Customer Reviews

The New Position Rifle Shooting: A How-To Text For Shooters And Coaches

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pullum and Hanenkrat produced a classic how-to book on rifle shooting some years ago with the first edition of "Position Rifle Shooting." Now they have produced an even better version in "The New Position Rifle Shooting." The book gives detailed, clearly written instructions on virtually every aspect of the prone, kneeling, and standing positions. Detailed photographs supplement the writing and illustrate the important details. The book includes essential information on training schedules, goal setting, match psychology, and numerous other aspects of competitive shooting. In fact, I think this book would improve the performance of anyone doing any kind of shooting, whether with rifle, pistol, or shotgun. A superb, well researched book based on experience working with numerous world-champion shooters. Highly recommended.

Let me lay it out nice and simple: this is a fantastic book for anyone who wishes to hit the bullseye. I have been shooting everything from pellet guns to high powered rifles for over 20 years and this book still managed to teach me some things that improved my shooting abilities. I made myself a little notebook full of tips that I learned from reading the book and then put those tips into practice at the range. Immediately I could see my scores at 50 feet offhand, 100 yards offhand, and 200 yards offhand getting better. Though it's not about hunting, hunters will also find this book useful as well through the proper firearm control techniques it will teach you.

I know everyone out there thinks they're already a good shot and there's nothing more to learn. After reading this book you too will learn that there are a lot of things that you were probably never taught which will help you to shoot even better than you do now. I highly suggest you read this book if you are serious about the shooting sports. Whether rifle, shotgun, or pistol: you are going to pick up some tips which will make this book easily pay for itself.

After shooting benchrest for four years, I decided to join a regional rifle club which hosts CMP sanctioned service rifle and national rifle matches.

I competed for the first time in September 2005 in the John C. Garand (JCG) Match Course B (200 yards, 50 shots - 20 slow prone, 10 rapid prone, 10 rapid sitting, 10 slow standing). I scored 400 points. I was pleased with my performance considering it was my first competition.

A week before the October 14 match, I heard about this book from other competitors. I decided to buy it on the same day, shipped via UPS Next Day. Customer service was outstanding. UPS delivered the book the following day. I practically read the book cover to cover for the rest of the week.

This is not your typical "how to" book. It clearly outlines the physiological and psychological aspects of the sport, and how to integrate them for optimum performance. I learned more in a week about shooting than I did in eleven years I spent in the US Army. I liked the fact that the contents of the book were easy to understand, and not full of scientific mumbo-jumbo. It was written in a manner than the average Joe could understand.

To make a long story short, I scored 457 after reading this book! See you at Camp Perry.

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UPDATE AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 2008

Wow! I can't believe it's been over two years since I wrote the above review. I originally bought the book to help me attain better scores in the John C. Garand match. As it turned out, I stuck with JCG but I also picked up service rifle (AR 15) and match rifle (spacegun) categories. I achieved an Expert classification in service rifle my first season in 2006. Then I switched over to match rifle spacegun in 2007 where I achieved Master classification. However, I have decided to go back to service rifle this 2008 season when it starts in May for the simple fact that I wish to earn leg points and go distinguished. I only have two shooting manuals, and this book is one of which.
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OCTOBER 9, 2008 FOLLOW UP OF A FOLLOW UP

After 3 seasons of highpower service rifle, I finally reclassified from and EXPERT to a MASTER. I'm still trying to "leg out" and go Distinguished.

Peace.

Some of the material covered I have seen nowhere else. The author correctly identifies the all important psychological effects associated with shooting and shooting well. However, there is much more that could be said, with accompanying detail as necessary, on the finer points of shooting. Further development of ideas and techniques for breathing, holds and grips of the rifle, trigger action, and handling recoil consistently are items that need further expansion. It is a good text, however, for an intermediate shooter more is needed. Another very beneficial area would be to have a few more pictures with annotated diagrams addressing the finer points discussed in the text.

I don't doubt the authors experience, but some of the advice in the book is lacking and/or dubious. For example, the section on what equipment to buy basically says "See what the pro's are using & buy the same", but takes several pages to make a point. I didn't think this good advice at all, what if their equipment is not suitable for me ? How do I determine what suits ME best, the book did not even cover that ! It may be OK for some, but I feel the book is not aimed at my (basic) level.

I find the book useful to a certain extent. Covers many aspects but the chapters about the positions themselves are somehow short and leave you craving for more information.

I am still a fan of the first edition of this book, and I hope reviewer J.Crawford reads that edition because all phases of position rifle shooting are covered. Bill Pullum and Frank Hanenkrat are simply the best resource for competitive position shooters - nothing else comes close to their expertise. They addressed mental training for the shooting sports long before it gained widespread acceptance. This book (and the first edition) are MUST HAVES!