I have been struggling with the same issue. Bottom line, is I'm self-taught (and yes, that is indeed the blind leading the blind) from online articles, vids, and then taking that to the range to try out.
I have very limited opportunities at the present (soon to change) to shoot prone and hence shoot off of some old wooden benches with a layer of crappy carpet on top. The "stools" with these benches are fixed (that is, they are wood with leg posts firmly in the ground) and I found it almost impossible to get really behind the gun. My gun's POA was consistently ending up well to left of my target after the shot and often the gun would jump up a bit onto the left leg. No bueno.
I have improved in this area from these actions:
1. I bought a drummer's stool and now sit behind the bench and adjust up/down so I can get a bit forward from the hips onto the butt pad. Fuck those stools.
2. I put spiked feet on my Atlas so...fuck the carpet also! haha
3. I have adjusted my shooting hand position to not wrap my thumb and make sure my middle to pinky fingers are not in a position to pull on the gun (I hope)
4. I have made it a point of emphasis to relax my on shoulder so it can absorb the recoil. I find it quite easy to tense this shoulder up.
3. I have made a point of emphasis to stay on the trigger until recoil impulse is over.
So, my shooting has gotten a LOT better BUT.....I still end up looking a bit to the left after the shot. On a 100 yd target, after recoil I'm looking 8-12" to the left after the recoil pulse. Always to the left.
Now, I think I'll get the advise to get some formal training and I'm all about that. I'm def doing the Frank (
@lowlight) and Marc (
@Enough Said) show in PA next Aug and really looking forward to it. Not sure what I can do in the mean time. I'm 68, have three MI's, and COVID is something I'm trying very hard to avoid so right now a my travel is a bit restricted (but fuck it, going to GA to shoot quail at the end of Oct...wish me luck! haha).
Also, I have no yet signed up for the Hide online training as I have been busy reading and watching everything I could on open sources so I would have at least some background on which to build with the training vids.
But, I'm also open to any suggestions you fellas may have.
Cheers