’m comfortable out to 650-725 yd on larger cervids.

What tripod are you using? This could play into why it is hard for you, which is why I am asking.

 

[hereinaz]

What tripod are you using? This could play into why it is hard for you, which is why I am asking.

Get a stable tripod. I like the inverted leg by Leofoto.

Get a stable head. I like the 35mm motorcycle handle model.

Rifle butt about at sternum height.
Clip into the rifle at the balance point.
Point a tripod leg at the target.
Wide legs.
Lock knees. Relax butt and leg muscles.
Bend at hips butt back, shoulders forward to absorb recoil.
Lean ever so slightly into the tripod so weight is forward to catch recoil.
Non shooting hand on tripod leg is usually easiest.

You will typically shoot high because of recoil.

You definitely can’t get as stable, but most can effectively shoot out to 400.

There are other tricks too, like a tether from the head to your belt. Hanging your pack off the tripod if there is no wind.

This is a quick video I put together years ago.

 

[wind gypsy]

What is the tripod setup you are shooting from? that might help with input.

 

[TTT]

Get a stable tripod. I like the inverted leg by Leofoto.

Get a stable head. I like the 35mm motorcycle handle model.

Rifle butt about at sternum height.
Clip into the rifle at the balance point.
Point a tripod leg at the target.
Wide legs.
Lock knees. Relax butt and leg muscles.
Bend at hips butt back, shoulders forward to absorb recoil.
Lean ever so slightly into the tripod so weight is forward to catch recoil.
Non shooting hand on tripod leg is usually easiest.

You will typically shoot high because of recoil.

You definitely can’t get as stable, but most can effectively shoot out to 400.

There are other tricks too, like a tether from the head to your belt. Hanging your pack off the tripod if there is no wind.

This is a quick video I put together years ago.

This is very helpful. I kept shooting high. Also, I didn’t think about finding the balance point and have a way to consistently get back to it. It was just rested on the tripod, not clipped on, since I have never shot this way before.

 

[TTT]

What is the tripod setup you are shooting from? that might help with input.

I don’t know what the set up was. It was someone else’s.
The tripod was very sturdy. The rest was U shaped.

I will be looking into getting a set up. So, any input would be appreciated.

Also, any further tips on training would be very appreciated.

 

[wind gypsy]

I don’t know what the set up was. It was someone else’s.
The tripod was very sturdy. The rest was U shaped.

I will be looking into getting a set up. So, any input would be appreciated.

Also, any further tips on training would be very appreciated.

Having a tripod you can clip into (if rifle has an arca on it) or that you can rest a bag on will be much more stable. I assume that is a big part of why it was challenging for you. There are good tips here and readily available on the internet for how best to utilize that equip. Practicing is just a matter of trying those different things in and repeating until you're good at it.

Equip recommendations are very dependent on the application. How important is weight? Are you glassing off the tripod a lot to where you need a smooth head? Or is shooting stability paramount? The best shooting tripod usually doesn't have the smoothest head for glassing and is heavy.

 

[hereinaz]

I don’t know what the set up was. It was someone else’s.
The tripod was very sturdy. The rest was U shaped.

I will be looking into getting a set up. So, any input would be appreciated.

Also, any further tips on training would be very appreciated.

Either locking in with ARCA plates and clamps or off a bag is the best ways like @wind gypsy mentioned.

Locking makes the tripod part of the rifle system and recoil. The tripod will either help or hurt, depending on stability and rigidity.

The tripod method can be harder to learn, it depends on the gear/system you pick and how much you have shot off other things as front support. The system creates a pivot point down at the ground that you need to control and understand.

The other method is to use a bag over the tripod head or on a plate. This disconnects the rifle from the tripod and will be a little more intuitive to the shooting you do. It is the same as shooting off a tree stump or fence.

You will still tend to shoot high, but because there is not a forced pivot point down on the ground, it won’t be as pronounced.

We sell the Tacky Sack and versions I designed, as well as an ultralight plate/bag combo.

