Stockweld/head position...wrong or just different?
I used to keep my stock lower in my shoulder. I could never shoot irons worth a hoot. I had a conversation with a high power shooter a few years ago and he introduced me to Natural Point of Aim and suggested that I get the stock higher in my shoulder so that I could get my head up. However, I've noticed that most other shooters keep their stocks lower and put their heads down. Is what I'm doing wrong or detrimental in some way? I don't want to be exercising a bad habit that's good for competition but bad for real life (i.e. the "chicken wing").
Here are a few pics for comparison. The first is me and the rest are others from the class. (I'm not left handed, it was a weak side drill in a Vickers class, but it should give you the idea):
Pic 1 looks good. I always have the toe of the stock as the pivot point for a "snap" sight pic.... Irons or not... the sights are roughly in the same spot above the bore....
Pic 2 looks WTF??? Not sure why LAV is buried in that gun like that... And those other guys are just having to come WAY down to the gun.
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"You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan
You head position in Pic 1 is fine. I'm the same way. I keep my head more upright. Are you shooting irons better with that position? Looks like the others are in those positions to help absorb recoil and stay on target better. You don't have to be so buried into the stock to do that. I can see taking a fighters stance but the last 2 pics seem to be to exaggerated. If it works for them then great. If it doesn't work for you the do what does.
I think as long as you can get the same position each time and can see the sights you are good. I put my nose up to the charging handle so I know I am reproducing the same sight picture consistantly.
Some of the really good instructors will be able to notice small things you can change that will bring big changes, but if you are able to get hits, and can do so from a variety of positions, then I don't see an issue. That's one of the reasons I like the 9 hole wall drill. It forces the shooter to do everything properly (sight alignment and trigger control) from an unconventional, or even uncomfortable position.
You head position in Pic 1 is fine. I'm the same way. I keep my head more upright. Are you shooting irons better with that position? Looks like the others are in those positions to help absorb recoil and stay on target better. You don't have to be so buried into the stock to do that. I can see taking a fighters stance but the last 2 pics seem to be to exaggerated. If it works for them then great. If it doesn't work for you the do what does.
Yes, I shoot MUCH better with that position. Like, actual groups instead of patterns. It's comfortable too, whereas when I have the stock lower, I have tons of tension in my shoulders and neck trying to get down on the stock. Just wanted to make sure it's not a bad thing, and it sounds like what I'm doing is fine. Thanks!
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