High Power shoot...problems

[fpgt72]

I have been shooting high power off and on for a little bit now....and I am starting to have some real problems. First off I do this for fun, but it is frustrating to see me go the other direction so quick.

I have some medical problems....nerve damage in my left arm (weak arm....really weak now) and a bad back. Already had one surgery and I would bet another is not too far off.

I have backed off to shooting the M1 carbine, other rifles kick too hard for 50 rounds, they will let me use a pad, but I feel like I am cheating. (very relaxed matches...they have even said they will let my wife shoot a 22 just not score her with everyone else) But now we both are using the carbine.
I have an AR....a very good AR but that is just not what I want to shoot...I want older rifles...so don't suggest an AR, at this stage I will give up the game first. My left arm will go numb during the prone parts of the match, but when we get to awful hand...err off hand I really have problems....just so weak. I try to support myself against my hip bones as well as I can but I just can't get steady enough....I am thinking that this just may be the way it is now and just go with it.

Has anyone in the same boat found a good position. If I start standing I am just OK....but at the end when we do standing I am just so wore out.

 

[taliv]

your problem is in prone. you should be using zero muscles in your support arm in prone. your sling should be doing all the work. your shooting coat should keep your arm from going to sleep as well.

if nerve damage changes some of that, i have no idea what to do.

 

[BullfrogKen]

So you're struggling with these older rifles that kick harder, and it's being exacerbated by physical limitations, but you won't switch to a rifle that's easier to shoot - the AR?

I can't imagine that M1 carbine doing well at all in High Power. A CMP vintage fun match is one thing. But it's not set up to sling up with. It's not going to hold steady at all in standing. The AR will let you enjoy the sport longer, with less pain and struggle.


I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Nwflycaster]

I agree fully with BullfrogKen. Why would you want to shoot something that causes you pain preventing you from really enjoying the sport, it doesn't make sense to me.

It will cost you a small fortune but there are options out there like the T2K and other space guns of the like that are bolt actions if you won't shoot an AR.
You can fix prone problems with a match rifles adjustable hand stop and butt plate. As Taliv said , a good position means you do not even have to hold the rifle up. My hand will fall asleep in slow prone because I'm bound in there pretty tight but my arm never hurts.
As far as offhand goes, I have never seen your position so it's hard to recommend anything there but if you're tiring I would guess you have your rifle support hand a bit forward holding up a lot of the weight with muscle. I would suggest trying a position with your forearm 90 degrees to the ground and playing with different hand positions to adjust where you need to be vertically. Depending on what range I'm shooting at with the different elevations, I may have my AR on two fingers with my palm up or three or even four. One range is so high I have it sitting on my fist, but always my forearm is 90 degrees to the ground.

Plus if you are tiring do you set the rifle butt on a stool between shots for a few second while you grab the next round and mark your last shot? If not that would give your muscles a break.

If your back is causing you problems you can add a stiffer backed jacket for the added support. I have a bad back as well and this helped me, both while shooting and the price I pay afterwards for going and shooting a position match.

 

[Hangingrock]

Physical problems as you stated are a limiting issue. Back pain been there done that! When bending over is a test in courage to lace or tie ones shoes its more than just nettlesome its debilitating. Having been on the receiving end of incoming in my younger days I have an understanding of pain threshold. You may want cease shooting and resolve your physical problems first, use physical therapy to get yourself back into condition, and then resume shooting.

I understand about wanting to shoot older rifles such as the M1 and etcetera as we have people coming to our local match's just to do that.

I hope your able to resolve your medical issues and good luck to you in your shooting endeavors.

 

[btg3]

Back in the early 90's I bought my AR...and still have it in box stock condition....Had all the original cardboard boxes for them, but a basement flood killed all of them. I don't know how long it has been that I have shot it. I know my son shot it at a high power match about a year ago....that was the last time it was shot....to tell the truth I can't remember if I even cleaned it after the match. I just do not care at all for that rifle....but I would never sell it.

You can lead a horse to water...

 

[fpgt72]

I know it is all me, and really just venting. The matches we shoot the Carbines all shoot against each other and the "high power" rifles are all classed together...so I am really not shooting against the other rifles...just with them...I hope I explained that right.

The problems are really prone....yea no muscles are used but you are on the ground, I have tried mats, elbow pads, just about everything I can think of and just can't get to where I am thinking about shooting and not pain.

To describe what it is like everyone has wacked the crap out of your funny bone....now imagine that all day every day. What you are wacking is your Ulnar nerve and that is what is (one thing) screwed up with me. Blockers and such make it not too bad but you always know it is there and it always hurts....but eh.

I had been using an older jacket to shoot in, but just found creedmoor sight they have a heavy jacket.....not sure if it will work or not but going to give it a try...little spendy at $400 but if it helps it will be well worth it.

 

[Nwflycaster]

Good luck and I hope it helps. You may also want to look at your mat, not all are created equal. If they will allow it try slipping some extra padding underneath and wear a second sweatshirt under your jacket (something I would recommend anyway for pulse beat).

I'm sure you've already tried different things with your position to alleviate the pain, but if not I would look into that also. Widen your elbows to get off more to the side for contact, and while not as stable place your left elbow (for right handed shooter) more to the right and rock your forearm back left to lock into place. I used to do this for kneeling for years in small bore 4 position before ending up with my current position.

Even if adding extra padding to or under your mat isn't normally legal, you can get a note from your doctor that it is something you need for medical reasons and get it approved by the NRA. Again, I have one of these for kneeling since after an ACL repair surgery my knee doesn't bend far enough to allow me to sit on my heel. My note gives me an allowance to have a small shim between my heel and butt to alleviate the situation.
Just for fun during a practice throw down a piece of 1.25 thick or so closed cell foam and see if it helps. If you don't have any I've used it for building kayak seats and I'm sure I have a piece around big enough laying around that I could send you a piece. If you want it send me a note with your address and I'll get it to you.

 

[fpgt72]

One thing I really like about our club is it is very laid back....not super formal or strict at all....we are all there to have fun. Before we got the second carbine they where going to let my wife shoot her .22 they said they would score her but not put here to the year end totals.....that is pretty cool.

The guys that run the high power matches are very good guys and just really want it to grow....it works I bought a second carbine for her. Some of the other games we have played are a little too serious for us. I want to compete, but I also want to have fun....people stressing out over knocking down little metal animals or poking holes in paper is not what I am in this for...I do this to have fun....for stress I will go back to work.

Thanks for all your help....now that it is cooler I will do the second shirt....looks like the jacket will not make it here before the next match.