There is a thread elsewhere on Marine Corp rifle qualifications that got me thinking about military techniques for position shooting. Since every Marine is trained as a proficient rifleman, and most regard themselves as such, I thought the following would be of interest to many here.
If you've been trained in the Seated Marine technique -either as a civilian or military- I'd like to read your comments on the following.
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A friend stumbled onto an old Marine training manual, from the 1920s iirc, that showed a seated technique that I find incredibly productive in a match:
The Seated Marine:
First you sit on the ground, feet more or less shoulder width apart depending on your body type. A line drawn through both shoulders will point to the target area. If you're flexible keep your feet flat on the ground. If you're not, then your feet will rest more on the boot heels which is not as good.
Now the elbows: The shooter's elbows are not resting atop or right next to the knees. Instead the 'corner' that the arm and forearm make are locked around the outside of the knees. Spreading your knees a bit locks in the arms.
The stock: It is held mostly crossways to the chest. The butt is almost off the shoulder. You dip your head over the action a bit to look through the sights or scope.
The hands. The weak hand clasps the wrist or lower palm edge of the trigger hand. Draw your hands together to firm up the position and the elbow locks around the knees.
The forestock rests on the weak side arm, next to where it locks around the knee.
I've found that a well-practiced Seated Marine as taught in the 1920s is still good in the 21st Century for a sure hit on a 6" target at 200 yards.
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- I'd like to know if any of you Vets were trained in the Seated Marine, and approximately in what years?
- Does anyone here use it in competitions?
- How did/does the technique work for you?
- Is there a better way to get off a very reliable seated 200yd shot?
If you've been trained in the Seated Marine technique -either as a civilian or military- I'd like to read your comments on the following.
-----
A friend stumbled onto an old Marine training manual, from the 1920s iirc, that showed a seated technique that I find incredibly productive in a match:
The Seated Marine:
First you sit on the ground, feet more or less shoulder width apart depending on your body type. A line drawn through both shoulders will point to the target area. If you're flexible keep your feet flat on the ground. If you're not, then your feet will rest more on the boot heels which is not as good.
Now the elbows: The shooter's elbows are not resting atop or right next to the knees. Instead the 'corner' that the arm and forearm make are locked around the outside of the knees. Spreading your knees a bit locks in the arms.
The stock: It is held mostly crossways to the chest. The butt is almost off the shoulder. You dip your head over the action a bit to look through the sights or scope.
The hands. The weak hand clasps the wrist or lower palm edge of the trigger hand. Draw your hands together to firm up the position and the elbow locks around the knees.
The forestock rests on the weak side arm, next to where it locks around the knee.
I've found that a well-practiced Seated Marine as taught in the 1920s is still good in the 21st Century for a sure hit on a 6" target at 200 yards.
----
- I'd like to know if any of you Vets were trained in the Seated Marine, and approximately in what years?
- Does anyone here use it in competitions?
- How did/does the technique work for you?
- Is there a better way to get off a very reliable seated 200yd shot?
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