Cheek weld question

[dmurdach]

I feel like I make a different cheek weld on the stock every time and this may affect my POA/POI. All my rifles are scoped as my vision is not the greatest even with contacts. I have been considering putting a spot of Sugru (air curing rubber) at a spot on the stock to use as a reference point so I can feel that it is on the same spot every time. Any thoughts?

Guns I am considering this for are a Rem 700 22-250 in Choate stock, CZ 455 17HMR, And an AR in 223 with 24" heavy barrel

 

[Float Pilot]

Cheek weld makes a huge difference in accuracy shooting. Even a piece of medical tape will work as a reference marker.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Yep. It will definitely affect your accuracy.

One thing you can do is practice shouldering the rifle with your eyes closed. There's a place where your cheek will naturally rest, and adjusting things like the length of pull and the scope position to match that, or adding a cheek pad, is best - go with what is already working. Something to reference is a great idea, but watch the charging handle on the AR if you add much height.

 

[TBH]

Pay attn to your eye and the scope. You eye should be lined up with the scope, centered and the cheek weld natural. Sometimes you need to move the scope forward or back, up or down to Fit you. I had a hard time with a scoped AR until I tried extra high rings.

 

[dmurdach]

Thanks for all the responses. I will try closing my eyes and shouldering each of them to get a natural point of contact, then add just a dot of the rubber as a marker. All the scopes are mounted well and I can focus through them naturally, but I have long arms and a long neck so it is easy for me to be comfortable with a cheek weld an inch or more in either direction, and even the adjustable cheek pad on the Choate stock allows that much variance, whereas a single point of reference should narrow that and ensure when I practice it is at the same point.

 

[henschman]

The best way to get a consistent cheek weld is to "turkey neck" -- stretch your neck as far forward as it goes every time you shoulder the rifle. It uses the natural mechanical limit of your neck to ensure that it is always in the same place. Also, with no slack in your neck, your head will not get pushed forward on the stock by recoil... instead, your whole upper body will absorb it together.

Of course you can't get cheek weld if the comb is too low... this is probably the most common cheek weld issue I see, followed by people scrunching their necks back too far on the stock rather than "turkey necking." Both are caused by the rifle not fitting the shooter... too low of a comb, and scope mounted too far rearward. If you're having any of these problems, make your rifle fit you! It's your rifle.

The best thing you can do to learn about this, along with other fundamentals of marksmanship, is to go to an Appleseed marksmanship clinic. www.appleseedinfo.org

 

[Bullseye57]

I feel like I make a different cheek weld on the stock every time and this may affect my POA/POI. All my rifles are scoped as my vision is not the greatest even with contacts. I have been considering putting a spot of Sugru (air curing rubber) at a spot on the stock to use as a reference point so I can feel that it is on the same spot every time. Any thoughts?

Guns I am considering this for are a Rem 700 22-250 in Choate stock, CZ 455 17HMR, And an AR in 223 with 24" heavy barrel

Cheek welds are important to achieving shot consistency in your natural point of aim (NPA) and firearm sighting. The three reference points for aiming is the front sight, rear sight/aperture, and the lens of your eye. If these three things are not in exact 'proper' alignment each time sustained shots will be scattered around the aiming black of the target. With service rifles the 'cheek weld' is very important step for marksmanship. When shooting M1/M1A/M-14 rifles I wrap my thumb around the stock and use it as a guide for proper head positioning. I place the middle thumb joint, not the thumb knuckle, up underneath my cheek bone protrusion as a point of reference for my cheek weld. With a M-16/ AR-15 style service rifle I place that same cheek bone protrusion on the top edge of the stock and slide forward just enough until my nose lightly touches the charging handle for my 'spot weld'. Since the M-16 has a pistol grip wrapping the thumb around the stock is not an option and the nose is a good reference measure but you still need to get your head into consistent alignment with the sights and that is why I ensure the cheekbone is tucked up onto the top of the stock. A good example can be found here: http://www.armystudyguide.com/conte..._topics/m16a2/four-fundamentals-of-mark.shtml

There are other measures for consistent performance too. Take a good look at this overall marksmanship guide to help in other areas of your position.

R,
Bullseye

Double Distinguished Service Rifle and Pistol Marksman