Author Topic: Gripping for off hand shooting? (Read 984 times)

jterrio · « **on:** December 17, 2002, 01:58:36 AM »

Hi All,

I recently aquired a Scoped Super 14 7-30 Waters for my contender. It shoots great until I pick it up off the rest.

I have a 12" 7-30 with iron sights that I do pretty well with by cradling the butt with my left hand. This works good with my 10" barrels as well but they don't have the added weight of the longer barrel and a scope. My question is what grip do others use with the longer barrels when shooting off hand for 50 to 100 yard shots. Someone recommended moving one hand out to the forestock but I couldn't get comfortable with that. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

RonF · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2002, 06:36:57 AM »

I also use my left hand on the forearm for Super 14 or 12" barrels that use the super 14 forearm. I try to put the gun in tension, and it seems to work for me. Practice, practice, practice....

RonF

Steve P · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2002, 07:10:30 AM »

Are you scoped, or open sights? Eye relief makes a difference in the methods I use.

I am big, but have small hands. My wrists will not hold up to lots of high power pounding for very long. I am also left (or "wrong" per my buddies) handed. But, I can shoot with either hand, because I grew up in a right handed family.

I cup the forend like a rifle, extend my arm fully, and use the second hand to fire, just as if the pistol were a rifle. Hold the grip hand tight against the other arm and actually push them against each other with a light pressure. You can practice in front of the tv with an empty gun. The extended arm is like your rest. It is holding the weight of the gun and will also help hold the recoil. Your grip hand is controlling the trigger squeeze and is holding the butt of your gun against your rest (your other arm).

See if this will work for you. This is the only way I can shoot off hand with open sights with my 12 and 14 inch barrels.

Happy Holidays.

Steve

Steve P · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2002, 07:23:38 AM »

:oops: Duh, I should have read the post better. Scoped 14" barrel. :lol: I guess I am human. :wink:

The prior post will work if you have a long eye relief scope. Hold the gun the same way.

A lot of us shoot scoped guns with light loads in silhouette. We use rifle scopes so have limited eye relief. We use what has come to be called the "taco" hold.

Stand sideways to your target, your strong hand holding the gun butt (you almost look like you are saying the pledge of allegiance), your other hand on the scope bell, or on the forend. This is where comfort comes in. Slightly bend at the waist. Lean forward. Tilt you head toward the target, and sight thru your scope. s q u e e z e the trigger as you line up on the target. Mild recoil with a rifle scope, will not pop you. If you have a lot of recoil, wear good safety glasses and be conscious of that scope coming back. After you get used to it, you will not even notice it.

Hope this helps.

Dopey :wink:

KYODE · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2002, 08:03:01 AM »

long barrels are not necissarily to be shot ofhand. get a rest of some kind in all situations. get or make some shooting cross sticks,or bi-pod. do whatever it takes to rest the gun. pack em in with you. :grin:

southern utah · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2002, 08:47:26 AM »

look at www.jsi-guns-hunting-firearms.com

MePlat · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2002, 09:27:50 AM »

This question comes up occasionally on every forum. Holding an Encore or a Contender is simple. Just let the off hand cup and support the gun while firing. I let the first 2 fingers of my off hand support the trigger guard and the last 2 go around the fingers of my strong hand. Just keep the last two fingers clear of the trigger guard. Just as Keith said in his books don't try to hold the gun with the offhand just lightly support it. I hold and do all my firing with one hand letting the other simply support the gun. I do this with all the hard kickers too. I have never had a bad experience using this technique and I probably shoot harder kickers than most.

jterrio · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2002, 02:29:55 PM »

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replys. Most of my handgun shooting has been with revolvers and autos that I could wrap my left hand around my grip hand. That's a bad thing with a contender. My goal is to do all my hunting next deer season with a handgun. I have the 7-30 for areas where I can use a rifle and a 10" 44 mag for shotgun areas. NH now allows a select group of handgun calibers to be used in the shotgun areas. The big thing will be practice and getting used to a scoped handgun. You guys have given me several options to try and hopefully I can settle on one and become proficient. I guess I was on the right track holding the forestock with my left hand, I just didn't give it enough time. I didn't have enough range time with the new barrel this season to feel comfortable with it. I did get out a couple times with the non-scoped barrel and much prefer carrying it than a long gun.

Once again, thanks.