Problem shooting prone?

P

pepperbelly

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 7, 2006
871
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Fort Worth, Texas
#1
I don't know where this goes so I'll ask here. First, I am 51 years old. I don't if that makes a difference or not.
I shot a Garand match Saturday. I shot my Garand and my M1 carbine. After the second match I noticed my back was hurting. It hurt so bad that I had trouble taking my rifles and ammo to the truck. After a back rub and hot shower followed by advil it hurt less Sinday. Today it's OK, so I am thinking it might have been a cramp.
I haven't shot a rifle in a long time- since months before losing my father last December. Could the problem have been that it's been a very long time since I fired prone? Have any others here had this happen?
I am really hoping it was a one time thing. I have never been coached in the proper way to assume a firing position, so did I maybe do it wrong?
I really doubt it is my age since there are guys I shoot with that even I consider old farts. I really hope it isn't age since there isn't a damn thing I can do about that.

Jim
 
#2
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Need more info. Lower back? upper back? did you sling in? were you on a flat spot or on uneven ground? It might have been a cramp but you wouldn't have "noticed" it you would know exactly when it happened. Try going prone on the living room floor. If you recreate it you can take steps to avoid it.

Sailor Snuffy "Doc, it hurts when I do this."
Doc "Don't do that"

Cheers,

Doc
 
#3
Re: Problem shooting prone?

It was between my shoulder blades on the right side. It also seemed to be a little uncomfortable in my neck area and top of my shoulder. I also had some pain in my right pec.
When I tried to explain to my wife I showed her without going prone the position I was in. When I looked up it hurt in the same place.
I used a sling while prone with the Garand but not the carbine.
I was thinking about the carbine being much shorter than the Garand and that makes any difference.
I ain't trying that position until mid-week.

Jim
 
#4
Re: Problem shooting prone?

I would hazard a guess that you were trying REAL hard to get the gun to where it was supposed to be and keep your head up at the same time. I'd invest in a beer fine to someone who shoot's High Power to take a look at your position and give you some pointers. It could be that you just needed to loosen up before going into position but I'd bet you will find some relief in a better position. Oh take 2 Advil (medical conditions permitting) PRIOR to shooting the next match.

Cheers,

Doc
 
#7
Re: Problem shooting prone?

It was at my club in Haltom City. It isn't a full Garand match. We only shoot 30 rounds total- 10 prone slow, 10 prone rapid and 10 standing, all at 100 yards. We also shoot vintage rifles in the same match.


Jim
 
#8
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Jim, if it makes you feel any better I felt like a truck had run over me after Saturday's match at Butner. There are a couple of firing points that you cannot get comfortable on. We had target 18 and there is a distinct dip on the berm that makes you lay with your belly in a ditch which bends you back really bad. I never did get comfortable and Sunday was ibuprofin day. I have shot a match since last year and I'm 55. Getting old sucks, being old and out of shape sucks worse.
 
#9
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Were you shooting my position with the right leg cocked up?

Tall Smallbore positions such as mine can do EXACTLY what you are experiencing - I have experienced it - especially with a recoil producing machine such as an M1 etc (Vs a 22LR).

There are other prone positions such as "getting behind the gun" - Frank schooled me on that in one post here - it works for relieving back pressure.


The other thing - my M40A1 stock with the USOPtics scope I shoot - the scope is too tall for my stock so I end up with a kink in my neck after about 90rds in a match - but a garand should not do that..

Partly it's not being in shape for it, partly position
smile.gif
 
#10
Re: Problem shooting prone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Oh take 2 Advil (medical conditions permitting) PRIOR to shooting the next match.

Cheers,

Doc </div></div>

Who'd have thought: Drugs in shooting sports?? Its getting as bad a pro cycling!
wink.gif
grin.gif
 
#11
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Are you fat Pepperbelly? No I am not ribbing you. Maybe dig a little hole for your belly or bunch up a towel to get your back a little flatter. Agree with above comments on stretching a bit before getting into position. I find I need to stretch out more often or I will be a bit sore also if extended shooting sessions.
 
#12
Re: Problem shooting prone?

I am afraid the belly in pepperbelly ain't a myth. I thought about that too. I was on concrete with a shooting mat- very flat. I was wondering if maybe my belly caused me to not be able to lay flat enough.

