I have a Browning XT with an adjustable butt plate. The higher comb definetly helps keep my head up. This past Sunday I found myself raising my head so I'm going to lower the buttplate to help raise my head a little more upright.
Head lifting
Saw something mentioned on another thread that hit home with me- head lifting. This has always been one my problems, among many others.
Just wondering if shooting with a trap style gun would help with this? My thought is with the higher rib, the head is in the upright position to begin with so less of a chance to lift the head? Also with a slightly higher shooting gun, you would be able to float the target a bit.
My concern would be with dropping targets.
I am going to try shooting some skeet this week with my son's XT and see how it goes.
What are your thoughts.
Just wondering if shooting with a trap style gun would help with this? My thought is with the higher rib, the head is in the upright position to begin with so less of a chance to lift the head? Also with a slightly higher shooting gun, you would be able to float the target a bit.
My concern would be with dropping targets.
I am going to try shooting some skeet this week with my son's XT and see how it goes.
What are your thoughts.
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
Jim,
As a shooter who shoots an XT Trap (along with other guns) at sporting targets, I think that the answer to your question is "yes". I believe that the higher rib allows a better view of the target and reduces the likelihood of head lifting off the stock.
As for the POI of the XT, mine shoots only slightly higher than 50/50 so dropping targets are no more problematic than when using a gun with a low rib.
As a shooter who shoots an XT Trap (along with other guns) at sporting targets, I think that the answer to your question is "yes". I believe that the higher rib allows a better view of the target and reduces the likelihood of head lifting off the stock.
As for the POI of the XT, mine shoots only slightly higher than 50/50 so dropping targets are no more problematic than when using a gun with a low rib.
There's a cheap an simple solution to the head lifting. DUCT TAPE or SUPER GLUE..........Either one will work. :lol: :lol:
Sorry, couldn't help myself. The devil made me do it.
Sorry, couldn't help myself. The devil made me do it.
At least half of the head lifting problem is caused by eye occlusion.
ALL of the top shooters are set up to come from underneath a target (if it is at least 10% possible). They do NOT want the barrel obstructing their view.
ALL of the top shooters are set up to come from underneath a target (if it is at least 10% possible). They do NOT want the barrel obstructing their view.
Head lifting is bad form pure and simple. I would rather solve the problem with tweeks to my pre-shot routine, stance and mount than switch to a trap style gun. Personally I believe the more upright your head position is the more likely you are to lift it up higher.
I'm no Master class shooter or anything...just sayin'
I'm no Master class shooter or anything...just sayin'
EyeMissum, I've heard that a $100.00 bill between your head and the stock works, too. :lol:
That having to chase it around when you lift your head really sucks!
That having to chase it around when you lift your head really sucks!
I premount and used to have the problem. What I do is set up and make I can look down the rib good, then raise my head a bit to help find the target. I call for the bird and once I find it, I start putting the gun in the right position and at the same time push my head firmly into the stock. So far, so good.
x2. Do you wear a hat? If so, try shooting without one or turnning it around backward while shooting. Sometimes I see pictures of shooters wearing their caps so low I wonder how they can see anything.sera russell said:At least half of the head lifting problem is caused by eye occlusion.
Is it possible your stock comb is a tad low? A low comb will make you lift your head to better see the target.
Ditto to what Sera mentioned. It's important to keep the barrel below the target so the barrel doesn't occlude your vision causing the head to raise off the stock in order to see the target (especially on falling targets). Recently, I changed the stock shims on my Beretta to give the stock slighly less drop which has reduced head lifting and shooting over the target. Going to a trap style stock might take a long time for your brain to re-learn the correct sight pictures.
I was shooting a MoneyMaker trap 391 for sporting. I still was lifting my head. The only thing that has been able to help me is to stop premounting the gun and learn to shoot low gun.
Regardless of what type of gun that you shoot, I don't believe that you will ever reach your potential by "floating" the target on a regular basis. It is much easier to get on the line of the target and in front that under and in front.
Although there are targets that do require being under the bird.
Although there are targets that do require being under the bird.
I float nearly every target to a degree..........How many targets are not being affected by gravity at the point we are pulling the trigger on them?
