I went out hunting last weekend and tried to fire my .22 with my pack on and the shoulder strap prevents proper shouldering of my rifle. i was curious if anyone has had similar problems and wanted to know if there were any fixes or packs that helped with this.
shoulder firing with a pack on
- Thread starter batman292
- Start date
Re: shoulder firing with a pack on
As someone who shoots with a lot of kit on, I know what you mean. Yes, it is different than normal, especially from the prone, but you can work with it. Try placing the buttstock further inboard on your shoulder and that might help you some. A textured buttpad can also help if it's slipping around too much.
But... Really what you need to do is just practice more if you're going to be shooting that way. At least it's a low recoiling rimfire so it shouldn't be popping out of the pocket too much.
This would also be better placed in the marksmanship forum to get better visibility. Maybe a mod can move it.
As someone who shoots with a lot of kit on, I know what you mean. Yes, it is different than normal, especially from the prone, but you can work with it. Try placing the buttstock further inboard on your shoulder and that might help you some. A textured buttpad can also help if it's slipping around too much.
But... Really what you need to do is just practice more if you're going to be shooting that way. At least it's a low recoiling rimfire so it shouldn't be popping out of the pocket too much.
This would also be better placed in the marksmanship forum to get better visibility. Maybe a mod can move it.
Re: shoulder firing with a pack on
Depends on the type of rifle, stance and pack.
Well padded pack straps can prevent you from getting the butt into the "pocket" when using a traditional "high power" offhand stance.
My suggestion would be to drop your arm out of the strap if you are using a waist belt, or drop the pack if you are not.
If you are talking about shooting with a carbine on the move, then it's not an issue when using a proper "squared up" stance since the butt is more on your chest than in your shoulder.
Much of it is just doing it and getting used to it. Shooting in full kit was strange as hell the first time I did it. After doing it for several years it feels strange shooting without it for the first string.
Depends on the type of rifle, stance and pack.
Well padded pack straps can prevent you from getting the butt into the "pocket" when using a traditional "high power" offhand stance.
My suggestion would be to drop your arm out of the strap if you are using a waist belt, or drop the pack if you are not.
If you are talking about shooting with a carbine on the move, then it's not an issue when using a proper "squared up" stance since the butt is more on your chest than in your shoulder.
Much of it is just doing it and getting used to it. Shooting in full kit was strange as hell the first time I did it. After doing it for several years it feels strange shooting without it for the first string.
Re: shoulder firing with a pack on
OK, from the standing how are you shooting? Are you squared up on the target (both shoulders facing the target) or are your shoulders in line with your shot? If you're not squaring up on it, you'll definitely have problems. It would force you to place your buttstock up onto your deltoid and not in the pocket.
Don't shoot like you're on a KD range shooting offhand. You need more of a "tactical" stance. Plant your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and torso slightly leaning forward, and place the buttstock more into the center of your chest rather than the pocket of your shoulder, more toe than heel making contact on your clavical. You should still be able to keep your head erect so long as you keep the stock high enough. If you're a shotgunner this stance should be familiar to you.
You'll have to master your trigger control as this is a less stable position to shoot from, but a hasty sling can help with that. Be ready to quickly but smoothly pull straight through the trigger when your sights/reticle are lined up on target, but watch out that you don't jerk the trigger. You can also use interrupted trigger control if your sights are wavering too much or you start to jerk the trigger.
ETA, Lonewolf's points are spot on too.
OK, from the standing how are you shooting? Are you squared up on the target (both shoulders facing the target) or are your shoulders in line with your shot? If you're not squaring up on it, you'll definitely have problems. It would force you to place your buttstock up onto your deltoid and not in the pocket.
Don't shoot like you're on a KD range shooting offhand. You need more of a "tactical" stance. Plant your feet shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent and torso slightly leaning forward, and place the buttstock more into the center of your chest rather than the pocket of your shoulder, more toe than heel making contact on your clavical. You should still be able to keep your head erect so long as you keep the stock high enough. If you're a shotgunner this stance should be familiar to you.
You'll have to master your trigger control as this is a less stable position to shoot from, but a hasty sling can help with that. Be ready to quickly but smoothly pull straight through the trigger when your sights/reticle are lined up on target, but watch out that you don't jerk the trigger. You can also use interrupted trigger control if your sights are wavering too much or you start to jerk the trigger.
ETA, Lonewolf's points are spot on too.
