Offhand Shooting Technique

[Scota4570]

I contacted David DeLong,  NMLRA Range Officer Committee Chair

I asked him to clarify the rule, the following is pasted from our emails. 

Scot,  “To clarify, is it compliant with NMLRA Rule 5610 when a shooter allows his arm/elbow to be supported by his torso?
David,  “ Yes Scot, many of the high scoring shooters use their torso. It is bone strength versus muscle strength.”
Scot,  “Do I have your permission to share this information on the American Long Rifle Forum?
David, “Yes you do.”

[Squints]

Naw, this is showing off.  First shot on the left target is high because I got distracted by a diamondback rattlebug. 

[Daryl]

Cool! I've never seen red "centres" on a B27 target before.

[bob in the woods]

I guess now is the time to mention using a shooting jacket 

[Scota4570]

2350–SHOOTING JACKETS Shooting jackets up to and
including a large- or small-bore jacket of standard
weight will be allowed in all matches except musket
matches or as otherwise stated for a particular match.
Leather or international cinch type jackets are not
allowed.

I never considered it.  It looks like I have been handicapping myself unnecessarily. 

[Squints]

Cool! I've never seen red "centres" on a B27 target before.

The targets were what the range was selling that day, I’ve not seen them since.  Funny thing about the day I shot those targets.  4-5 punks showed up about the same time and set up their targets.  Came time to shoot and they pulled out their AR’s and I pulled out my relic.  One of them started laughing and said some unkind things.  The line went hot. He ran about 50 rounds thru his AR and I did the target on the left first. Line cold, we all went to the targets.  He had cut paper with one shot.  His buddies saw my target and started laughing at him.  He got all angry, packed up and left.  I shot the second target and called it a day.

[Pukka Bundook]

Good on yer, Squints!

[BillF/TRF]

Cool! I've never seen red "centres" on a B27 target before.

The targets were what the range was selling that day, I’ve not seen them since.  Funny thing about the day I shot those targets.  4-5 punks showed up about the same time and set up their targets.  Came time to shoot and they pulled out their AR’s and I pulled out my relic.  One of them started laughing and said some unkind things.  The line went hot. He ran about 50 rounds thru his AR and I did the target on the left first. Line cold, we all went to the targets.  He had cut paper with one shot.  His buddies saw my target and started laughing at him.  He got all angry, packed up and left.  I shot the second target and called it a day.

What about the use of strap on recoil pads?  Would they be allowed on NMLRA and rendezvous ranges?

[Scota4570]

Strap on recoil pads??

Rule 2350 allows shooting jackets, which have a built in pad.  I see no reason that the strap on ones would be disallowed.  A strap on pad will increase the length of pull.   For me, that is not helpful unless the stock is made short enough. 

http://www.msmla.org/NMLRA%20Range%20Rules.pdf

Most of these question can be answered in the rule book.  IF you have a decent PDF reader you can search the word that interest you and it comes right up in the document. 

[Daryl]

What about the use of strap on recoil pads?  Would they be allowed on NMLRA and rendezvous ranges?

Bill, I had to wear one for a couple years, shooting anything but the .32. This was due to torn cartilage fore and aft in my right shoulder.
No one said anything at rendezvous about it. Of course, I was mostly shooting my match rifle.

[Standing Bear]

Adding to Murray comment above. I WAS taking my deep breath as I mounted the rifle but learned to mount then fidget then start breathing technique.

Medium deep breath slow exhale 2-3 x. In mid exhale want front sight to drop to or slightly thru the X.  I’ve quit using my set trigger and start the harder squeeze before the front sight hits the black at 12 o’clock.

[Seth Isaacson]

"I consider that when we say 'offhand' we ought to mean that the marksman shall use nothing except himself and his weapon, and with them only form his rest as he pleases ; having a perfect right to stand up and off-hand clean, hip, or rib his elbow, but he must not bring in and use any extraneous help, such as wipers, ram- rods, sticks, or come the 'Mississipi dodge' by having a jointed rest attached to his body, and running along his left arm, and by a simple movement making it as stiff as if mesmerized or case-hardened." - Instructions to Young Marksmen by John Ratcliffe Chapman, 1848

[Daryl]

Well, that's then(in that area at that time), this is now. Times & rules change.
What it amounts to what is actually allowed, is dictated by THOSE putting on the matches.
Some matches where we shoot, allow body resting, others do not.  Follow the rules or don't shoot.
Shoot and not follow the rules as some competitors did at the WPFGames in 1989, and be disqualified- that happened.
(World Police & Fire Games)  A team of those who followed the rules, won (even beating those who didn't who were disqualified).

[wolf]

one of my best off hand 3 shot group at 50yds. it takes getting your mind right,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Daryl]

That's nice. Well done.
Are you entering this month's postal match?

[Leatherbark]

Regarding shooting jackets and the NMLRA at Friendship. There are some matches that I shoot in that say for instance "Offhand Flint Hunting Rifle Unjacketed" or something to that effect. I always thought no jacket. Unless they mean unjacketed bullet? 
Some people have those fancy shooting jackets that looks like it stiffens up the torso.  And some guys I see have a wrangler type jeans jacket that looks too small for them.  I wondered why they wore them in the heat of the summer. .............Bob

[George Sutton]

Once in position I take 2 deep breaths exhale then I take a 3rd breath let it halfway out let the rifle settle and release the shot