So few shoot "off hand" anymore. Some ranges won't even let us shoot unless we're scooted up to a bench! That was some pretty good shooting you showed. I don't do very good any more even though I get some practice every so often. I think I need to put more effort into honing that skill. Thanks for reminding. I need to not let that slip any further.
Mark
Hi Mark. Thanks for appreciating the post. I have been practicing off hand more lately. Bench shooting was getting old. So here are a few current tips I have learned. Mostly stolen from others and tested me:
I use a hasty sling set up to help hold the rifle to my body when I raise it up.
Holding the rifle down in a relaxed position I take about 7 slow deep breaths while relaxing against a tree with as little body muscle tension as possible. Almost hyperventilating. The wobbles diminish the closer you get to hyperventilating. It's weird. But its true.
Then I take position with my best natural point of aim and cheek weld and aim on the target focusing on the reticle,
not the target.
Trigger control has to be coordinated with breathing and the wobbles, since there is no "stationary moment" off hand. I's all "on the run" so to speak.
If I wait more than 7 seconds before breaking the shot, I start over. Wobbles only get worse after 7 seconds.
Always try to break the shots with the same lung inflation through the breathing cycle, usually about 1/3 lung full, either in or out, but always the same. Breaking at different points of the breathing cycle messes with your natural point of aim since your bones are aligned differently.
From a good position I try to break two shots, rest, then three, then rest, then three more, then rest, then the last two. For 10 total. Rifle down and relaxing between the mini-groups.
Take your time. This is not machine gun training. If it takes you two minutes to shoot the group of 10, you will do much better than trying to fire them all off in a couple of breathing cycles.
There are a lot of vids on the internet to help with the sling. Play around with the sling and find a fit and configuration that helps. I put a full 360 degree clockwise twist back to front in the sling, then a reverse 180 on the return from the front swivel back to the buckle. This last part forms a "basket" under your front hand when you sling up. Look at my rifle pic real carefully. Especially where the buckles are and the direction they lay. Its all there.
Happy shooting. Hopefully I have encouraged you and others to new skills and adventures on the range. Be safe. Be successful.