I used to shoot an M1A(M14) at least 20 rounds standing every range trip for several years before getting back into IHMSA. Also quite a bit of standing AR shooting, but mostly with optics (not for competition but for hunting purposes as it's my primary deer rifle anymore.) Support hand just forward of the magazine with the M1A in my case, in a way that would be quite painful for a right handed shooter! (Op rod handle placement) With the M1 Garand, used to hold further back, but changed later on to approximate the M1A for consistency. So a variation of that M1A hold is how I approached Taco Hold at first. With very poor results.aggshooter wrote:I too watched many of the best local standing shooters. You obviously can't shoot all the styles, so I would watch and try and see what worked for me.
Do you shoot your M1 standing? Shooting a rifle standing with your off hand under the mag well is very similar to shooting taco. I shoot some 10 meter air rifle during the winter and the only real difference is the position of my left hand. In 10 meter, I support the gun just in front of the trigger guard with a closed fist, the rifle resting on knuckles. With pistol, the left hand is rotated slightly and the fist opened up so my thumb is under the pistol (and I pull my upper arm away from my ribs).
The cross training is great, last match I shot 37 in Unlimited Standing using IZH and taco hold.
Changing styles sometimes takes time to see improvement. Many years ago, I shot a Ruger standing. I watched Pennsylvania great Bill Zewe at the NRA nationals with a Ruger, he had an odd hold, but he hit 13 of 15 turkeys. I asked him about it, he gladly showed me his method. I adopted it, it took about 600 shots to get the hang of it, then my scores went from AA to Int.
Last match it seemed the scoped Anschutz liked having both arms out about horizontal with the support hand on the scope bell. (ETA: Changing hold, went from 2 to 4 rams, so...)
Some more details in the April Georgia Cherokee match results thread.
ETA:
Link below:
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=2827