I'm not talking about 1-2 feet either just floating it being able to see it clearly.
I was lifting my head bad when I took some lessons from Vance Barnes and he immediately corrected my gun mount. I was way to low out of my shoulder pocket. Fixed the mount problem solved stopped shooting over targets when I didn't lift it and missing when I did.
Switched to a Zoli two months ago, was lifting my head again, my wife Lyn watched my actual mount instead of the target to try to spot the shot and realized I had dropped my gun again.
Fixed the mount and problem solved.
I've often thought a high rib would make me less prone to lift and shooting McGuires Blaser with a high rib at the Rhino this year I almost convinced myself to do it. But....I also think theres a flaw somewhere in the mechanics that is making us do it.
Could be a comb too low and you're trying to see the shot....
Could be a form flaw...
Could be a set-up issue on certain types of targets...
I say work through it when you find it and keeping a shooter log will help you isolate when it happens.
Shane-O
I'm not talking about 1-2 feet either just floating it being able to see it clearly.
I was lifting my head bad when I took some lessons from Vance Barnes and he immediately corrected my gun mount. I was way to low out of my shoulder pocket. Fixed the mount problem solved stopped shooting over targets when I didn't lift it and missing when I did.
Switched to a Zoli two months ago, was lifting my head again, my wife Lyn watched my actual mount instead of the target to try to spot the shot and realized I had dropped my gun again.
Fixed the mount and problem solved.
I've often thought a high rib would make me less prone to lift and shooting McGuires Blaser with a high rib at the Rhino this year I almost convinced myself to do it. But....I also think theres a flaw somewhere in the mechanics that is making us do it.
Could be a comb too low and you're trying to see the shot....
Could be a form flaw...
Could be a set-up issue on certain types of targets...
I say work through it when you find it and keeping a shooter log will help you isolate when it happens.
Shane-O
I did that the other day and a shooter told me I was using gopher cam!
You don't chase it around, it belongs to the rest of your squad, or your coach.battuebaby said:EyeMissum, I've heard that a $100.00 bill between your head and the stock works, too. :lol: Yep, that'll work too. but, it ain't cheeeeeeeeep.........
That having to chase it around when you lift your head really sucks!
Sera,
It seems to me you are lifting your head because the comb is too low or the stock is too long. If you keep the same comb dimensions and get a higher rib, you will shoot even LOWER (because then you are REALLY going to lift your head!)
You need a higher comb and if you get a higher rib, a lot higher comb!
It seems to me you are lifting your head because the comb is too low or the stock is too long. If you keep the same comb dimensions and get a higher rib, you will shoot even LOWER (because then you are REALLY going to lift your head!)
You need a higher comb and if you get a higher rib, a lot higher comb!
Bangalore,
I think your post is wrongly directed to Sera.
As a Lawyer Sera only lifts his head to hand you the Account. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Now my sides are bursting :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Sorry Sera, I could not resist that. Are you well? Keep smoking them.
I think your post is wrongly directed to Sera.
As a Lawyer Sera only lifts his head to hand you the Account. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Now my sides are bursting :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Sorry Sera, I could not resist that. Are you well? Keep smoking them.
The cause of head-lifting can be difficult to identify and can have one or more causes - to combat recoil to the cheek, to see targets better and/or to get the head and neck into a more natural position.
Head raising could even have an emotional element involving certain targets. Some of them may be causing anxiety when they are presented.
Without watching you shoot, we can only guess if the cause might be - something in your shooting form, gun mount or body posture, how well your gun fits the form you use or a recoil avoidance behavior.
My experience suggests that it is body posture but again, that is just a guess, supported by very little.
Head raising could even have an emotional element involving certain targets. Some of them may be causing anxiety when they are presented.
Without watching you shoot, we can only guess if the cause might be - something in your shooting form, gun mount or body posture, how well your gun fits the form you use or a recoil avoidance behavior.
My experience suggests that it is body posture but again, that is just a guess, supported by very little.
Brother Sal: All is well. I (usually) don't lift my head.....I also float all the birds--a little.
BTW, I think Bobby Fowler may have reached his "potential" and he floats stuff more than me.
BTW, I think Bobby Fowler may have reached his "potential" and he floats stuff more than me.
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