Highpower Newbie Questions

[Paradiddle]

I've decided that I'm going to try my hand at Highpower.

I have a Garand and I'm going to shoot service class. The rifle is tight with a "new" barrel from it's 1965 rebuild and I've put NM sites and a Turner NM sling on it. It shoots well.

I'm 3/4 of the way through Constantine's book and have started Tubb's book as well.

I went to Creedmore yesterday and purchased a Kowa scope and a stand, a glove, a sling, and tried on a few shooting coats. I will say the guy at Creedmore was fantastic and helped answer a bunch of questions I had - great customer service.

Questions:

1 - Are all shooting coats uncomfortable? I realize their cordura coat isn't going to give, but when I put their top line coat on I couldn't imagine getting into a sitting position with it on - my arms stuck out like that kid in A Christmas Story wrapped in the snow suit. I've read several posts on this forum about Creedmore's coats having tight arms, and I couldn't agree more. Are there any other coat companies other then Creedmore or Champion's Choice that I should consider, or should I shop used for a 10X or something? Maybe go with leather? What are the latest thoughts on shooting coats?

2 - Should I get a coat BEFORE my first match? I went to the range yesterday (to try the scope and sling out) and wore only a sweatshirt and a heavy "ski type" jacket. I had some difficulty keeping the sling high on my arm, and the recoil got to me after a while as well. I could also detect some pulse coming through. Does the shooters coat deaden recoil much or is that something I'm just going to have to get used to? I haven't shot a Garand in a long time (just got back into shooting) so I didn't remember the recoil - it's healthy

3 - Does anyone know of a good Highpower instructor or coach in the Southern California area? I think some lessons would benefit me and get me practicing the right things. While I've read the books and looked here at Steve's great pictures, I'm still having trouble getting a good sitting position that I'm comfortable in.

4 - I did most of my shooting from the standing position yesterday and had a problem with my trigger hand thumb hitting my nose on recoil. Is this bad hand position, or something else. My hand feels comfortable and I've got the "proper" amount of finger on the trigger. Am I not holding the rifle tight enough? My front hand was just ahead of the magazine floor plate on the Garand.

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry for the long post. All thoughts are welcome.

Jeff

 

[Steve Smith]

Hi Jeff. First of all welcome to Highpower. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I am a personal friend of Randolph Constantine and that is a great book for beginners.

I'll do my best to address your questions.

1. I have found that the Creedmore cordura coats are too uncomfortable. It will loosed up with wear, but it won't stretch anywhere and will essentially be the same as the first day. As you can read in the past threads on shooting coats, I much prefer the full leather coat, at least at this time. There are some with cordura bodies and leather sleeves but I am (for the time being) quite happy with the full leather from Champion's Choice.

2.A shooting coat will dampen recoil and also helps prevent the pulse from coming through to your sling. You don't need a coat for your match, so don't let that hold you up. I say shoot some matches with whatever old coat you can bring along (to protect your elbows) and just shoot. While you're there, ask a few guys who are the same size if you can try their coats. They'll be more than happy to oblige.

3. Jim Owen's book "Sling use and positions" is a good aid, but nothing beats a coach. I believe "Sven" may be able to help you find a coach in SOCal.

4. The Garand and M1A suffer (target-wise) from having a stock that is too short for proper prone shooting. The easy answer is to move your thumb. I haven't shot an M1A enough from prone to perfect this, but I have been coached by a great M1A shooter and told that the rifle should be higher toward the neck than one would expect in order to help control recoil with that rifle. Good to know. How tightly you hold the rifle is up to you and what you develop over time. The old Marines (match shooting types) were taught to hold the Garand and the M1A in such a way that they only used their right arm to hold the gun up! I've seen pictures where their left arms were slack at their sides during excercises. That's holding the stock HARD to the shoulder! Is it necessary? Probably not, but a good grip and good rearward pressure WILL help steady the movement in offhand. There is a great deal of individualization that has to happen with the standing position. I'm still working on mine. The other positions can be taught to a 90% level I think, but standing has to be learned.

 

[Paradiddle]

Steve,

Thanks very much for your answer. I did several hours of reading on this forum and really like the contribution you, JC, Sven, and others give to the Highpower Sport.

I do realize that I'll hit a ceiling with the Garand as a competitor in the Service Class rifle, and at this point, I'm okay with that. I've not checked into it lately, but I think getting a black plastic rifle in California is more challenging now then when I was younger

Jeff