Beginning Rifle
The Fundamentals
Contributers’ Note
This section has been provided for the ‘Beginning Rifle Shooter’. It provides information in this context – beginning shooters should be aware that much of the general information available regarding rifle shooting techniques are based on shooters already having the ‘basics’.
‘Stance’ (Position)
There are three ‘positions’ for ISSF Rifle events:
- 10 M Rifle is conducted in the Standing position only
- 50 M Rifle has
- Prone event, and
- 3 Position events (prone, standing, kneeling in that order)
- 300 M Rifle has
- Prone event, and
- 3 Position events (prone, standing, kneeling in that order)
Prone Position
Support
In the prone position, the rifle is supported (for a right-handed shooter) by:
- the butt plate against the shoulder, and
- the left arm / sling / hand to handstop
- the forearms must be at 30 degrees or more to the horizontal
Little if any support is provided by the right arm and hand
The Shooting Mat
At an ISSF Championship (World Cups, etc.) and many other competitions shooting mats are supplied (7.4.7.12.4 Shooting Mats The use of private mats is prohibited); but at many clubs, shooters supply their own shooting mats.
There are ISSF specifications for shooting mats – and these differ from the specifications for other rifle organisations!
For ISSF – 6.3.12.2.2 a mat for shooting in the prone and kneeling positions.
- The front portion of the mat must be of a compressible material not more than 50 mm thick, and approximately 50 cm x 75 cm in size and measuring not less than 10 mm when compressed with the measuring device used to measure the thickness of rifle clothing.
- The remainder of the mat must have a maximum thickness of 50 mm and a minimum thickness of 2 mm. The minimum overall size must
be 80 cm x 200 cm. An alternative of two mats is permitted, one thick and one thin, but together they must not exceed the dimensions indicated in this Rule.
- The use of private mats is prohibited;
Cheek Weld
Consistency in sighting begins with proper “cheek weld”, positioning the cheek at the same place along the stock. Besides fore and aft placement of the “weld”, also it determines the height of the eyes in relation to the sights or scope.