Thunderbird Long Range Shooting Bags

LS Wild LLC premium innovative outdoor hunting gear backpacks Thunderbird Long Range shooting bags

www.lswild.com

 

[TaperPin]

Anytime you’re shooting a brand new position, keep in mind there is no muscle memory and you will feel funny and wobbly for quite some time. You’re literally throwing a baseball left handed.

Sometimes a shooter will be falsely convinced some odd variation of the new position is the most steady, without putting in the time to gain muscle memory in the most common variation. Same thing happens in all sports - get good at the normal way, then tweak it if need be.

Without a standard target of some kind to score and judge your improvement it can feel like you’re not improving when in fact you are. Maybe that’s a common size plate at a certain distance. You’ll gain hits quickly at first, then progress will slow and eventually plateau. Once you plateau trying new variations of the position on that standard target won’t lie - it’s either better or it isn’t.

 

[TTT]

Anytime you’re shooting a brand new position, keep in mind there is no muscle memory and you will feel funny and wobbly for quite some time. You’re literally throwing a baseball left handed.

Sometimes a shooter will be falsely convinced some odd variation of the new position is the most steady, without putting in the time to gain muscle memory in the most common variation. Same thing happens in all sports - get good at the normal way, then tweak it if need be.

Without a standard target of some kind to score and judge your improvement it can feel like you’re not improving when in fact you are. Maybe that’s a common size plate at a certain distance. You’ll gain hits quickly at first, then progress will slow and eventually plateau. Once you plateau trying new variations of the position on that standard target won’t lie - it’s either better or it isn’t.

I definitely have no muscle memory for this type of shooting. My lightweight rifle did not help. I felt like I was pointing a pencil at the target & never could get steady.

 

[seand]

It might be easier to just use a bag on a plate. Plate is just a piece of plywood in photo below. Balance the rifle on the bag.

 

[TTT]

Thank you. I like the idea of using a bag. What are you doing wirh the left hand on the scope?

 

[seand]

My kid likes to rest her hand there, feels it helps reduce wobble. Also really helps hold the rifle straight while racking another round in without breaking position. Her seekins has a harder bolt lift than some other rifles.

 

[hereinaz]

My kid likes to rest her hand there, feels it helps reduce wobble. Also really helps hold the rifle straight while racking another round in without breaking position. Her seekins has a harder bolt lift than some other rifles.

There are many who advocate for it. Nathan Foster in New Zealand does a lot of shooting and stuff. He says it’s the way to shoot.

It helps reduce wobble and also helps control the rifle under recoil.

 

[TaperPin]

I definitely have no muscle memory for this type of shooting. My lightweight rifle did not help. I felt like I was pointing a pencil at the target & never could get steady.

Don’t get discouraged - it’s human nature to avoid positions that aren’t easy to get steady on, but the more you tough it out the better things will get. Especially with a “soft” tripod it will put a lot of pressure on trigger control, but that’s not a bad thing to focus on and good trigger control transfers to all field positions. A whole book could be written on just that.

Tripods have to be the most exciting addition to field shooting that a person can try. The variations and flexibility in different conditions makes it an entire new tool chest for many situations that are traditionally very hard to deal with. Hereinaz really piqued my curiosity with his experiences, and it’s been more fun and challenging than expected.

 

[hereinaz]

Don’t get discouraged - it’s human nature to avoid positions that aren’t easy to get steady on, but the more you tough it out the better things will get. Especially with a “soft” tripod it will put a lot of pressure on trigger control, but that’s not a bad thing to focus on and good trigger control transfers to all field positions. A whole book could be written on just that.

Tripods have to be the most exciting addition to field shooting that a person can try. The variations and flexibility in different conditions makes it an entire new tool chest for many situations that are traditionally very hard to deal with. Hereinaz really piqued my curiosity with his experiences, and it’s been more fun and challenging than expected.

The "build and break" practice technique is great for working out how to actually fit your body into a position with the least amount of wobble. Do it regularly during the week between shooting and you'll be amazed how much better you shoot each session.

You can practice that indoors with enough room or a "DFAT" device on the end of your scope.