Ok need some advice on helping newbies
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madcratebuilder
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Start with a .22lr, let them become accustom to the noise before you introduce them to recoil.
If the rifle fits properly and there is either a peep (receiver) sight or scope, it will be more likely that the new shooter will see the need to rest the cheek on the stock, especially if the rifle doesn't recoil much and if the stock is designed properly, fits them, and doesn't punch them when it fires.
Start with .22LRs until folks are used to handling/shooting, then gradually introduce centerfires over several shooting sessions, starting with very light recoiling ones, like .223 Rem.
Start with .22LRs until folks are used to handling/shooting, then gradually introduce centerfires over several shooting sessions, starting with very light recoiling ones, like .223 Rem.
mortablunt
Member
The cheek weld is a very American tradition. It comes about mostly from having to use aperture sights. They will need to be comfortable enough to look down the sights before shooting, and they will need to have a reason. A set of peep sights with a sufficiently narrow aperture will make them do this.
osprey176
Member
If you are shooting centerfires,try doubling up on hearing protection.Often it is the noise more than the actual recoil that makes newcomers use bad form. Also,try a smaller target so the shooter will have to concentrate more.But in my experience,most shooters who aren't keeping their cheek on the stock are shooting a rifle with a stock that is too long.
henschman
Member
They probably need the comb built up in order to see through the sights when their cheek is rested. You can build it up with anything you have handy, such as foam, bandages, cardboard, tape, etc., or you can get a stock with an adjustable comb.
The way you know if you have the right comb height is when they can get in position, get their sight alignment, close their eyes, breathe, relax, and open their eyes, and still have their sight alignment.
The way you know if you have the right comb height is when they can get in position, get their sight alignment, close their eyes, breathe, relax, and open their eyes, and still have their sight alignment.
Float Pilot
Member
You also need to make sure they are not cross eye dominant.
If they are trying to shoot right handed, but they are left eye dominant, well they will not put their cheek on the stock because they start seeing double...
The computer age folks seem to be more and more cross eye dominant. While they do just great in computer dream land, they lack the physical abilities which are learned from constantly playing real sports and real physical work.
If they are trying to shoot right handed, but they are left eye dominant, well they will not put their cheek on the stock because they start seeing double...
The computer age folks seem to be more and more cross eye dominant. While they do just great in computer dream land, they lack the physical abilities which are learned from constantly playing real sports and real physical work.
BCRider
Member
Yep, it's quite a sight to see some kid that is cross eye dominant struggling to get their left eye to line up with a set of peep sights.
From helping out at my club's Jr .22 evenings I've seen this a few times now.
Oddly enough in one case a very young kid not only tried to look through the peep sights with his left eye but was also reaching over left handed to cycle the right handed bolt handle. I suggested to the father that he's perhaps a natural left hander like his brother but he said "no, he does most things right handed". I suspect that he only did so because he was trying to imatate the father instead of the left handed brother and maybe the mother.
So start them off with something but be sensitive to the signs of lefty'ness...
I've also helped some small female first time shooters. With rifles and shotguns they ALL want to lean back to offset the weight of the gun. And it's impossible to get a proper cheek weld if doing this. And obviously a heavy rifle with a light youngster is going to produce the same "lean back to avoid falling over" sort of stance. Perhaps try them with a seated bench bag position? Or if standing try to impress on them the idea that for rifle shooting "bad" posture is actually good. Show them the typical SWAT style slump.
And yeah, if it's not a .22 or other low recoil option they are likely thinking that it's going to punch their teeth out. See if you can find a lower recoil option than your 7mm RemMag.....
From helping out at my club's Jr .22 evenings I've seen this a few times now.
Oddly enough in one case a very young kid not only tried to look through the peep sights with his left eye but was also reaching over left handed to cycle the right handed bolt handle. I suggested to the father that he's perhaps a natural left hander like his brother but he said "no, he does most things right handed". I suspect that he only did so because he was trying to imatate the father instead of the left handed brother and maybe the mother.
So start them off with something but be sensitive to the signs of lefty'ness...
I've also helped some small female first time shooters. With rifles and shotguns they ALL want to lean back to offset the weight of the gun. And it's impossible to get a proper cheek weld if doing this. And obviously a heavy rifle with a light youngster is going to produce the same "lean back to avoid falling over" sort of stance. Perhaps try them with a seated bench bag position? Or if standing try to impress on them the idea that for rifle shooting "bad" posture is actually good. Show them the typical SWAT style slump.
And yeah, if it's not a .22 or other low recoil option they are likely thinking that it's going to punch their teeth out. See if you can find a lower recoil option than your 7mm RemMag.....
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
One of the first things I do with any new (or new to me) shooter is to determine eye dominance. It's a simple test - http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs.../bourjaily-simple-test-find-your-dominant-eye gives a couple of methods.
Sometimes it's easier to just shift to shooting on the same side as the dominant eye. Sometimes other allowances have to be made, like using an optical sight that's high enough over the bore to allow comfortable use with the support side eye. But diagnosis comes first...
Sometimes it's easier to just shift to shooting on the same side as the dominant eye. Sometimes other allowances have to be made, like using an optical sight that's high enough over the bore to allow comfortable use with the support side eye. But diagnosis comes first...
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