Importance of Shooting Jacket?

[Lovesbeer99]

How important is this? How many points can I expect this to add to my score, or detract from it if I don't wear it (Assuming all things being equal and I know how to shoot. The jacket being the only factor).

I was at a High Power match this weekend and all shooters had one except for me. If I get one that fits and I learn how to adjust it, how will this affect my score? 40 points, 10 points, 4 points?

 

[Claude Clay]

properly [!!!] fitted and adjusted it helps tie together and balance the many stresses--the interconnectedness, of your muscular system. most shooters benefit from it. individually how much is rather~individually you.

even if you just 'play around' with it, im bettering on noticeable improvement

 

[Howard Roark]

Check out the link below.

http://www.odcmp.org/0308/default.asp?page=USAMU_COATSANDGLOVES

"Soon your coat, glove and sling will start to feel as familiar and supportive as a hug from an old friend, and will facilitate good shooting and better scores. Eventually your equipment will cease to be a distraction, and you will be able to concentrate on the two principles, sight alignment and trigger control."

 

[mm1ut1]

Comfort, too

Your 20 rounds prone can get pretty uncomfortable if your elbows are bleeding. Also keeps the brass from finding tender spots.

 

[dfugate]

You will never shoot as well as someone with a jacket if you dont use one. A jacket is imperative, especially standing (offhand). If you want to compete, get a jacket, if you’re out there once in a blue moon dont. When you do get one, get a good one, not a 90 dollar special, it will not give you the support you need.

 

[Jasper86]

personally, when i started, my scores went up ~ 20 points from my average (no coat = 140-145 offhand). i'm currently borrowing a coat from the junior rifle program at my club. its FAR from a perfect fit (its a juniors large, and i'm 6'4'' / 215lbs)...and my offhand average 167-173 right now. i actually shot a 6x/clean (200/6x) @ a reduced distance (200yd / 600yd reduced target) CMP match this past weekend prone.


so yea. it makes a difference.

the REAL test will be how much my new creedmoor cordura hardback improve my scores (by their math, it should be shipping by sept. 1st)


look at it like this. a cheap/ill fitting coat (like a marine corp. surplus shooting jacket) is like standing up inside a piece of overcooked macaroni....where a creedmoor hardback is like wearing an iron corset.

it WILL improve your scores.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I have an old style button from marine core jacket. It's basically only good for the pads and provides no support. My club has jackets but I haven't tried them yet. I've been told that my off hand score would improve greatly, but my prone and sitting would only improve slightly.

What do you think? It looks like you picked up 25-30 points just in the offhand. That would definately improve my average.

 

[Jasper86]

your results might vary.

yes, my average has gone up almost 40 points in the last year. i've also shot this new rifle a LOT (and the new Gieselle trigger makes a HUGE difference for me).

the jacket (if fit properly and tightened up) WILL improve your prone scores when used with a good shooting mat. the mat has rubber pads, your jacket has rubber/sticky elbow pads. once you build your position, the combination allows you to REALLY lock in. since buying my own mat (that the rubber pad wasnt trashed on), my prone scores have skyrocketed.

 

[KenWP]

A shooting jacket and pants stiffens your body up so that you can hold still better and sort of become a solid object. The difference has to be felt to understand.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Any recommendations? Any recommendations to stay away from?

 

[Howard Roark]

Creedmoor hardback is the best out there.

 

[Justin]

Back when I was shooting the occasional High Power match, I bought a jacket and there was a noticeable jump in my scores.