I have just recently started shooting a lot prone, and have noticed that after getting windage all settled, my POA is still really high. I tried moving my arm further out on the rail, it still did not help much, especially since I felt more unstable.
I am shooting with a sling, though it does not really do much, off a 30 round magazine. Any advice?
Your Point of Aim or Point of Impact?
I am not sure I understand what the problem is, based on your post. Are you saying that you cannot aim at your target properly while prone?
Have you had any formal training on the prone position?
Man… I’ve noticed my POI moves when I get into a low prone. (with Irons) And that’s usually how I zero my sights for stability. :mad:
I feel like I’m always chasing my ass on irons zero… different ammo, etc.
If the issue is that you cannot get low enough, there are two fixes:
I do not recommend en extended support arm when shooting prone, grip closer to the receiver until you feel that you have a natural position for skeletal support, rather than muscular support -> it should not feel like your support arm is lifting/holding the gun, so to speak.
I am shooting with irons, as well.
While in prone I am trying to get a Natural Point of Aim, where I do not have to use muscle to get the front sight where it needs to be, and the last time I was out I could not get the front sight to sit low enough, it was always on top of black circle of my target.
The only training I have had in prone was a 2 day basic Redback One class. I did not seem to this issue then.
At what distance are you shooting, how high is the target off the ground, and is the firing position elevated in relation to the target?
I am shooting at 100yds, the target is around 3 maybe 4 feet off the ground, and no its flat.
Here is the spot, but I am shooting with irons now:
](http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/zane1844/media/photo36_zps57bc021e.jpg.html)[/IMG]
Have you tried bringing the butt higher in your shoulder?
I’m kind of confused, as this seems like a pretty simple problem to solve, so I am wondering if there is something more to the issue…
Which prone position are you shooting from:
Prone Unsupported - No part of rifle touching the ground up on your elbows
Prone Supported - Using a bipod, bag or other object as a rest
Prone Variant - Resting the magazine on the ground
Is eye relief consistent and like F2S asked, where is the butt in your shoulder?
How are you employing the sling? Is the rail free floated?
if you have to muscle the rifle into a proper sight picture then that is not your natural point of aim… shots will not go where you want them.
get behind the gun, close your eyes and relax, when you open your eyes where are the sights pointing? your N.P.A. ! adjust your body position accordingly to line up.
get rid of the 30 round mag for prone shooting, forces you to be up too high for a stable position. The lower the better (without contacting the ground).
this is a good starting point… more to it to be consistant
Try gettng your support arm as vertical as possible under the forearm and planting that elbow. Then make all NPOA changes around that pivot point. If you need to adjust your NPOA just scoot your hips a little at a time to adjust elevation and windage. The Appleseed Project is a great inexpensive training program to learn fundamentals like this.
Ain’t gonna work mag rested.
The rifle is resting on a 30 round magazine.
I shoot nose to charging-handle when in prone, as for where its at on my shoulder, I cannot remember exactly, but I did make sure to try and have it inline with my body so I can handle the recoil well. The couple of times where I could get a solid Natural Point of Aim I was getting alright groups, for myself.
The rail is free-floated. As for the sling its just there doing nothing, though it is is around me just not tight enough to make an difference.
If it were me, I would try it with the mag off the ground, prone unsupported just to see if it makes a difference.
look through these to describe what you are doing-it may help diagnose the issue. I also think you have the stock buried into your chest vs the pocket of your shoulder which would cause the upward pointing. Oh-for me, unless I’m doing High Power, I don’t get to tied up on the nose to CH. If shooting an AR on the deck, I normally just rest the 30 round mag and my support hand is at the mag well unless I need height and I use high prone.
Mag on the ground, slide the stock up in shoulder pocket until you have it on target. Try it at home, and play around with it until comfortable. The stock doesn’t have to be in a specific spot in the shoulder. You can move it around as needed to make the shot. Also try finding a solid position that sits you up higher if needed. As another poster mentioned, bone support is critical.
Another way to think about it … The gun can only be on target one way. Find the best way to stack your body behind it.
I went shooting today and got it sorted out for the most part, just more practice then I should be good.
I got pretty good groups towards the end, however, I began to get my normal groupings: one or two (out of a three shot group) in the 9 ring, the rest low and right, out of the black 5" target. So my groups are horrible. But I am new to prone shooting, and am only doing irons for a year to get my fundamentals down.
