Into and out of - the kneeling position

[cavedweller]

Since starting HFT I have been practicing only seated shots... reason... 80% are from the seat yes? My thoughts...
Master that and then start practicing the much harder standing and kneeling.
So i feel like I have reached that point where improvement now requires getting into the kneeling position... it's hell getting old, esp if your body is torqued from injuries of yesteryears.
One of the biggest hassles of practicing kneeling is finding a way (and place) to sit the gun down so i can get into position and place knee rolls etc..
I don't like setting the airgun directly on the ground. Anyone know of some good videos that demonstrate getting into and out of the kneeling position that don't trash the gun or the shooter ?

 

[Iowa Airgunner]

I decided Wednesdays I would only shoot standing. And I do a lot of just aiming . This is when I just stand or sit and hold my crosshairs on the bullseye. This is to help with muscle memory.

For the kneeling shots I just gotta give up. I have one replaced knee and one damaged one. And I was told by an Olympic coach I have the worst kneeling form he had ever seen.

But I get pretty good at standing offhand shooting.

 

[rob_g]

When I shot hunter I would have my gun laying on its' case beside me so I could easily reach it. My stool was also in close proximity to help get up.

 

[491458]

I do a fair amount of stretching what use to be really painful is now much easier When it comas to grabbing my gun just take it out of tote, Bowwild makes a nice one he is on this forum. Also you may want to get a bipod made for 10 meter air rifles I have an anschutz that was purchased from Champions Choice. They have several but that one can be detached without tools.

 

[cavedweller]

When I shot hunter I would have my gun laying on its' case beside me so I could easily reach it. My stool was also in close proximity to help get up.

I have been watching this ol youtube video - for kneeling start at 4 minutes. Video by Mark Basset:

the next is good to but start at 5 minutes for the real fun.

 

[cavedweller]

I do a fair amount of stretching what use to be really painful is now much easier When it comas to grabbing my gun just take it out of tote, Bowwild makes a nice one he is on this forum. Also you may want to get a bipod made for 10 meter air rifles I have an anschutz that was purchased from Champions Choice. They have several but that one can be detached without tools.

In HFT we can only use the bipod from the seated position. This is my trigger stick with a aluminum 60 mm head to accomodate a airgun air bottle
The second pic is the same idea but is for my thomas.

 

[humbled.ag]

Keep your bag, buggy or carrying tray in place that allows you to grab the gun once in position. I use a bag and have my own kneeling roll. I set the bag perpendicular to the line on my right. Once in position I pick up the gun and have at it.

 

[Bramezy]

i use a bucket, so when kneeling i sit and range, then move the bucket beside me so I can set the gun down, get into position and then grab the gun. Need abreak? then set it back down on the bucket. When done set it back down, get up and clean up. Works for me.

 

[Motorhead]

Kneeling is a position that can be a big challenge to do well if you Can't sit on your heal and get your body to settle resting on it.
Any tension you use to hold yourself in place will hurt ones ability to score well, as you need to be able too relax and go KZ fishing in a very controlled wondering pattern.
Some of us can pretty much hold within KZ just bouncing around within KZ looking for the ideal time to break the trigger, others similar to offhand sorta need to shoot via drive by and hope for the best.

I've won enough matches and lost enough top finishes due to suckage to realize how important it is to be proficient in the forced lanes , as most serious matches decide the winners from the also shots in how well they do in these most uncomfortable & challenging forced positions

 

[cavedweller]

i use a bucket, so when kneeling i sit and range, then move the bucket beside me so I can set the gun down, get into position and then grab the gun. Need abreak? then set it back down on the bucket. When done set it back down, get up and clean up. Works for me.

Great ideas - I’ll try your method this weekend

 

[davecole]

To the OP's original question, I don't use a BOB cart. I don't carry more than the gun, sticks, stool and ammo so I use an MTM rifle work station with tote ropes to carry. This way, the gun, sticks and ammo is right next to me. If you bring your own kneeling roll, place it at the kneeling lane prior to the match. That's the only lane you will be using it on. Sharpie your name and phone number on it in the event you forget it or put a post it note on your steering wheel as a reminder.
This is a little off of the OP's subject line, but for your forced positions, turn your magnification power down to around x12. At 16x, your wiggle/wobble is magnified a whole lot more and your brain is trying to hold perfectly in the middle. Besides, the hold over is seldom more or less than your zero.
To demonstrate this, turn the magnification up to 24x, look at say, an imaginary KZ target and it will be almost impossible to hold your aim point anywhere near the KZ.

 

[cavedweller]

To the OP's original question, I don't use a BOB cart. I don't carry more than the gun, sticks, stool and ammo so I use an MTM rifle work station with tote ropes to carry. This way, the gun, sticks and ammo is right next to me. If you bring your own kneeling roll, place it at the kneeling lane prior to the match. That's the only lane you will be using it on. Sharpie your name and phone number on it in the event you forget it or put a post it note on your steering wheel as a reminder.
This is a little off of the OP's subject line, but for your forced positions, turn your magnification power down to around x12. At 16x, your wiggle/wobble is magnified a whole lot more and your brain is trying to hold perfectly in the middle. Besides, the hold over is seldom more or less than your zero.
To demonstrate this, turn the magnification up to 24x, look at say, an imaginary KZ target and it will be almost impossible to hold your aim point anywhere near the KZ.

I have a Rick Cuccio light weight aluminum tote that does what your MTM work station does plus you can sit on it I like the idea of setting out aids on a course ahead of time. If using a second focal plane scope, your holdovers at 16x are different from your holdovers at say 10/12x

a sampling of some aides

 

[davecole]

If using a second focal plane scope, your holdovers at 16x are different from your holdovers at say 10/12x

Yes, I agree. However, I think you will find by lowering the magnification on a SFP scope has very little effect on the actual POI shift but somewhat reduces the visual oscillation through the scope of the gun. It is not necessary to hit the center of the KZ; just hit the KZ. Not having your aim point oscillating as much will have a greater impact on hitting a KZ over trying to insure you having your aim point 1/4 MOA.

 

[beerthief]

Since starting HFT I have been practicing only seated shots... reason... 80% are from the seat yes? My thoughts...
Master that and then start practicing the much harder standing and kneeling.
So i feel like I have reached that point where improvement now requires getting into the kneeling position... it's hell getting old, esp if your body is torqued from injuries of yesteryears.
One of the biggest hassles of practicing kneeling is finding a way (and place) to sit the gun down so i can get into position and place knee rolls etc..
I don't like setting the airgun directly on the ground. Anyone know of some good videos that demonstrate getting into and out of the kneeling position that don't trash the gun or the shooter ?

I have most always seen your partner hold and hand the gun to you .

 

[Kgphotos]

I’ve never participated in a Field Target match but I have a question. In a lane that is designated for kneeling, can a participant elect to stand instead? It seems to me that would only make the shot more difficult and therefore would not be an advantage to the shooter if they chose to stand. I’m just curious. Thanks,
Kenny

 

[Jezter6]

I’ve never participated in a Field Target match but I have a question. In a lane that is designated for kneeling, can a participant elect to stand instead? It seems to me that would only make the shot more difficult and therefore would not be an advantage to the shooter if they chose to stand. I’m just curious. Thanks,
Kenny

Yes you can stand.