I only admit this since some people have actually seen me, and there's no way to hide it. I think if I lose about 25 pounds I will be good to go.' I guess until I do lose the weight I had better work on my offhand/standing shooting!

Jim
 
#13
Re: Problem shooting prone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete E</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Oh take 2 Advil (medical conditions permitting) PRIOR to shooting the next match.

Cheers,

Doc </div></div>

Who'd have thought: Drugs in shooting sports?? Its getting as bad a pro cycling!
wink.gif
grin.gif
</div></div>

I was referring to some medical conditions that would preclude the ingestion of Ibuprofen. My other suggestion would be two shots of Vodka (they can smell brandy which is the correct pre shooting beverage as espoused by Olympic coaches) prior to the match.
laugh.gif


Cheers,

Doc
 
#14
Re: Problem shooting prone?

I have the same thing your describing after a longer shooting session on a heavier recoiling rifle. Chiropractor fixed me right up. Just a matter of conditioning the muscles again.
 
#16
Re: Problem shooting prone?

When is the last time you held up the upper part of your body against the full pull of gravity with your back and neck arched back? And did it for any length of time?

Unless you are a 51 year old yoga instructor, no other activity in your current life mimics the stress prone shooting puts on your body, sling and coat or bipod.

The only way your body is going to get accustomed to shooting prone is, well, shooting prone. Several living room sessions a week for a month will better prepare you for the next Garand match.
 
#17
Re: Problem shooting prone?

(h that makes sense. I had no problems after the first match. It started feeling uncomfortable after the second.
I work concrete, asphalt, and other construction and maintenance work but nothing is close to that position. I am also afraid that the higher I move up the less hard physical activity I do.
Maybe pushups with long holds between will help.

Jim
 
#18
Re: Problem shooting prone?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete E</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doc76251</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Oh take 2 Advil (medical conditions permitting) PRIOR to shooting the next match.

Cheers,

Doc </div></div>

Who'd have thought: Drugs in shooting sports?? Its getting as bad a pro cycling!
wink.gif
grin.gif
</div></div>

I once had problems shooting prone, and it was not at all age related. It was a hot day and I had a headache (maybe from too much sun). I asked an older guy at the next lane if he had any asprin I could take. He said he had some he could give me. He offered me a bottle and I took 3 tablets and washed them down with some water.
Unfortunately, he gave me the wrong bottle, and instead of asprin, I had actually taken 3 Viagra.
I was not able to shoot prone for the rest of the day.
 
#19
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Jim, the GF shot her first rifle match Saturday. There were 3 prone stages - 1 slowfire, 2 rapids, with two sets of sighters. She shot prone with bipod. The back of her right upper arm is on fire, along with neck, shoulder, and mid-back pain.

I shoot prone a minimum of 3 times a week, year around, with a layoff of a 4-6 weeks in the winter. When I come back at prone for a long match, like a 60 shot smallbore or 60 shot outdoor, my back and neck experience some pain.

It just takes time in position, and hopefully you don't have some other injuries that it aggravates. Stretching also helps a ton as part of your time in the prone position. The yoga Cobra pose as part of your stretching will help a ton. While doing Cobra pose also flex and relax your shoulders and neck. This will help loosen then up and you'll settle in position faster when shooting. Do the stretches before shooting the position in the match as well. Alternate the Cobra Pose with the Child's Pose. This will loosen your body up in both directions. I strongly suggest you leave the pink yoga mat and purple yoga pants at home though.

cobra-group.jpg


childs1.jpg


Good luck with your shooting!
 
#22
Re: Problem shooting prone?

Perfectly normal. I would end up shooting a HP N/M Course on Saturday, and finally getting rid of my stiffness by about Tuesday.

For me, though the really physical part was target service.

I eventually reduced the impact mostly; by getting more fit, and by doing stretching exercises before I started the match. It boiled down to making your lifestyle such that the N/M course was not a physical insult to the body.

Nowadays, I probably couldn't get back into that kind of shape, but it's the ticker that's keeping that effort at bay. Going on 64, I guess a man's just got to finally acknowledge his limitations...

Greg
 
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