This is such a basic fundamental it is hard to believe that no one reinforced to me in the beginning. I think most of my basic instruction centered on just getting the sling and my body into position. I actually gleaned this one from my first match.
I was lucky enough to be in the next station and spotting for my partner while one of the Guard shooters was at one of our local matches. I think his name was Kenny Swan (this is probably not right). This guy was awesome! I paid little attention during the offhand, but decided to keep my eye on him after he cleaned the 200-yard rapids. During the 600-yard slowfire I found it very hard to score my partner. I couldn’t break my attention away from this guy’s technique.
Once he was in position, I don’t think any part of his body past his shoulders moved for 20 minutes!His routine was as follows:
 | Break the shot. |
| Right hand up to the butt of the gun, removing the butt from the shoulder. As the hand goes up there is just a touch of rotation in the right shoulder, relieving the bulk of the sling tension on the right shoulder. |
| Set the butt on the ground with right hand planted on the butt (right elbow still planted). |
| Turn the head slightly to one side to view the scope at the left. |
| Take note of the spot and record the shot in the match record with the right hand (right elbow still planted). |
| Drop a round into the chamber and hit the bolt release with the right hand across the rifle (the butt of the rifle has yet to move). |
| Right hand back to the butt of the rifle, a repeat of the dismount. |
| Butt back into the shoulder with the right hand. |
| Then there was a little rotation in the shoulders, just enough to square them up. This brings the sling tension back into play. |
| With this fall back into position the right hand goes back on the pistol grip. |
| Both elbows are in there original position, and the rifle has returned to zero. |
| Ready for the next shot. |
| 199-14x very cool… |
I cannot stress the fact that nothing else moved for 22 shots! I mean nothing else! It was like watching a robot!
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I think that a trip to the Nationals at Camp Perry would be a true learning experience, just considering that one can learn a lot about shooting from just watching. Focus on the routine of the good shooters. Watch how they do things. A picture is worth a thousand words.
