Posted: 2/2/2011 4:48:19 PM EDT
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I have found dozens of topics related to what to buy in a shooting coat, but very little discussion on how to use it to maximum effect.
Can anyone expand on proper fitting and use of the shooting coat for the different firing positions. I know that its greats benefit is in the off-hand position and that it does little for the prone positon other then providing padding. I just ordered the Champions Choice Cordura NRA jacket and would appreciate feedback on getting the most out of it. Thanks, Art |
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For standing: have all the straps pulled up tight.
For sitting and prone: Have the top strap pulled up snugly to keep the shoulders of the coat in position. Have the second strap pulled up a bit less snugly. The second strap isn't for support, but to protect the top strap from excessive wear and tear due to tension or sharp jerking. JMHO. |
| Even the manufacturers try and use sales pitches like "feels like leaning against a post" The truth is a GOOD position in offhand should rely on the coat primarily for the non slip aspects of the rubber padding. The area that is particularly important is the area where the forward elbow contacts the front front of the coat. Optimally you want that rubber to rubber contact to help maintain the position. Other than that the quality of the position itself has a greater bearing on shot outcome than the fit of the coat. I have all my straps reasonably tight but I think most of the benefit is that it keeps the rubber areas oriented in the same place from shot to shot so I can rebuild my position with consistency every time I re mount the rifle. In sitting and prone I only have the top strap tight to keep the shoulder area from moving around and the second strap is snapped but not tight for the same reason. |
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For standing, I have the bottom two straps absolutely as tight as I can get them, and the rest snug except the top one which is not tight at all. It's pretty far from "leaning on a fence post" but it does provide support and limits movement, both good things when trying to hold a rifle steady. For sitting and prone I have the top two snapped, but not tight. I agree that the rubber pads are great for consistant contact with the rifle butt and with each other (elbow and chest). I also use adhesive on these and on my mat and sometimes on the rifle itself. In the words of a former national champion: "shooter's adhesive has made me the marksman I am today" - Jim Laughland
Don't be afraid to experiement, and above all use your coat every chance you get, in dry firing and on the range. I love mine. |
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For offhand, I keep the top straps tight to lock in the shoulders and keep everything in place a bit better. I leave the bottom straps looser so that I can move my hips a bit toward the target and get the back bend that lets me avoid the stand-like-a-pole with a rifle hanging off the side sort of offhand position that's rather common in HP. I can't avoid having a whole bunch of body sway if I let my weight get that far out over my toes. So, I loosen up my coat a bit so my torso can get into a more stable position.
For sitting, I just use the top strap, tight. For prone, I tighten the top two straps, don't use the very bottom one, and the rest are loose enough that I can breathe as deeply as I want without getting in the way, but no looser than that. |
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Quoted:
Even the manufacturers try and use sales pitches like "feels like leaning against a post" The truth is a GOOD position in offhand should rely on the coat primarily for the non slip aspects of the rubber padding. Too many shooters don't realize the truth of this. Build a standing position that supports the weight of the rifle based on the bones in your body. Then use the coat to keep all that support from slipping around. We used to use thinner and softer coats like 10X and Hawkeye decades ago. Those coats weren't as stiff as the ones today and the good shooters could still clean offhand with them. Use the coat as an addition to a good offhand position. Not in place of one. |
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Quoted:
For standing, I have the bottom two straps absolutely as tight as I can get them, and the rest snug except the top one which is not tight at all. It's pretty far from "leaning on a fence post" but it does provide support and limits movement, both good things when trying to hold a rifle steady. For sitting and prone I have the top two snapped, but not tight. I agree that the rubber pads are great for consistant contact with the rifle butt and with each other (elbow and chest). I also use adhesive on these and on my mat and sometimes on the rifle itself. In the words of a former national champion: "shooter's adhesive has made me the marksman I am today" - Jim Laughland Don't be afraid to experiement, and above all use your coat every chance you get, in dry firing and on the range. I love mine. Hey Garandpa, do you know Jim? Very entertaining fellow, I've had dinner at least once every year for the past 5 years at Perry with him. Glad to see him back shooting, spry old guy. 'Borg |
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Guys,
Thanks for all the useful information. It was helpful in evaluating my new cordura coat from Champions Choice. I was really impressed with the quality and design. It seems to have all the features you discussed. I particularly like the aggressive rubber padding they used. It is extremely slip resistant. I also like the metal anchor type closure straps. Can not wait to try it out. http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/artdouville/DSCN0204.jpg http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/artdouville/DSCN0208.jpg http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/artdouville/DSCN0210.jpg Thanks, Art |
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That granulated charcoal type rubber like on Art's coat should become the standard of all manufactures of coats and mats.
On the straps, for offhand, here is how I wear my Creedmoor. I have my top one as tight as I can draw it. The second and third ones almost as tight. Careful here! What you don't want to do with the second and third is restrict your breathing by appling too much pressure on your diaphragm. The two at the bottom you want as tight as you can get them. These add support to your lower back. To echo a couple of others that have posted, I am on my third Creedmoor hardback and I have yet to get the feeling that I was leaning against anything! For sitting I have the top strap tight. The second about half way and the remainder straps open/not buckled at all. For prone rapid and slow, I have the top pulled as tight as I can. The second and third loose and the two bottom ones tight. The two at the bottom being tight help keep the coat from riding up putting pressure on the back of my neck. The terry cloth collar on the Creedmoor I just remove it when I get a new coat. Here is also a bit of advice. Sorry if this was mentioned by anyone else on this thread. The strap and sling keeper on your coat's support arm sleeve, the CMP rules don't allow this so remove it. If the rule has been changed, take it off anyway. In my opinion, its a crutch for a lack of a better word because with the proper use of a good service rifle sling, you won't need it anyway. In standing as well as other positions, if your rubber on your coat dosen't have the grip that you need, there is always firm grip in a spray can. Champions Choice sells it. Works good but it sure makes a mess out of your coat! Dave McGrath |